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The BIBLE VIEW #1033 — Service

In This Issue:
What To Do If You Can’t Do Any More
Do What You Can

Volume: 1033     January 20, 2026
Theme: Service

 What To Do If You Can’t Do Any More
Bill Brinkworth

One day, everyone will reach a point where they cannot do what they used to do.  Be it health issues, psychological reasons, or age restrictions, some will find themselves watching the world go by from the sidelines.

However, if a sidelined person is a Christian, quitting and not making a spiritual difference in this world should not be an option.  No one is saved to sit and soak in God’s goodness. 

We are saved to stand and serve.  No age or Bible health restriction tells a Christian, “Okay, you have done your part, now sit down and relax.”

Often, when a tire has little tread life, there is a way to keep it in service.  There still can be a use for it.

A worker removes the tire’s outer layer.  If the supporting radial fibers are still intact, a new tread can be adhered to them, allowing the critical part of the car to be used again.  It may not be suitable for a racecar, but it can still be used.

If the steel cords in the tire are damaged, there is still use for it.  It can be used for a child’s backyard tire swing or a bumper for boats approaching a dock.  It still can be used somehow. 

The same should be applied to a wounded or aged Christian.  If the desire to still do something for the Lord remains, the believer should not be sidelined There is something he or she can still do.  A Christian can still be repurposed.

The set-apart Christian is valuable in God’s eyes.  The seasoned saint has learned a lot from God’s Word, how to apply it, and how the Lord’s intervention can make a difference.  Their faith had been tested by many fires and disasters, but it relied on the Lord and stayed true to Him.  Their spiritual experience can be utilized in ways a newer Christian is not qualified.

That kind of seasoned spiritual experience is important and should not be shelved.  There is still a use for it in others’ lives.  The Christian must find what they are to do in the different stage of their life.

After realizing they still have a true desire to continue doing something for the Lord, the first step would be to immediately go to the One who guided them through their past.  “What is it you would have me do now, oh Lord?” It may take some patience to wait for His direction, but it will come.  God will not waste the life of a valued spiritual warrior.

But, while you are waiting on the Lord’s new direction in your life, do whatever opportunity  crosses your path.  Often, the reward for service is more service to a faithful, willing, obedient believer.  Those who are reluctant to fulfill a need they saw may not have any other opportunities given to them.
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Ecclesiastes 9:10
“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” Romans 12:11-12
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24
“Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;  7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” Ephesians 6:6-8

Perhaps there will be an opportunity to visit one in a nursing home.  One never knows that one’s heart may be stirred at the needs there, and make that one’s new ministry.

A young mother may need someone to help her manage her children.  There is a great need for that, and a spiritual person could give much encouragement to an exhausted mother.

A disabled church visitor may be sitting all alone in the church, as many do not know how to act around that person, so they stay away.  That person may need a friend, and that is an area where one may feel burdened to fulfill that person’s need.  (By the way, everyone needs a friend.  Find a person sitting by themselves and spend time with them.)

Perhaps a Sunday school class has few students.  That would be an excellent opportunity to encourage the teacher by offering to visit neighborhoods and children to grow that ministry.

Prayer can change everything.  Hearing all the needs can burden one to change situations by calling on the Lord on behalf of others.  Summoning God’s help can make a big difference in lives.  No matter one’s handicap or situation, one can commit oneself to be a reliable, consistent prayer warrior!

Everywhere there are needs.  God did not call any Christian to sit and just look.  While you still have a breath, there are opportunities for an experienced Christian to go and help for the Glory of God.  Go, you can make a difference for the cause of Christ.

“Retire doesn’t have to mean ”to withdraw, to retreat, or to recede from life.”  It could mean to discard what used to be done, and repurpose oneself in a new, different way for the glory of God.”   — Brinkworth


Do What You Can!
Bill Btinkworth

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” Eccl. 9:10

When J.’s daughter approached her to make a lacy collar for her dress, as the other children had at church, J. was troubled.  She could not afford the fancy collar that was so popular among girls at the time, and she had never made anything that intricate before.

Her daughter encouraged her to make one.  “They have how-to books, Mom.  You can get the materials at the store,” the daughter suggested.

It is so hard for anyone, especially a mother, to turn down a child’s requests.  After begging God to help her do such a project, she went to the store, bought a knitting needle, and the necessary thread.  After carefully following the directions and working some of the night, the accessory for her daughter’s dress was completed.

The next morning, her daughter proudly wore the dress collar to school.  God had allowed J. to do something she never imagined she could do.

Later, a young girl approached J. with what she thought was a collar like the ones all the other girls had.  She boasted she had one like the other children, but it was only the lining from some clothing and looked nothing like what the other girls were wearing.  J. was burdened to make one for that girl also.  After some long hours and hard work, J. presented the dress accessory to the girl.  The girl was ecstatic over the love and concern that J. would make her something.

J.’s lifetime ministry had started because she saw the needs of others and allowed God to enable and use her to meet them.  Her hands were kept busy for many decades to come as one sewing need after another was shown to her.  All must have been encouraged that someone thought enough of them to give her time, and often at her own expense, to meet their needs.  She was showing many what love in action was.  What a good Christian testimony she was to so many.

Not everyone is called, burdened, or qualified to be a preacher, Sunday school teacher, music director, or to serve in some other prominent ministry in the church.  However, everyone can do something to meet the needs of others and be a good Christian testimony.  Everyone, in church and all around us, has needs.

Over the years, I have seen many who wanted to serve the Lord and make a difference in others’ lives.  They have used their skills and abilities to fix cars for widows, keep the bus ministry running, watch children for single parents, sing in the choir, visit those who are housebound due to illness, and so many other ways.  They saw a need, put their Christianity into action, and gave a most valuable gift — themselves.

The requirement to be a blessing and an encouragement to others is not so much skill, but a willing heart, and compassion to see and meet the needs in others’ lives.  Everyone needs help from time to time.  Helping others is one way to show the love of Christ to those who may have never seen Christian love in action.

It is easy to talk about loving people, but the world needs more who are willing to show it.  Helping others is one way to be the Christian example the world needs to see.  Whatever need you see, put your hand to the task and help.
“And of some have compassion, making a difference:” Jude 1:22  

“It is amazing how much God can accomplish through an imperfect person who has put all his imperfections completely at God’s disposal.”  — Author Unknown

The BIBLE VIEW #1032

In This Issue:
The Old Suitcase
I Am a Soldier!

Volume: 1032     January 5, 2026
Theme: Standing Strong

 The Old Suitcase
Bill Brinkworth

“Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.” Acts 11:14
“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31
“And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.” Acts 16:34

To be better organized, I put all my Gospel magic in various cases.  When I use the object lessons to preach or teach to children, I always lug cases with me.  

One particular case is certainly well-worn, old, and the ugliest of them all.  Because of its sentimental value, I cannot bring myself to throw out the 80-year-old, small, two-toned, brown leather suitcase.  It reminds me well of who I used to be.

Growing up, I had a very godly grandmother.  She was my mother’s mother, and she came to visit several times a year.  Honestly, and shamefully, she was not my favorite of our two grandmothers.  There was something different about her that made me uncomfortable.  She was a Christian.

Shortly after her arrival, the little suitcase was opened, and she pulled out several copies of a Sunday school paper she had saved and gave them to me.  She would then lug out her old, battered Bible.  It would start on the nightstand next to her bed, but after her next morning’s devotions, it would be left on a table in the living room, where she read it and where its appearance haunted and troubled me.

Every time she came, her conversation turned to the things of God at least once.  Perhaps it was to correct something I had done wrong, or maybe it was, “Did you read those Sunday school papers I gave you?  What did you think?”

Her godly presence in our house often convicted me.  Things were not comfortable when she was there, even if she did not say anything about the Bible or religion.  I now know I was not saved then, and that her godly lifestyle made me feel bad and guilty.  Her presence brought me under tremendous conviction much of the time, without her having to say anything.

As I got older and after I got the polite welcomes out of the way, I made an effort to stay out of the house as much as possible when she was visiting.  I also developed an attitude toward her because of something my father said.  He roughly remarked, more than once, that she was “forcing her religion down our throats.”

Good, Dad gave me another defense to keep me from having spiritual guilt; she was wrong, and she was forcing her way of thinking on me.  Still, her presence made me uneasy.  Things went back to “normal” when she and that brown, leather suitcase were out of the house.

All her remarks and advice she gave me somehow made it through the dark crevasses of my conscience, even though I tried to prevent them from invading it.  For years, without even realizing it, I was influenced by her biblical teachings. I felt guilty when I sinned.

Her influence came to light at a particular Memorial Day parade years after she died.  I remember sitting on the steps of my rented home in Yardley, Pennsylvania, watching the parade go by.  I recalled all the successes I had already had in my young life; I was married; I had property; I owned a new truck; I had a young child.

Everything seemed to be going so well.  Then, I remembered thinking, “Grandmom was wrong.  I did get away with sin!”  Her persistence in trying to teach me God’s way had, unknowingly to me, still stayed with me.

One year later to the day, everything had changed.  Almost everything I boasted of the previous year was gone: house, marriage, and property.  All gone!  Then I realized, “Oh, no.  I did not get away with anything.  Grandmom was right!  I didn’t get away with my sin.”

It was not long until I realized my way did not work.  I was in desperate need of the right answers.  

It was then that I started reading my Bible.  In a short time, I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins. He did and saved my soul.

The old book that I used to run away from when grandmom came was now the source of the solution to my life’s problems.  I could not wait to get home from work to read more from the same book I had previously avoided much of my life.

As I read and learned more, my thinking and life began to change.  The sinful things I used to do lost their appeal, and one by one, dropped out of my life, or at least I worked on stopping them.  Because, at that time, I was not in a good, Bible-believing church and was not around strong Christians, I did not know what was happening to me.

I thought of calling grandmom.  Surely, she would like to know about the changes in my life, and how I was reading my Bible, but I did not.  Six months went by, and I still had not called her.  Then I got my mother’s telephone call.  Grandmom had died and gone to Heaven.

With guilt in my heart, I went to the funeral.  People at the funeral told how wonderfully my grandmom had served the Lord; how she had led many to the Lord, taught Sunday school for most of her life, had knocked on doors to invite people to church, and even visited her students.  

It even turned out that after she led a person to the Lord, she wrote their name in a little book.  People repeatedly requested to look into the little book.  My grandmom had made quite a difference in many lives, including mine.

Then the preacher preached at the service.  I had heard preaching much of my life, but his words were much different.  I had never heard anything like it in my life: such truth, such power, so interesting!  

Then he did an unusual thing.  He said that my grandmother would want him to conclude her “going home service” with an invitation to invite anyone listening with an opportunity to be saved and have the same promise of Heaven she had.  

After hearing the invitation, I finally realized what had happened to me; I had been saved.  I learned right there at her funeral that I had done what God wanted me to do; I had trusted Christ as my Saviour.  I was forgiven and not forgotten by God.

It has been over 55 years since that funeral.  Grandmom’s in Heaven, and I have God’s promise that I, too, can go there and see her one day.  

All that happened because my grandmom cared about my soul.  She did not quit her godly influence, just because I was not interested at the time.  

In the end, her perseverance, daily prayers, and efforts to get me to be obedient to God paid off.  “Thanks, Grandmom, for not giving up.”

No, I do not think I will ever get rid of that old suitcase.

** I don’t think it is a coincidence that God moulded me into being a teacher and soul-winner just like my grandmother, and I have been a publisher of Sunday school papers, similar to the ones she gave me!  Her faithfulness helped make me the Christian I am.  I am glad she did not quit on me **

“Example is more forcible than precept.  People look at me six days a week to see what I mean on the seventh.”  — Cecil

I Am a Soldier!
Author Unknown

 “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” II Timothy 2:3

I am a soldier in the army of my God.  The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding officer.  The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.  Faith, prayer, and God’s Word are my weapons of warfare.  I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in this army, and I have enlisted for eternity.  I will either retire at the rapture or die in this army, but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or be pushed out.  I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable.  

If my God needs me, I am there.  If He needs me in the Sunday school to teach the children or work with the youth, if He needs me to work with the adults, He can use me because I am there.

I am a soldier!  I am not a baby.  I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed, pumped, picked up, or pepped up.  I am a soldier!

No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.  I am a soldier!  I’m not a wimp.  

I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom.  No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts.  I do not need to be cuddled, coddled, cradled, cared for, or catered to.  I am committed.  I cannot have my feelings hurt badly enough to turn me around, and I cannot be discouraged enough to cause me to quit.

When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing.  If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead.  If I win, it will be because of my God, and He will continue to supply all my needs.

I am more than a conqueror.  I will always triumph.   I can do all things through Christ.  

The devil cannot defeat me.  People cannot disillusion me.  Weather cannot weary me.  Sickness cannot stop me.  Battles cannot beat me.  Money cannot buy me.  Governments cannot silence me, and Hell cannot handle me.  I am a soldier!  Even death cannot destroy me.

When my commander calls me from His battlefield, He will promote me to captain and then allow me to rule with Him.  I am a soldier in His army, and I am marching and claiming the victory.  

I will not give up.  I will not turn around.  I am a soldier marching Heaven-bound.  Here I stand!  Will you stand with me?

“You have received Christ; persevere in receiving him.  You have come to trust him; keep on trusting him.  You hang about his neck as a poor, helpless sinner; remain hanging there.  Abide in Him.”  — Spurgeon

The BIBLE VIEW #1031 — False Religion

In This Issue:
Another Jesus, Spirit, and Gospel
Satan’s Successful Tactic
Look Out for False Religion
Christ, the Root

Volume: 1031     January 5, 2026
Theme: False Religion


Another Jesus, Spirit, and Gospel
Bill Brinkworth

“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.  4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.” II Cor. 11:3-4

The Apostle Paul was concerned about the early church in Corinth.  He knew the devil would attempt to attack, weaken, and destroy the ministry there as he had done even to the first man and woman in the Garden of Eden.

Paul knew that the subtle enemy of God would attempt to get the fledgling church to disobey and question God, just as he had done many times previously.  The evangelist knew Satan’s tactics and how he often attacked and weakened God’s people.

Satan’s attack on God’s people today is not much different from the one on the early church.  One of his tactics is not to completely halt discussion of the things of God, but to confuse people into believing different things about what is said in the Bible.  The enemy of God is the originator of religiously correct confusion, which is similar to the secular politically correct confusion that is being forced on many today.

One of the enemy’s techniques of confusion is the “religious” acceptance of another Jesus.  This Jesus is spoken of much in modern churches.  He was born in a manger.  He died on the cross, but close examination of their religious teachings shows that He is not the same as described in the Word of God.

Although they may claim that Jesus is the only “begotten Son” of God, some also teach that Satan is Jesus’ brother, which is not scriptural.  Some flatly deny, although they claim Jesus was a good man, that he was God’s son (which false teaching is prevalent in many modern “bibles”), or that He was just a prophet or “God’s messenger.” Others deny his virgin birth, which is the way He was born sinless in the body of a man, and this unvirgin birth would make him a sinner.

Many believe another Jesus, and not the one who came to Earth to save people from the wages of their sin.  Many know of a “Jesus,” but it is not the Holy Son of God taught in God’s Word.

Another confusing ploy of the enemy is to make men believe and follow another spirit, rather than the Holy Spirit.  This false spirit is alive and at work today, as people decide to do what they think is right and good.  

Rather than obey the Holy Spirit’s leading, which is always in accordance with the Word of God, they follow the false, often unholy, spirits of man.  Some of those spirits lead people and do not convict them of their dishonesty, drunkenness, deceitfulness, immodesty, lewdness, unholy lifestyle, or other sins.  Their religion and philosophies justify the sin they are committing.  It is another spirit they are following, as the Spirit of God would not permit any iniquity.

Another gospel is also believed and obeyed (Galatians 1:7-8).  It is not the good news that Jesus died on the cross for sinners, and that His death is the only payment God will accept for any person’s sin. 

Today, many teach that obeying church rules and doctrines will get one to Heaven.  It is also preached from some pulpits that good works, religious rites, or deeds will get one to Heaven, even though the Bible clearly teaches otherwise.  Often, a religion’s man-made writings are given greater importance than the preserved Word of God.

Some even teach the false Gospel that there are many different ways to Heaven, while the true Gospel says there is only one way to Heaven and that is through Jesus (John 14:6).  Others unbiblically teach that praying to Christians of the past can get prayers answered and sins forgiven.  Man-made religion has added to or removed from the real Gospel that Jesus brought to mankind.

The true Gospel is the one God has ensured we have after all these years.  The pure Word of God has been kept for us within the pages of the King James Bible for English-speaking people (Other major languages have a copy in their language that comes from the same roots the KJV comes from.).  That Bible should be the only source of knowing the will and way of God.

There is a real, unseen spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:12) occurring everywhere.  The enemy’s goal is to send as many souls as possible to Hell or to weaken believers beyond usefulness to the cause of Christ. 

The battle can be lost by any who believes and follows the wrong Jesus, the wrong spirit, or the wrong Gospel.  Be wary!  Read your Bible for yourselves.  Learn, obey, and follow only the genuine.

“Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ.  8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:7-8

Satan’s Successful Tactic
J. Vernon McGee

When the Devil saw that persecution would not stop the church, he changed tactics.  He joined the church.  He began to hurt the church from the inside. 

He still does that today.  He attacks the validity of the Word of God and seeks to discredit the Gospel.  If that does not work, he tries to invalidate the man who preaches the Gospel. 

“You will never be able to discern false religion, unless you know the truth from God’s Word!”

Look Out for False Religion
Bill Brinkworth

In giving pastoral advice to another preacher, Titus, Paul showed us that we often face today what the early church had to be careful about.  Early churches had to be cautious of false teachers undermining the real work of God.

Paul’s warnings to Titus can help us identify some of the false preaching and teaching that goes on in pulpits today.  Some of the telltale signs of “false preachers” include:

  • They are preaching things that should not be preached or taught.  Perhaps some of what came from the pulpit was not even biblical, as happens too often in many pulpits today.  Somehow, what was said was often motivated by the preacher’s desire to make more money for himself (Titus 1:11)
  • Much of what was said ruined families.  Perhaps unwise preaching brought division, rather than unity in families and caused problems (Titus 1:11).  It may also have been doctrines that encouraged families to leave their church, and the result was that they stopped attending any ministry. 
  • Their having their own prophets (Titus 1:12) that supposedly got a “new message from God” and added their own thoughts and philosophies.  We see this today with Muslims following the teachings of their prophet, Mohammed, and the Mormons following their “prophet,” Joseph Smith.  It is also seen in other religions and denominations worldwide.
  • Their teaching of “fables, and commandments of men” (Titus 1:14).  Instead of “thus saith the Lord,” it was “thus saith the preacher” or “thus saith our religion.” We see this today with many false religions having their own religious books and teachings that get more credence than the Word of God.
  • Their works proved they were not from God (Titus 1:16).  With their mouth, they claimed they were from God, but their involvement in sin and ungodly actions were contrary to their profession.

Many claim they will not “judge” others, and we should not either.  However, we are to discern right from wrong and keep far away from what God does not approve of.  False religion is one danger we need to recognize as not being of God, and avoid it before damage is done to our thinking, testimony, and our Christian walk.

“There are only two types of religions: ‘do’ or ‘done’.  It’s either doing something to earn salvation to get God’s approval, or it was all done already on the cross by Jesus.”

Christ, the Root
C. H. Spurgeon

The Sandwich Islanders had been converted through some of our missionaries, and the Gospel had been preached to them for years.  One day, two or three gentlemen in long black gowns landed there, and the people asked why they had come.  They said they had come to instruct them in the true faith and to teach them.

The islanders said they would be glad to hear it if their teaching were true and scriptural.  By and by, a little diagram was exhibited to the natives after the similitude of a tree.

That tree had many branches.  The twigs, which were farthest off from the trunk, were the different believers who do good works.  The limbs, which were a little larger, were the priests; the bigger boughs were bishops; the biggest boughs were the cardinals; and, at last, those all were joined to the trunk, which was the Pope, and that went all the way down to the bottom, until it came to Peter, who was the root, deriving his authority from Christ.

The natives asked about all thoe twigs and branches, and especially about certain rotten branches that were tumbling off into a fire.  Who were they?  “They were Luther and Calvin, and other heretics who had been cut off from the true tree of the church,” the men in black robes claimed.

“Well,” said one of the islanders, ”what is the root of the tree?”

That was allowed to be Jesus Christ.  The islanders clapped their hands at once for joy, and said, “Never mind about the branches, and stems, and twigs.  We have never heard of them, but we have got the Root and that will do to grow on.”  Soon. they ignored what those men tried to teach them that were contrary to the Bible.  They had the Truth!

In like manner, brethren, we can still say, if we have Christ, we have “the root out of the dry ground (Isa. 53:2).” We have the Root of salvation.

The BIBLE VIEW #1030 —Dating/Marriage

In This Issue:
Bottom Feeders or Trophy Catch?
Advice for a Christian Seeking a Mate
The Bible and Marriage

Volume: 1030     December 22, 2025
Theme: Dating


Bottom Feeders or Trophy Catch?
Bill Brinkworth

I love to fish.  However, I am one of those fishermen who pose no environmental threat.  Many times, I come back with nothing, but it is still fun to try.

Sometimes, when I don’t seem to catch anything with my lures or flies, I switch to a sure-fire method that usually allows me to hook something.  I find the wiggliest worms or the smelliest chicken guts I can get.  I put them on a good-sized hook, make sure there is hefty weight on the line, and then cast it out into deep water.  There it sits on the bottom.  Every once in a while, I will reel it back in to check if the bait is still on, then cast it back out.

Rarely do I catch a wanted bass or trout on that rig (unless they are lost or very dumb).  I usually hook something, but it’s unwanted bottom feeders like catfish, suckers, or carp — at least I could tell my wife I caught something.  Most of the time, my catch from the bottom is not what a fisherman is really trying to hook, and it is rarely something he would ever brag about.

I was thinking of catching the bottom feeders after seeing a young Christian woman’s post on social media one day.  She was showing off how she looked after getting ready for a first-time date. 

There she was in her tight-fitting dress, far from being modest, with make-up that would rival many movie actors, and heels that were nosebleed high.  Although I have only seen actors portraying prostitutes showing their “wares”, she was not dressed much differently.  I was troubled about what she was doing to herself and what she was advertising to her date.

I certainly would not say anything to her, but I would like to.  I want to tell her that when a person dresses like that, she would probably end up with a “bottom feeder”; one of those catches that one usually throws back, and is not proud of pulling in. 

Her dress-up efforts most likely will not attract someone looking for a good wife, not someone looking for intellect, friendship, good character, a sparkling personality, or a good mother for his future children.  Most likely, he will only be attracted to the bait she is offering, get the biggest bite he can get away with, and will soon swim off to see what else the bottom of the lake has to offer.  Then she will be left all alone again, more lonely and rejected than she was before, and she may even wonder where she went wrong.

A child of God should not be looking for “bottom feeders.”  When a fisherman wants to catch a fish worth his time, he uses the right bait and fishes in completely different spots. 

To catch a desired trout, he fishes the cool, deep holes under a shaded tree.  It usually does not look like a likely spot, but that is where you find them.  If the goal is a lively, prized, large tail-dancing bass, then a line is cast among the tall grasses and lily pads.  A Christian should not be going to the wrong, worldly places to find a mate.

Dating should not be about trying to catch everything that is swimming around.  That type of “fishing” often does a lot of mental damage to the “fisherman” and “fish” alike, and the result is usually unhappiness.  Feelings get hurt.  Moral standards get lowered.  Regrets remain.  Frustration flourishes, and long-time marriage goals may be compromised.  Dating should be for mating.  It should be an avenue to find a lifetime marriage partner.

Only the right “catch” should be sought.  The proper catch is one that is spiritually similar. 

A Christian should only be seeking a Christian as a soulmate.  Marriage is a joining (“yoked”) of a man and a wife intended to be for a lifetime.  Two cannot be yoked together if their relationship with the Lord will lead them in different directions.  The goals and thinking are too different between a saved and an unsaved person. 

Often, the pressures of those spiritual differences cause not only disunity between the husband and wife, but to silence marital problems, the Christian frequently changes or hides his/her spiritual feelings and desires.
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?  and what communion hath light with darkness?” II Cor. 6:14  Also:Isa. 52:11.

It is quite common that when a believer marries an unbeliever, different problems arise.  One wants to flee sin and obey convictions placed in his/her heart, and the other does not see things the same way.  Often, sin is not recognized or seen as a problem, and it would be unlikely that an unsaved person would want to live for the Lord.  

There cannot be any spiritual commonality between a child of God and a lost person.  A spiritual relationship is far more important than married people realize — until it is too late.

“Well, when we get married, I’ll change him,” is often the excuse.  Rarely can a person change another person’s spiritual condition.  It is the Holy Spirit that successfully changes anyone.  Usually, when a person tries to change another person, regret, resentment, and rebellion result.  Unless the Holy Spirit does the work, a relationship will not flourish.

There is a reason God tells believers to only “yoke up” (work together — and marriage is a lifetime “work”) with like-minded believers.  A Christian should desire to grow.  Growth will be inhibited if a mate is not a child of God also (I Cor. 5:9-13, II Cor. 6:15).  

Once a relationship with an unsaved person begins, it may be hard to end it.  To avoid regrettable actions, never allow yourself to “bottom feed” in the first place.  A regrettable relationship with a lost person will not occur if an unsaved person is never dated.  

Set your goals on a trophy catch.  Go where the “trout” or “bass” are found.  Never lower your expectations, standards, or goals.  If you are a child of God, you deserve only the best, God-selected trophy catch.  That is God’s desire for you also. 

“Ladies, if you run after God like you ran after a man, He will send you a man you won’t have to run after.” — Author Unknown

Advice for a Christian Seeking a Mate
Bill Brinkworth

  • Pray for the right mate!  I know of young people who began praying for the right life partner in their early teens.
  • Grow yourself!  Some seek a mate when they can barely take care of themselves, let alone meet the needs of another!
  • Be patient!  An opportunity for a date does not necessarily mean it is God’s will!  If you are praying about the right mate, God knows about the need.  He will provide.  You or your future spouse may not be ready yet, so do not rush God’s work in the situation.
  • Seek only a Christian (II Cor. 6:14)!
  • Seek a Christian who is as spiritually mature, or more so than you are.  A couple with one who has been saved for a long time and one who has just been saved may have problems, as the younger Christian may need to mature spiritually.
  • Seek one that you can look up to, not one that you have to “fix” to be happy with.
  • Seek in the right places.  A bar, nightclub, or other worldly place is not a place one usually finds a strong Christian.  A strong Christian will be where strong Christians hang out: in church, serving the Lord in a ministry, helping others, etc.
  • Seek one that you like.  Best friends make the best marriage partners.
  • Seek one for their character, moral values, and closeness to the Lord.  Marrying someone for their looks may lead to disappointment as age changes one’s appearance.
  • Seek God’s will and way in the search!
  • Do not necessarily seek a mate that is just like you.  I have observed and experienced that some of the best marriages are between two people who are not the same.  In areas where one is weak, the other is strong, and vice versa.  The two “halves” make a perfect union that only God can put together.



The Bible and Marriage
Bill Brinkworth

  • Marriage is honorable.
    “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge.” Hebrews 13:4
  • It is a good thing to be married.  God is pleased with that relationship.
    “Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD.” Proverb 18:22 Also: I Tim. 5:14.
  • A husband and wife should show kindness to each other.
    “Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.” I Corinthians 7:3
  • A married person’s life and body are not their own, but belong to their spouse.  Most split-ups involve selfishness somewhere.  Fewer divorces would occur if more mates did not worry about their own needs but about meeting their partner’s needs.  If both in the marriage made this their purpose, both needs would be met, and a happier, more content marriage would result.
    “The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife.  Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.” I Corinthians 7:4-5
  • There was no “trying out“ a marriage.  If the sin of fornication (sex outside of marriage) had been committed, the man had the responsibility to make the woman his wife.
    “And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.” Exodus 22:16
  • Touching the opposite sex can lead to sin.  To avoid that trespass, a man and woman should marry.
    “Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.  Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.” I Corinthians 7:1-2  Also: I Cor. 7:9.
  • Although we are not under Old Testament law, the principle still applies that a husband and wife are still bound together until death separates them.
    “Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth?  For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.  So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.” Romans 7:1-4
  • Although God’s commandments are often disregarded, and man’s laws are frequently obeyed more, God says marriage should be permanent.
    “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Mark 10:9  Also: Matthew 19:6.

“When asked how the married couple stayed together for 65 years, the wife answered, ‘We were born in a time when something was broken, you fixed it, not throw it away as they do now.”— Author Unknown

The BIBLE VIEW #1029 — Sacrifice

In This Issue:
The Greatest Sacrifice
The Sacrifice for Others
Our High Priest

Volume: 1029     December 15, 2025
Theme: Sacrifice

The Greatest Sacrifice
Bill Brinkworth

Jesus existed before being born on Earth.  The Bible states that fact.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  2 The same was in the beginning with God…. 14 And the Word [Capital “W” so it is a proper noun.  Jesus is the “Word.”] was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-14  Jesus was there at Creation.
“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2
“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.” John 8:58
“And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.” John 17:5
“When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man.  And He placed His right hand on me, saying, ‘Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold,  18 I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.’” Revelation 1:17-18

However, God’s only Son came from a glorious heavenly home to be born as a child on Earth.  Jesus came from a place free from the ravages of sin but chose to go to an iniquity-infested world for an essential, divine purpose.  His purpose was to be the ultimate sacrifice for professing believers to be saved from an eternal punishment due them because of their inherited and committed sin.
“And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.  6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.  7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.  8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.  9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.  12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.  15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.  16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.  17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child… 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.” Luke 2:4-20

BUT, knowing who He was and what would eventually happen to Him when He came here, Jesus came anyway.  The eternal destiny of your soul was important to Him.

Jesus knew He was born here to die.  He surrendered Himself to be the ultimate sacrifice for all who would trust His gift to be the sacrifice for their sins.
“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. 10  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.” Hebrews 2:9-10

With all Jesus knew about who He was, where He came from, and all the terrible treatments and tortures He would face on Earth, He still came.   He endured sufferings and unpleasantries so that all who would accept His ultimate sacrifice as payment for all their sins would be spared from an eternal, tormenting Hell.  He was a willing sacrifice for what we did.

Has Jesus’ birth and suffering on Earth been for naught because you never accepted His gift for your iniquities?  Or do you have a special reason to celebrate His birth because He came to be your personal Saviour?

I am glad Jesus became the greatest sacrifice for us!  If He did not, none of us would have any hope because He is the only way anyone can get to Heaven.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

“The sacrifice of Jesus is the only reason for our salvation.”  — Spurgeon



The Sacrifice for Others
Talmage

During a plague many years ago in Marseilles, thousands died.  One day, the College of Physicians met and resolved that a victim of the plague should be dissected so that the physicians might know how to treat the disease.

There was silence among the physicians, for it was known that whoever undertook that dissection would lose his own life.  After a while, Dr. Guyon stepped forth and said, “I will do the work.”

The next morning, he made his will.  He prepared for death.  He entered the dissecting room, but he did what he promised to do.  He wrote down the result of his observation, and in twelve hours, he died.

“Oh,” you say, “what a self-sacrifice that was!” The Lord Jesus Christ looked out on this plague-stricken world.  He saw that its sins must be “dissected.”  He came down and entered the hospital of the world’s suffering.  He made His will, giving all things to His dear people.  Of our plague, He died; the well for the sick, the pure for the impure, the good for the bad, the only God for man.

“Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season”



Our High Priest
Bill Brinkworth

During Old Testament times, some priests served as mediators between God and man, presenting their prayers and sacrifices to Him.  Before Moses, the priests’ duties were often performed by the head of a household, as was the case with Job, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  During Moses’ day, God appointed priests from the Levite lineage, and this practice was intended to continue until the perfect priest came, Jesus Christ.

The Old Testament priests were not perfect.  Their limitations were because:

  • They were ordained (“appointed by”) men, although they were of an ancestry ordered by God (Hebrews 5:1).  Not just any man could be a priest.
  • They had to go to God with sacrifices and gifts (Heb. 5:1, 3).  The offerings were not a one-time gift.  They had to be offered more than once.  They were only temporary appeasements to a Holy God.
  • The priests themselves were sinners.  They also had to give an offering for themselves.  (Heb. 5: 2, 3)

Soon, the priesthood stopped.  The sacrifices halted.  Intercessory prayers and gifts to God ceased, but man was still in desperate need of a mediator between him and God.

God then sent man the perfect Priest.  Man did not appoint him.  He only had to make one offering for all of man’s sins.  That sacrifice covered sins past, present, and even into our future. 

That priest was not of Levi’s lineage.  He was very much like a priest of Abraham’s time — Melchisedec.  Like Melchisedec, whose name means “king of righteousness,” this God-appointed priest was the real King of righteousness.  That priest was the only God-appointed priest.  The priest was God’s only begotten son — Jesus!  Jesus’ one-time sacrifice, which never had to be re-offered, was His own life.

Unfortunately, many have not allowed God’s High Priest to be the sacrifice for their sins.  Too many have rejected Jesus and are still appointing their own priests.  No matter what those sincere people offer to God, it will be refused by the Creator.  They are doing it their way and are rejecting the one-time sacrifice Jesus made for them on Calvary’s cross.

The Old Testament priesthood was for another time — a time before the perfect Priest had been sent by God.  Today, we have the privilege of going to that High Priest, who is not sitting in some earthly temple or church, but is seated at the right hand of the Father in Heaven.  We can accept His offering on the cross to cover all our sins.  After we have accepted Him as our Saviour, we can go to Him anytime with our prayers and needs.  We no longer need an imperfect middleman; we have the perfect mediator — Christ Jesus.

“Jesus was born in a manger for you!”   — Brinkworth

The BIBLE VIEW #1028 — Our Sinful Nature

In This Issue:
Die, Old Nature!  Die!
Remarried

Volume: 1028     December 8, 2025
Theme: Our Sinful Nature

Die, Old Nature!  Die
Bill Brinkworth

When a person is saved, he becomes a different, “new” man.  One may be “new” on the inside, but all have the same “flesh” they were born with.  

Those fleshly, worldly desires may be tucked away out of sight for now, but they will always be waiting for their chance to make an appearance.  If the indwelling “new man” does not keep them in check, they will ruin his life and cause him to be in the same miserable state, or worse, than he was in before.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17

No, one does not get unsaved because he does not follow the “new” Holy Spirit’s guidance.  However, his life may not appear much different from that of an unsaved person.  He will not have the joy he could have, nor be all he could be.  He will go through many hardships he would not normally face, and God will not use that person as He desires.

All have to battle the pull from the old nature’s stranglehold to rule and get its way.  Many of our personal and social problems are because someone’s “old man” (Romans 6:6) is trying to rule the roost — again.  

It is that old man who is prevailing when the green-eyed monster of jealousy raises its unruly head between brother and sister, or when one gets angry quickly with another.  He surfaces again when a lie is offered to get one out of trouble.  

It is the “old man” who creates power struggles between peers, becomes selfish, and it is that same villain who spreads gossip to defame one’s testimony because someone hurt the gossiper’s feelings.  The “old man” exposes himself when a mouth spews out hurtful words and filthy talk.

The old nature retakes control when we allow it to criticize someone who is not doing things our way, when we are scared others are not accepting us, and in countless other ways.  The “old man” will always haunt our lives, until we do what God commands us to do to our old, could-be-dominating nature.  Our “old man” must die — sometimes even daily, but he must cease to control our lives!

No, do not even suggest that one commit sin and takes one’s life.  It is not what the Bible is teaching here. That thinking is definitely letting the “old man” have his lecherous control over one’s life.  Everyone, if they want to please God, must put the “old man” of the flesh to “death” and let the new, spiritual man lead.  The old nature must have as little control over one’s life as possible.  Here is some of what the Bible says about the subject:

When one is saved, he is a different person with new needs, desires, and purpose.  The second “birth” creates in him a new part of him that never existed before.
“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.” John 3:3   Also:  II Cor. 5:17 (see above).
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” Galatians 6:15  Religious ceremonies, traditions, and works should not be the governing factor in one’s life, but a new, spiritual life in accordance with God’s Word should be guiding him.

Do not live for “self.”  Let the “new man” be your life’s leader.  Put self-ambition, self-goals, and self-desires behind you and let your leading force be the desire to be obedient to God’s commandments found in His Word and to be a godly testimony (example).  Listen to the indwelling Holy Spirit.  

Let many of your self-motivated desires “die,” and have no control over your life.  In so doing, God will live through you.  The “new man” has a new mind, Spirit, master, goals, and  joy.
“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:24
“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.” Galatians 2:20
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:4
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Colossians 3:9-10  

Let your “old man die”.  Self-will will have less dominance when the “new man” is leading.
“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:6

Do not let worldly desires and habits rule your life.  Being born again is being born into the family of God.  What kind of child are you that, while a member of one family, acts like and wishes you were a member of another family?  That is what those who are living for the world, by living the world’s way, are doing.  By their actions, they are telling God, “I love you Father, BUT I like how the unsaved live, and I will behave, have the same goals, and strive to be like them.”

Christians are on the winning side!  Why would anyone ever want to act and live like those on the losing side?
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts … And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.  Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.  Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. … Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:22-32
“And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.” Galatians 5:24
“But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.” Romans 13:14
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.  Behold, I will do a new thing; ….” Isaiah 43:18-19
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.  Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” Romans 8:9
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.  If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” I John 2:15
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” Colossians 3:9  

You are not your own anymore if you are saved.  “I’m born again, but I don’t want to do all God wants me to do,” is what too many say by their actions and words to God.  You are not your own; you are purchased by God when you were saved.  The blood that Christ shed on the Cross bought you.  

You did not like who you were, or how you were headed to Hell, before you were saved.  God has done great things for you, including rescuing you from an eternal Hell.  Don’t you want to do something for Him?  Live the life He wants you to live!
“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?”  I Corinthians 3:16

“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.” Romans 12:2
“Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:3

If all the children of God would obey the “new man,” and let their “old man” “die”, their lives would be much different.  There would be fewer disagreements, tensions, and disunity in churches, families, schools, and the workplace.  All would have the same Godly purpose and direction when the “new” creature is allowed to guide them through life.  If you want the “new” life God desires you to have, let your “old man” die — and please, don’t ever let him be resurrected!

“There is but one question, and that is, what is the will of God?  That settles all other questions.”  — William E. Gladstone

Remarried
Bill Brinkworth

In Romans 6, Paul lets us know that when we trust Christ as Saviour, our “old man” is “dead” (Rom.  6:6).  The part of us that was once unrestrained, did whatever it wanted to, even things that were against God’s desires for us, is “dead”.  Once we are saved, we no longer have to serve our sin nature.

Romans 7 takes that understanding and explains how we are no longer under sin’s dominion, and the Old Testament laws that identified the sins.  Paul likens the new arrangement of being saved to a new marriage (Romans 7:2-3). 

Like a marriage, one is bound to one spouse for as long as they live.  Before we were saved, we were bound to sin, until that nature died.  It led us where we allowed it to take us into bars, adulterous relationships, bitterness, blasphemy, and hosts of other places.  Our sin nature was in control.

Like a marriage, we are no longer bound to the first “spouse” when that “spouse” dies.  Our first “spouse” died when we got saved.  That first “husband” contained over 600 Old Testament laws.  A saved person is “… dead to the law by the body of Christ …” (Romans 7:6).

The law is essential, however.  It shows us what God likes and dislikes.  From it, we learned that lying is wrong, as is adultery, deceitfulness, disobedience, rebellion, hatred, and on and on the list goes (vs. 7).  Without the law of God, we would not have known the whole mind of God concerning sin.

The law is very hard, however.  It curses and condemns us for the sins we have committed.  Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, when accepted, pays for our sins, and now we can have grace and mercy.  As Matthew Henry put it, “The sentence of the law against us is vacated and reversed by the death of Christ to all true believers.”

For the believer, the “old man” is dead.  We can be “married” to another.  The second spouse is Christ.  We are not bound to the “old man” and his laws.  Yes, the old nature and new nature will still battle for control (Romans 7:18-19),  but with the new mind a Christian has, he can be free from the control of sin (Romans 6:7).

“If you are saved, you sin by choice, not by chance.” — Barbara Brinkworth

The BIBLE VIEW #1027 — False Beliefs

In This Issue:
Filling the Empty Spot
Believe and Ask
Whosoever!
Look It Up!

Volume: 1027     December 1, 2025
Theme: False Beliefs

Filling the Empty Spot
Bill Brinkworth

Paul found himself in the world’s cultural center, Athens, Greece.  As well educated and developed in the arts as the Athenians were, Paul saw something the people were doing that deeply troubled him. 

The man of God saw throughout the city idols and other signs that it was immersed in idolatry.  On approaching a hill where many judicial duties were performed, Mars Hill, he saw something that concerned him even more about the people there.

There on the hill, he saw an altar dedicated to “The Unknown God.”  Here were people who had much of what the world desired: money, education, and pleasures.  In all this, they were not satisfied.  There was something spiritually missing in their lives. 

They tried to fill that void with worship of their own design.  Still, worshiping their created deities did not fulfill their spiritual needs.  “What happens if we leave out a god that we don’t know about?” must have been their concern.   They then created an altar to a “god” they did not even know about.

The Athenians of Paul’s time are no different from many today.  People are still not satisfied with who they are or what they have.  Most have an innate need that they do not know they have.  Throughout their lives, they unconsciously try to satisfy that need. 

Pleasure with all its laughs and imaginations does not fill the “empty spot,” nor do the degrees that come with their education.  Money never fills an insatiable pit.  It always seems, no matter how much is collected, that there is just not enough.  The searching continues.  They try this religion or that religion.  All kinds of ways to please a God they do not really know are attempted.  They remain “empty.”

The “empty spot” everyone has can be filled only through a relationship and fellowship with the real Creator.  When it is accomplished the way He requires, not our ways, He will be a part of our lives. 

God will be the direction our lives yearn for.  He will be the comfort our troubled souls desire.  He will be the supplier of all our needs.  God is the filler of everyone’s “empty spot” when He becomes the Known God to us.

“No God; no peace.  Know God; know peace.”

Believe and Ask
Bill Brinkworth

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9

Next to John 3:16, Romans 10:9 is one of the most memorized and recited verses in the Bible.  Within those 29 words is the message that has changed the lives of billions and saved countless souls from an eternal Hell.  It contains God’s directions for being saved from punishment for our sins — an eternity in Hell.

The most important step in salvation is confessing.  “Confess” is to “own, avow, or acknowledge.  To declare a belief in and adherence to” (Webster, 1828).  We are to acknowledge that Jesus, God’s only son, is alive. 

Jesus is not dead; He has risen from the dead.  Because God’s son did the “impossible” by overcoming death, He could also make it possible for His death, burial, and resurrection to be the payment for all our sins.

Unlike other religious leaders, whose remains are still on this Earth somewhere, Jesus did what no other man could do.  He died for our sins and was buried.  On the third day, He rose from the dead by the power of God.  There were no remains of His body left on this Earth. 

If the truth of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection is believed in one’s heart, that person is saved.  He can then be assured of a home in Heaven upon death.  

Believing that Jesus paid for all our sins is admitting that there is nothing we can do to earn our way to Glory.  It was something another did for us.  Jesus paid for our sins with His blood and got the victory over death, Hell, and the grave.

Saying we believe in Jesus and still hoping our good works outnumber our bad deeds is not trusting in Jesus Christ’s work alone for our salvation.  It is adding something to what He did.  The devil believes in Jesus because he has talked to Him, so just believing Jesus exists is not enough. 

What is “enough” is believing that Jesus got the victory over death, and that He is the payment for our sins.  It is trusting with all our hearts that Jesus is the only Way to Heaven.  He is our only hope.  That is total belief in what Jesus did for us.

With this belief, we can be saved from what is due us: the penalty for our sins (Romans 6:23).  Believe that Jesus died for your sins, confess Him and you can have God’s promise of eternity with Him in Heaven.

The world says, “Seeing is believing,” but Jesus says, “Believing is seeing.”
— Barbara Brinkworth

Whosoever!
C. H. Spurgeon

One time, Martin Luther saw, in one of the Roman Catholic churches, a picture of the Pope, cardinals, bishops, priests, monks, and friars all on board a ship.  They were all safe.  

As for the laity, poor wretches, they were struggling in the sea, and many of them were drowning.  Only those were saved to whom the good men in the ship were so kind as to hand out a rope or a plank.

Fortunately, that is not our Lord’s teaching.  His blood was shed “for many” (Mat. 26:28) and not for the few.  Jesus is not the Christ of a caste, religion, or a class, but the Christ for all people.
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13  



Look It Up!
Bill Brinkworth

In Romans 4, the doctrine of works versus faith is discussed.  Paul said (vs. 3) that no matter what biblical teaching is discussed or considered, there should be one concern that must have paramount importance.  That concern should be, “For what saith the scripture?…” (vs. 3).

Your opinion or mine has little importance in light of many topics, especially those concerning the things of God.  Unfortunately, many people’s beliefs about spiritual things are not based on God’s Word. 

Often, people discuss among themselves what they think God’s Word means.  Usually, it is just opinions.  Dr. Mickey Carter called that kind of belief “fireside religion.”  People share their opinions, and often those thoughts turn into lifelong beliefs about the subject, even though they may not be true.

There is one God, and one way to His Heaven.  It is not anyone else’s way, no matter how much education, money, or popularity one has.  Those things do not matter one iota to God when man’s philosophy does not line up with what He has said in His Word.

If this problem of different opinions were not a reality, there would not be different denominations and religions.  Shockingly, many Christian denominations do not even line up with what God has said. 

Because the majority of people do not read and study the Scriptures for themselves, the only biblical knowledge they have is what has been expounded from the pulpit.  They have assumed that the preacher went to college for biblical studies and must know what he is talking about.

Unfortunately, many who claim to know the Scriptures do not know them or even believe what they teach.  I remember being horrified when a pastor many years ago remarked, “Oh yeah, I read the Bible once when I was in college.”  Here was supposedly a spiritual leader to hundreds of people, and he had read the Bible once in his lifetime!  His lack of knowledge certainly must have hurt many lives and eternal souls.

A quick study and examination of most religions, and even denominations that are labeled “Christian,” may quickly reveal that:

  • Idolatry may be involved in their worship.  Many may deny that they are committing idolatry when they stand before a statue and pray or do some “religious” activity before it.  However, in God’s eyes, it is still idolatry.
  • According to their teachings, Jesus is not the only way to Heaven.  Unbiblical teachings often center on good deeds and works that do not please God.  Good works will not get anyone into Heaven.
  • There are other people of the past that they pray to to get answers to their prayers, help, etc., other than Jesus or God.  The Bible says there is only one person (“mediator”) we should pray to, and that is Jesus Christ (I Tim. 2:5).
  • Church teachings and writings have higher importance than the Word of God.
  • They often do not know where the Word of God is.  Leaders frequently use many different versions of the Bible, each teaching differently, and even use writings from other religions.

Many church doors would be closed shortly if attendees simply asked the same question Paul did about church doctrines.  A simple, “I heard what you just preached from the pulpit.  Show me in the King James Bible where what you just preached is written down, and I will gladly believe it.”  A biblically aligned church leader, or even one answering your query, should not be offended when you earnestly seek “What saith the Lord?”

“If you have truth decay, brush up on the Bible!” — Author Unknown

The BIBLE VIEW #1026 — Thanksgiving

In This Issue:
The First Thanksgiving Proclamation
1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation
2019 Thanksgiving Proclamation
2022 Thanksgiving Proclamation


Volume: 1026     November 24, 2023
Theme: Thanksgiving

The First Thanksgiving Proclamation
William Bradford, Governor of the First American Colony

Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, peas, beans, squashes, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as he has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience.

Now I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and ye little ones, do gather at ye meeting house, on ye hill, between the hours of 9 and 12 in the day time, on Thursday, November 29th, of the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty-three and the third year since ye Pilgrims landed on ye Pilgrim Rock, there to listen to ye pastor and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings.

William Bradford
Ye Governor of Ye Colony

“O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people.” Psalm 117:1




1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation  

WHEREAS, It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor;

WHEREAS, Both the houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me “to recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:”

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

George Washington – October 3, 1789




2019 Thanksgiving Proclamation 

On Thanksgiving Day, we remember with reverence and gratitude the bountiful blessings afforded to us by our Creator, and we recommit to sharing in a spirit of thanksgiving and generosity with our friends, neighbors, and families.

Nearly four centuries ago, determined individuals with a hopeful vision of a more prosperous life and an abundance of opportunities made a pilgrimage to a distant land.  These Pilgrims embarked on their journey across the Atlantic at great personal risk, facing unforeseen trials and tribulations, and unforetold hardships during their passage.  After their arrival in the New World, a harsh and deadly winter took the lives of nearly half their population.  Those who survived remained unwavering in their faith and foresight of a future rich with liberty and freedom, enduring every impediment as they established one of our Nation’s first settlements.  Through God’s divine providence, a meaningful relationship was forged with the Wampanoag Tribe, and through their unwavering resolve and resilience, the Pilgrims enjoyed a bountiful harvest the following year.  The celebration of this harvest lasted 3 days and saw Pilgrims and Wampanoag seated together at the table of friendship and unity.  That first Thanksgiving provided an enduring symbol of gratitude that is uniquely sewn into the fabric of our American spirit.

More than 150 years later, it was in this same spirit of unity that President George Washington declared a National Day of Thanksgiving following the Revolutionary War and the ratification of our Constitution.  Less than a century later, that hard-won unity came under duress as the United States was engaged in a civil war that threatened the very existence of our Republic.  Following the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863, in an effort to unite the country and acknowledge “the gracious gifts of the Most High God,” President Abraham Lincoln asked the American people to come together and “set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next as a Day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the heavens.”  Today, this tradition continues with millions of Americans gathering each year to give their thanks for the same blessings of liberty for which so many brave patriots have laid down their lives to defend during the Revolutionary War and in the years since.

Since the first settlers to call our country home landed on American shores, we have always been defined by our resilience and propensity to show gratitude even in the face of great adversity, always remembering the blessings we have been given in spite of the hardships we endure.  This Thanksgiving, we pause and acknowledge those who will have empty seats at their table.  We ask God to watch over our service members, especially those whose selfless commitment to serving our country and defending our sacred liberty has called them to duty overseas during the holiday season.  We also pray for our law enforcement officials and first responders as they carry out their duties to protect and serve our communities.  As a Nation, we owe a debt of gratitude to both those who take an oath to safeguard us and our way of life as well as to their families, and we salute them for their immeasurable sacrifices.

As we gather today with those we hold dear, let us give thanks to Almighty God for the many blessings we enjoy.  United together as one people, in gratitude for the freedoms and prosperity that thrive across our land, we acknowledge God as the source of all good gifts.  We ask Him for protection and wisdom and for opportunities this Thanksgiving to share with others some measure of what we have so providentially received.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 28, 2019, as a National Day of Thanksgiving.  I encourage all Americans to gather, in homes and places of worship, to offer a prayer of thanks to God for our many blessings.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-seventh day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.

DONALD J. TRUMP, First Term

“Christians should have an attitude of gratitude and servitude.”
— Author Unknown




2022 Thanksgiving Proclamation 

This Thanksgiving, as homes across America fill with laughter, favorite family foods, and the joy of friends and relatives reuniting, we give thanks for everything that is good in our lives and reflect on the many blessings of our Nation.

This American spirit of gratitude dates back to our earliest days, when the Pilgrims celebrated a successful first harvest, thanks to the generosity and support of the Wampanoag people.  It inspired George Washington to give his troops a day of prayer and thanks amid fierce fighting for American independence.  It also moved Abraham Lincoln to proclaim Thanksgiving a national holiday, honoring America’s bounty and asking God to bring us together to care for one another and heal our Nation.

Today, Jill and I share that same gratitude for America’s promise and for the millions of heroes across our country whose selflessness and care for their communities represent the best of who we are. 

We are grateful for our family and friends and for all of our fellow Americans, even those whom we may never meet but rely upon nonetheless.  We are thankful for the scientists, researchers, doctors, and nurses who have kept us safe through a pandemic, and for the frontline workers who have kept essential services going by growing and providing food for our tables.  We are grateful to faith leaders for their counsel, comfort, and support.  We thank our brave service members and veterans who sacrifice so much for our freedom, and the first responders who put so much on the line to keep us all safe. 

As scripture says:  “let us rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.”  This is a special time in the greatest country on Earth, so let us be grateful.  America is a great Nation because we are a good people.  This holiday, we celebrate all that brings us together, grounded in history and our shared hopes for the future.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim Thursday, November 24, 2022, as a National Day of Thanksgiving.  I encourage the people of the United States of America to join together and give thanks for the friends, neighbors, family members, and strangers who have supported each other over the past year in a reflection of goodwill and unity.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-third day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-two, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-seventh.

                               JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

*Notice the original purpose of the day of thankfullness to God is not emphasized in  President Biden’s address. Credit was given to people rather than God.

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” Psalm 33:12

The BIBLE VIEW#1025 — Money

In This Issue:
Borrowing
The Delusion of Wealth
Never Enough
What Some Wealthy People Thought about Wealth

Volume: 1025   November 10, 2025
Theme:  Money

Read 19+ years of  free Bible Views, PLUS devotions, lessons, Bible studies,
and puzzles at:   www.OpenThouMineEyes.com

Borrowing and Lending
Bill Brinkworth

Many in the last three decades or more have developed a lifestyle of spending more than they can afford.  Yes, I know that the economy is geared to people living off their credit, and yes, I know “everyone is doing it.”

No, I do not think it is the bank’s fault for lending us money we cannot afford to repay.  We are responsible for our decision to obtain a loan.  We alone are accountable for our spending and paying back what we borrowed.

In many cases, it may be necessary to borrow money to purchase a “need.” However, there is such a thing as “responsible borrowing and lending.” Here are a few biblical principles that, if heeded, may keep many from the financial trouble that could easily happen to them if these principles are ignored:

  • The Bible does teach that it is acceptable to loan money and things.  The good lender should show mercy and kindness to those to whom he has lent.
    “A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.” Psalm 112:5
    “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” Proverbs 19:17
    “Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.” Luke 6:30
    “Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” Matthew 5:42  Also: Psalm 112:5, Proverbs 19:17
  • A godly person has a responsibility to pay back what he has borrowed.  It is a wicked person who does not repay a loan!
    “The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.” Psalm 37:21
  • When we give our word to repay money we have borrowed, we have an obligation to repay it.  Breaking our word is lying.  We are accountable for the promises we make!  It is our testimony, especially as Christians, to do what we say we will do.
    “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,” Proverbs 6:16-17
    Covenant breaking (promise breaking) is listed as a sin in Romans 1:31.
  • When times are tough and it does not seem possible to pay the bills, turn to God first —not the banks.  He can, if it is truly a need, help you!
    “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.  I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalms 37:24-25
    “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4
  • When a person does not repay what he borrows, he keeps what does not belong to him.  That is stealing!
  • When you do borrow, you can lose some freedom.
    “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7
  • When you do borrow, do not get into a situation where your freedom is used as collateral for a debt.
    “Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.” Proverbs 22:26 (“Surety” can be one that is legally bound to pay off a debt. In some cases, if the debt is not paid, a person may be bound to pay off the debt by his being in slavery, in one form or another.)
  • Some debt may be accumulated because of one’s coveting.  Coveting is a sin (Exodus 20:17).  It is wicked in God’s eyes because one may not be happy with what God has allowed him to have.  

    A person may lust for what another has.  That coveting may lead him to spend what he should not have spent.  He may end up with payments he cannot afford.  The financial hardship may be the consequence of one’s sin.  It may be a reaping of what was sown.
  • If we borrow something, and it is damaged or dies in our possession, it is the borrower’s responsibility to restore to the lender what was lent.  The borrower needs to fix what was damaged or loss.
    “And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.” Exodus 22:14
  • If you are responsible for making a person poor, do not charge him interest!
    “If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.” Exodus 22:25
  • If you are trying to help a person who is having financial difficulties, do not profit from his hardship.
    “And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.  Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.  Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.” Leviticus 25:35-37

Having a “little” may not be such a bad thing!
“A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.” Psalm 37:16
“Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.” Prov. 15:16 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” I Timothy 6:6

The Delusion of Wealth
Author Unknown

There is a fable about a covetous man who claimed to find his way one moonlit night into a fairy’s palace.  There he saw bars, apparently of solid gold, strewed everywhere.  He was permitted to take away as many as he could carry.  He carried his treasure home with much difficulty.

In the morning, when the sun rose, he found himself waking and still clutching his “treasure”,  which he saw was only a bundle of sticks.  All around him, invisible “people” laughed and scoffed at what he previously thought was valuable.

Such will be the confusion of many a person who died in this world and who is worth much.  Awaking in the next life, they will find that their “treasures” on Earth meant nothing in eternity.  They will find themselves “… wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17).

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”  Rev. 3:17-18

Never Enough
Author Unknown

“When I was younger,” said a friend, “an older man tried to teach me some wisdom I should know about.  He once asked me when a man was rich enough?”  I replied, “When he has ten thousand dollars?”

“No,” was his answer.

“Twenty thousand?”

Again, “No.”

“A hundred thousand?”

“No.”

In an attempt to settle the discussion, I responded, “One million dollars?”

“No!” he again responded.  “When he has a little more than he has, and that is never!  If he acquires one thousand, he wishes to have two thousand, then five, then twenty, then fifty.  If he grasped all the money in the whole world, he would desire other world’s riches to possess.”

“Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.”
Proverb 27:20

What Some Wealthy People Thought about Money

“I have made many millions, but they have brought me no happiness.”  
— John W. Rockefeller 

“The care of $200,000,000 is enough to kill anyone.  There is no pleasure in it.”
— W. H. Vanderbilt

“I am the most miserable man on Earth.” — John Jacob Astor 

“I was happier when doing a mechanic’s job.” — Henry Ford

“Millionaires seldom smile.” — Andrew Carnegie

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which, while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” I Timothy  6:10

The BIBLE VIEW #1024- Sin

In This Issue:
Catching Monkeys
It Cannot be Tamed
A Wormhole
A Snow Story

Volume: 1024   October 27, 2025
Theme:  Sin

Catching Monkeys
Bill Brinkworth

Many hunters use their skills with bows and arrows, blowguns, and spears to kill monkeys.  Missionary Arnold Skelton told of an interesting way that natives capture the primates.

Some clever hunters have figured out a way that monkeys can trap themselves.  The hunter would scour the jungles looking for the right-sized, wild gourd.  It would have to be large and big around the middle.

After the gourd had dried for several weeks, he would cut a two-inch hole in the side and a smaller one in the top, through which a rope could be passed and the gourd hung from a tree.  He would then take the insides out of the gourd, leaving an empty, hard-shelled trap that he would use to catch a monkey dinner.

After finding the right place in the jungle where there were plenty of monkeys, he would hang his trap from a tree.  In the center of the gourd-trap, he would place several handfuls of peanuts and then leave his monkey-catcher.

In a short time, the curious creatures would scamper over to see what the man had left behind.  A glance and a long sniff would reveal to the monkeys that one of their favorite foods was conveniently close by — and easy to get!

One monkey would venture first.  He would look the gourd over well.  The gourd was a common sight to the creature and would not rouse many questions, and inside, he would discover wonderful, plump peanuts.  What more could a monkey ask for?

Into the gourd would venture one monkey’s hand, grasp one or two peanuts, and then slowly, he would ease out his hand.  Easy pickings!  He got a handful and they were so good!

Perhaps another monkey saw how easily it was done.  He, too, wanted his share.  In would go his little hand, and not wanting to miss out on this free deal (“Why, some of the other monkeys may go next and not leave any more for me!”), he would grab as many as he could get.  His hand was now too big to get back out of the hole.  When he tried to pull back his hand, it would not come out through the gourd’s hole.  His hand was stuck.

He would pull and pull, but to no avail.  The creature was caught.  There seemed to be no way out.  His own selfishness had bound him to the trap.  It would never dawn on him to let go of the peanuts.  There, he would be captured until the hunter returned and easily killed the monkey.

So many people are in a similar trap.  It may not be a lust for peanuts that has them bound, but it may be bondage to cigarettes, drinking, drugs, lying, adultery, stealing, or some other sin that has them caught.

At first, the sin looked harmless to them.  “Everyone was doing it, and it seemed to be okay.” Finally, sin’s noose tightened, and there was no longer any fun or enjoyment in the iniquity.

It has them caught.  There seems to be no escape from the terrible wage (and there always is at least one) of the sin.  There is.  Let go, before it’s too late!

“Oh, it’s easy to say, but harder to do,” many claim the excuse.  There is only one way to escape the consequences of sin, and that is to leave it.  No person can do it for you.  No pill will take sin’s grip away.  No good work will erase it.  You have to break the bind.  The sin has to be stopped.  The longer it continues, the stronger its grip.

“Well, I can’t stop this sin.” Well, maybe YOU can’t.  There is, however, another way to get the victory.  This way is to call upon the Lord to help you.  He can help you get the win over this world, its traps, and snares.  You must trust in Him to show you the way out.

Here are some Bible verses about letting go and letting God help you get the victory over the devices of this world:
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13
“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 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.” Isaiah 40:29-31
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” II Corinthians 12:10

The only way you will know His will and way is if you read His book.  His Word is exactly that, His words.  The Bible is a book with the preserved plans of God to help you through life.  You will never know His way if you do not read it and you will never get the victory unless you obey it.

Yes, little monkey, there is a way out of your predicament.  Let go and let your Heavenly Father help release you from sin’s bondage.

“In diving to the bottom for pleasures, we bring up more gravel than pearls.”
—Author Unknown

It Cannot be Tamed
C. H. Spurgeon

I have heard of a man who kept a tame leopard in his house.  It had been nursed from the time it was a cub, and it wandered about the house like a cat.

One day, while the master was asleep, the leopard licked his hand.  As it licked a place where the skin was thin and broken, blood began to flow.  Soon,s all the wild instincts of the beast flashed from its furious eyes.  

The man suddenly woke and saw the situation.  His end was near unless he should be quick and skillful enough to destroy the animal.  

Do you think he paused or hesitated?  No, a loaded pistol was within his reach, so he stretched out his hand quietly, grasped it firmly, aimed it steadily, fired it instantly, and the creature lay dead at his feet.  It had come to this: either he must kill it, or it would kill him.

Is it so with you?  Your sins may have begun to draw “blood” from you already.  Those stings of conscience, that empty purse, that lack of peace, those red eyes all are starting to tell what sin can do.  

Not yet do you know all sin’s horror.  Before the leopard of iniquity springs upon you and speedily tears you to pieces, God help you to give it up!

“Secret sin down here is open scandal in Heaven.”  — Dr. Chafer

A Wormhole
Author Unknown

You have seen an apple with a wormhole in it.  Do you know whether the worm began to bore the hole in the apple from the inside or from the outside?  Many would say from the outside, but a scientist will agree with the observer who declares that the worm began on the inside.  In fact, they tell us that the egg was laid in the blossom and that the worm was hatched in the heart of the apple, whence he bored his way out.

That is precisely the way the worm of sin starts work in the human life.  It begins in the heart and bores its way out.  We know it is true that out of the heart are the issues of life.  We must never forget that the heart must be sound, or the life will be mutilated.

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Prov. 4:23



A Snow Story
Author Unknown

It was wintertime, and the freshly fallen snow had clothed the whole face of the country in a beautiful white robe.  Crossing a field with her milk can in hand was a little girl.  She was on her way to the farmhouse to buy some milk.  In the middle of the field, she stopped and took three looks.

She looked around.  All was pure and white: the hedges, the trees, the ground, and the house.  All were covered with snow.

She looked within.  The little girl thought of her sins, of how many wrong words she had spoken, and of how many bad things she had done.  She felt she was dirty with her sins and not at all like the snow around her.

She looked up.  She turned to the Saviour of sinners, and from the field rose her cry, “Lord, wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

Would the Lord hear that cry?  Indeed, He would.  He answered it at once and gave that little girl knowledge and confidence that His precious blood cleansed her from all sin, and that she was whiter than snow in His sight.

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7