The BIBLE VIEW #869 — Don’t Make Them Guess


In This Issue:

I Hope So
Current Whereabouts Unknown

Volume: 869     August 1, 2022
Theme:  Don’t Make Then Guess

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I Hope So
Bill Brinkworth

Although it was a solemn event, there were whispering conversations throughout the chapel.  One exchange in the far back was very concerned about the reason for the gathering.  Worrying and weeping soon whipped the group into an uncontrollable frenzy.

Aunt Jane tried to soothe those distraught by simply stating, “Well, my brother was a very good person.  I believe he is looking down on us right now.  He is in a better place and certainly deserves it with all he has put up with in this life.”

Several in the group remained silent but showed they agreed or hoped their aunt was right.  A few just quietly sobbed at the loss of their friend and brother.

Closer to the front, another party shared their opinions about the deceased friend.  One in the group tried to assure other mourners that there was no reason to be sad, as they were sure the dead friend was in Heaven.

Although a listener to the conversation knew it was inappropriate to voice a question, he wondered.  He doubted if the man was really in Heaven.  He reasoned, “He never went to church and showed no signs of being a Christian.   How are these people so sure he is in a ‘better place’?”

While waiting for the funeral service to begin, another concerned relative sat next to the preacher, who would give the message.  He turned to the pastor and sought some assurance.  “Preacher, my uncle was a nice man.  He always got me to laugh and was just good to me.  All these other folks are convinced he’s in Heaven, but I wonder.  He never went to church that I know of.  I can’t recall anything he ever did that would indicate he was a Christian.  On Sundays, he usually went fishing, and I don’t think he has ever even gone to church since I have known him.  Is he really in Heaven?  Can anyone really know that another has gone there?”

The preacher knew he would have to start the service soon, so he carefully weighed what he was going to say.  “Son, our opinions and beliefs, if they are not in concordance with what God’s Word says don’t really matter.  Only what God says matters.  And He says the only way to have assurance of going to Heaven is His way. 

“According to the Bible, one has to be born-again to go there.  One must be saved from Hell by trusting that there is nothing anyone can do to earn Heaven.  The only way is to believe that God’s only son, Jesus, who never sinned, paid the price for our salvation with His blood.  Good works won’t get anyone higher than the coffin lid.”

Then the preacher stopped the conversation as it was time for the service.   As he approached the pulpit, he remembered that this might be the last time those gathering may realize that they will one day be in the same position as the deceased. 

The pastor knew it would not be what all the mourners would want to hear, but it was his responsibility to tell the biblical truth about what the Bible says about our eternity.  He planned to make sure all that gathered would hear God’s way to spend eternity with Him. Just like the inquiring young man wanted to know, he was sure others did as well.  If he did not tell them God’s way of getting to Heaven, there might never be another opportunity for them to hear the truth.

Perhaps to comfort relatives at funerals or even themselves, most want to believe the deceased is in a “better place.”  Imagining a departed friend or relative is agonizing in the tormenting Hell is not a thought any would want to consider, even if it is true.  So, to keep from “ruining” the funeral and examining their own eternal, future destination, most services dwell more on the good thoughts rather than taking the time to make sure all listeners know of the only way to Heaven.  However,  eternal futures may be at stake.

Many preachers at funerals will not take the opportunity, while hearts are sensitive to their own eternity, to tell listeners about God’s way to Heaven.  It is not biblical to suppose that all are in Heaven.  The Bible even says that not all that die go there.
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

Good deeds, marvelous works, and religious routines and rituals are not the way to Heaven.  Too many believe they are and will one day sadly learn the truth when they do not open their eyes in Heaven.
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

When one is genuinely saved and trusts Christ’s payment for their sins as the only way for an eternity with our Lord, His life will change.   The changes will be from the inside out, and most may see that a Christian’s life is different.
“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

So, when it is your time to be remembered in the funeral home, leave a memory that all will know where you are spending eternity.  Hopefully, those honoring your death will not suppose you are with Jesus.  They will know!  

People should not have to search desperately for some clues that you may be in Heaven.  It should be clear where you have gone because you lived a Christian life and had a godly testimony.

Current Whereabouts Unknown
Bill Brinkworth

I remember how we would laugh about going to Hell.  “Yeah, we’ll be together in Hell.  We’ll have a good time partying,” I laughed.

“Sure,” my friend scoffed as he guzzled down another beer.  “Yea, just one big party — forever and forever!”

Years went by.  After heartaches, learning the hard way, and much of God’s grace and mercy, I got saved.  Christ became my Saviour, and I tried to live for Him. 

My friends could tell something was different about me.  I no longer wanted to party with them.  They were uncomfortable around me as I shared with them what I had learned from the Bible.   Soon we grew completely apart and seldom spent time together.

As I grew in the Lord and studied the Bible, I learned more about the reality of Hell.  All the things I had heard about the place of torment were true.  What a horrible place it is!  It should not be taken lightly!  Then, I remembered the friend with whom I had scoffed at Hell.  I was burdened to see and warn him of the place, so he would not have to go there.

I visited his home.  He was still living with his parents, even though he was 35 years old.  We went up to his bedroom to talk.  Sin had taken a toll on his life.  The drugs and booze were a constant companion in his life — over 15 years of non-stop abuse.  He was not the same friend with whom I had grown up.

He was searching.  I could tell.  He had tried Buddhism for a while and even memorized a long chant from one of their books.  Still, that religion did not fill the empty spot he had in his life.

Later, he was involved with the Jehovah’s Witnesses, hoping they had the answers he sought.  I remember him telling me they were nice to him.  He was impressed that they had spent time with him, and he started attending their meetings.

I told him what the Bible says one must do and believe to have God’s promise of eternity in Heaven.  He admitted to me, “I thought the Witnesses had something, but as I got closer, I found that nobody had any real peace.  Bill, I still haven’t found any yet, and I don’t have the promise of eternity you have.”  His voice was sorrowful.  He had searched but found nothing to fill the emptiness his soul had.

“You know how I was and how the Lord has changed me.  He’s given me peace, help, and a lot of promises.  He’ll give them to you too, if you’ll accept Him as Saviour,”  I pleaded.  However, the other cult’s teachings he had been involved with brought doubt and confusion to his thoughts.

I explained and explained.  I did everything but beg, but my friend was even more confused.  Man-made religion had done much damage to his thinking.  When I left, he was still unsaved.  I urged him to at least visit the church where I had attended.  I’m not sure he ever did.

From time to time, I heard tidbits about my friend.  He had gotten involved in some indecent sin, probably the fruit of all the pornography that polluted his mind.  Once, the law required him to go to a psychiatrist, and my friend was put on drugs to keep him from feeling miserable.  His mental problems were probably from years of taking drugs.  (I remember his bragging about how “pot will never hurt me.”)  It certainly sounded like he was getting lonelier.  His behavior became more bizarre.  He hardly had any friends and never married.  What a lonely, empty life he lived.

I thought about him a lot.  Sometimes I prayed for him to get saved.

It had been years since we had seen each other when I got a telephone call from my mother.  Her voice was sad as she read me a story from her newspaper: “Last Wednesday, the body of a 40-year-old man was found at the foot of a 100-foot cliff at… Park.  He was rushed to the… Hospital.  The man’s name….”

I interrupted my mother’s voice, “It’s G., isn’t it?”  I knew it was him before she had even finished.  His sad, hard life had come to an end after an accident.

The hardest thing to grasp was where my friend went: Heaven or Hell?  Unless he had gotten saved, and I hope he did, he is in Hell.

Hell is a real place.  There is no party there!  There’s no way out.  

Are you sure that you would go to Heaven if you were to die right now?  You can know for sure!  It may be too late for my friend, but perhaps you can learn from his mistake.

“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

If you do not know for sure that you would spend eternity in Heaven, ask a preacher, or a saved friend.  If you do not know of one that can tell you what the Bible says, please e-mail me at
brinkworth@frontier.com.  I would be honored to share the biblical way to Heaven with you.  You need to know where your future whereabouts will be!

“Don’t let scoffers laugh you into Hell.  They cannot laugh you out of it.” — D. L. Moody

The BIBLE VIEW #868 — Death for A Christian

In This Issue:
Looking Forward to Heaven
A Christian’s Philosophy of Heaven
Thoughts of Death
Heaven’s Roll Call
Going to “Bed”
How Does the Bible Tell One to be Saved from Hell?

Volume: 868     July 25, 2022
Theme:  Death for a Christian

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Looking Forward to Heaven
Bill Brinkworth

No one will escape the one part of life that is scary to many: death (unless the rapture occurs first, and the person is saved!).  Because of the uncertainty, everyone wonders what happens when their body dies?

For the born-again child of God, there is hope and a promise for life after death (II Corinthians 5:2).  The Bible does not mention, as some cults teach, that when one dies, they breathe their last breath and their “life” is over.  Death will not be the end, however, because everyone has a soul that will live forever.  It will live forever in either Heaven or Hell.

Because of God’s promise about Heaven, many “groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:” (II Cor. 5:2).   The writer of that verse, Paul, was busy for the Lord while he was here on this Earth, and was expectantly awaiting his eternity in Glory.  So many Christians, while battling infirmities, hardships, and heartaches here, look forward to Heaven — a place of eternal joy.

One reason Paul looked forward to Heaven was one that today’s believers should also long for.  That reason is now we live by faith (II Cor. 5:7), but in Glory, the believer will live by sight.  We must trust God’s Word and not always physically see its promises are true.  One day, however, we will see all the glorious things God has promised come to pass.

With all the positive things to look forward to, Paul, and all Christians, should not be afraid of their eternal future.  When our body gives its last breath in this world, we may be “absent from the body,” but we will be instantly “present with the Lord” (II Cor. 5:8).  We have God’s Word on that!

For the child of God, death is the entranceway to Heaven.  For the one that has not trusted in Christ’s death as payment for their sins, it is the beginning of their real problems!


A Christian’s Philosophy of Heaven
Bill Brinkworth

Most people, Christians included, have much fear and anxiety about their death.  Paul had a much different outlook on his.  His attitude was that his life here on Earth was more important to others than to him (Philippians 1:24).  He considered death a gain rather than a great loss.
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

That is a different view than those living for the party scene.  They look forward to constant excitement and a busy life.  If they did not have ever-changing activities, they would not be happy.  The thought of death and the next life would not be something they would look forward to, as it would differ from what gratifies them.  They would fear an eternal future where they were not the center of attention.

One seeking political power and money is also satisfied when he is running things, and his voice is the one changing the way people live.  Those people would also not be content in Heaven, where God is the only ruling power, and His will is the only one that matters.

A Christian, however, should have a completely different view of his eternal future, as did Paul.  This life is not our permanent home; we’re just “pilgrims passing through.”  While we are alive, we have a purpose of being a good testimony for the cause of Christ and serving the Lord any way we can.

If we have done what the Bible says one must do to have God’s promise of Heaven by being saved, we no longer have to fear eternity.  We can have great peace that the world does not have concerning this matter (Psalm 119:165).  We may even find ourselves like Paul, longing to be with the Lord but content serving Him while we are here.
“For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better:” Philippians 1:23

This world is the land of the dying; the next, for the believer, is the land of the living.” Tryon


Thoughts of Death
C. H. Spurgeon

History tells us Peter Waldo of Lyons was sitting at a banquet as thoughtless and careless as any of the attendees when, suddenly, one at the table bowed his head and died.  Waldo was startled and went home to seek his God.  He searched the Scriptures and became a great helper of the Waldensian church, which in the Alpine valleys kept the lamp of the Gospel burning when all around was veiled in “night.” A whole church of God was thus strengthened and perpetuated by the influence of death upon a single mind.

Luther, in his younger days, while walking with his friend Alexis, saw him struck to the ground by a flash of lightning. His experience worked in his heart to urge him to study and examine the doctrine of justification by faith. This studying helped him to be the liberator of Europe from papal bondage.

How much we owe to this weighty subject! Among the earnest, prayerful, and holy, many admit that the thoughts of death have brought them spiritual health. Men have been helped to live by remembering that they must die: yea, some men knew nothing of the highest form of life till death aroused them from their deadly slumbers.


Heaven’s Roll Call
D. L. Moody

A wounded soldier lay dying on his cot. Suddenly, the death-like stillness of the room was broken by the cry, “Here! Here!” burst from the dying man’s lips.

Friends rushed to the spot and asked what he wanted. “Hark,” he said, “they are calling the roll in Heaven, and I am answering to my name.” In a few moments, he whispered, “Here!” and passed into the presence of the King.

“Death to the Christian is the funeral of all his sorrows and evils, and the resurrection of all his joys.”   — Aughey


Going to “Bed”
C. H. Spurgeon

The child has to go to bed but does not cry because its mother has gone upstairs with it. It is quite dark, but what of that? The mother’s eyes are lamps to the child. Is it very lonely and still? Not so; the mother’s arms are the child’s company, and her voice is its music.

Oh, Lord, when the hour comes for me to go to “bed,” I know thou wilt take me there and speak lovingly into my ear.  Therefore, I cannot fear but will, with faith and hope, even look forward to that hour of thy manifested love.

Each hour my pulses, like soft drums.
Beat my approach, dear Lord, to thee;
If quick or slow my marches be,
Ere long I shall sit down by Thee.  — Author Unknown


How Does the Bible Tell One to be Saved from Hell?

  1. Know that you are a sinner: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23  Also: Romans 5:12, I John 1:10.
  2. Hell is the payment for all that have sinned. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23
    “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” Romans 5:12
  3. BUT, there is good news!  Jesus’ death on the cross is the payment for the sins of all that call upon Him for salvation! Just ask Him to save you!
    “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
    “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13

“Our road has a hopeless end unless we follow an endless hope.”
— Author Unknown

The BIBLE VIEW #867 — Separation

In This Issue:
Separate Yourself

Volume: 867     July 16, 2022
Theme:  Separation

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Separate Yourself
Bill Brinkworth

An important biblical teaching is believers should be separated from sin and the ungodly activities of the world as much as possible. 

It is taught throughout the Old Testament.  God’s people, particularly Israel, were to keep their distance from the heathen, so they would not be exposed or tempted by the ungodly’s involvement in sin. 

In the New Testament, early believers were also warned to remain as far as possible from the unfruitful, ungodly works of unrighteousness.  God wanted His people nowhere near the grasp of harmful, contagious sin.
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” Eph.  5:11

The Bible tells us much about living a separated, godly life:

  • From the beginning, God did some separating.  God separated the unrighteous world from Noah and His family when He sent the flood.  The ungodly perished. 

    In Old Testament times, God repeatedly warned His people to separate from the ungodly so they would not end up doing the sins the enemies of God were committing.
    “Depart ye, depart ye, go ye out from thence, touch no unclean thing; go ye out of the midst of her; be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD.” Isaiah 52:11
    “Flee out of the midst of Babylon
    [a sinful nation], and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the LORD’S vengeance; he will render unto her a recompence.” Jer. 51:6   God was going to judge the sinful nation.  He did not want His people to be included in the punishment that would be inflicted on the ungodly.
  • God says not to do the sinful or “close to appearing sinful” activities they do.
    Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” II Cor. 6:17   
  • Our example, Christ, lived a separated life.  We claim to be “Christ-like,” which is what “Christian” means, so we also should live a separated life.
    “For such an high priest [Jesus] became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;” Heb. 7:26

A different way of living does not save anyone.  “Not cursing, chewing, or hangin’ around with those that do” is a good practice, but it will not make one saved.

However, when one acknowledges one’s sin, realizes the price that will ultimately be paid for it, accepts Christ’s payment for one’s iniquity, and accepts Him as Saviour, that person is saved from the penalty of sin.  That person will be changed on the inside, and changes on the outside should soon follow.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Cor. 5:17

This “new creature” should want to live the way the Lord wants him to live.  The child’s Sunday school song reminds us, “The things I used to do, I don’t do them anymore.”

The “new” saved person will produce godly fruits (actions that are pleasing to the Lord), not because he has to do them to keep his salvation, but because his new “heart” will want to do them for the Lord.  A saved person should desire to please his Saviour.
“For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:  9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.  11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.  12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.” Eph.  5:8-12

The new-hearted Christian should realize that much of the way he used to live was not pleasing to the Lord.  To please the Lord, he should want to separate himself from sin and its temptation.

For centuries, separation from sin and even the “… appearance of evil …” (I Thes. 5:22) were preached from most pulpits and practiced by most.  Christians lived differently.  They spoke, dressed, believed, acted, and thought differently.  They were ashamed, as were their families, when they were involved in sin or even imitated the lifestyles of the unsaved.

This thinking and lifestyle are foreign to many of today’s Christians and are often ridiculed by them.  One would be hard-pressed in most churches and Christian households to be able to tell any difference between “Christians” and the unsaved.  

Some church leaders and believers spend more time excusing, justifying, and explaining their worldly thinking and lifestyles than remembering one of God’s most important commandments to His believers — to live holy.
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.”  Lev. 20:7  Also: I Peter 1:16.

God has not changed since He had the words penned in Lev.  20:7.  No matter how those around us are living and believing, a Christian is always to live as godly as he can. 

We are on God’s winning side, and we are to live like it.  We are not to live like the ungodly.

When a Christian lives the way God commands, the ungodly will separate from him.  Godly living convicts the ungodly, and rather than change their way of living, they often will alienate themselves from the source of their “feeling guilty.”  Many Christians that do not live a separated life never make any difference to those around them, as their lifestyle is not a godly example.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.” Luke 6:22

The majority of Christians fail in the area of separation.  Most often, they will not separate themselves from the things of this world and separate themselves unto God.  They want the comfort of knowing they will go to Heaven, but their sincerity is lacking. 

Most will not separate from the places they should not be.  They also act, think, dress, and look like the ungodly.  Their desire is to fit in like everyone else.

If the fad returns to have short skirts, many Christians will quickly be in the store to make sure they look like everyone else.  When the fashion of long hair returns for men, they are the first to drive past the barbershop and find something to tie their hair back.  Too often, Christians are more interested in fitting in with the world than they are fitting in with God and letting Him make them as holy as He can.

It would be more helpful for Christians if they had the attitude, “I’m a Christian.  If the Bible shows me to do something, I will do it without question.  If the world thinks I am peculiar, then that is their problem.  As for me and my house, I will separate from the world and its many questionable behaviors.  I will look, act, talk, and behave like the Bible says a Christian should.”

We should not strive to fit in and appear like everyone else.  Remember when your mother said to you, “If your friends jumped off a bridge, would you do it?”  We did not like her admonishment, but too many are doing that spiritually; we are doing what everyone around us is doing.  Too many are following the world rather than leading the world by a Christ-like example.

The question or place of confusion for many is, “Well, what is it I should be separated from?  What are the ungodly works of wickedness I am to keep away from?”

Reading the Bible will reveal the main source of what should be avoided — sin.  There are more sins than those found in the Ten Commandments (Ex. 20).  One man counted over 600 sins.  One will not know what he should keep away from if he does not read the Bible and learn what they are.

“Well, many of the sins are for Old Testament times,” is often the retort.  The Old Testament, particularly the Law, is the schoolmaster (Gal. 3:24) that teaches us what God likes and dislikes.  Since God never changes, what was a sin to Him in those days, unless there is a retraction or permission given in the New Testament, is still iniquity today.

People feel more comfortable with a list of sins.  However, because of man’s devices, dealings, and different times, sins change.  A list of sins from Old Testament times would not always apply today.  

Scales no longer have weights, so the sin of “false balances” would not be valid for most today.  However, the principle behind that sin, cheating, and deceiving still can be applied today.  

There were no guns in 1200 BC, but fatally killing someone with one today is still a sin.  Murder has always been a sin, be it with a gun or a stone.  Alcoholic beer is not mentioned in the Bible; however, drunkenness is to be avoided according to God’s Word. 

Abortion also is not mentioned in the Bible, but the principle of not killing another and taking one’s life is forbidden by God.  Many insist the dress codes and standards of the Old Testament are only for by-gone days, but the principle that honors the differences in the sexes as God created them has not changed.

Many justify sin and lack of separation with the excuse, “Today is different.”  Sin is sin and always has been.  The principles of what is iniquity needs to be learned from God’s Word and then applied.

Man’s lifestyles and possessions are constantly changing.  A list of what not to do will never be accurate for more than several years. 

It is the spirit of doing the right things that must be established, and then an attitude of discernment will hold true and guide one, no matter what changes in the world.  It is the “spirit” of God’s law that needs to be the ruler to measure what is right and wrong, not just being on God’s list of sins (“the letter” of the law).
“Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” II Cor. 3:6

When one lives a life far from the edge of being “wrong” or sinful, they will seldom have to worry about “falling into sin.”  I learned this from my first pastor after I was saved. 

Pastor Fedena drew an imaginary line on the platform and walked along it.  He said that many Christians do not want to live a separated life, yet they still want to have an appearance of being a Christian. 

They are so close to sin that it takes very little to unbalance them spiritually.  He illustrated this by stumbling off the line he was walking on and tripping down the platform’s steps.

“But,” he went on to illustrate, “Those that have learned the wisdom to stay away from anything that would tempt them or even give an appearance of their doing wrong,  get far away from that ‘tolerable’ line.”  He moved far away from the imaginary line separating right and wrong.  As he continued, he pointed out, “As I get farther away from the questionable ‘gray’ area, you will see that I am getting closer to God.”  That is what living far from the edge of right and wrong does; it protects us from being tempted and falling into sin.

He went back to the line of “what-one-can-get-away-with-and-still-not-be-involved-in-sin.”  As the preacher tried to balance on the line again, he warned, “Those that live close to the edge of where they were before they were saved, and know what sin is, cannot lose their salvation when getting too close to their old lifestyle, but they can get involved in it.  They may lose their testimony that may take a long time, if ever, to get back.  Their witness as a godly example will be ruined.

“When referring to Christian hypocrites, those that got too close to the edge and fell into sin are usually referred to.  It is much safer to get far from the tempting edge and closer to God.  If it is questionable, give God the benefit of the doubt and stay away from its involvement.”

That is what separation is all about: separating oneself from anything that will make one fall and hurt the cause of Christ.  That is why God wants us to separate from many things of this world and, of course, from sin.  

God loves us and does not want His children hurt by sin or weakened by its temptation.  Separate yourself from the world and unto God.

“If you’re a Christian, why would you want to act like, live like, look like, or even talk like the devil’s losing side?”

The BIBLE VIEW #866 — Trials

In This Issue:
Think on These Things
Trials Can Save Us
Our Burden Carrier
It’s Better If It’s Broken
Too Little?

Volume: 866     July 12, 2022
Theme:  Trials

Sign-up to receive the free DAILY VIEW e-mailed devotion at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/a26cc9M.  It includes a KJV chapter, a short devotion teaching something in the day’s reading, and more spiritual food for the hungry soul! 


Think on These Things
Bill Brinkworth

Sometimes, life can be plain rough, even for Christians.  We may face financial hardships, physical problems, relationship challenges, and hosts of other types of trials.  What do you do?  Where do you run?  How do you escape the load of a burden you sometimes cannot imagine yourselves bearing?

We are told in the Bible that, as heavy as one’s burdens feel, God will never allow more than one can bear: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” I Corinthians 10:13  Whatever we face, God will only allow us to go through what we can handle with His help.  Somehow, we will be able to deal with the immense trials faced.

With the faith that God will help us, the next avenue of relief from trials and tribulations is prayer: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” Philippians 4:6.  Be thankful for what you have and ask God to help you, and hang on by faith that He will!

After knowing that God will somehow help us through our hard times and we seek His aid in the time of need, one more area must be handled so we do not feel defeated and want to give up.  That area is our thought life.

If we have any “strength or moral goodness” (virtues), allow your mind to have only the right thoughts: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Do not allow yourself to think about what could happen, things that are not true, things that are not right, things that are filthy and unrighteous, things that are scary and frightening, or bad news.  Doing so will never help; it will always make matters worse.

Christian, you have the mind of Christ.  Do not fill it with worldly thoughts because the dark things of this world will only try to put out your “light.”  Keep your eyes and mind on the things of God, and let God do the worrying!   He’s going to be up all night anyway!

O soul, are you weary and troubled?  No light in the darkness you see?  There’s light for a look at the Saviour, And life more abundant and free!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face; And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, by Helen Lemmel


Trials Can Save Us
Author Unknown

Two painters were employed to fresco the walls of a cathedral.  Both stood on scaffolding, constructed so they could paint the high walls some forty feet from the floor.

One man was so intent upon the work that he became wholly absorbed.  He stood back from his picture to examine his piece, gazing at it with intense concentration.  Forgetting where he was, he moved back slowly, surveying the work of his pencil critically until he neared the edge of the plank on which he stood.

At that critical moment, his companion turned suddenly paralyzed with horror and beheld the man’s imminent peril.  In another instant, the fellow artist could fall to his death on the pavement below.  It may have startled the man if he spoke to him, and he may have fallen.  The man’s death was equally sure if he did not say anything.  Suddenly, he had a plan.  He seized a wet brush and flung it against the endangered man’s art, spattering it with unsightly blotches of color.

The painter lurched forward and turned upon his friend with fierce upbraidings.  His life-saving friend quickly explained why he had ruined the other man’s art.  The rescued man looked down where he could have fallen and thanked the man who saved his life with tears of gratitude.

Sometimes we get absorbed with the “pictures” of this world.  In contemplating them, we often step backward, unconscious of our peril.  It is then the Almighty sometimes damages what we are admiring, only to save us from imminent danger.


Our Burden Carrier
D. L. Moody

A minister was moving his library upstairs.  As the minister was going upstairs with his load of books, his little boy came in and was very eager to help his father.  His father told him to get an armful and take them upstairs.

When the father returned, he met the little fellow about halfway up the stairs, tugging away with the biggest book in the library.  He couldn’t carry it up.  The book was too big, so he sat down and cried.

His father found him, took him in his arms, book and all, and carried him upstairs.  So Christ will convey you and all your burdens.  I like to think of Christ as our burden bearer.

“It has been well said that no man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow’s burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can bear.” — George MacDonald


It’s Better If It Is Broken
Dr. J. Hamilton, 1871

  • It is the broken ground that opens its bosom for the reception of seed, which springs up and brings forth fruit abundantly.
  • It is the broken cloud that discharges its showers that usher in the spring and cheer the thirsty ground.
  • It is the broken corn that is separated from the chaff and laid up in the garner of the husbandman that saved lives from starvation.
  • It is the broken berries that the olive press’s millstones have crushed and give forth a precious oil that fills lamps that bring light to darkness.
  • It was the broken alabaster box from which the poor penitent woman anointed the feet of the Saviour and its contents that filled the whole house with the odor of the precious spikenard perfume.
  • It was Christ’s broken body that was nailed to the cross and the spear of an enemy that furnishes the blood that cleanses all souls from their sin.
  • It is the broken veil of the temple that opened to us the Holiest of all and gave the believing soul the opportunity to go directly to the Lord in prayer.
  • It was the broken grave that announced the reality of the resurrection and proclaimed to the unbelieving disciple that the Saviour was risen indeed.

So it is with Christians.  It is by breaking and the crushing processes to which they are subjected, by the providence of God, that they become the spiritual salt of the Earth and the lights of this world.

“He who knows no hardships will know no hardihood.  He who faces no calamity will need no courage.  Mysterious though it is, the characteristics in human nature which we love best grow in a soil with a strong mixture of trouble.” — Harry Emerson Fosdick


Too Little?
D. L. Moody

One day in Brooklyn, I saw a young man going along the street without any arms.  A friend with me pointed him out and told me his story.  When the war broke out, he felt it was his duty to enlist and go to the front.

He was engaged to be married, and while in the army, letters frequently passed between him and his intended wife.  After the Battle of the Wilderness, the young lady looked anxiously for the accustomed letter.  For a little while, no letter was received.

At last, one came in a strange hand.  She opened it with trembling fingers and read these words, “We have fought a terrible battle.  I have been wounded so awfully that I shall never be able to support you.  A friend writes this for me.  I love you more tenderly than ever, but I release you from your promise.  I will not ask you to join your life with the maimed life of mine.”

That letter was never answered.  The next train that left, the young lady was on it.  She went to the hospital.  She found out the number of his cot, and she went down the aisle between the long rows of the wounded men.  At last, she saw the number, and hurrying to his side, she threw her arms around his neck and said, “I’ll not desert you.  I’ll take care of you.” He did not resist her love.  They were married, and there was no happier couple than that one.

We depend on one another.  Christ says, “I’ll take care of you.  I’ll take you to this bosom of mine, as maimed as you are.”  Surely, you can be saved if you accept the Saviour’s love.  God loves us, my friends.  He loves us unto the end.  
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

“As the rainbow would never be seen were it not for the clouds and the rain, the beauties of holiness would never shine so brightly were it not for the trials which the Spirit of God employs to promote them.”  — Dr. Tweedie

The BIBLE VIEW #865 — Gossip

In This Issue:
“Beware of the Drowning Man!”
Three Things to Remember
The Spreader
Slander

Volume: 865     July 6, 2022
Theme:  Gossip

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“Beware of the Drowning Man!”
Bill Brinkworth

It is said that it is very dangerous when trying to swim out and save a drowning person.  Too often, the rescuer is drowned by the flailing, panicking drowner.

The natural reaction of the one going down, for possibly the last time, is to keep their head above water.  In an effort to survive, he can grab hold of the rescuer, and in trying to get another breath of air, drown the person who is trying to help him.

A disgruntled, unhappy person is often much like the drowning man.  For whatever reason, they are dissatisfied, they share their unrest and discontentment with others.  In most situations, they mean no harm.  They are unloading their burden and anguish on others hoping the person can say something or change something to stop their dissatisfaction.  However, their complaining, or “venting,” does much the same as the drowning man.  He can take the listener down with him.

The one listening may not know what is to follow in the conversation or genuinely may want to be a consoling ear to the one doing the complaining.  Before the “rescuer” knows what has happened, he is a casualty of gossiping lips.  Those words may do more than “sink ships,” as they said during World War II when referring to those that said more than they should have.

Making oneself a listening post for complaining, gossip, or dissatisfaction can result in one having the same thoughts as the one floundering.  The complaints and opinionated talk can spread like an infectious disease.  Soon the grumbler’s frustrations are shared feelings of their audiences.  Here are some common scenarios that trap too many:

  • “Well, maybe that person at work is lazy and making us do his work like the other person said.”
  • “Hmm, Sonya said that the person in the back of class is responsible for all the things missing in our class.  Maybe he is a thief.”
  • “Oh, oh.  She thinks her husband is cheating on her; perhaps mine is doing the same thing.”
  • “Things are not the same in church as they were.  So-and-so says it’s because of what Deacon Jones is doing.  Our problems in church are all his fault.”
  • “My friend says So-and-so looks like he’s hiding something, and he is right; he does look suspicious.  I don’t think I will trust him, either.”

On and on the opinions and observations of others can go into listening ears, doing damage by intentional or unintentional words.  Most often, we want to help, and that is why we listen.  However, words often turn into improper or unjustified judgments or actions by the listeners. 

Here are several guidelines one can keep in mind when lending a listening ear:

  • What the other person is saying is only his side of the story.  If the listener wants to know the truth, he should hear the other person’s side of the situation.  Suggesting to immediately get the other person’s view of what is being said often silences what is being said, as the talebearer may know what he is saying is more emotional than factual.

 “He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Proverbs 18:13

“Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him, and know what he doeth?” John 7:51

“One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.” Deut. 19:15

“Against an elder receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses.” I Timothy 5:19

“It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true.” John 8:17 

  • Why are they telling me?  Can I change the situation for them?  Are they just gossiping, backbiting, complaining, or do they want the problem they are speaking of handled their way?  Can what they are saying result in anything positive?  

If it is discerned what is being said is for the wrong reasons, change the conversation or walk away from it.  Why would anyone want to take part in another’s sin?

“They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.” Psalm 12:2

“Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.  “Psalm 34:13

“Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.” Psalm 120:2

  • Is what is being said edifying?  Can it be destructive to my ears?  Will it reinforce the problem to them as they share their concerns and make both of us miserable?  Is what is said going to help or change anything, or is it gossip?

“They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders’ poison is under their lips.  Selah.” Psalm 140:3

“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.” Proverbs 17:9

  • If a suitable solution is given to solve the speaker’s dilemma, will he follow the advice, or will he keep grumbling to anyone who listens?

“Speak not in the ears of a fool: for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.” Proverbs 23:9

“Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.” Proverbs 9:8

  • Why am I listening to them?  Am I doing it to be a help, or do I want to hear some dirt about someone else?

“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.” Ephesians 4:29

  • Does voicing their grievances bring confusion and division to others?  If it brings adverse side effects to others, then their “beefs” are probably not of God.
    “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.” I Corinthians 14:33

It is natural for most of us to want to listen to the concerns of those we are in contact.  It is also quite normal to want to help them with our suggestions.  We must always be aware of what our ears are listening.  Often, a person does not know the damage their words can do to themselves and their listeners.  They may not even know they are “drowning” in their trials and tribulations, but a drowning man can take others down with himself.  Beware of drowning people.

Although some quoted scriptures were in a different context, they were used to show a biblically taught principle.

Oh, be careful little lips what you say, for the Father up above is looking down in love …”   — Words from a child’s Sunday school song


Three Things to Remember
Gospel Banner

Remember, three things come not back
The arrow sent upon its track.
It will not swerve; it will not stay
Its speed; it flies to wound and slay.


The spoken word so soon forgot
By thee, but it has perished not.
In other hearts, ‘tis living still.
And doing work for good or ill.


And the lost opportunity,
That cometh back no more to thee;
In vain thou weepest, in vain dost yearn;
These three will nevermore return.

You cannot stop people’s tongues, and therefore the best thing to do is to stop your ears and never mind what is spoken.” Spurgeon


The Spreader
Author Unknown

On a well-equipped farm, you will find at least one machine that looks like a low-slung wagon.  It is called a “spreader.”  It is used to disperse seed and fertilizer.

Unfortunately, in every town, big or small, you will find men and women that might be placed in the category of the “spreader.” They run about from place to place spreading gossip, which is the dirtiest kind of dirt.  Gossip helps no one and harms everyone.  It is about the meanest manifestation of dirty work that a human can do and not be exiled.

Chances are, if one speaks ill to you about others, when you are not around, he will speak ill of you.” — Barbara Brinkworth