May, 2025 | THE BIBLE VIEW

The BIBLE VIEW #1008 — Jesus

In This Issue:
He Paid Our Ransom
No Other; Just Jesus
The Lord Will Provide!
He Heard His Request

Volume: 1008 May 26, 2025
Theme: Jesus

If you like The BIBLE VIEW, you will most likely look forward to receiving The Daily View, a free daily devotion. Sign up (https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/a26cc9M), and you will be e-mailed a link to read or HEAR a KJV chapter and a short commentary (200-700 words) of something taught in the day’s reading. The e-mail will include a mini-sermon in pictures, a prayer list, Thought for The Day, a Bible study, and short articles reinforcing biblical principles.

He Paid Our Ransom
Bill Brinkworth

“For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

Sometimes, we take our salvation for granted after being saved for a while. The joy of escaping Hell may have “worn off”, and as we go through another day, we say, “Ho hum, I’m saved, but what’s the big deal.”

Reading Mark 10:45, I saw six words that reminded me how special and blessed I am to be saved. Those words are “… his life a ransom for many.”

To renew your excitement about your salvation (if you are saved), think for a minute what a ransom is. When a crime is committed, and a person is kidnapped, sometimes the kidnappers try to make money. They offer a person the opportunity to rescue the snatched person for a high price. Often, they warn that if their requests are not met, the person will never be seen again and will probably be murdered.

The kidnappers do not go to a person that hates the one they took. They send a message to someone who loves the abducted person so much that they would give anything to get that person back.

Jesus was reminding us here that we are all kidnapped by sin, and unless someone had paid the price, all would have perished; they will spend an eternity in Hell! It is a sad, sad truth that we are all Hell-bound because of our sins.

In this case, the ransom required to save someone from a terrible end was not money or possessions. The only payment that would be acceptable was the blood of a sinless person.

Now, the good news! There is one who loves you so much that He would pay the price to save you. It just so happens that He is the only one qualified as sin-free. He was willing to pay the ransom with His life for yours. Jesus, God’s only Son, stepped forward, willing to pay the price. Not only was Jesus willing to be a ransom for you, but He is also willing to pay everyone’s sin debt to all who ask Him.

Now, how can anyone not be excited about salvation after that realization? There is someone who loves you so much that He will rescue you from an eternity in Hell if you ask Him.

Jesus, thank you so much for what You have done for us!

No Other, Just Jesus
Bill Brinkworth

“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” I Timothy 2:5

What fantastic news, as recorded in I Timothy 2:5, it must have been to the Jews who were familiar with Old Testament worship. Before Jesus’ death on the cross, they could not go directly to God themselves. They had to have priests go to God as middlemen for them. After the sacrificial death of Christ, they could go to God themselves by praying (I Tim 2:1).

However, then and even today, there are still many who believe they cannot go to God themselves. Those folks still, if they realize it or not, attempt to worship the way it was done in Old Testament times.

Some still go to a “priest” in a confessional and tell him their sins. With his words and by doing what he tells them to do, they believe the “priest” can order their sins to be forgiven. They are trusting the man to be their mediator between them and God.

There are also those who pray to the dead. Others murmur prayer needs to deceased biblical characters, in hopes that “person” can be the middle man between them and God to have their sins forgiven or requests granted.

Sincere as those people are, what they are doing is contrary to the teaching of the Scriptures. I Timothy 2:5 tells us there is only one mediator between us and God, and that is Jesus Christ.

We no longer have to present a perfect, unblemished animal sacrifice for the high priest to take through the temple’s curtain to the Holiest of Holies. When Christ died, God ripped the veil in two from the top to the bottom. Now, any believer can go to God in prayer through Jesus Christ.

Telling a priest, parent, or another person one’s sins will not remove the consequences of one’s iniquity. Those people may want to help, but they, too, are sinners needing a mediator. Going to anyone other than Christ to meet a need in one’s life or receive help from God will not result in God answering one’s requests.

The only one who is qualified to go to the Father on our behalf is His Son, Jesus. He is the only mediator between God and man.

“Well, my friend, today we have a Mediator — the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus can because He is God. He is able to save to the uttermost, and He has paid the price for our salvation. He is a Mediator because He has also become a man.

“Jesus can hold my hand. He understands me. He understands you. You can go to Him, and He will not be upset with you. He will not lose His temper, strike you, or hurt you… He still loves you and wants to put His arm around you.” — J. Vernon McGee

The Lord Will Provide!
J. Newton

Though troubles assail, and dangers affright,
Though friends should all fail, and foes all unite
Yet one thing secures us, whatever betide,
The promise assures us the Lord will provide.

The birds, without barn or storehouse, are fed.
From them, let us learn to trust for our bread.
His saints what is fitting shall ne’er be denied,
So long as ‘tis written, “The Lord will provide.”

When Satan appears to stop up our path,
And fills us with fears, we triumph by faith;
He cannot take from us (though oft he has tried)
The heart-cheering promise, “The Lord will provide.”

Satan tells us we’re weak, our hope is in vain.
The good that we seek we ne’er shall obtain;
But when such suggestions our graces have tried.
This answers all questions, the Lord will provide.

No strength of our own, nor goodness we claim;
Our trust is all thrown in Jesus’ name.
In that strong tower for safety we hide;
The Lord is our power; the Lord will provide.

When life sinks apace and death is in view,
The Word of His grace shall comfort us through.
Not fearing or doubting, with Christ on our side,
We hope to die shouting, “The Lord will provide!”

“He that feeds His birds will not starve His babes.” — Matthew Henry

He Heard His Request
J. G. Wilson

A lady, who had just sat down to breakfast, had an intense urgency in her heart to instantly carry a loaf of bread to a poor man who lived about a half mile from her house. Her husband wished her either to postpone taking the loaf of bread until after breakfast or to send someone else to deliver it to the man. She chose to immediately take it herself.

As she approached the small hovel, she heard a voice. Desiring to listen to what was being said, she stepped softly. She heard the poor man praying, and among other things, he said, “O Lord, help me! Lord, Thou wilt help me. Thy providence cannot fail. Although my wife, myself, and children have no bread to eat, and it is now a whole day since we had any, I know Thou wilt supply.”

The lady could wait no longer; she opened the door. “Yes,” she replied, “God had sent you relief. Take this loaf, and be encouraged to cast your care upon Him who careth for you, and when you ever want a loaf of bread, please come to my house.”

“Bread for today is bread enough.” — E. M. Bounds

The BIBLE VIEW #1007 — A Christian’s Testimony

In This Issue:
We’re Not Perfect, Just Forgiven
Many Will Always Find Fault
Walking As He Walked
Won by His Wife’s Faith
Our Duty to Our Neighbors

Volume: 1007 May 26, 2025
Theme: A Christian’s Testimony

We’re Not Perfect, Just Forgiven
Bill Brinkworth

“And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day; that they might accuse him.” Mark 3:2

In Mark 3:2, the Son of God had come down to mankind and healed many who were sick and possessed. Instead of lining the streets and having a ticker-tape parade to show their gratitude, they watched Him carefully to see if they could find Jesus doing something wrong. The crowd that usually was looking for Him to fail was composed of “religious” folks.

Today is no different. If it happened to the Son of God, then Christians can certainly expect similar treatment today. When someone hears we are a Christian, they carefully observe our lives. If they find us doing something wrong in their eyes, they gleefully point and sneer, “Some Christian he is” or “Hypocrite!”

Well, they can look all they want, and if they look long and carefully enough, they will find us doing something wrong. We still have the same flesh we were born with that will still sin if we let it. A Christian certainly is not perfect, just forgiven.

We are imperfect and will make mistakes; nevertheless, we should always try our best to exemplify Christian behavior. There will always be some watching how we go through hard times, how we react when others do us wrong, what we do when we are tempted, and how we live. It is interesting how the observers may have no interest or experience in living for the Lord themselves, but somehow they think they know how we should live.

We have a tremendous weight on our shoulders. The scorners and scoffers should be reading their Bible and examining their lives compared to what God requires of us all, but they usually do not. They scrutinize our testimonies for the Saviour instead.

Quite often, they look for us to fail so that they can write off any conviction they may have for their ungodly lifestyle or for even their attempting to obey Scripture. When they think we have failed, they feel justified for living as they do. However, they are usually unaware of the biblical principle, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12. Also: Matthew 12:36). Everyone will ultimately give an account of himself. No one’s shortcomings can be a valid excuse for another’s wrongdoing.

Not only can our lifestyle not be an excuse for someone not to live a godly life, but rather, it should be an example of how to live a godly life. The world is confused and distraught. They often see that their ways do not work. They are looking for a way to live a better life. Are you being the example they would want to follow to have a closer relationship with God and to have a better life?

“For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” II Cor. 10:12

Many Will Always Find Fault
Bill Brinkworth

“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a devil. 19 The Son of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Behold a man gluttonous, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners. But wisdom is justified of her children.” Matthew 11:18-19

You surely have heard the saying, “You can’t please all the people all the time”. It certainly is true, especially in living for the Lord.

John the Baptist experienced much criticism. Jesus noted of the prophet that there was none greater than John was (Mat. 11:11), yet that godly man was accused of being demon-possessed (Mat. 11:18). Jesus, the sinless Son of God, was also charged with being gluttonous and a drunkard (Mat. 11:19) among other criticisms.

If those great spiritual giants were wrongly accused and poorly spoken of, we Christians should not be surprised when things are twisted around, and we are talked about negatively. Here are some thoughts to remember when your reputation is being questioned:

If it is true, then we have some apologizing and changing to do.
If it is not true, consider the source of the rebuke. In John the Baptist’s and Jesus’ case, it was people that Jesus considered immature “children” (Mat. 11:16). Is the one speaking ill of you someone with great discernment or someone in the flesh and not being led spiritually?
If they are seeing things incorrectly or not hearing both sides of the situation (Pro. 18:13), it is their error, not yours.
Some spoke negatively of Jesus. How could we expect better treatment than God’s only Son?

It is impossible to please all the people all the time!

“Live so you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.”
— Author Unknown

Walking As He Walked
Bible Readings for the Home

The way of the Christian was set for us by Jesus himself.
“He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” I John 2:6
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” I Peter 2:21

The footprints that Jesus set for us to follow lead unvaryingly along the way of God’s commandments.
“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my ather’s commandments, and abide in his love.” John 15:10
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.” I John 5:3

The pathway is the same today as when Jesus walked in Judea.
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Heb. 13:8

Won by His Wife’s Faith
C. H. Spurgeon

I have read the story of a man who was converted to God by seeing the conduct of his wife in an hour of trouble. They had a lovely child, their only offspring. The father’s heart doted on it perpetually, and the mother’s soul was knit up in the heart of the little one. The child lay sick upon its bed, and the parents watched it night and day. At last, it died.

The father had no God. He tore out his hair. He rolled upon the floor in misery, wallowed upon the earth, cursed his being, and defied God.

There sat his wife, as fond of the child as possible, and though tears came, she gently said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”

“What!” he said, “You love that child! I thought that when that child died, it would break your heart. Here I am, a strong man; I am going mad. Here are you, and yet you are strong and bold. Tell me what it is that possesses you?”

She answered, “Christ is my Lord. I trust in Him. Surely, I can give this child to Him who gave Himself for me.”

From that instant, the man became a believer. “There must,” he reasoned, “be some truth and some power in the Gospel which could lead you to believe in such a manner under such a trial.”

“Our example is the only Bible which millions of people read today.
— James E. Murray

Our Duty to Our Neighbors
C. H. Spurgeon

An infidel once met a Christian and said, “I know you do not believe your religion.”

“Why?” asked the Christian.

“Because,” said the unsaved man, “for years, you have passed me on my way to my house of business. You believe, do you not, there is a Hell, into which men’s spirits are cast?”

“Yes, I do,” said the Christian.

“And you believe that unless I believe in Christ, I must be sent there?”

“Yes.”

“You do not, I am sure, because if you did, you must be a most inhuman wretch to pass me, day by day, and never tell me about it or warn me of it.”

“If you want your neighbor to see what Christ will do for him, let him see what He has done for you.” — H. Beecher

The BIBLE VIEW #1006 — Serving God

In This Issue:
Is It My Life?
Obeying God
Gifts for Today’s Christians

Volume: 1006 May 19, 2025
Theme: Serve the Lord!

Is It My Life?
Bill Brinkworth

“Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?” Matthew 20:15

Does a Christian have the right to do whatever he wants with his life? According to God’s Word, no!
“Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?” Romans 9:20-21

The context in Matthew 20 is the millennial reign when Christ rules Earth for 1,000 years. It gives one an idea of what will happen during that time and how some will be rewarded.

In Jesus’ illustration, he told of how workers starting at different times of the day got paid what the master thought was fair. All were paid the same, whether they worked 10 hours or one hour. The “boss” was doing the hiring, and all agreed to work for what he offered them. The whole point of the illustration was to teach that the master was in charge, and it was by his rules they had to abide.

Although Matthew 20:15 was the reply of the landowner doing the hiring, it holds a great truth in describing a Christian’s relationship with the Lord. A Christian is not his own. We are purchased with Christ’s blood. We have a promise of Heaven. Everything after getting saved is a bonus! Let us surrender our lives and do with our lives what God would have us do!

When adults are asked what they want to do in their future, they usually tell you what they have figured out they would like to have happen with their lives. When a child is asked the same question, you similarly get a battle plan that he would like to see happen. Seldom does one answer, “Whatever the Lord wants me to do, I’ll do!”

Sadly, that open-invitation to do God’s will is rarely even thought of by Christians. Unfortunately, when you hear of people handing their lives over to God without any reservations, it is often only after they have tried it their way, and that way failed.

It would save much heartache and much of a “wasted” life if one would immediately, after one is saved, hand one’s life over to God as a signed, blank check to God. “Fill it in with what you want me to do God, and I will gladly, happily, and faithfully do it until you tell me otherwise!” Boy, would that attitude change lives and Christendom as we know it!

“Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord to Thee;
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love
At the impulse of Thy love.”
— Excerpt from Frances Havergal’s hymn, “Take My Life, and Let It Be”

Obeying God
Bill Brinkworth

In the introduction to his second letter to the Corinthian church (II Corinthians 1), Paul tells part of the secret of his success. The preacher was used of God because it was the “will of God” (vs. 1).

I say “part of his secret” because there was another factor not mentioned here, although Paul’s testimony throughout the New Testament made it clear what it was. It was God’s will that Paul, the one-time enemy of God and His people, got saved, became an apostle, and was used by God. It was critical that the preacher allowed himself to be used by God and did what God showed him to do.

This distinction between “God’s will” and obeying God’s commandments is very important. After being saved by trusting in Jesus’ work for them on the cross, most have a purpose in God’s mind. None of us are saved to sit and soak up God’s goodness. There is a spiritual war raging in this world (Ephesians 6:12), and it is always God’s will that each soldier of God participates in the battle.

I believe everyone is convinced and convicted of God’s will for them, at least once. The tugging spirit of God sometimes makes all feel guilty of involvement in sin. Many hear that “voice” encourage them to be saved. At times, they feel uncomfortable in their lifestyle and desire to change. Some do heed God’s encouragement to get them to do His will. Unfortunately, too many ignore it.

The encouragement of the Holy Spirit of God is soon not even listened to. They did not do God’s will, and eventually, because they chose not to obey it, the “voice” of the Holy Spirit no longer “speaks” to them. They never get used of God because they had chosen not to obey Him previously.

Paul ignored the “pricks” (Acts 9:5) of the Holy Spirit for a long time. He ignored God’s true calling for him as he watched his acquaintances kill the first martyr for Christ. Paul closed his ears to the cries and pleas of the Christians he had killed and persecuted.

One day, however, God’s will was clear to Paul. He heard the voice of the Son of God on the Damascus road, and he obeyed what Jesus told him to do. His life was different after that decision, and the world has never been the same because of his obedience.

God’s will for every one of us is to do something for Him. This, sadly, does not happen in too many cases. Many get saved. Some obey for a while. God has great plans to use them, but because of some act of disobedience, they never get used in the way God intended. The key to ever being used effectively by God, as was true in Paul’s life, is obedience to what one is shown to do.

It is God’s will that all that are saved serve Him. It is not His will that we disobey Him by putting off or ignoring what He has placed in our hearts to do. We can also have effective lives for Christ’s cause if we obey God’s will for our lives!

“The will of God will not take you where the power of God cannot keep you.”

Gifts for Today’s Christians
Bill Brinkworth

God has plans for every Christian. To better equip each child of God, each is given a gift to serve the Saviour. Some may have more than one gift. These are not the gifts the early church had before they were given the Word of God. These seven gifts (Romans 12: 6-8) are necessary to get the work of God done in today’s world. They include the gifts of:

Prophecy. This is not the same ability Old and New Testament prophets and Christians had. We have the entire plan of God in His written, preserved Word of God. We do not need to foretell the future as they did earlier. Today’s gift of prophecy is taking the Word of God and helping others understand it better. In his 1828 dictionary, Noah Webster defined the gift as the ability “to preach; to instruct in religious doctrines; to interpret or explain Scripture or religious subjects …”
Ministry. This God-given gift puts a great burden on a Christian to meet the needs of others.
Teaching. This is a gift that allows one to help others understand the things of God better.
Exhorting. This vital gift helps one be an encourager to others — a most needed gift, especially among God’s people.
Giving. This gift gives one the burden of meeting other’s needs by giving of things and themselves.
Ruling. This gift allows one to be a leader. Too many think they have it, but few have the God-given ability to lead God’s people.
Mercy. This gift gives one a heart to have understanding, patience, and kindness with others.

If you are a child of God, God does not plan for you just to sit. He desires that you serve Him and help others. He has given you at least one of the above gifts for this church age. What are your gift/gifts, and are you using them to help others, honor God, and bringing others to know and serve the Lord better?

Additional Reading on This Subject: God’s Toolbox (https://www.openthoumineeyes.com/lessons/toolbox.html)

The BIBLE VIEW #1005 — Trust the Lord

In This Issue:
An Unreliable Foundation
Give God the Rudder

Volume: 1005 May 11, 2025
Theme: Trust the Lord!

An Unreliable Foundation
Bill Brinkworth

The central Italian city of Pisa has many popular tourist sites. Many come to see the University of Pisa, which was first started in 1343. Others flock to the Piazza del Duomo (Cathedral Square) to see the famous white, marbled cathedral, baptistery, and the tilting bell tower. Of all that the city has to show, none is more memorable and curious than the Leaning Tower of Pisa, or as a 1929 Scientific American article named it, the “Sinking” Tower of Pisa.

The tower was begun in August of 1173 A. D., of which they are sure. Many of the other details are vague because they are not documented. Who the architect was is not clear, as at least three different times, the project was resumed and then halted.

Many believe that the tower’s tilting had been discovered by the completion of the third story. Because of battles and possibly because of the discovery of its inclination, construction was halted. Soft river valley sediments, sand, and clay did not support its weight, and the building began leaning. A temporary bell was placed on the third story.

There, the semi-finished building lay, year after year, halted before it was completed. I am sure it was a laughing stock for many.

“Hey, Luigi, see that unfinished tower those foolish builders left. Such lack of planning. It was a waste of money and materials, and what an eyesore. If they had only spent the time wisely on a firm foundation on which to build,” may have been the conversation of the past.

Some later levels tried to compensate for the five-degree tilt by building them off-center, on the true vertical. Upward the white, marbled structure’s construction went. Over the next one hundred years, construction was started and stopped. It is believed the belfry was completed in 1350, as one of the bells in the tower is dated.

Still, the campanile leans. All the planning, ingenuity, and decoration did not solve or even hide the problem that the building tilts more than 17 feet from its perpendicular and continues to tilt at a rate of ¼ an inch per year.

Man still has not given up. Many attempts have been made to stop its leaning. In the 1930’s, cement was injected through pipes inserted under the tower in hopes that the foundation would be strengthened and the leaning would cease. The tilting continued.

Attempts were made to tie it together with cables to keep it intact. Numerous restoration projects were begun and then discontinued.

Plans for the structure’s righting are vast. Some call for jacking the building up six feet on one side and moving the 14,700 metric tons to a new concrete base. The more sure method would be to dismantle the eight stories and start construction over on a thick, firm foundation.

How many lives in the past have been erected similarly? Instead of building a life on the Rock of Ages, the Lord Jesus Christ and around the firm foundation of the Word of God (our preserved KJV Bible), people try various ways, plans, and fads to live their lives. They spend their entire lives compensating for a life that was not founded on a firm foundation from the beginning. Their efforts are hopeless if they are not in line with God’s plan and method.

Lives have been directed by the advice of strangers, family, television talk shows, and even from movies. Newspaper columnists and others’ beliefs have probably directed more lives than would ever be known. Man-made unbiblical religion has also misdirected many.

All kinds of techniques have been tried to stop problems. Today, there are drugs to try to solve the issues of weight loss, nervousness, lack of attentiveness, feelings of loneliness, and other of life’s problems. The hope is in a pill to fix a problem. Psychologists’ and psychiatrists’ advice is followed, no matter how extreme or illogical it seems. Man’s attempts to right a tilting life usually fail.

Few of these people ever seek to get the advice from their Creator, who has raised millions upon millions of children. Father knows best, but He is rarely sought for direction, or His word followed for guidance. No wonder so many lives are slanting to an inevitable destruction.
“Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”Matthew 7:24-27

Sin is usually the “tilting” force in one’s life. There is a clear way to reconstruct a sin-troubled life. That way can change one’s life. It is the only way that works. Man tries to change a life from the outside, hoping the inside will be altered. God changes it from the inside, and then the outside will be transformed. The amount of renovation is dependent on one’s obedience to God’s commands found in His Word.

When a man is saved, his life is changed. The inward change is done in the heart. That is why the Bible names a spiritually revitalized person as “born again”. A life is started all over again.

He is a new creature. All sins are forgiven and forgotten by God. The new life can begin on a new foundation that will support the load of life’s troubles. Guilt from sin will disappear. An eternal penalty for past sins is gone!

This “second chance” can be achieved by admitting one’s sins. The Bible reminds us that we are all sinners. Not one of us has pleased God with our good works or kindness.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23

God certainly knows we are sinners. Our confession of our guilt shows God that we are humbling ourselves and admitting our failure in doing it our way rather than His.
“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

Once our sinfulness is acknowledged, one must know that a price has been paid for our sins. God’s only son, Jesus, paid that price. The death He suffered on the cross was not for His sin, as He was sinless. It was for our transgressions. His payment is the only fee God will accept. We cannot pay for our sinning against God by our good works or deeds. Jesus has already paid the price.
“And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” Hebrews 9:15

Once we are saved, we are then in the family of God. The Father can guide if the “born again” (John 3:3) child obeys Him. A life can be salvaged and restarted. There can be hope. We can compensate and recover from our self-lived lives.

The world’s solutions hardly ever work, and if they do, they often work only temporarily. God can come into a life and straighten the crooked course, and it can stay undeviated.

Build your life around the Word of God. It is as true today as when God inspired its writing. Since then, God has used it to raise, support, and guide millions. It is the firm foundation. It will never let you tilt.

“Life is a long lesson in humility.” — Barrie

Give God the Rudder
C. H. Spurgeon

I have heard of a young man who went to college, and when he was there one year, his parents said to him, “What do you know? Do you know more than when you went?”

“Oh! Yes,” said he, “I do.”

Then, after he attended the second year, he was asked the same question, “Do you know more than when you went?”

“Oh! No,” said he, “I know a great deal less than I thought.”

“Well,” said the father,” you are getting somewhere now.”

Then he went to the third year and was asked the same question. “What do you know now?”

“Oh!” said he, “I don’t think I know half as much as I should know.”

“That is right,” said the father; “you will now profit since you say you know nothing. He who is convinced that he knows nothing of himself as he ought to know gives up steering his ship and lets God put his hand on the rudder.”

“The truest end of life is to know the life that never ends.” — William Penn

The BIBLE VIEW #1004 — Don’t Quit

In This Issue:
They Kept On Despite Difficulties
In the Master’s Hand
Don’t Quit

Volume: 1004 May 5, 202
Theme: Don’t Quit

The Daily View is a free, daily devotion. Sign up (https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/a26cc9M), and you will be e-mailed a link to read or HEAR a KJV chapter and a short commentary (200-700 words) of something taught in the day’s reading. The e-mail will include a mini-sermon in pictures, a prayer list, Thought for The Day, a Bible study, and short articles reinforcing biblical principles.

They Kept On Despite Difficulties
Bill Brinkworth

Heroes of the faith have continued since biblical times. Here are just a few of the countless faithful ones:

Hundreds of thousands of Christians lost their lives rather than deny that Jesus is the only way to Heaven or that the Bible is the preserved Word of God. The unwavering faithfulness of those heroes of the faith is why the truth from the Word of God is still preached in many churches, and we still have the preserved Word of God available to us. The testimonies of many of those heroes who died by the sword, fire, torture, and other hideous ways for their faith can be read in Foxes Book of Martyrs (1563).
Fanny Crosby (Frances Jane van Alstne Crosby) March 23,1820 – Feb. 12, 1915. Although blinded shortly after her birth, Fanny did not let her handicap hinder her from being a Christian testimony and serving the Lord. Her over 8,000 hymns are still sung today, including: “Blessed Assurance” and “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour”. She also spent her life teaching and doing rescue mission work.
Horatio Spafford. Horatio lost many of his properties to the devastation of the 1871 Great Chicago Fire and was ruined financially. He sent his family to Europe while he stayed behind and handled some business. On the trip over, four of his daughters died after their ship sank in the Atlantic. Only his wife survived. Traveling to join his wife, he penned one of the greatest hymns about having peace during a crisis. It is entitled “It Is Well with My Soul” and has encouraged many people going through life’s difficulties.
John R. Rice, Billy Sunday…. These men, and many more, took a stand in the early to mid-twentieth century to stop the damage done by alcohol. Because of their strong stand against sin, many came to church, were saved, and allowed the Lord to change their lives. This angered many saloon owners to the point that the preachers’ lives were threatened. Still, the faithful men and women would not deviate from telling those involved in alcohol consumption the biblical truth. Many were saved and had their lives turned around by the strong stand of those faithful Christians.
A wheelchair-bound Sunday school bus worker in the Chicago area. Many years ago, a disabled woman felt called to the ministry of busing in children so they could attend Sunday school. Every Saturday, despite how she felt or the weather, she had someone take her to the neighborhood where she wanted to invite children. Although it was the city, and she could not go up to most of the apartments because of the inaccessibility of her wheelchair, she either sent helpers to knock on doors or stood outside the apartment until she got someone’s attention. As a result of her determination, many, many Chicago children got to church and were saved!

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13

In the Master’s Hand
Deb McCoy

Lord, I cannot imagine my life apart from your grace;
Gratitude flows from my heart as tears begin to stream down my face.
These trials and hardships you have allowed for a specific good reason;
Though I don’t understand, help me to endure these afflictions, if but for a season.

Let the pathway of my heart never forsake what Christ endured;
May my testimony of Christ within never tragically be obscured.
Let bitterness and anger not hinder my course lest I stray;
May the Holy Spirit flow freely through my life each and every day.

My perseverance, my strength, and my courage are inspired by you Lord.
Knowing you as Father and Saviour is my greatest reward.
You are my creator, deliverer, provider, and guide;
Through the most painful chapters of my life, there is comfort with you by my side.

Ingratitude and self-pity have dissipated as hope has dawned again;
Overshadowed by unhindered expressions of your love time and again.
I struggle at times with insignificance, powerlessness, and even purposelessness.
It is during those times you never cease to amaze and inspire me with glimpses of your goodness.

Lord I know you have so graciously preserved me;
It is my desire to embrace your truth for others to see.
Thank you Lord for your mercy, understanding, and patience.
Your Word is my foundation to provide for all of my substance.

Regardless of circumstances help me to continually abide in your Word;
Continually seeking you alone, as there is never a prayer that has returned unheard.
My gratitude and praises no price can it measure.
Heavenly Father, you are the most gifted treasure!

What blesses my heart most about this poem is that it was written by a person going through great trials and tribulations, but she still has great faith, hope, and strength. She writes: “My kidneys are back and forth between improving and failure. The report on my injuries from recent falls and diabetic complications has come to the forefront of serious concerns. My diabetes is brittle, and the shots caused elevated dangerous levels. I see the orthopedic doctor again next week and believe I will be sent to a team of surgeons. I am looking at multiple surgeries as the trauma from falls has caused considerable damage. Once I meet with the surgeons, I will just need to continue praying for wisdom to make difficult decisions. It will be rough as each surgery is very complicated. I am just praying for guidance and peace to know what to do. I am feeling so poorly and have too many diffuse pains competing with each other on top of the already existing neuropathy. I push through, but have no energy. The struggle, both physically and emotionally, seems overwhelming, I love the Lord so much, and He will get me through this!”

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul

Chorus:
It is well
With my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul
From the Hymn “It Is Well with My Soul” by Horatio G. Spafford

Don’t Quit
Bill Brinkworth

Too many quit or want to stop when the going gets rough. In most cases, one never really quits the problem. One may move away from it, but it follows a person, often much of one’s life. The obstacle is still there.

Quitters are everywhere:

Husbands feel they cannot handle the burden of being a husband and father and run away. Although he is distant from his family, he is still a father and husband. His running away has not changed that. The problems he ran away from usually get far bigger than they originally were.
Wives run off leaving families and husbands; however, each is still a wife and mother.
Children sometimes do not like their parent’s rules. They run away, but they still have the same parents. They just put space between themselves and the unsolved problem that will most likey haunt them for the rest of their lives unless they stay and work out the problem.
Students quit school but usually have a future without training and education. The rest of their lives are often stalled because they never learned the necessary lessons to further their lives.
Friends quit long-term friendships because of arguments.
Employees quit when they do not like what is happening at the workplace.

It usually is easy to walk away from an uncomfortable situation. It does not take character, intelligence, or common sense to run away when the way gets tough. Rarely is anything solved by quitting. There will always be problems in life. Unsolved problems have a way of following us wherever we go.

Many take their quitting lifestyle and apply it to their spiritual lives. Here are several reasons why one cannot quit on God:

You cannot quit being a Christian: Once a true Christian, always a Christian. You did not earn it. It was a free gift of salvation if you trusted Jesus’ finished work on the cross as payment for all your sins. However, too many quit being Christ-like.
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29
You cannot quit because the enemy has nothing to offer. There are only two sides – Satan’s and God’s. If one is truly saved by faith, he cannot get unsaved and be on the loser’s side.
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13
You should not quit because victory may be just around the corner. Troubles and tribulations are part of the school of life. You may be very close to passing the “test” and going on to life’s next lesson. Do not quit now.
“And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” II Timothy 4:18
You cannot quit when you make a mistake. Just get back in the saddle and try again.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39
You cannot quit now; you will miss the harvest. Maybe your problem will be over one day, and you will reap a blessing from the tribulation. Perhaps it will be tomorrow or the day after. Spiritual fruit does not always come the day it is planted.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58 Also: John 15:4.

Many times, life is very difficult. If you are a Christian, you are on the winning side. Do not quit now. Victory is possible; it is a blessing when achieved and may be just around the corner!

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Romans 8:37