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The BIBLE VIEW #900 — Preaching

In This Issue:
He Was Right!
The Preacher’s Advice

Volume: 900 February 20, 2023
Theme: Preaching

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He Was Right!
Bill Brinkworth

Although I was saved at 12, I did not live right and for the Lord. A spiritual change did not occur until I was 28, in the late 70s.

When I finally got right with the Lord, I looked for the right church. After about six months, I found the one I knew God wanted me to attend. The pastor was Paul Fedena, a wise, godly man who knew the Word of God well.

His preaching often touched on current events and how Christians should react and spiritually examine them. Pastor Fedena touched on many “hot” topics. Many people were glad about the warnings; others got mad and pouted off, never to change their life nor darken the ministry’s doors again.

One sore spot for many was the time spent watching television preachers. The pastor warned that their doctrine was often unbiblical, and many were in it for the money. He cautioned not to send them tithes and offerings as the money would go to the continuance of false teachings and often their personal bank accounts.
“(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)” Philippians 3:18-19

Many got very mad when their favorite television “pastor” was pointed out for doing wrong. Some stormed out. However, it was not long before the pastor’s discernments proved true. Some evangelists were found out, and some were sent to jail. Others had their scams revealed, as were the large amounts of money absconded for personal use. The preacher was right!

There was also preaching against the charismatic movement. Well-researched information was given to the congregation about how the spiritual gifts for the early church were not for today’s believers who were to live by faith and not sight.
“Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.” I Corinthians 13:8

Scams of some false teachers were revealed, yet many Christians got mad and stormed out of the church when unbiblical teachings and deeds were exposed. Again, the pastor was right!

Another very sore spot was touched upon. The preacher repeatedly revealed what the Bible said about the dress and appearance of men and women.

At that time, women were beginning to wear pants publically which were worn by men only for centuries. He also exposed men’s hair-styles as not biblical as men were not to appear “effeminate” and not to have the “hair of a woman.”
“The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.” Deuteronomy 22:5
“Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?” I Corinthians 11:14

His admonitions included that the respect and distinction of the sexes would be confused. He warned men would be doing what God assigned and prepared women to do, and women’s roles and abilities would also be changed and abused. The sin of homosexuality was discussed, and that changes in men’s and women’s goals and standards would cause that sin to be more prevalent.

People strongly disagreed with the preacher’s discernments, as “so many were doing it, so it could not possibly be wrong.” The pastor was mocked for his stand. Many ignored his warnings. Women wore pants in defiance, and men strutted their long hair. Pastor’s warnings from the Bible were disregarded by many.

Now, look at what has happened to society. The sexes are confused. Men are often not the leaders God desires them to be. Women wear the “apparel of man,” and men wear their hair however they choose. Family values and structures have changed, and divorces are at an all-time high.

Homosexuality and transsexuality, recognized as mental illnesses during that time, are now prevalent and even encouraged in some circles. Many are now angered when those practices and sins are mentioned and spoken about negatively. Again, the pastor’s warning against breaking biblical taboos came true. He was right!

Separation from ungodly living and worldliness were also preached against. It was made clear to the congregation that when Christians get too close to sin, they would soon become desensitized about it, would no longer be convicted by iniquity, and would soon be no different from the ungodly.
“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 Corinthians 6:17

Slowly preaching in other ministries caved into the pull to be more like the world “to get more to come to church.” They encouraged rock music to replace biblical-based hymns. Dress standards were removed. The reliable, preserved King James Bible was replaced with modern perversions of what God saved to direct His people.

Eventually, many churches became places of entertainment rather than stalwarts of the truth. Faithful and bold preaching of God’s Word was replaced by watered-down opinions and soothing sermonettes. Refusal to separate from sin and worldly places of fellowship stopped many churches from being healing institutions for sin-sick souls.

Again, the preacher’s warnings sadly came true. To the surprise of the modern preachers, church attendance diminished significantly, the Gospel was not emphasized, and the power of God was off many ministries.

Although we should heed what comes from the pulpit, not all preachers’ predictions and discernments come to fruition. However, when the Word of God is believed, trusted, and used as the only illuminating light, it will expose many sins, wrong doctrines, and guide one through the maze of temptations and iniquities.

The Bible’s exposing wrong activities, teachings, and behaviors is not limited to a preacher’s discernment. Any Word-of-God-grounded Christian can also determine what is of God and what is not.

Do not let popular beliefs and actions be your compass for finding God’s truths. Often, the majority is not right.

Dive into and diligently study His Word for yourself. Use it to direct your path in this sin-sick world, and you, too, can discern right from wrong and His will and way.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” II Timothy 2:15

“To love to preach is one thing; to love those to whom we preach is quite another.” — Cecil

The Preacher’s Advice
Bill Brinkworth

In giving pastoral advice to another preacher, Titus, Paul showed us we could often face what the early church had to be wary. Churches had to be careful of false teachers undermining the work of God.

Paul’s warnings to Titus can help us identify some false preaching and teaching in pulpits today. Some of the telltale signs of a “false preacher” 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 in many ministries 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 teachings that encouraged families to leave the church.
Their having their own prophets (Titus 1:12) that supposedly got a “new message from God” and added their thoughts and philosophies. Today, we see this with Muslims following the teaching of their prophet, Mohammed, and the Mormons following their “prophet,” Joseph Smith. It also is seen in other religions and denominations throughout the world.
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.” Today, we see this with many false religions having their own books and teachings that receive more credence than the Word of God.
Their works proved they were not from God (Titus 1:16). They claimed they were from God with their mouth, but their involvement in sin and ungodly actions was contrary to their profession.

Many claim that they will not “judge” others, and we should not. However, we must discern right from wrong and avoid what God does not approve. False religion is one danger we need to recognize as not being of God. It must be avoided before damage is done to our thinking, testimony, and Christian walk.

“There are only two types of religions: those that “do” to get God to overlook their sin and those that know that Jesus paid for their iniquities on the cross.”

The BIBLE VIEW #899 — Assorted

In This Issue:
I’m Outa There!
A Grateful Whale
Salvation — God’s Gift

Volume: 899 February 20, 2023
Theme: Assorted

I’m Outta There!
Bill Brinkworth

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25

Church is the place we should hear the Word of God and be strengthened in following the Lord. Our Bible reading is one way we grow in the things of the Lord. However, God has ordained the local church to assist us also in our spiritual walk. It is there we can get more spiritual food

God has given people an appointed preacher to minister to them in the local church. Many can also hear the Gospel and be saved. It is often a place where folks can also find a place to serve Him.

Going to church is the right thing to do, but many reasons keep people from heeding God’s command to attend. It is not always the devil that encourages us not to go. Often our sinful flesh, which struggles to do right, intervenes. Between the two, there are a lot of excuses and wrong decisions that people use to keep them out of church. Here are a few of them that keep too many from a Bible-believing local church:

Sin. Attending church and hearing God’s Word will remind too many of their sin. To avoid conviction, many avoid church so they do not get unpleasant reminders of their wrongdoings.

Church hopping. They try this church, then that one, then go to another with a friend. Soon, they find themselves out of their routine of faithfulness where God had led them. In a short time, they are not attending any church.

Discontentment. Folks can easily find a reason for not being happy with their church. “I don’t like the way the preacher preaches. He screams too much,” or “They sing too much.” There is no perfect church. If there were one, it would not be perfect after we entered.

Hurt feelings. Probably the number one killer of church attendance is when folks get their feelings hurt and leave the church. “No one shook my hand,” or “No one even said ‘hello’ to me. It just is not a friendly church.”

Lack of understanding. Many do not have a clue what the Bible teaches. If they attend a church that preaches and practices biblical doctrine, they do not understand it and may leave. Many go for the religious trappings of the denomination they were raised in and do not realize that many “religious” practices are not biblical.

Pride. The old folded-arm excuse of “No one is going to tell me what to do!” keeps many out of church. They have not realized that the preacher’s message that got them indignant and wanting to leave was from the Word of God. Ultimately, they leave, not because of what the preacher said, but what God said to their hearts.

Legitimate reasons. Legitimate excuses of sickness or vacations can become bad habits of non-attending.

Most excuses are not acceptable to keep us from God’s house. We cannot please God when we stay home from an avenue He uses to speak to us and change our way of living. Even many unsaved know where a Christian should be on Sunday morning.

God started and sent His Son to die for the local church. The local church is important to God. Be at one this week. Be faithful in attending one teaching what the Bible instructs and where you believe God has led you to attend.

“The Church is not a gallery for the exhibition of eminent Christians, but a school for the education of imperfect ones.” — Beecher

A Grateful Whale
Bill Brinkworth

A 45 – 50 foot humpback whale was rescued off the coast of San Francisco. The whale had become entangled with ropes, crab traps, and weights. The animal was so weighted down that he could hardly surface to get air. A rescue team was summoned to free the 50-ton behemoth.

Divers went into the water and discovered at least 20 crab-pot ropes, each about 240 feet long, and their weights tightly wrapped around the whale. The humpback’s tail was encircled four times by ropes. Twelve crab traps, each weighing 90 pounds, hung off the whale. (Those extra burdens entangling the creature remind me of all the sin that burdens so many sinners.)

Soon four divers were in the water cutting off the entanglements with curved knives. The whale quietly waited and allowed the rescuers to free him. The diver who cut the rope from the creature’s mouth remarked that the whale winked at him as he did his work.

After realizing he was free, the animal swam to each diver and nuzzled him. It was as if the animal were thanking each one that had a part in his new freedom. He certainly was appreciative of those that worked to free him.

Is it possible that the whale had better manners and appreciative courtesy than most people? There are too many husbands that rarely thank their wives for all the important things they do to make their lives easier.

Too many children never even think of thanking their fathers for working diligently daily to provide for their upkeep. Nor do they even consider thanking their mother for her sacrificial efforts to provide a good home for them.

Countless bosses are the topic of criticism and gossip but are rarely thanked for providing a job for their employees. Teachers put in long hours going the extra mile to grade papers and spend much of their time helping those who do not want to be helped. Rarely do they receive any appreciation.

Police spend long days trying to protect residents they do not know. Yet, the public’s guardians face ridicule and threats from many that are breaking the laws. Rarely do they ever receive any gratitude.

Many make our lives much more pleasant and safe. We owe them for their work and effort.

It takes no intelligence or character to ridicule, judge, or criticize others. It does take an appreciative spirit to realize what we have and to thank others for their part in our lives. As the whale “thanked” his rescuers, many of us need to do the same to those who have helped us.

“If gratitude is due from children to their earthly parents, how much more is the gratitude of the great family of men due to our Father in Heaven.”
— Hosea Ballou

Salvation — God’s Gift
Harry Todd

As you travel down life’s highway
It’s a broad road to destruction;
The Bible says that “All have sinned…”
And you must change direction.

Now you are helpless by yourself,
You are dead in trespasses and sin,
God hates sin; Heaven is holy,
Therefore you cannot enter in.

Someone must die because of sin,
It should be you and I,
But God loved the world so much
He sent His only Son to die.

Now Jesus paid the sin debt
Upon dark Calvary’s tree,
So you and I by simple faith
Are forgiven and set free.

By grace are ye saved through faith,
Not of works or by any deed;
Salvation is a gift of God;
So of His Word, you must take heed.

He came unto His own
But they turned Him away,
Now you can be a child of God
By receiving Christ today.

Today is the day of salvation,
Tomorrow may be too late,
Behold! Now is the accepted time,
Oh! Sinner, do not wait.

“The way to be saved is not to delay but to come and take.” — Dwight L. Moody

The BIBLE VIEW #898 — Sin’s Stranglehold

In This Issue:
Free the Slaves
Sin’s Damage

Volume: 898 February 20, 2023
Theme: Sin’s Stranglehold

Free the Slaves
Bill Brinkworth

When speaking of slavery, most immediately think of those taken against their will from Africa and other countries in the early-to-mid 1800s. However, forced labor continues today and is more prevalent than in the 1800s.

The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates today 49.6 million men, women, and children around the world are “forced to work for little or no pay and at the complete mercy of their ‘employer’” (www.antislavery.org). Those statistics have drastically increased since 2013!

The numbers forced to work in mental or physical slavery or owned or controlled by an “employer” are not close to those in bondage in a different, less obvious way. Those in that type of slavery outnumber the 49+ million many times over. To make matters worse, those in that popular type of bondage may not even know they have lost their freedoms!

The Bible has much to say about that type of oppression:

There are two choices in this world. One can serve oneself and selfish desires, which are often sin and sometimes the devil’s destructive enticements, or one can serve and live for God. There are only those two choices, if man realizes it or not. One’s decision can enslave one to sin or free one from its strangling, controlling grasp!
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon [the self-serving desires of our flesh].” Matthew 6:24 Also: Luke 16:13.

Although sin is always an individual’s choice, it soon becomes “addictive” and leads to more iniquity. Soon, sin controls one’s thoughts and is a decisive force in one’s life.

Lying and deceitfulness lead to more lies and alienation from others as one becomes mistrusted. Bitterness, unforgiveness, resentment, and jealousy rob many of peace and good relationships. Drinking, drugs, pornography, and most sins never fulfill one’s lust and often lead one to commit more sin hoping their cravings will be satisfied. Sexual sins ruin lives and families, wreck relationships, but still leave the committer with a feeling of loneliness and failure.

On and on goes the list of the consequences of iniquity. Transgression against God’s commandments leave one’s life changed, and often physically damaged from its commission. No one gets away without paying the horrible cost of sin.

Iniquity does nothing but rob and destroy what could be good in one’s life. Sin’s grasp steals one of joy and enslaves. The committer of sin is led by one’s desires and loses freedoms.

When one chooses to “do his own thing” and ignores the life God desires one to have, one will not only reap the terrible consequence of sin but will alienate himself from God.
“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
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4
“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” Gal. 1:10

Jesus addressed a group of saved Jews and told them they could be free (John 8:31-32). They replied they were not in bondage. The Jews thought they were free.
“They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free?” John 8:33

Then Jesus pointed out to them they were indeed slaves to the sins they had committed.
“Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” John 8:34

Those given over to sin have no permanent desire to live a life that pleases the Lord.
“For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.” Rom. 6:20

Trusting Christ’s payment for all our iniquities is the only way to be free of sin’s control and from the ultimate cost for sinning — Hell!
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36
“For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Rom. 8:2

The choice is always up to the individual! One does not have to serve sin, although many, even the saved, often freely choose to continue doing wrong. We have the opportunity not to be forced to serve iniquity. We have the liberty to do right.
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Gal. 5:1
“For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant.” I Cor. 7:22

When free from the desire to sin, one will want to live righteously. However, the longer one is involved in doing wrong, the harder the battle will be against the temptations it will bring. Sinful lifestyles can be changed to one that is pleasing to God.
“Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” Rom. 6:18
“But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” Rom. 6:22
“Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.” Mat. 12:18

One freed from the desire to sin can freely serve God and will get their sights off themselves and desire to serve others.
“And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all.” Mark 10:44

Although one may choose to serve God, it is servitude out of gratitude and love, not out of forced control. When one surrenders control of selfish desires and lives the way God commands, one will have a life blessed and honored by Him! God looks at his servant not as a bound slave, but with special love — as a friend.
“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.” John 15:15
“If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.” John 12:26

Jesus, our example, was that type of servant also.
“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:” Philippians 2:7

Ultimately, God rewards those who choose to live the way He commands.
“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Mat. 25:21 Also: Mat. 25:23.

The most dangerous and ever-present threat to anyone, even a saved person, is the commission of sin. It always has a price tag that no one ever dreamed would come with the commission of iniquity. The charge for the sin usually continues for longer than anyone would ever want to pay. Its cost often comes due at a time that the sin’s commission is forgotten, but there is always a payday for doing wrong. No one avoids its cost.

When a believer sins, he can always pray to the Father, seek forgiveness, and plead with God for strength not to commit the trespass again. The guilt may be gone, and he will not have to answer for the sin. However, iniquity’s temptation will often appear in one’s life again and be a future difficulty one must battle to avoid.

An unsaved person can also go to God in prayer. However, unless one realizes and admits one’s sin and fully trusts that Christ’s death on the cross is the only payment God will recognize to cover one’s wrongdoings, the eternal payment for sin will not be removed. All the good intentions and halting of sin’s commission will not eliminate its expensive cost. Without God’s help, one will still be a slave to sin. You must be born again (John 3:3) to have the free pardon from all transgressions committed.

Do you realize that your sin is against what God desires for your life? Confess it to God (He knows about it already but wants you to humble yourself and admit it), and seek to live the way God commands in His Word, the Bible. Serving God, and living the way He desires you to live, will break the chains of sin that are keeping you in bondage to it. You can be free. There is hope!

“The way to keep the heart quiet is to keep ourselves in the love of God and to do nothing to offend him.” — Henry

Sin’s Damage
Keach

Sin is composed of naught but subtle wiles,
It fawns and flatters and betrays by smiles;
‘Tis like the panther, or the crocodile,
It seems to love and promises no wile.
It hides the soul and hates when it vows most love.
It plays the tyrant most by gilded pills (unpleasant people),
It secretly ensnares the souls it kills.
Sin’s promises they all deceitful be,
Does promise wealth but pays us poverty;
Does promise pleasure, but doth pay us sorrow;
Does promise life today; pays death tomorrow.
No thief so vile, nor treacherous as sin,
Whom fools do hug and tame much pleasure in.

“Sin will keep you from the Bible. The Bible will keep you from sin.” — D. L. Moody

The BIBLE VIEW #897 — Judgment

In This Issue:
Whoa! Woe Could be Headed Your Way!
When God Struck
What Motivated Booth
God’s Pay
Others’ Sins

Volume: 897 February 20, 2023
Theme: Judgment

View 16+ years of printable, free BIBLE VIEWs at https://openthoumineeyes.com/newsletters.html. Make as many copies as you need and use them at your church, nursing homes (large print version available), Sunday school, deaf ministry, bus ministry, and as a church bulletin insert.

Whoa! Woe Could be Headed Your Way!
Bill Brinkworth

Stop now if you are involved in sin because you could be headed to great sorrow, grief, and misery. Payday for iniquity is someday, either immediately or in your eternal future.

Over 98 times, the King James Bible warns of the woe sinners will face. Twenty-six of those times, the warning was given to nations given over to sin. The rest of the references were to sinning individuals.

“woe” — misery, grief, experiencing great mournfulness

There will be woe to nations when:

they are not bothered by their committing of sin. Some nations even flaunt or boast of their wickedness. There will be woe to them, as some biblical nations were warned.
“The shew of their countenance doth witness against them; and they declare their sin as Sodom, they hide it not. Woe unto their soul! For they have rewarded evil unto themselves.” Isaiah 3:9
“I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! Wilt thou not be made clean …” Jeremiah 13:27
they legalize sin.
“Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;” Isaiah 10:1

There will also be woe to many individuals. Some of God’s warnings are to:

the unsaved.
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15
those that sin.
“Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?” Isaiah 29:15
“Woe unto the wicked! it shall be ill with him: for the reward of his hands shall be given him.” Isaiah 3:11
“Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; that useth his neighbour’s service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;” Jeremiah 22:13
Christians that want to be like the world and seek the world’s approval.
“Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” Luke 6:26
drunkards.
“Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!” Isaiah 5:11
those that help others drink!
“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!” Habakkuk 2:15
those that approve of sin.
“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20
those who think they are so smart and have all the answers and excuses for their ungodly behavior.
“Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!” Isaiah 5:21
to pastors that preach philosophies and ideas contrary to God’s Word.
“Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 23:1
those with filthy, ungodly speech.
“… Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” Isaiah 6:5
trouble-makers.
“Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand.” Micah 2:1
a man that turned against Christ: Judas.
“The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.” Matthew 26:24. I wonder if the principle taught here applies to the many who oppose and attempt to discredit Christ today.
those that will go through the great, future tribulation warned about in Revelation.
“One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.” Revelation 9:12

Since God is the same today as when he had men of God record these warnings, it would be correct to assume that many of the “woes” apply today. God left these warnings to remind the readers that unless they halt their sins, afflictions, unhappiness, or disaster will be upon them for their transgressions. Stop! Heed God’s warning, and turn from iniquity in your life!

“Foolish men imagine that because judgment for an evil thing is delayed, there is no justice, only coincidence here below. Judgment for an evil thing is often delayed some a day or two, some a century or two, but it is sure as life. It is sure as death!” — Thomas Carlyle

When God Struck
Sunday School Times

A Christian physician once took refuge from an approaching storm in a grocery store that also contained a bar. Two drunken men were present, and as the lightning flashed, they poured forth such a volley of fearful oaths that finally the storekeeper said, “Gentlemen, I am no Christian, but I want to say that your awful cursing is too much for me. God will strike you dead right here with a stroke of lightning if you do not hush your blasphemous oaths.”

The leader of the two rolled up his sleeves, went to the door, cursed God, and defied Him. At that moment, a blinding flash of lightning descended with a flame of fire. Quickly, the light was gone, and only smoke remained. In a moment that, too, had disappeared, and there lay God’s defier in a heap, just as an empty garment. The physician helped to lay the man out, and he said he did not believe there was a bone two inches long left unbroken in his body.

“We evaluate our friends with a God-like justice, but we want them to evaluate us with a God-like compassion.” — Sydney Harris

What Motivated Booth
Walter Knight

Many Christians say that they believe in the day of accountability but are as silent as the sphinx when it comes to warning others to flee from the wrath to come. The thing that made William Booth a “fiery” salvationist was the indicting, taunting statement of an infidel lecturer, who said, “If I believed what you Christians say you believe about the coming judgment and the day of reckoning, with the resultant eternal lostness of the impenitent Christ-rejectors, then I would crawl on my bare knees on crushed glass all over London, night and day telling men and women to flee from the wrath to come!”

God’s Pay
Dennis McCarthy

Who does God’s work will get God’s pay,
However long may seem the day,
However weary be the way,
Though powers and princes thunder, “Nay!”
No human hand God’s hand can stay;
Who does His work will get His pay.

He does not pay as others pay,
In gold or land or raiment gay,
In goods that perish and decay,
But God’s high wisdom knows a way;
And that is sure, let come what may,
Who does God’s work will get God’s pay!

Others’ Sins
The Dawn

During a revival, a young man said he did not wish to be a Christian. When asked for his reason, he replied, “Several years ago, I was in a man’s kitchen. He found me there, swore at me, and kicked me out. He was a professing Christian, and from that time, I decided never to have anything to do with religion. And I never have to this day.”

The young man was asked to write down his reason in full and sign it. Then it was handed back to him with the words, “Take this, and when you are asked for your excuse on the Day of Judgment, hand this up.” The young man saw his folly and came to Christ that night.

Are you letting the sins of others keep you from giving your heart to Jesus? Don’t be so foolish, for it will not stand the test on Judgment Day.

The BIBLE VIEW #896 — Hell

In This Issue:
Home of the Lost — What the Bible Says about Hell!
How Does the Bible Tell One to be Saved from Hell?

Volume: 896 February 11, 2023
Theme: Hell

Home of the Lost — What the Bible Says about Hell!
Bill Brinkworth

One of the most frightening doctrines taught in the Bible is about the place called Hell. Many go to great lengths to belittle and scoff at it. Some curse it. Many deny it. However, it is mentioned 54 times in the Bible and referred to in many other places.

Perhaps, if people convince themselves and others that Hell does not exist, their scoffing will alleviate their guilt from their sins. Their ridiculing the horrible place of torment may even help convince them that Hell does not exist and that they do not have to fear going there.

One’s opinion, however, does not negate facts. There is a place called Hell, and unfortunately, many will go there (Mat.7:13-14).

Here are some facts about Hell according to the King James Bible:
Hell is down:
“Hell from beneath is moved for thee to meet thee at thy coming: it stirreth up the dead for thee, even all the chief ones of the earth; it hath raised up from their thrones all the kings of the nations.” Isaiah 14:9
“They also went down into hell with him unto them that be slain with the sword; and they that were his arm, that dwelt under his shadow in the midst of the heathen.” Ezekiel 31:17 Also: Ez. 31:16, Ez. 32:21, Isaiah 14:15.

Hell is for the wicked:
“The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God.”
Psalm 9:17
“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?” Matthew 23:33 Also: Matthew. 5:22.

Hell is a place of sorrows:
“The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me.” Psalm 18:5
“The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me: I found trouble and sorrow.” Psalm 116:3

Hell is a place of pain:
“And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.” Luke 16:24-25 Also: Luke 16:28.
“And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.” Isaiah 66:24
“Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9:44 Also: Mark 9:46, 48.

Hell is a place where the souls of the dead go:
“But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.” Proverbs 9:18 Life isn’t over when our flesh stops breathing.

Hell has levels:
“For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.” Deuteronomy 32:22 Also: Psalm 86:13.

Before Christ died, the center of the Earth was different than it is today. There were three sections in it, as revealed in Luke 16:19-31.

In the verses in Luke 16, readers see the destination of two Old Testament people. One was Lazarus, who was a poor beggar, but a godly saint. When he died, his soul went to a compartment in the Earth called “Abraham’s bosom.”
“And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;” Luke 16:22

When the rich man died, he went to Hell (“hades”). There, the man’s soul suffered torments (Luke 16:23-25, 28).
“And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.” Luke 16:23

Although separated by an impassable chasm (“a great gulf fixed” — Luke 16:26), the once wealthy man could look up where he recognized Lazarus. There he saw that the man who once had a hard, deprived (“evil”) life was now “comforted.” The man suffering in Hell saw one thing Lazarus had that he longed for — water.
“And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” Luke 16:26

This account in Luke 16 is important as it shows that the unrighteous, Old Testament dead went to a tormenting Hell. The righteous saints of that time went to a place that was not tormenting but comforting.

After Jesus “died,” he led the godly Old Testament saints out of Abraham’s Bosom. Where the Saviour went was not a tormenting place, but a “comforting” one.

The Old Testament saints were “captive” in “Abraham’s bosom,” perhaps, until the perfect blood atonement was made to cover their sins. Jesus’ blood was that sacrifice, freeing them to go to Heaven with Him.
“Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.” Ephesians 4:8 Also: Ps. 68:18.
“Because thou wilt not leave my soul [David] in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.” Acts 2:27 Also: Acts 2:31. If I understand correctly, Abraham’s bosom was also referred to as “hell,” although it was not the tormenting place.
“He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.” Act 2:31

Hell is growing. Unfortunately, it is expanding as souls are still filling that horrible place.
“Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.” Proverbs. 27:20
“Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure: and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.” Isaiah 5:14

Hell is not for those trusting Christ as their Saviour.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish [“to destroy fully”], but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
“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

Hell is a temporary place, but then it gets worse:
“And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” Revelation 20:13 — All those in Hell will be released, judged, and sentenced to eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire. After Hell, one goes to the Lake of Fire – FOREVER!
“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” Revelation 20:14

Hell certainly is a horrible place. No one should want to go there. (Many believe it will be a wonderful place to go!) The only way to avoid that tormenting place is to be saved.

Are you positive you will not go to Hell when it is your time to leave this world? Be sure! Do not gamble or guess with your eternal soul.
“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. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:16-17

A printable version of this lesson is available at: https://openthoumineeyes.com/lessons/hell.html

“Smoking or non-smoking? The choice of your eternity is up to you!” – Author Unknown

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

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.

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

BUT, there is good news! Jesus’ death on the cross is the payment for the sins of all that call upon Him for salvation!
“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
“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

The above is how the Bible says one is to be saved. However, so many add to God’s commandments. They add good works and deeds, obedience to a church’s teaching, or “religious acts” to get to a heavenly eternity.

Those works are man’s attempts to pay for their sins. There is nothing we can add or pay to receive God’s gift of salvation. Jesus paid it all when He died for our sins. Accept His payment today! Trust Christ as your Saviour!

“Don’t gamble on the eternal destiny of your soul. It is the only thing you possess that will last forever!”

The BIBLE VIEW #895 — Assorted

In This Issue:
The Church That Would Not Help
Trust God
The Clock Ticks On

Volume: 895 February 5, 2023
Theme: Assorted

View 16+ years of printable, free BIBLE VIEWS at https://openthoumineeyes.com/newsletters.html. Make as many copies as you need and use them at your church, nursing homes (large print version available), Sunday school, deaf ministry, bus ministry, and as a church bulletin insert.

The Church That Would Not Help
Dr. Ralph Yarnell

Once upon a time, there was an average preacher who pastored an average church in an average city. The church was always short on mission funds. One day a salesman approached the pastor with the following proposal.

“If you allow me to speak to your congregation for 15 minutes, I will show you how to easily add $10,000 to your mission program now and an extra $1,000 each month, if the church members cooperate.”

The average preacher consulted with the average church board. They put it to a vote of the average congregation and quickly accepted the proposition. A date and time were set. Announcements were made, and every church member was urged to attend.

The time arrived; the church was packed, and the salesman began:
“Ladies and gentlemen, I represent a home training program. If you use our equipment, I guarantee you will quickly learn at least 32 things that will give you a thrilling experience. Our equipment sells from $100 to several thousand dollars and $20 each month from then on. Our equipment will teach you:

How to murder anyone you don’t like
How to deceive
How to commit adultery
How to get drunk
How to use and push drugs
How to curse
How to have an abortion
How to display your nakedness
How to embrace Humanism
How to get a divorce
How to spread violence
How to enjoy vulgarity
How to be anti-God and anti-Christian
How to be anti-American
How to show hate
How to tell lies
How to be a thief
How to live immorally
How to have illicit sex
How to be a homosexual
How to show vengeance
How to become a gambler
How to commit suicide
How to be an arsonist
How to cheat others
How to be continually fighting
How to be a mugger and a rapist
How to commit hideous crimes
How to torture others
How to loot
How to riot
How to disobey both God and the government.

“The 32 things are only the beginning of what our equipment will teach you. I guarantee it!

“Now, by showing raised hands, let me see how many of you are willing to invest in our equipment. None? Can it be there is not one raised hand?

“Now, by the raised hand, let me see how many of you have a television or DVD player. Nearly every hand is raised.

“Evidently, someone beat me to the sale, for I am selling TVs and DVDs. I promised this church an opportunity for $10,000 plus more than $1,000 each month for your mission program if you would follow my suggestions. The suggestions are for each of you to sell your TVs and DVDs, give the proceeds to your church missions program, and donate the monthly cable charge to your church’s program.

“Now, how many of you are willing to follow my suggestions? Raise your hands, please. Can it be not one hand is raised? Tell me, why are none of you willing to help missions?”

“Wait, we don’t want to be too hasty. There are some benefits of controlled TV,” said the pastor.

The salesman questioned, “Do you control the TV, or does it control you? Few, if any Christians can overcome the erosion of clear thinking, traditional values, and Biblical living caused by improper exposure to TV and DVDs.”

“There are still some good things on TV,” retorted a deacon.

“Yes, of course; even a stopped clock tells the right time twice a day.”

“I believe there is some good in everything,” a Sunday school teacher added.

“Yes, there is no doubt some good food in the garbage can, but we do not go there to get our dinner,” answered the salesman.

“Most of us have already signed a petition to the FCC to clean up TV,” said a choir member.

“Noble thought, but the Christian’s job is not to clean up the pigpen, but to keep the pigpen out of our homes, lives, and churches.”

“Let’s be reasonable. There’s nothing wrong with laughing at comedy and having a good time,” interjected the youth leader.

“Yes, but we cannot laugh our life away or when sin is glorified. Folks, the mission money your church needs is in your TVs and DVDs. The revival you need is in the disposal of that equipment.” The salesman ended his presentation at that point as no one wanted to support missions or end their exposure to sin.

The average church continued to wonder why they were always short of money for the missionaries.

“One leak will sink a ship, and one sin will destroy a sinner.” – John Bunyan

Trust God
Author Unknown

One morning in George Mueller’s orphanage, there was no food for the children’s breakfast. The tables were set with empty plates and mugs. Mr. Mueller prayed, “Dear Father, we thank Thee for what Thou art going to give us to eat.” Immediately, there was a knock at the door. Opening it, he saw the local baker.

“Mr. Mueller,” he said, “I couldn’t sleep last night. I felt you had no bread for breakfast, so I got up at 2 o’clock and baked fresh bread. Here it is.”

Mueller thanked him and praised God. Then a second knock came. It was the milkman. His cart had broken down out front, and he wanted to give the milk to the children.

It was a happy group that gave God thanks that morning. God never fails His child who trusts Him.

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14

“Every believer is God’s miracle.” — P. Bailey

The Clock Ticks On
Author Unknown

The clock of life is wound, but once
And no man has the power
To tell just when the hands will stop
At late or early hour.

To lose one’s wealth is sad indeed.
To lose one’s health is more.
To lose one’s soul is such a loss
That no man can restore.

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26

The BIBLE VIEW #894 — God

In This Issue:
One
God for All
Valued More Than Any
More Careful Than Mother
The Sailor’s Confidence
God’s Uniqueness

Volume: 894 January 30, 2023
Theme: God

View 16+ years of printable, free BIBLE VIEWS at https://openthoumineeyes.com/newsletters.html. Make as many copies as you need and use them in your church, nursing homes (large print version available), Sunday school, deaf ministry, bus ministry, and as a church bulletin insert.

One
Bill Brinkworth

Society is concerned about the thoughts and actions of the masses. They are often devoted to doing what everyone else is doing, dressing how the multitudes dress, keeping up with the “Jones,” and thinking and living the popular way.

God, however, is not. His Word has quite a lot to say about “one.” Since He is the only God, He only needs Himself to accomplish what He wants to be done. Man cannot grasp that because his abilities are finite, and he cannot function or think like God.

Despite how the world hates His dogmatism, God is more interested in individuals and His one way rather than the world’s constantly changing philosophies.

Man’s thinking, however, rarely lines up with God’s desires. This brief study on “one” shows us more about God and how He thinks:

There is one God, not multiple “gods,” as Hinduism and other religions teach. Many religions, even “Christian” cults, may only have one god, but it is not the One described in the Word of God.
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Ex. 20:3

Only One should be prayed to, and that is Jesus, not the dead.
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” I Tim. 2:5 Also: Mat. 23:9.

God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are One!
“I and my Father are one.” John 10:30

Mankind was started by one man God created: Adam. He did not evolve from lesser creatures. “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Gen. 1:27 Also: Gen. 2:21.
Sin came from one man’s iniquity and was passed down to all of us!
“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:” Rom. 5:12

We are all sinners! Not one of us is even close to perfect!
“They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Psalm 14:3 Also: Rom. 3:10, 12.

There is only one Saviour, Jesus. He died for all our sins!
“But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;” Heb. 10:12 Also: John 11:50.

There is only one way to Heaven! There are not “many roads” to get there.
“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

Each one is important to God.
“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10

Each one has to give an account of himself before God.
“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Rom. 14:12

None can straddle God’s way and the ungodly way simultaneously. God has only one way of doing things!
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Mat. 6:24 Also: Mat. 23:10, Luke 16:13.

When a man and woman marry, they become one. “You” and “I” should become “we.”
“Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” Gen. 2:24 Also: Mat. 19:5-6, Mark 10:8.

God often uses only one to lead His people in His direction, as He did with Moses, Ezekiel, Joshua, Jesus, John the Baptist, and the pastor of a local church. Also: Luke 3:4, John 1:23.
In groups, even Christian assemblies, there is often at least one that is against the things of God.
“Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil?” John 6:70 Also: John 13:21.

Those who trust in Christ’s payment for their sins are members of His one church.
“But now are they many members, yet but one body.” I Cor. 12:20 Also: Eph. 4:4.

Each one in the body of Christ should get along with the other.
“Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.” Philippians 2:2 Also: I Peter 3:8.

God cannot be understood, nor can His ways, with humanity’s faithless understanding. The Creator’s ways are often not logical to man’s comprehension because man’s thinking is limited. Despite what man teaches, God has only one way, and that is His way.

“God wants full custody, not just weekend visits.” — Author Unknown

God for All
John Bate

No one claims propriety to the oceans to the exclusion of others. The massive waters are for all nations and people to use for their interests. Oceans roll their waves against every shore and send their tides into every land, inviting the inhabitants to her riches and facilities. The oceans show they are the property of all.

So with the living God. No man can claim Him to the shutting out of others. He is the God of all for their knowledge, love, and obedience. Every intelligent being on Earth can draw from His treasury of good to the endless satisfaction of His nature.

To convince all that He is their God, He gives to all life, breath, and all things. He fans them with His influence, draws them by His love, and sends hosts of holy agents to bring them to Himself. By ten thousand attractions of love and mercy, He invites the world to plunge into His fullness and be satisfied.

“When God changes things, He usually begins with changing us.”
— Author Unknown

Valued More Than Any
Author Unknown

When Antigonus was ready to engage in a sea fight with Ptolemy’s armada, the pilot cried out, “How many are there more than we?”

The courageous king replied, “’Tis true, if you count their numbers, they surpass us, but for how many do you value me?”

When our enemies come upon us like a flood, threatening to devour us with rage and fury, let us remember though we are few and they are many, our God is the God of salvation. He must be counted for more than all that are against us.

More Careful Than Mother
C. H. Spurgeon

Look at the mother and how careful she is. If her child has a little cough, she notices it. The slightest weakness in the child will be observed.

The mother has watched all the child’s motions anxiously to see whether it walked right, if all its limbs were sound, and whether it had the use of all its powers in perfection. However, she has never thought of numbering the hairs on her child’s head. The absence of one or two of the child’s strands would give her no great concern.

Our God is more careful towards us than a mother with her child. He is so concerned about us He numbers the hairs of our heads. How safe we are beneath the hand of God!
“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Mat. 10:30

The Sailor’s Confidence
Author Unknown

When asked why he remained so calm in a fearful storm, the sailor gave an answer revealing his faith and trust. He was unsure he could swim, but the man replied, “Though I sink, I shall only drop into the hollow of my Father’s hand, for He owns all these waters.”

“When God measures a man, He puts the tape around his heart, not his head.”

God’s Uniqueness
Author Unknown

Take a straight stick and put it into the water; it will appear crooked. Why? Because we look upon it through two mediums: air and water. That is why we cannot discern it correctly.

Thus, the proceedings of God and His justice, which in themselves are straight, with the least obliquity, seem unto us crooked. It appears that wicked men are prospering, and good men are afflicted. It seems that the dishonest are succeeding, and the truthful suffer hardships. It seems the hard-working servants should ride horses, and the rich should do the walking.

These are some things that make many Christians stagger in their judgments. Why? Because they look upon God’s proceedings through a double medium: flesh and Spirit.

God’s proceedings with His justice are not discerned clearly by man. The eyes of man alone are not competent judges of God’s actions.

The BIBLE VIEW #893 — Wages of Sin

In This Issue:

When God’s Hand of Blessing Was Removed
Wrath of God
God’s Restraint
Curse of Sin
A Free Pardon

Volume: 893 January 16, 2023
Theme: Wages of Sin

Start your day with some good news from the Bible! Sign-up at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/a26cc9M to receive the DAILY VIEW devotion. The daily e-mail includes a KJV chapter, a brief commentary of something taught in that chapter, and more spiritual food for the hungry soul.

When God’s Hand of Blessing Was Removed
Bill Brinkworth

The Bible has recorded that when people disobeyed or disregarded God’s commandments, their sin would cost them much. It is clear, by the countless examples in the Word of God, that no person or country gets away with iniquity.

Here are a few biblical examples of what a people did to lose God’s blessing and to be cursed by the Almighty:

God cursed Adam and Eve, all their future generations, and the earth (Genesis3:14-19) because of Adam’s and Eve’s disobedience.
God cursed Canaan with slavery (Gen. 9:25) because of Ham’s sexual sin (Gen. 9:22).
God destroyed Sodom, Gomorrah, and two other cities (Deut. 29:23) because of their wickedness (Gen. 13:13).
God removed qualified, honorable, experienced God-approved leadership (Isaiah 3:1-3). He then allowed inexperienced, youthful men (Isaiah 3:4-5) and those whose leadership would harm their country (Isa. 3:12) to rule.
God allowed foreigners to invade Israel (Judges 6:1-6) and to take away Israel’s freedoms, belongings, and peace.
God allowed Israel’s place of worship, Jerusalem, to be destroyed (Nehemiah 1:3) because the people did not keep God’s commandments (Neh. 1:7). God also allowed the people to be scattered from the land He had given them because of their sin (Neh. 1:8).

God also promised, usually to His people, that He would allow them to learn from the consequences of their sin when they violated His laws. Here are some other reasons God promised to curse people and nations when they broke His commandments:

God promised to curse those that cursed the offspring of Abram (Israel): Gen. 12:3.
God will curse those that curse their parents: Proverb 20:20.
God will curse those that do not obey the Lord’s commandments, including going “after other gods”: Deut. 11:28, Jer. 44:8.
God will curse the wicked: Pro. 3:33.
God will allow a people to go through wars, captivity, famines, pestilences, and to be disliked by other countries because they did not obey God’s words: Jer. 29:1-19.
God would allow His people to face wars and famines if they insisted on returning to the world from which Lord delivered them: Jer. 44:12.
God will curse those that do not give glory to His name: Mal. 2:2.
God cursed those that would not give Him their tithes (at least 10% of what God allowed them to earn): Mal. 3:9.

Many consequences of sin to earlier people are also occurring today. Since God never changes (Mal. 3:6, Heb. 13:8), sins He would not tolerate then will not be put up with today.

No one gets away with evilness. The people of Israel did not get away with iniquity, and neither will we!

Many say that if we do not turn from our current wicked sins, we may suffer the curse of God. According to the biblical examples, we are already facing the after-effects of God’s curse on a rebellious people. His hand, which often blessed this nation, may have been removed, and we may be suffering the same “lessons” that earlier people faced.

The curse of God is always intended to halt the violations against Him. God intends that the hardships He allowed to happen will stop iniquity, and people will turn to Him.

There is always hope for those that turn from their wickedness. When people face hard times, they usually realize they cannot handle them without God and turn toward Him in obedience.

It is possible to be blessed by God because of obedience to His commandments rather than be cursed. Hopefully, people, and eventually as a nation, will see their wickedness and turn from it.
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chron. 7:14

“The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.” Prov. 3:33

Wrath of God
Jonathan Edwards

The wrath of God is like great waters that are dammed for the present. The waters increase and rise higher and higher until an outlet is given. The greater the waters rise, the more rapid and destructive its course will be when the waters are loosed.

If God should withdraw His hand from the floodgate, it would immediately fly open. The floods of the fierceness and wrath of God would rush forth with inconceivable fury and come upon you with omnipotent power. If your strength were ten thousand times greater than it is, yea, ten thousand times greater than the strength of the stoutest, sturdiest devil in Hell, it would be nothing to withstand or endure it.

“No one gets away with any sin!”

God’s Restraint
Jonathan Edwards

The bow of God’s wrath is bent, and the arrow is ready on the string. His justice aims the arrow at your heart and strains His bow. It is nothing but the mere pleasure of God, and that of an angry God, without any promise or obligation that keeps the arrow one moment from being made drunk with your blood.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

Curse of Sin
Dr. J. Parker

Oh, sin! How hast thou curst us! Thou hast thrown up a barrier between ourselves and God; with thy chilling breath, thou hast extinguished the light of our household joys. Thou hast unstrung our harp and filled the air with discordant cries. Thou hast unsheathed the sword and bathed it in human blood. Thou hast dug every grave in the Earth’s bosom, but for thee, we should not have known the name of widow or orphan, tear and sigh, and sorrow and death, but for thee our hearts would not have known pain.

A Free Pardon
C. H. Spurgeon

A prisoner was taken out to die, and as he rode along in the death cart, his heart was heavy at the thought of his demise. None would cheer him from the watching throng. The gallows tree was in sight and blotted out the sun for him. But lo, his prince came riding up in hot haste, bearing a free pardon.

Then the man opened his eyes, and he returned to happy consciousness as if he had risen from the dead. The sight of his prince had chased all gloom away. He declared that he had never seen a fairer countenance in all his days. When he read his pardon, he vowed that no poetry should ever be dearer to his heart than those few lines of sovereign grace.

Friends, I remember well when I was in that death cart, and Jesus came to me with a pardon. Death and Hell were before me, but I rejoiced exceedingly when I saw the nail prints in his hands, feet, and the wound in his side.

When he said, “Thy sins, which are many, are all forgiven thee,” I thought I never saw such loveliness before and never heard such music in all my days. Eternity itself shall never disclose anything sweeter. My pardoning Lord hath no peer nor rival. Oh, what a Christ is He who appeared to me, a guilty, condemned sinner, and on the way to Hell! Blessed be His name. Jesus bore my curse, shame, and death, and I am free!

“Life has taught me to forgive much and to seek forgiveness still more.”
— Bismarck

The BIBLE VIEW #892 — Watching Over Us

In This Issue:
Thank You for Slowing Me Down
Ouch! It’s Prickly!
Follow the Detour

Volume: 892 January 16, 2023
Theme: Watching over Us

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Thank You for Slowing Me Down
Bill Brinkworth

After several days of rain, water dripped off leaves, trees, and rocks. Soon, small ribbons of water trickled down the mountainside. Meandering driblets eventually joined others, and quickly rivulets grew in size and sped down the mountain.

A closer observation revealed that the speeding waters did not head toward the valley in a straight line. Natural obstacles detoured the flow in unnatural directions. The rushing waters wandered left, right, down into a washout the waters created, blocked by a rock, over the natural dam, left and again to the right. Seemingly haphazardly, the flow wandered down to the lower ground.

Because of God’s design, even the water flow and how it was diverted caused little washout. If the gushing waters had their way, they would have eroded much of the hillside, uprooted trees, caused mudslides, and ravished havoc on the area. Thank you, Lord, for even watching over the water flow.

The difficult hazards we face may also preserve us more than we realize. Left to follow our lusts and desires, without stopping or deterring us from wrong behavior and decisions, we would race to destruction, ruining our lives and those of others.

A grade failure, car breakdown, lost job, illness, or a broken relationship may be more of a help than a hindrance, especially if a person affected is God-controlled. Only He knows what could have happened to us if obstacles did not change our self-destroying directions.

We may not like the “roadblocks” or deterrents keeping us from the way we thought was best. However, it may be a God-directed obstacle diverting us to His better direction rather than our destructive one.

The obstacles we encounter may not be as bad as we believe. They may keep us from a more tumultuous life and an early grave.

We certainly should not want our lives to be a “washout.” Thank you, Lord, for loving and protecting us. You keep us safe even when we do not have the sense to know that our will and way may not be the right and best direction for us.

“O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee.” Psalm 25:20

Ouch! It’s Prickly!
Bill Brinkworth

Many natural things are “prickly.” Thorns are the natural defense of many roses, orange trees, and weeds. Grabbing hold of a prickly stem results in one letting it go and coming up with another plan.

God uses the “pricks” of uncomfortable moments to change our direction. He did this in Saul’s life as the unsaved but religious man traveled on the road to Damascus.
“And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Acts 9:5

Saul had spent much of his life trying to serve God his way. Unfortunately, he did not detect nor heed the “pricks” God sent in His life to put him in the right direction.

Pricks that Saul, later renamed Paul, ignored:
Pricked ears – When Saul heard the preachers of the Gospel, he did all he could to stifle their preaching. Instead of pricking his conscience so he could change his wrong path, it angered him and encouraged him to do more to silence Christians.

Young Saul (Paul) even held the coats of those that stoned the preacher, Stephen. While Saul stood there, he probably heard the Word of God as at other times when he was around Christians. Still, he held to his religion, even when the people of God preached and warned against it.

Pricked eyes – Undoubtedly, Saul saw Christianity in action. He saw families split, people die, and heartache inflicted. In all the trouble he instigated against Christians, he saw they had a peace that he surely did not have or understand. He was like his name-sake, King Saul, who persecuted righteous David.

Pricks that others ignore:
Pricked by circumstances: Hard times, sickness, failures, testings, aggravating situations, disasters, etc., are often meant to draw us closer to God and make us trust Him more. Instead, folks often grow farther from the source of strength they need.

Pricked ears: Perhaps, God sent a godly mother, grandmother, neighbor, friend, Sunday school teacher, or let us hear a preacher on TV, but still, His invitation was ignored.

Pricked eyes: Many have seen bits of the Word of God in tracts and good Christian testimonies, yet their example has been ignored.

Too often, God’s “pricks” to our hearts and lives are ignored. What does God have to do to you to get your attention and obedience?

“The greater thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are going.” — Oliver Wendell Holmes

Follow the Detour
Bill Brinkworth

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:6

No one likes the aggravation of being slowed down to going to his destination by a road detour. One has to change direction another way. We are not in control and must follow someone else’s plan to get us to where we want to go.

“Who do those construction people think they are? Making me go this long way. I just want to go a little way down the road.” However, we obey the signs and the flagman and get there safely. We may not have been able to say that if we did not heed those diverting our direction.

Too many ignore the “flagman” God has put in our path to move them in another direction — His way. Maybe that test you failed, even though you “studied your brains out,” was a “flagman” to get you to know and later witness to a tutor or to get you to study more efficiently. If you cheated and passed, you would not have gone down the road God had planned for you.

Maybe the family split, although not God’s first plan, has something you could learn. Sticking it out and praying through the problem may have helped you, so divorce never happens to you, or you can minister to others in that situation. Running away from that situation would be going through the “detour,” and you would not have learned what God intended for you to get out of the experience.

Use your imagination to see how God could use the “bad” things in your life for His glory and your good. He is aware of the “roadblock” you experienced or are experiencing. God may have allowed it in your life, so you would spiritually grow or be strengthened.

A Christian should be sensitive to the leading as well as the halting of the Lord. Give Him credit for all that happens in your life. Let him direct you!

“Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in the difficulties.” — C. S. Lewis

The BIBLE VIEW #891 —Love

In This Issue:
Love Is…
When Love Is Missing
Family Love

Volume: 891 January 9, 2023
Theme: Love

Love Is…
Bill Brinkworth

The apostle Paul saw how essential it was to have a love for others. This love is not the lust or the emotion the unsaved understand. It is a love and concern that only a Christian can truly understand and have.

The indwelling Spirit of God can make it possible for one to love others in a way that is impossible without God’s help. Here is what God, through Paul’s writings, said genuine love is (I Corinthians 13:4-8):

A Christian’s love for others should be long-lasting and allow one to see and handle life differently. Seeing people and this world through the eyes of love will change one’s life completely.

“People don’t care how much you know until they first know how much you care.”
— Author Unknown

When Love Is Missing
Bill Brinkworth

“Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,” II Timothy 3:3

One of the 19 sins Paul said (II Timothy 3) would occur in these last days may be the root of many terrible occurrences we commonly see today. That loveless iniquity is “without natural affection.”

It is natural for a mother to love her children. Yet, many mothers today allow their unborn babies to be killed inside them rather than being inconvenienced by the upbringing of their offspring. Too many fathers have also abandoned their children and wives for selfish desires.

Most should naturally love and honor parents, yet many have opposed their mothers, fathers, and siblings in courts of law. Newspaper articles too frequently report how an angry child even murdered their parent or family member.

Perhaps, because of the desensitization created by heartlessly allowing unborn babes to be butchered, life is not respected and honored as it should. It may also be the reason for increased murders and suicides.

The sin of not naturally loving people may also explain why parents do not live up to their responsibility of raising their children. Not naturally loving others may also be the culprit iniquity behind divorces and broken relationships.

Because of the lack of natural affection, some government leaders have more concern for their gain, power, and agendas than they do about the welfare of citizens. Many teachers have swayed their charges to their political and social thinking rather than what is best, practical, and moral for the young minds they selfishly control. A natural love for others is sadly missing in our society.

It should be natural to love ourselves and others. That act has been why so many civilizations have grown and socially prospered. Those that did not nurture the innate ability to love and care for life have floundered and failed.

Without love, people will not have peace and joy. Hatred will be a nagging canker filling voids in lives and society.

Love yourself and others, as God in Heaven has loved you.
“Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” Matthew 19:19
And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.” Luke 10:27

“Love is the doorway through which the human soul passes from selfishness to service and from solitude to kinship with all mankind.” — Author Unknown

Through Thick and Thin
Deb McCoy

Mom, throughout my life, you taught me by example every step of the way,
Though many times I stumbled and knew you continued to love me as I began to stray.
I remember your bravery when dad took his life,
I became angry and rebellious as it pierced through me like a knife.

Our lives changed forever at that moment in time,
But your choice was to keep going onward no matter how steep the climb.
I promised to take care of you the rest of your days,
Though it was your unconditional love for me that always paved the way.

No obstacle was insurmountable regardless of how hard,
Each one had a lesson though we struggled and were left scarred.
We poured out our hearts to one another during our time of grief,
Unanswered questions of why a husband and father could take his life and leave us in disbelief.

Mom, it was during those times that I saw the depths of your love,
Your inspiring example to set my sights up above.
Brokenness was upon us as a missing link in a chain,
But tragedy led to triumph through all the suffering and the pain.

I was miserable and in need of peace as everywhere I did search,
Then you asked me to consider my first ever visit to church.
It was then that God did tug at my heart,
Born again, I became salvation to impart.

It wasn’t long after that we did learn of your cancer,
Looking to God in prayer for a miracle to answer.
Mom, your strength and courage throughout your life left a godly legacy,
You taught me that dying to your own desires and pouring your life into someone else is how to live most blessedly.

It is through selflessness that we become truly fulfilled,
How blessed I was to care for you because helping others is the message you instilled.
My heart was broken to see you suffer in torment and anguish,
Seeing you deteriorate how I felt hopeless and did languish.

Though a burden you did not wish to be,
Love is deeper than any encumbrance you see.
You never complained and you fought to the end,
I miss you so much and each day together we did spend.

Mom, your inspiration will guide me all the days of my life on Earth. I cannot wait to see you again. I’m so thankful for Christ’s death on the cross, for saving me, and giving me the new birth.

How I wish you could have a glimpse into my heart as I have written this in dedication to you. Thank you for everything, Mom.

“Love isn’t like a reservoir. You’ll never drain it dry. It’s much more like a natural spring. The longer and the farther it flows, the stronger, deeper, and the clearer it becomes.” — Cantor

No Greater Love
Bill Brinkworth

Jesus’ death was very important for every person who has ever lived. As the only Son of God, His death was the only payment that God will accept for our sins. Essential and planned as it was, it was not an easy death for Jesus. His malefactors were very cruel to Him.

Although the other Gospel’s accounts of His death give more details of what occurred at Jesus’ demise, this chapter tells some of what happened. Here in John 19, we read that:

Jesus was mocked (John 19:3, 5).
Jesus was beaten (John 19:3).
Jesus had to drag His heavy cross to Golgotha (John 19:17).
Jesus was crucified between two criminals (John 19:18).
Jesus’ clothing was thought more precious than His life by some and was gambled for (John 19: 23-24).
Jesus’ mistreatments were displayed in front of His mother (John 19:25).
Jesus was pierced in His side after His death (John 19:34).

God’s son took all these abuses, and more, so that He could be the means of payment for all our sins. It was such a sacrifice that Jesus was willing to undergo for us. His sacrifice for what we have done wrong (sin) caused Him to endure so much brutality. To make His death even more meaningful, Jesus knew all that He would face ahead of time; yet, He tolerated it all for us. What a matchless love Jesus has for us.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
John 15:13