Category: 2021

The Bible View #827 — Out of Fellowship

In This Issue:
Lost Fellowship
Out of Touch with God
Blow on The Embers

Volume: 827    September 13, 2021
Theme: Out of Fellowship

Devotions, Bible Studies, Sunday School lessons and printable versions of The Bible View (including church bulletin insert and large print versions) are available at https://openthoumineeyes.com/ and http://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/.

All should daily read the Bible!  While at your computer,  go to www.DevotionsFromTheBible.com and read a chapter each day, and learn something from what you read. SIGN-UP to have the FREE devotion e-mailed and read a devotion and KJV chapter at your computer.



Lost Fellowship
Charles Spurgeon

I once asked a Christian how long it was since he had enjoyed fellowship with Jesus. His reply was remarkable. “I feel sorry,” he said, “you have asked me that question, and yet I must thank you. Had you asked me whether I continued in prayer, I would have said, ‘Yes,’ for I constantly pray with more or less fervor. Had you inquired whether I endeavored to walk honestly and uprightly before my fellow creatures, I would have said, ‘Yes,’ thank God, I hope I have not slipped with my feet.  However, when you say, ‘How long is it since you have had fellowship with Jesus?’ I blush because many a day has passed since I have known that high privilege.”

Is that so with you, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ? If so, it is very, very sad.

Your excuses for drifting far from God will not stand!
“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”  Isaiah 40:29


Out of Touch with God
Bill Brinkworth

Psalm 60 referred to the historical event when David got the victory over the Edomites.  However, as do most of the Psalms, there is something that one can relate to in their own life today.

There are times some have the feeling David had when he knew He was not in fellowship with the Lord.  He sensed something was different between him and His relationship with the Lord.  David knew he and Israel had displeased God, and he desired His heavenly Father’s help, guidance, and fellowship again.
“… O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.” Psalm 60:1

We are joyous over the times we know God is close, and we see His hand in our lives every day.  We pray, and we see His answers.  Miraculously, we see his blessings in our lives. They are wonderful days, but something happens.  Those feelings disappear. For some, those God-filled days are only a dim memory.

Frantically, we search our lives.  We know God would never leave us, but He will withdraw His helping hand in our lives when we sin. Prayers go up but appear unanswered. “What is it that I have done to grieve you, dear Lord,” we plea.

As we recall past events, one, two, or maybe more sins that we have done against the Father come to mind. We certainly cannot undo our past, but we must do something to have a better future.

Quickly, we pull aside out of what we are doing and bow our heads in prayer.  God knows what we have done or neglected to do, but He wants to hear us admit our transgressions.  As we name them one by one in prayer, a waited-for plea is uttered from our lips, “And, please Father, forgive me for what I have done.  With your help, please help this never to happen again.”

Forgiveness is sought, and it is received from a gracious God.  Many times, the fellowship is not immediately restored to the point it was previously.  Still, our confession to Him is all we can do. It is a necessary re-starting point.

David experienced that situation.  He knew why his and his nation’s close relationship with God had changed, and He wanted the relationship back the way it was.  The leader humbled himself and sought forgiveness.

If you find yourself in a situation that your walk with the Lord is not what it used to be, it may be time you do as David did.  Search your heart. Be honest with yourself, and do not hide behind excuses.

Seek answers through praying. As you are reminded of things that could have been done differently, sin that never should have been committed, or steps of disobedience, beg God’s forgiveness and help to stay within His graces.  Do so when your heart is convicted.  There may not be another opportunity to be restored to the fellowship with your heavenly Father.

“True repentance hates the sin, and not merely the penalty…”  — Taylor


Blow on the Embers
Bill Brinkworth

To supplement our heater, we use a wood stove. With the right fuel, it produces a roaring fire, and with the damper set just right, a load of wood will burn most of the night and heat the house. 

After a night-long burn, the fire seems to have gone out by the morning, but there are still embers. After some poking and attention are given to them, they will easily ignite new fuel and continue to burn the rest of the day. At first, there seems to be no hope of rekindling the night’s fire.  However, after the burned-out ash is pushed aside to expose hidden embers, kindling is laid on top of them, gently blown on, and it is not long until a blaze results from the revived embers.

A born-again child of God can likewise lose the “blaze” for the Lord he once had. There may have been a time when prayer, church attendance, Bible reading, and other spiritual activities were priorities. Slowly, however, the fervent, spiritual-fire burning in one’s life was reduced to a smoldering, hardly-remembered ember.

If one is genuinely born-again, the embers are still there. The embers never completely went out. There is no loss of salvation, as some suppose is the reason for no spiritual activity and more involvement in sin. The Bible does teach that once saved, always saved (II Tim. 1:9, Eph. 2:8-9, John 10:28-29). Since salvation is still there, there may be just an over-covering of “ash” from sin’s participation.

Involvement in sin will not chase the indwelling Holy Spirit away. It will, however, grieve Him enough that He will not speak or move in one’s life until the sin is repented.

The Holy Spirit does work in one’s life.  It is He that speaks to one’s heart, does the convicting resulting in changing one’s life, and He encourages spiritual growth in one’s life.  When the Holy Spirit is no longer working, His refusal to work often reflects our non-spirituality.
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.“ Eph. 4:30  (Also: Prov. 28:13, I Thes. 5:19).

Like the seemingly defunct fire, a saved person can once again be the spiritual person he was or even be closer to God than he was before. There is hope in rekindling spiritual fires again! 

The first necessary step to get back to where one once was spiritually, or to have any spiritual growth, is to want change!  One can feel guilty or be depressed about one’s condition, but if one does not want to change, nothing will ever be altered in one’s relationship with God.  The fire in my stove would never be re-started unless I wanted it to be.  A person has to desire an alteration before anything will change.  As much as others want a person to be different, their efforts will not be long-lived or not result in any modifications unless the person himself desires a different life.

Secondly, the person himself must know what made the spiritual fires cease from burning fervently. Was there not enough fuel to keep it burning?  Was there no Bible reading?  Was there no prayer life?  Was there no spiritual food on which to feed?  If one feeds fleshly desires with worldliness, how can one expect the spiritual part to grow?  Whatever part of us that is fed the most is the one that grows!

Another reason spiritual fires may be gone out is sin over-covering the embers.  Sin will quench any desire to live for God. It will sadden the Holy Spirit so much He will not work in one’s life. The only remedy is to admit (confess) what one has allowed to hamper his relationship with the Lord, ask the Lord to forgive him for his transgression, and with God’s help, purpose not to err that way anymore (Psalms 51:2).  If an attempt to get closer to God again fails, one can start all over again.  He is a second-chance God, and third chance, and fourth….

After this truth is realized, the Lord is faithful and just to forgive and forget, and one can get back to where he should have been in his relationship with the Lord.  Once again, the Holy Spirit will blow on our “embers,” and a “blaze” can be resumed.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9 (Also I John 1:7)

“There can be no doubt in any man’s mind, nor any man’s heart, that God is our sustenance and our strength. Each of us must believe wholeheartedly and fiercely in the power and the glory, and the strength of God.  Thus, it would be more proper to say that each man must seek the companionship of God.  God awaits each one of us.” — Harold K. Johnson

The Bible View #826 — Christianity’s Opposition

In This Issue:
 Because What They Saw and Heard
Why Christianity Is Opposed
Not Recognized
It’s Love, Not Hate

Volume: 826    September 6, 2021
Theme: Christianity’s Opposition

Devotions, Bible Studies, Sunday School lessons and printable versions of The Bible View (including church bulletin insert and large print versions) are available at https://openthoumineeyes.com/ and http://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/.

All should daily read the Bible!  While at your computer,  go to www.DevotionsFromTheBible.com and read a chapter each day, and learn something from what you read. SIGN-UP to have the FREE devotion e-mailed and read a devotion and KJV chapter at your computer.


Because What They Saw and Heard
Bill Brinkworth

“Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises. 7 For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.” Psalm 47:6-7

Much of the world has developed a disdain for Christianity.  Looking at Christians the way the unsaved may see them, they may have a reason to believe as they do.

The lost see people who tout the name of Christ but see little difference between themselves and the supposedly “godly” people.  They hear Christ-followers ridicule their church leaders, catch them complaining, question and doubt God’s Word, and violate principles it teaches.  Unsaved people see believers live a life that is much like their own.

The unsaved world see poor Christian examples.  Dishonesty and perversion of church leaders are in media headlines. The lost often see the children of God begging for money and sometimes doing dishonest things to get it.  They hear of the sin the “godly” commit and observe the disunity between bickering believers. No wonder reproach is upon the name “Christian.”

Unsaved people seldom hear God being given credit for the blessings He pours out on His people.  Infrequently have they seen what they recognize as a genuine love for the Lord. Rarely have they heard how a converted sinner’s life was remarkably changed to produce an outstanding member of society. Few have heard of God’s answering prayers and the “impossible” miracles only His intervention could have caused.

Most of us can take some blame for their observations.  We have not done as the psalmist’s hymn in Psalm 47 encourages. We have not shown our excitement of being a child of God (“… O clap your hands…) — Psalm 47:1.  Instead, those people see the pooched lips and sad countenances of ungrateful believers.

The lost world needs to hear more from God’s children of all the wonderful things He does in their lives.  It would change their attitudes and beliefs if others heard of our answered prayers, deliverance from dangers, fulfilled prayer requests, and His leadership in our lives.  They need to listen to us “sing” His praises (Psalm 47:6-7).  If we are verbal about what God is doing, He will be real to them because His goodness and greatness have been praised and recognized.

God is not dead!  He is alive and working in lives.  I talked to Him today and daily see what He has done in my life and others!  The world needs to know that they are missing the biggest blessing of their lives without Him.  They will then know their loss if believers praise Him for His goodness.

“As a lost person, my tongue was quick with foul language. After being saved for a short time, God convicted me of my poor testimony for Him in that area.  I purposed to replace curses with praises to Him. I may not be much, but daily do those around me hear me praising His name and accrediting His wonderful works in my life!  He is worthy to be praised!” — B. B.



Why Christianity Is Opposed
Bill Brinkworth

There has always been animosity for those that live a lifestyle in accordance with the Bible. It is the same disdain that had Christ nailed to the cross. This resentment towards Christianity is undoubtedly alive and doing terribly today.  Ill feelings are particularly shown against Christians attempting to obey the Bible to the best of their ability.

True biblical Christianity does not, nor has it ever been a physical threat. Do not dare say Christianity has killed many.  It was certain false religions, not true believers, that committed those atrocities. 

Christianity has always improved nations, converted the sinner into a contributing member of society, given to worthy causes, helped the unfortunate, and done many other positive things.   Then why are so many voicing disdain against Christianity?  Here is a brief examination as to why many oppose Christians and Christianity:

They may hate God.  It may never be said from their lips, but that is often the root of why they are against Christianity.  They cannot attack God, so they strike out against Christians, seen as the next closest thing.
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18 Also: I John 3:13.

They may have guilt from their sin.  Many deal with this guilt in different ways.  Instead of stopping their iniquities, some turn their hearts against the one that showed them their actions were biblically wrong. One that is living the proper, (most naturally know in their heart what is right and wrong) godly life often heightens their guilt just by another’s biblical lifestyle. They resent any light that is put on their sin.
“And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved..”  John 3:19-20

They are on the enemy’s side. There are two sides: God’s and Satan’s.  People may be against the things of God because they are against God and for Satan.
“He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” Matthew 12:30
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44  Jesus was speaking to “religious” leaders.

There is a spiritual battle raging, so expect skirmishes:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12

They see hypocrisy. The unsaved, much of the time, have expectations of how a Christian should act.  When they see the professing Christian not practicing what is preached or living the way expected, bitterness can be built against Christianity.

One of the most destructive forces to the cause of Christ is the liberal church movement.  They have removed much of the credibility, godliness, and character from Jesus’ church. The unsaved world clearly sees their hypocrisy and disobedience. We are to be an example for the cause of Christ in how we live our lives. Be different and be a godly light in this sin darkened world.
 “Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.”  Matthew 15:7-9

“It is better to incur the world’s hatred by testifying against its wickedness than gain its goodwill by going down the stream with it.”  — Henry



Not Recognized
Missionary Baptist News

A story is told of a North Carolina preacher who lived when traveling preachers were entertained at hotels for free.  A particular preacher put up at a hotel for a few days, where the host most hospitably entertained him, but as he was leaving, he was surprised to be presented with a bill.

“Why?” he said, “I thought preachers were entertained free.”

“Well,” said the innkeeper, “you came and ate your meals without asking the blessing; no one has ever seen you with a Bible; you smoked big cigars while you were here, and you talked about everything but religion.  Pray, how were we to know that you were a preacher?  You have lived like a sinner, so now you will have to pay with the sinners.”

“A hypocrite is a fellow who isn’t himself on Sundays!”



It’s Love, Not Hate
Bill Brinkworth

The Bible defines true morality.  However, if one points out that the Word of God says lying, stealing, adultery, homosexuality, etc., are wrong and sinful, the messenger is labeled a “hater.”  The source of the authority for labeling the iniquity, the Bible, is then ignored. 

The word “hate” has become a defensive word that many use to silence anyone they do not like, understand, or with which they agree.  Once the messenger of morality or a difference of opinion is branded hateful, many believe they are justified in ignoring all that the person says, even truth.

The attack now is often on the credibility of anyone that supports biblical morality or opposes the popular mob-rule thinking, so their message can be ignored. Often those stating what the Bible says are ridiculed and even criticized.

All know that when something improper or incorrect in another’s life is pointed out, it will not be received well. So why would a person still point out another’s immorality?

In many cases, it is love for the person and what can happen if they continue in immorality or wrongdoing, not hate.  Love and concern are why most parents, teachers, friends, and neighbors endure the negative feelings and comments they may receive and rebuke those doing wrong things.

It is the sin of abortion that terminates the life of an unborn baby.  It should be spoken against.

Alcohol and drugs can kill people and destroy lives.  Their use should be rebuked. 

Lying costs people’s trust and destroys relationships.  It should be disdained.

Gambling often costs people all they have earned and destroys their families over the ensuing financial ruin. It should be spoken against.

Adultery destroys families, and innocent children have their lives changed because of another’s sin.  Unfaithfulness to a spouse should also be hated, along with other sins that always hurt lives.

Toleration of wrongdoing and sin will not stop iniquities havoc; it will only allow it to continue. It is not love that is silent while people suffer or do things that will hurt them. It is indifference and often hate. It is love that often causes people to warn others of immorality, no matter the cost.

“In Christianity, it is the relation of the soul to God that is important, not the relation of man to his fellow man.”  — Russell

The Bible View #825 — Obeying God

In This Issue:
Why Do I Have To Be on That Leash?
What Are You Doing with the Seed?
Old Testament Commandments

Volume: 825    August 30, 2021
Theme: Obeying God

This world is in a mess!  The only hope it has is if more were to hear and heed what God’s Word says. That is the mission of this 27+ year ministry — to tell as many as possible!

I daily labor to reach the world with God’s truth. Three websites, a radio broadcast (WLVF – https://gospel903.com/), FREE daily devotions (available in 100+ different languages), the weekly Bible View church bulletin insert, Sunday school lessons, and social media postings (links only to my sites) are used to attempt to reach more with what the Bible teaches.

As with most attempts to reach others, this ministry has battled opposition aimed at halting the outreach. A large tech. company has caused the mass-e-mailing ministry (2,000+ recipients) to cease. Facebook has closed my account more than once. Now it appears they are discrediting the biblical devotions (see what FB included with my posting), or is it censorship? 

I am considering finding a company to handle the mass e-mails (2,000+ in the past, 165 different countries) for those who request daily devotions to be e-mailed.  Although, I do not believe I can afford it, please pray that God’s will and way will be done.

Thank you in advance.  If we do not tell others about the Gospel, who will?
Learn more about this ministry.



Why Do I Have To Be on That Leash?
Bill Brinkworth

“C’mon, girl, let’s go for a walk,” I beckoned to the tail-wagging Labrador Retriever.

After I clipped the short leash to her collar, I walked off, expecting her to follow. Quickly, I realized there was no dog on the other end.  Buddi had tucked her head and slipped out of her collar.

“Hmmm.” I put the collar back on, with the leash still clipped on.  As I again tried to take her for a walk, she firmly sat, refusing to go.  Her tail wagged seriously.  She apparently wanted to roam the walking path; she did not want to be hooked to the restricting tether. Buddi wanted to run wherever she wanted to go in the woods.

Then we had the master to dog talk.  “Listen, Buddi, I see you want to go out,” her tail wagged in agreement, “but you have to be on the leash.  You don’t understand what could happen out there without my protection.  Why a snake could strike you as you curiously inspect a slithering reptile that you never saw before.  Or you could walk in some tall weeds and pick up a load of ticks. And if you go to the wrong place, you just might get sprayed by Mr. Skunk near the grapes.  Buddi, this leash is for your protection. I can guide you safely as we walk, if you would just trust me to lead you.”

Folks, and even Christians, are much like the rebellious dog.  They do not want anyone telling them what to do, especially God. Why?  They believe his commandments will clamp their style, although most have never read about His will and way found in the Bible.  Many see God’s commandments as a leash limiting their freedom and “fun.”

What little they may know about what God requires may have been heard from an unreliable source.  Often, they may have heard part of His Word or never stopped to consider the context of the Bible verse.  Quickly, they jump to a conclusion that is not biblical.  Even if they do hear a clear biblical commandment, they still will not obey their unseen Creator.

Most people are naturally rebellious to anyone telling them what to do. Many give little credence to certain laws, what parents say, school rules, employer’s requirements, and anyone else that hampers their doing their own “thing.”

However, God is not like anyone else.  He created man.  He knows mankind’s limitations, what lurks unseen in their lives that will hurt them, and what will help them.  The watch care offered by our Maker is for our good.  

God’s “leash” is not meant to be burdensome.  His guiding help is from an all-seeing and knowing God that wants to keep us safe and help us. Our aimless, often temptation-led life can lead us to harm. He loves us more than we can imagine and wants the best for us.

Follow His will and way for a productive and better life.  Lose the rebellious attitude and obey the One that only desires what will help and bless you!



What Are You Doing with the Seed?
Bill Brinkworth

Mark 4 sums up how people may deal with God’s Word. Jesus explained those ways using the “Parable of the Sower.”

The farmer in this teaching parable was Jesus.  Matthew 13:37 identifies the “sower” of seeds to be the Saviour.
“He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man;” Mat. 13:37

In the parable, the sower went into a field and disbursed seed. The seed represents the Word of God.

Jesus summarized (Mark 4:3-8) what folks do with God’s truths. Later, in Mark 4:14-20, the Son of God explained what the parable meant.

The four choices one can make in obeying God’s commandments and truths are:

  1. “And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:” Mark 4:4
    Some hear God’s Word, perhaps accidentally.  Before applying His Truths to one’s life, or before they are mulled over, Satan robs those thoughts out of one’s mind. Perhaps it is another’s snide remark Satan uses that invalidates obeying a verse that is heard. Maybe it is a school teacher who has told his students not to believe anything in that “old antiquated” book. However the hearer is distracted, one may do nothing with what he has heard.
    “The sower soweth the word. 15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.” Mark 4:14-15
  2. “And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: 6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.” Mark 4:5-6
    Others hear God’s will and way, and for a short time, heed it. However, because they are not following it for the right reasons or have not heard the whole truth, they abandon obedience when problems and hard times inflict them. Perhaps they were not saved or were just following what a denomination taught.  They had no “root” and drifted away from doing what the Bible commanded.
    “And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.” Mark 4:16-17
  3. “And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.” Mark 4:7
    Many are devastated because, although they have heard what the Lord requires of them, they get their priorities wrong. They focus on the temporary things of this world and forget their eternal future. The shiny trinkets this world offers deceive and rob them of what they could have.
    “And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, 19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” Mark 4:18-19
  4. “And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.” Mark 4:8
    Praise the Lord, many hear God’s Truths and do what It commands. They live to please the Lord, remove sin from their lives, and have a very fruitful spiritual life because of their obedience.
    “And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.” Mark 4:20

Many are without excuse. They have heard some of God’s Truths but, for whatever reason, have not obeyed or made it a priority in their lives. However, it does not have to be that way. God has preserved His Truths for a reason. We are not only to hear them; we are to heed them.

What have you done with the Word of God? Have you obeyed it for a while, ignored it, forgotten it, or joyfully done what you could to follow it?

“The study of God’s Word, for the purpose of discovering God’s will, is the secret discipline which has formed the greatest characters.” — J. W. Alexander



Old Testament Commandments
Bill Brinkworth

There are many commandments in the Old Testament.  Some sources declare there are 613.  After my attempt at counting them, I have found that it depends on the counter and his criteria for what is considered a commandment from God.

Although my list is only in the 300’s, and others have counted 603 and 613, we all have to agree that there are more than ten commandments that God has given men.  Somehow, the number ten sticks in the mind of most people.  Many think, along with their other misunderstandings of God’s Old Testament commandments, that they are only responsible for some of those God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai.

Here are several truths about the Ten Commandments:

  • Obedience to these ten commandments is necessary for all men to live together in unity. They are the moral laws that God has given man.  If they are not followed, there will be problems in society. If the sixth commandment is not honored, then anyone can kill anyone for any reason.  When the seventh commandment is ignored, families will be destroyed by rampant adultery.  If the eighth is not enforced or taught, no inhibitions will prevent anyone from stealing what they want. On and on society will degrade, as it has today because the basic moral commandments are not universally followed.
  • Following these commandments will not guarantee anyone Heaven.  So many, when asked if they are bound for Heaven, declare they are because they obey the Ten Commandments.  Surprisingly, few even know what they are and are shocked that there are many of them.

    We are in a different time, a different dispensation.  We are not under God’s law; we are under God’s grace.  The way to Heaven is trusting in Christ’s payment for our sins; not anything we can do.  God’s laws were intended to give Old Testament believers a glimpse (a shadow) of how the perfect worship would one day be.  They also were a “schoolmaster,” teaching what was right and wrong and what God wanted us to avoid.
    “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” Hebrews 10:1
  • Those commandments gave people an idea of what God likes and does not like. The desire of all Christians should be to please God.  The commandments clearly show us the preferences and wisdom of the Creator.
  • Some say there are over 600 Old Testament commandments. It is nearly impossible to know all of them, let alone keep them all.
    “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” James 2:10

The Bible View #824 — Which Spirit?

This world is in a mess!  The only hope it has is if more were to hear and heed what God’s Word says. That is the mission of this 27+ year ministry — to tell as many as possible!

I daily labor to reach the world with God’s truth. Three web-sites, a radio broadcast (WLVF – https://gospel903.com/), FREE daily devotions (available in 100+ different languages), the weekly Bible View church bulletin insert, Sunday school lessons, and social media postings (links only to my sites) are used to attempt to reach more with what the Bible teaches.

As with most attempts to reach others, this ministry has battled opposition aimed at halting the outreach. A large tech. company has caused the mass-e-mailing ministry (2,000+ recipients) to cease. Facebook has closed my account more than once and now it appears they are discrediting the biblical devotions, or is it censorship? 

I am considering finding a company to again handle the mass e-mails (2,000+ in the past, 165 different countries) for those that request the daily devotions to be e-mailed to them.  Although, I do not believe I can afford it, please pray that God will make His desire clear.

Thank you in advance.  If we do not tell others about the Gospel, who will?

Learn more about this ministry.



In This Issue:
Where Did That “Spirit” Come From?
Can God Send An Evil Spirit?

Volume: 824    August 23, 2021
Theme: Which Spirit?

This world is in a mess!  The only hope it has is if more were to hear and heed what God’s Word says. That is the mission of this 27+ year ministry — to tell as many as possible!

I daily labor to reach the world with God’s truth. Three web-sites, a radio broadcast (WLVF – https://gospel903.com/), FREE daily devotions (available in 100+ different languages), the weekly Bible View church bulletin insert, Sunday school lessons, and social media postings (links only to my sites) are used to attempt to reach more with what the Bible teaches.

As with most attempts to reach others, this ministry has battled opposition aimed at halting the outreach. A large tech. company has caused the mass-e-mailing ministry (2,000+ recipients) to cease. Facebook has closed my account more than once and now it appears they are discrediting the biblical devotions, or is it censorship? 

I am considering finding a company to handle the mass e-mailed (2,000+ in the past, 165 different countries) for those that request the daily devotions be e-mailed to them.  Although, I do not believe I can afford it, please pray that God will allow that outreach.

Thank you in advance.  If we do not tell others about the Gospel, who will?
Learn more about this ministry.



Where Did That “Spirit” Come From?
Bill Brinkworth

“But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.” Luke 9:55
Luke 9:55 should make us aware that there are different spirits in this world, and they are not all of God. In that chapter’s account, Jesus rebuked James and John. Although they thought they were protective of Jesus, He told them that the spirit doing the talking and tempting was not of God.

Christ similarly discerned that one time Peter was letting the wrong spirit direct his thinking (Matthew 16:23). A little knowledge of the different spirits described in the Bible can help us know if we are dealing with God or another force.
“But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” Mat. 16:23

There are three sources of “spirits” in this world. The most commonly addressed spirit in the Bible is man’s nature and character. Hundreds of times, this spirit was addressed. The spirit of Jacob (Gen. 45:27), Elijah (II Kings. 2:15), and other people of the Bible were also mentioned.
“And they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said unto them: and when he saw the wagons which Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of Jacob their father revived:” Gen. 45:27

Secondly, there is a spirit clearly of God. Sometimes it is referred to as “Spirit” with capital letters because it is a proper noun. It is God. Other names for His Spirit include the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, and the Spirit of the Lord. 

This Spirit from God can also work in a person’s life. These spirits can be recognized when a person is giving godly wisdom (Deut. 34:9). These influences may include a contrite spirit (Psalm 34:18), a broken spirit (Ps. 51:17), an excellent spirit (Dan. 5:2), a spirit of grace (Zech. 12:10), a faithful spirit (II Cor. 4:13) and a spirit of meekness (I Cor. 4:21).

However, there are dangerous, demonic spirits of which we have to be wary. This is why Ephesians 6:23 warns of an unseen battle that is part of our everyday life.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Eph. 6:23

Some of these spirits that are certainly not of God and are of satanic origin include the spirits of:

  • Destructiveness (Mark 9:20, 26)
  • Disobedience (Ephesians 2:2)
  • Evilness (Judges 9:23)
  • Familiar spirits (Who wizards and witches speak to, and possibly people who believe they are talking to the dead.)
  • Foulness (Mark 9:25)
  • Jealously (Numb. 5:14)
  • Judgment
  • Lying
  • Not talking (Mark 9:17)
  • Perverseness
  • Troubled or vexed spirit (Eccl. 4:4)
  • Uncleanliness (Mark 1:23)
  • Whoredoms (Hos. 5:4)

Knowing a little about these different spirits can help one discern the source of good or evil in their everyday life. This knowledge can help one know if the situation they are facing is of God, their flesh, or a force against God. Proper decision-making based on considering where the influence is coming from can help one make fewer mistakes.

“The devil has the power to suggest evil, but he was not given the power to compel you against your will.” — Cyril


Can God Send An Evil Spirit?
Bill Brinkworth

A question is often thought, can “bad things, especially evil, come from God?”  In I Samuel 16:14, 16, 18:10, 19:9, the Word of God conveys an “evil spirit from God,” and the “LORD” was allowed to make Saul’s life miserable.  This further confuses people of what God can do.
“Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.” I Samuel 16:16
“And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.” I Sam. 19:9  Also: I Sam. 18:10.

In over 100 verses, God is referred to as “Holy.”  According to Noah Webster (American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828), “holy” is “… perfect in a moral sense… free from sin and sinful affections….” The Bible clarifies that He will never lie (Heb. 6:18).  God is pure and holy.
“For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Leviticus 11:44  Also: Lev. 11:45, I Peter 1:16.

The Bible also makes it clear that God will not tempt anyone with evil. So, if God does not sin or tempt anyone, how can an evil spirit come from God (I Sam. 16:16)? Is this a mistake in the KJV? No, it is not!
“Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:” James 1:13

Later, in I Samuel, the question about God sending an evil spirit is answered.  I Sam. 18:12 relates that God’s helping hand was withdrawn from Saul.  Without God’s protecting intervention, an invading evil spirit was given the reins to cause havoc in Saul’s life.
“And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul.” I Sam. 18:12   Also: I Sam. 16:14, I Sam. 28:15.

Matthew Henry also explains that God did not send an evil spirit to plague Saul.
“Here Saul made a terror to himself (I Sam. 16:14): The Spirit of the Lord departed from him. He, having forsaken God and his duty, God, in the way of righteous judgment, withdrew from him those assistances of the good Spirit with which he was directed, animated, and encouraged in his government and wars… This was the effect of his rejecting God and evidence of his being rejected by him. God took his mercy from Saul for when the Spirit of the Lord departs from us, all good goes. When men grieve and quench the Spirit, by willful sin, he departs and will not always strive. The consequence of this was that an evil spirit allowed by God troubled him. Those that drive the good Spirit away become prey to the evil spirit…”   God is always in control, but he can allow evilness to have its way in one’s life.“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30  Also: I Thes. 5:19.

When one grieves the Holy Spirit of God, salvation is not lost, but He will be silent, and the surrounding evilness will not be thwarted.  God’s protection may be withdrawn.

Abimelech also experienced God’s wrath after his cruelty to the sons of Jerubbaal. Again, God’s guidance and protection were restrained, and an evil spirit took advantage of the opportunity and caused grief in Abimelech’s life.
“Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:” Judges 9:23

Although not because of sin, the hand of God allowed evil Satan to be used to test and eventually bless righteous Job.  Again, it is seen that sometimes God gives the wicked one permission to cause havoc on a person.  Ultimately, it is intended to strengthen the righteous, or should, as later Job was greatly blessed.
“Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land… 12 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.” Job 1:9-12

God is Holy and hates sin. He would never commit iniquity.   Our God is the one power that can keep man from sin’s harm.  However, at times, for His reasons, the Lord’s hand of protection can be withdrawn.  The hating Satan and his evil “devils” may seize the opportunity to fill the void and lack of godly protection with temptation and sin.
“Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” Psalm 51:11

“If your ‘Holy Spirit’ just makes you run, dance, and holler in church but doesn’t help you live Holy, then it is not the Holy Spirit that is leading you.  You have been deceived.” — Unknown

The Bible View #823 — Our Mighty God

In This Issue:
Our Mighty God
Whose Coop Is It Anyway?
It’s Father God, Not Mother Nature!!

Volume: 823    August 16, 2021
Theme: Our Mighty God

Devotions, Bible Studies, Sunday School lessons and printable versions of The Bible View (including church bulletin insert and large print versions) are available at https://openthoumineeyes.com/ and http://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/.

All should daily read the Bible!  While at your computer,  go to www.DevotionsFromTheBible.com and read a chapter each day, and learn something from what you read.


Our Mighty God
Bill Brinkworth

Psalm 29 is a Hebrew poem that perhaps was put to music.  Hebrew poetry is not like modern poems with rhyming words.  Their poetry, as is this one, often repeats a thought from different angles.

This poem is about a storm. It was not a weather anomaly sent from the fairy tale character “Mother Nature.”  It was provided and controlled by Father God!  Outbursts that only God commanded got the attention of even powerful people (Psalm 29:1).  They recognized where the winds, lightning, and rains came from — God.

God showed His mighty power in the torrential rains and exploding thunders (Psalm 29:3). His voice bellowed across the countryside, letting all know of His great power (Psalm 29:4).

His voice ordered the lightning to attack a tree that all admired to be strong and resilient against whatever it faced.  The towering cedar fell cracked and splintered (Psalm 29:5) on the forest floor.

Even the pregnant cattle were so frightened that they gave early births (Psalm 29:9). Nature even bowed down in fear of the display of the majesty of mighty God.

The Almighty’s voice sent down to His Earth lashing lightning (Psalm 29:7) that sent much aflame. He shook the Earth with His powerful commands (Psalm 29:8).

With all the chaos and frightening display around the people, the Creator was still in control.  His strength can do such powerful things for all to see, but He will give strength and protection to His people. 

He is a great God!  He is our God.  We have no reason to fear.  He is always in control! With storms of trouble and conflict all around us, we can still have His peace that surpasses all the world’s understanding.

“There is a God. The plants of the valley, the cedars of the mountain bless His name.  The elephant salutes Him with the rising day; the bird glorifies Him among the foliage; the lightning bespeaks His power, and the ocean declares His immensity.  Man alone has said, ‘There is no God.’” — Vicomte de Chauteaubriand



Whose Coop Is It Anyway?
Bill Brinkworth

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

For the last few years, I have had small flocks of chickens to provide us with eggs.  The current flock is the first we have had with a rooster.

In the beginning, “Rocky” was like the other birds.  As he got older, he has been more aggressive to me.  Whenever I would approach, he crowed; I supposed to warn the hens that I was coming. Sometimes, trying to be friendly and keep on his good side, I would crow back.

However, lately, after I would crow, he would charge me.  I suppose I unknowingly was challenging him.  The other day, I had to push him away to thwart his aggressiveness.

I thought and even explained to him, “Now, Rocky. Let’s get some facts straight. This is my chicken coop.  I built it myself.  I bring you water every day.  It is also me that makes sure you get your food every day.  When I hear an unusual commotion up here, again, it is me that comes up here to make sure a coyote or dog is not trying to get at you.”

I realized that is how so many treat God.  This Earth is His.  He made it in six days.  He put the sun in place to shine and warm this planet.  It is God that created the plants, all creatures, and even us.  Yet, as mighty as He is and all that He has done, too many want Him out of “their coop.”

They want God and His commandments out of their lives, out of their education, and out of any explanation as to how we got here.  In many situations, His name is not to be uttered, nor His son, Jesus.  Even his rule book, the Bible, cannot be mentioned.  In so many circles, the things of God are taboo, although all types of evil, perversion, and sin are allowed.

People try so hard to kick God out of His own “coop.”   He feeds them, makes sure they have drink to drink, air to breath, and even so many luxuries that man can do without, but because He still loves them, he grants them those extras.

Rocky, the rooster, may have had his authority challenged when I tried to “talk” with Him.  Perhaps when God is mentioned, people are also reminded that they are not in charge of the “hen” house.  Most likely, that is why their feathers are ruffled when He comes to mind.  They fail to acknowledge they are just living here with His permission and help.

We are no better than Rocky when we try to remove God from the world that He created. How foolish many are.  They are angry at the holy Hand that meets their needs.

Do not force God out of your “coop,” as it is His anyway.  He is temporarily letting you stay here, and He wants to take care of you.

“God, who made the earth,
 The air, the sky, the sea,
Who gave the light its birth,
Careth for me.” — Rhodes



It’s Father God, Not Mother Nature!
Bill Brinkworth

Regularly, we are bombarded with terminology that is not biblical and has origins in paganism and other false religions. We constantly hear that “Mother Nature sent us another hurricane,”  “Mother Nature brought rain today,” or “she” was responsible for some other earthly phenomena. It is heard so much that it is accepted.  Hardly anyone gives the reference to a mythical deity a second thought, but they should!

In case you have not stopped to think about it, there is no “Mother Nature.”  There exists no proof, scientific or otherwise, that there is such a “she.”  Implying Mother Nature is somehow in control of the environment, atmosphere, or even how things grow is giving recognition to one that does not exist, let alone deserves any credit.

The credit for all on this Earth belongs to God, the Creator, only. He is the one that allows the rain, flowers to bloom, birth, and death of species and has created everything.

He is a He!  In the Genesis account of creation alone, God is referred to as a male at least 14 times with the pronoun “he.” In the rest of the book, “he” is also used to describe a male God at least 15 times. Even the Hebrew words for God are masculine. Nowhere in the preserved, time-honored King James Bible is God referred to as female.

If the Word of God names him as male, where did the notion come from that His domain and creation are controlled by the mystical Mother Nature?  Some part of giving maternal credit could be given to the modern practice of not wanting to offend anyone by mentioning “God.”  The politically correct terminology has gotten our society by the tongue and will not let it go.  Many have allowed the few ungodly who have gained public recognition for their dislike of God to influence what is said.  Sadly, we have gotten to the point that we are concerned about mentioning God in a nation that not long ago was termed a “Christian” nation.

Perhaps giving credit to a non-existent being is easier or less embarrassing to many than saying “His” name. For a group of people that prides themselves on their intelligence, it is quite childish to give credit to a non-existent “Momma.” Well-educated television weathermen have said on the airwaves that “Mother Nature has brought us another gorgeous day” and other fictitious quotes.

Maybe man is even changing terminology to reflect his ideas of who and what God is. Pagans of the past and present certainly had no qualms in making Him anything they wished. They have even given credit and worship to trees, water, mountains, and other parts of the creation.

Women representing “mother Earth” and “mother nature” have been around for a long time. Goddesses were attributed to fertility and “nature” for many millennia. Female deities being given credit for what God has done have been worshiped in Assyrian, Babylonian, Greek, Incan, Indian, and Roman civilizations, to name a few. Even to this day, “Gaia,” “Sophia,” and other female “deities” are mentioned among Christians as if they exist.

These influences, wherever they came from, are not Christian. It is the Christian that should have instilled in his own heart and should influence the thinking of others that there is one God: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3

For a Christian, God is the God of the Bible. The Bible is the window showing us who and what God is. It is from the preserved Word of God that we get the unshakable account of how we got here, how the earth was created, how God worked through time with our ancestors, and how he will work with us. Just because some have rejected what the Bible says about God and are highly rebellious against Him does not mean we have to join them in their philosophy and sin.

Some have even changed “bibles” to reflect that God is female, or that He is non-sexed. It seems that ploy has been around since the beginning, even in the Garden with Adam and Eve. It was Satan that got the first man and woman to question what God has said. That ruse is still being played today. Many are changing what the truth says in the Word of God, but they can never change what is the truth, no matter how hard they hide or distort it.

The truth is preserved in the precious Word of God. It clearly says that God is the creator and controller of all that goes on in this universe. Do not allow non-Christian philosophies and influences to erode slowly your beliefs in what the Bible says. It is Father God that created this world, and it is He that is still the one that is allowing all that happens to His Earth. May your speech even reflect what you believe. Say it was Father God that brought the rain today and that it was He that brought out the sunshine later. Give God His due glory.
“So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.” Genesis 1:27

“Nature is the art of God eternal” — Alighieri Dante

The Bible View #822 — Love God

In This Issue:
Love the Lord Thy God!
A Love above All Others
Why Should We Love God?

Volume: 822    August 9, 2021
Theme: Love God

Devotions, Bible Studies, Sunday School lessons and printable versions of The Bible View (including church bulletin insert and large print versions) are available at https://openthoumineeyes.com/ and http://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/.

All should daily read the Bible!  While at your computer,  go to www.DevotionsFromTheBible.com and read a chapter each day, and learn something from what you read. There is also an option to hear the devotion and KJV chapter.


Love the Lord Thy God!
Bill Brinkworth

After my daughter grew up and left the house, I felt the need to have someone, or something, fill some of that void.  It was not long before I thought a dog would be a good companion.

As in all things, my wife and I prayed for the right pet.  God always provided the perfect companion when we waited for His selection. The years have gone by; two of the dogs have died and been replaced by the current animal.  The Labrador mix we currently have is Buddi, and she certainly lives up to her name.  She is a good friend.

All the previous animals met our needs at the time.  This one is no exception.  Buddi is just what both my wife and I needed.  Our Lord, as always, provided exactly what we required.

Buddi is close by my wife’s side, especially when illness binds her to the bed.  When I am outside, my canine friend is near me, always watching what I am doing and where I am going.  Her dedication and love are apparent.

At bedtime, she waits until we are all settled and comfortable and hops in with us.  During the night, she cuddles at the bottom of Barb’s feet.  Later, she nestles behind the back of my knee.  She always wants to be close to us.

If only we would be as faithful and loyal to the Lord as Buddi is to us. Love is the binding emotion that makes her so loving and dedicated to us.  The same sentiment should also be a driving and encouraging force that makes us faithful and loyal to our heavenly Father.

“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Deuteronomy 6:5  Also: Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30.

God provides every need we have, and many of our “wants.”  He makes sure we are fed, safe from so many dangers that we do not even know our lurking nearby, and meets emotional and physical needs. 

Not only does our heavenly Father sustain us daily, but He has allowed His only Son, Jesus, to pay for the penalty due to us because of our sins.  By accepting Jesus’ loving sacrifice for our transgressions, we can have a wonderful, eternal future with our Lord. What a loving Father we have.

We have so much for which to be thankful.  The least we can do is to be faithful, trusting, and obedient to our God.  He loves us so much, no matter what we have done or who we are.  We should not only adore Him for what He is doing and has done for us but because of who He is. 

A loyal pet is not loving to his master just for the warm bed, treats, or playtime. It is the creature’s love for his family that makes him faithful and obedient. We need to have and show the same loyalty and devotion to our wonderful, heavenly Father. 

Get close to God with consistent, daily conversations.  You can cozy up to Him and share your burdens and your blessings.  He will never laugh, mock, or be too busy to hear from you.  He will always love you.  Be faithful, loyal, obedient, and serve Him with all your heart.
“We love him, because he first loved us.” I John 4:19

“If God loved you as much as you love him, where would you be?”
Author Unknown



A Love above All Others
Bill Brinkworth

In Luke 14:25-35, Jesus discusses some important, life-changing, power-giving decisions that all Christians encounter, whether they realize it or not. These resolves will develop a strong Christian character if the right choices are made.

One of the most challenging and unusual life-changes one should make is found in verse 26: “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”  However, the charge can be confusing.  We are to hate those that are close to us?

Dr. John R. Rice, in Luke, The Son of Man1, explains that verse well:
“… the meaning is that love for Christ and loyalty to Him should so far exceed all other loves and loyalties that they can hardly be expressed in the same terms. If you say that you love your father and mother and love God, that puts God and parents in about the same relationship, and that is not what Jesus requires. So here, to hate father and mother and wife and children and brothers and your own life also does not mean malice. It does not mean one should dishonor his parents. This Scripture does not contradict the plain statement of Ephesians 5:25, that a husband is to love his wife, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for it.

“As a car at sixty miles an hour passes a car at twenty miles an hour, as if it were standing still, so the love for Christ and loyalty for Christ so should supersede all other relationships of life, as to not even be labeled with the same terms … If people are to have the love and loyalty that will let them burn at the stake for Christ, be torn by wild beasts, be tortured on the rack, or eaten by cannibals, as many have been, then they must have a drastic love and loyalty for Christ not measurable by human comparisons.”

The key to having a Spirit-empowered life is genuine love for the one that saved us from Hell!  This real love will make a Christian what God intended: a vessel fit for the Master to use.
“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Deuteronomy 6:5

1 Luke, The Son of Man, Dr. John R. Rice, Sword of the Lord Publishers, 1971, Pg. 352.

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



Why Should We Love God?
Bill Brinkworth

“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul , and with all thy might.” Deut. 6:5

One of the main desires of God is that we love Him with all our being.  Throughout the Bible, God tells us to love Him with all our hearts because:

  • Loving God is a commandment and expectation of our Creator.
    “But take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Josuha 22:5  Also: Jos. 23:11.
    “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.” Mt. 22:37  Also: Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27.
  • He is our strength, preserver, protector, and deliverer.  Those are certainly reasons to love Him.
    “I will love thee, O LORD, my strength.” Ps. 18:1
    “O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.” Ps. 31:23  Also: Ps. 97:10, Ps. 145:20.
  • He loves us so, and He hears our pleas.
    “I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.” Ps. 116:1
  • He is faithful and merciful to keep His promises.
    “Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;” Deut. 7:9
  • Loving God has many blessings, including a fruitful, longer life.
    “In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.” Deut. 30:16  Also: Deut. 30:20.
  • God cannot be deceived.  He knows who loves Him and who wants to serve Him.
    “Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deut. 13:3  Also: Ps. 119:159, Gal. 6:7.
    “So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.” Joh 21:15   Also: John 21:16-17, Isa. 56:6.

It should be easy to love God because He first loved us (I John 4:19).  He created us and makes sure we have all we need to live and prosper. He is the only God there is, and we need to love Him for all He has done for us and will do.  None of us deserves anything, yet God has blessed us so.  We should, without difficulty, readily love Him back.
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”  Jude 1:21

“The difference between God and man is God gives, gives, gives, and forgives, while man gets, gets, gets, but still forgets.” — Author Unknown

The Bible View #821 — Aging

In This Issue:
Your Race Is Not Finished!
Old Age Did Not Stop Him
The Right Side Is the Brighter Side
Eternal Springtime!

Volume: 821    August 2, 2021
Theme: Aging

D aily Devotions, Bible Studies, Sunday School lessons and printable versions of The Bible View (including church bulletin insert and large print versions) are available at https://openthoumineeyes.com/ and http://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/.

A free, printable pamphlet entitled “What Does God Say about Drinking Alcohol” is available at https://openthoumineeyes.com/lessons/Drinking_Pamplet.pdf.   It would be appreciated to hear who plans to use it, so I can decide if I should offer more of these short pamphlets for ministry use.


Your Race Is Not Finished!
Bill Brinkworth

Preachers often have messages geared to encourage young people to live for and serve God.  They should.  They are our future.  However, little encouragement is directed to us older folks.

Because of health issues, physical limitations, changes in personal situations, or lack of opportunity, many no longer can do what they “used to do.”  Those doors of service have been closed, BUT God has not given us a free retirement pass. We do not have God’s okay to watch from the sidelines and let others do the work, in most cases.

We may have done much for the Lord when we were younger. Some may have taught Sunday school.  Others may have gone soul-winning, worked on church buses bringing children to church, interpreted for the deaf or those speaking in another language, brought folks to church in their car, cooked for those that were old or sick, and many other ministries.  We may no longer be able to do those things, however, the Lord is not done with us yet.  We can still do something for Him!

There is still much to do, and experienced believers are needed more now than ever!  There may be limitations on what they can do, but all can still serve the Lord in some capacity!

Pray and ask God to open your eyes to see what you can still do for His glory!  Perhaps you can:

  • Let all see and hear of what God is doing around them. Most are focused on their troubles and needs and cannot see God working around them.  A seasoned believer can open eyes to see that there is a God, and He is still working in the world.
    “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalm 150:6
  • Be a friendly smile to all you encounter.  Most encounter doom and gloom most of their days.  An uplifting, caring person is a light in an ever-darkening world.  A Christian should have joy they can share.
  • Prayer ministry. Adopt a ministry or person to pray for consistently.  Engulf the throne room of God with petitions on their behalf.
  • Card ministry.  Perhaps you no longer have the mobile ability you once had.  However, you can “visit” those that need encouragement and show friendly concern by sending cards or letters.

    I once knew a young, disabled woman that had a burden to serve the Lord.  Prayerfully, she selected a “random” person from the phone book and wrote them a letter telling them about the Lord and how they could have God’s promise of Heaven.  She ministered without leaving her apartment.
  • Phone ministry.  An entire world can be reached with one’s phone.
  • Encourage all, especially ministry workers.  Remember how one’s inspiring words uplifted you to continue living for and serving the Lord?  Now it is your opportunity to motivate others in a godly direction.
    “If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever.  Amen.” I Peter 4:11
  • Give to the younger folks.  Remember when you struggled financially and how a simple gift showed you the hand of God was meeting your needs?  Now you can be used by God to reveal His goodness in another’s life.
  • Ride the church bus and encourage the bus workers and befriend children.
  • Have a listening ministry! Although an experienced Christian has more wisdom that would benefit others, sometimes it can be more helpful to sit quietly and listen to others bare their burdens and hardships.
  • Minister to widows, single parents, and those that may have little support from others.  Everyone needs a caring friend!
  • Write letters-to-the-editor in your local newspaper.  The Christian side and thinking of current events needs to be heard.  Seldom does the world hear anything but the worldly side of a situation.  If a Christian does not share God’s view on events, who will?  Bible-based thinking is far different from what the ungodly have been taught.  They need to hear it from believers.

There is still much that all Christians can do.  While we have breath, there is something for which God can use us.  God’s way is always the best, and the unsaved and spiritually weak will not know of it unless they hear or see it from a believer. 
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1

Christian, God is not done with you yet.  Do not mourn over what you no longer can do.  You can still be the spark that encourages others forward to serving and seeing God’s mighty hand.  Continue to serve Him while you still can!
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” I Corinthians 10:31

“That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.  3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;”  Titus 2:2-3



Old Age Did Not Stop Him
Watchman-Examiner

Though a man always of delicate constitution physically, George Muller began evangelistic tours at seventy.  For 17 years, he traveled around the world eight times. He continued many of his responsibilities at the large orphanages he founded.  Mr. Muller did all that beyond the age of ninety.

His frequent and severe illness and general disability had disqualified him from military duty as a young man. Many prophesied early death or hopelessly succumbing to a disease for him. Yet at 92, he said. “I have been able, every day and all the day, for the last 70 years to work. 

He ascribed his marvelous preservation and accomplishments to three causes:

  1. Exercising himself to have always a conscience void of offense, both toward God and toward men.
  2. For the love he felt for the scriptures and the constant recuperative power they exercised upon his whole being.
  3. The happiness he felt in serving God and His work relieved him of all anxiety and unnecessary wear and tear in his labors.

“Age doesn’t matter unless you are cheese.” — Burke


The Right Side Is the Brighter Side
Sunday School Times

A preacher was in the company of another traveler.  They talked together for some time. Finally, the stranger remarked to the minister, “Sir, I think you must be on the wrong side of fifty.”

“No, sir.  I am on the right side of fifty.”

“Surely,” the traveler remarked, “you must have turned fifty.”

“Yes, sir, but on the right side.  For every year I live, I am nearer my crown of glory.”

“The harvest of old age is the memory and rich store of blessings laid up earlier in life.” —  Cicero


Eternal Springtime!
Adam Clark

I have passed through the springtime of life,
I have endured the heat of its summer,
I have culled the fruits of its autumn,
I am now passing through the rigors of its winter.
At no distant day, I see the dawn of an Eternal Springtime,
It comes to meet me.  I run to embrace it.  All hail!
Eternal Springtime!  Hallelujah!

“What a tragedy it will be to live many years, but open one’s eyes in the next life and discover it Hell.  Now, while you still have breath, be saved by trusting Christ as your Saviour!”
“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

The Bible View #820 — Guilt

In This Issue:
A Different Person
Always Looking over His Shoulder
No More Guilt!
None Guilty?
The King’s Pardon

Volume: 820    July 26, 2021
Theme: Guilt

Free Daily Devotions, Bible Studies, Sunday School lessons and printable versions of The Bible View (including church bulletin insert and large print versions) are available at https://openthoumineeyes.com/ and http://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/.

A free, printable pamphlet entitled “What Does God Say about Drinking Alcohol” is available at https://openthoumineeyes.com/lessons/Drinking_Pamplet.pdf.   It would be appreciated to hear who plans to use it, so I can decide if I should offer more of these short pamphlets for ministry use.



A Different Person
Bill Brinkworth

King David never forgot his sinful past. However, he did not go around with guilt and not forgiving himself, as some do.  He encouraged himself by remembering, because of God’s help, that he did some things that were “righteous” in God’s eyes.

David recalled he had:

  • A godly testimony and character (“integrity”) — Psalm 26:1.
  • To the best of his ability, obeyed God’s commandments — Psalm 26:3.
  • Not associated himself with people of false self-worth — Psalm 26:4.
  • Done his best to not be in the company of those that portrayed themselves as they were not. Today, we would relate those to people that appear like Christians on Sunday but live the same as the ungodly the rest of the week — Psalm 26:4.
  • Not associated with those doing evil — Psalm 26:5.
  • Been grateful and had given God the glory for the great things He had done — Psalm 26:7.
  • Loved to be in the Temple and to be around the things of God — Psalm 26:8.

The closer to God we try to be, the clearer we see the defects and sins in our lives.  Sometimes, the hardest critic we have to deal with is ourselves.  If we have asked God to forgive us, He has. Unfortunately, sometimes our guilt remains, and many are not free from their past.

Rather than dealing with guilt, David moved forward.  He knew he had done all he could by asking God’s forgiveness of his sins. 

Not out of pride, but as an encouragement, the king reminded himself of the great changes God did in his life.  He recalled what he had become, not what he was.

We also need to have the same attitude about our past.  If we have been saved by the blood of Jesus Christ, then His blood suffices to cover all our sins.  God has forgiven and forgotten them. 

We, as did David, must not dwell on our old life.  We must remember and brag on God for all the changes He has done in us. We are new creatures in Christ.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. — II Corinthians 5:17



Always Looking over His Shoulder
C. H. Spurgeon

A man was constantly in debt and continually being arrested for his failure to pay his bills.  Once, when going by some railings, he caught his sleeve on one of the handholds.  He instantly turned around and said, “I don t owe you anything, sir.”

He thought an arresting bailiff was tugging on his sleeve.  So, it often is with unforgiven sinners. Wherever they are, their guilt hauntingly follows them, and they are continuously cautious of being found out. They enjoy little.

When a man is forgiven, he can walk anywhere. There is no guilt. His conscience is at rest.

“And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.”   Isaiah 32:17


No More Guilt!
Bill Brinkworth

Before Paul’s salvation, he did all he could to serve God his way.  In so doing, he unknowingly became an enemy of God and Christians.  He was responsible for having many Christians killed and did much to slow the spreading of the Gospel.  When he was saved, Paul became one of the sincerest servants for Christ. 

No matter what he did after salvation, he still had a past.  There was no way to undo what he had done.  All he could do was go forward by doing the right things after being forgiven and do all he could for the cause of Christ.  He did that with all his heart.
“But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” I Corinthians 15:1

Many are plagued with a guilty conscience of their past, even after they are saved. Years ago, I remember listening to a Christian radio program where the host answered live scriptural questions.  One caller, choked with guilt, called and told the host, “I am saved, I know I am forgiven, and my sins are forgotten, but I just cannot forgive myself, and that is why I am going to take my life.”  Immediately, the program was changed over to music, while I imagine the radio preacher dealt with the man’s guilt and desire to take his own life. Sadly, many will not forgive themselves and still live a defeated life, even after salvation.

We all have pasts. No saved person should have any joy in the wrong he has done.  If we could do it over, most of us would choose never to have committed the sins we have, but we still had done them.  No remorse or guilt is going to change our past.  When we trust Christ for salvation, our sins are not only forgiven by God but they are forgotten (Psalm 103:12).  Our sins are under His blood.

Even though God knows all we did, He still offered us a way, by His grace, to His Heaven. Since He has forgiven and forgotten our past, we must also forgive and forgot what we have done.

“When people remind you of your past, remind them that Jesus dropped the charges.” — Author Unknown



None Guilty?
Sunday School Times

Paul Loizeaux once said, “Oh, how hard it is to find sinners! If only I could find one, I have a marvelous message for him.” Of course, he meant sinners who know themselves to be sinners.

To be a sinner is one thing. To know it is another. But, whether or not we realize it, God knows our sinnership and knows if we go on without His saving help, we will perish. To deliver us from perishing, He sent us His Son to prepay for our sins.  He offers us the great gift of salvation because of His great love for us and because He knows of man’s great need.

“… the righteous are bold as a lion.”:  If a man is not guilty, he can stand up and speak out.  If his own mind is free from guilt, he is not afraid of the thoughts and minds of other men.”  — J. Vernon McGee


The King’s Pardon
D. L. Moody

A man was once being tried for a crime, the punishment of which was death. The witnesses came in one by one and testified to his guilt, but there he stood, quite calm and unmoved.

The judge and the jury were surprised at his indifference. They could not understand how he could take such a serious matter so calmly.

When the jury retired, it did not take them long to decide on a verdict of “guilty.”  After the judge passed the sentence of death upon the criminal, he told him how surprised he was that the criminal could be so unmoved by the prospect of death. When the judge had finished, the man put his hand in his bosom, pulled out a document, and presented it to the judge. He then walked out of the courtroom a free man.

Ah, that was how he could be so calm. He had a free pardon from his king, which he had in his pocket all the time. The king had instructed him to allow the trial to proceed and produce the pardon only when he was condemned. No wonder then that he was indifferent to the result of the trial.

That is just what will make us joyful on the great Day of Judgment. We have a pardon from the Great King, and it is sealed with the blood of His Son. We that are saved will miss that White Throne Judgment!  We have the King’s pardon!

The Bible View #819 — Seek God’s Truths

In This Issue:
Convenient Christianity
Get It Yourself

Volume: 819    July 19, 2021
Theme: Seek God’s Truths

Free Daily Devotions, Bible Studies, Sunday School lessons and printable versions of The Bible View (including church bulletin insert and large print versions) are available at https://openthoumineeyes.com/ and http://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/.

A free, printable pamphlet entitled “What Does God Say about Drinking Alcohol” is available at https://openthoumineeyes.com/lessons/Drinking_Pamplet.pdf.   It would be appreciated to hear who plans to use it (brinworth@frontier.com), so I can decide if I should offer more of these short pamphlets for ministry use.


Convenient Christianity
Bill Brinkworth

For over ten years, I have been e-mailing 2,000+ people a daily devotion I have written.  About a year ago, I suddenly lost the ability to reach over 165+ countries with sound biblical doctrine because of a large technology company’s decision.

At first, I was furious that the company caused that part of my ministry to halt.  I, of course,  prayed.  Soon, I came to an understanding that perhaps it was not a bad thing.  I could have fought it and gone to another company, but I realized in these times, it could easily happen again.

I realized that seeking the truths from God’s Word should not always be “easy,” as perhaps my e-mails made it for some.  If one pursues what He has preserved for them, it would matter more to that person and build a stronger Christian if one made an effort to get spiritually fed himself. 

Christianity has been made readily available to many, but what caliber of Christian has it produced? When I e-mailed the devotion to people, how many read it, and how many lives did it change?

Because Christianity has been made “easy,” many no longer go to church because they can watch it on television. Others do not concentrate and read the Bible but listen to a Christian broadcast while doing something else.  What so many call a “devotion” is a reference to a Bible verse they are supposed to look up and a short, cute story.  That spiritual snack will do little in building a stronger Christian.

Very few feed themselves with the only things that will open their eyes and change their lives.  Those efforts should be to read and study God’s Word and talk to its Originator in prayer.

One gets out of what one puts into most things in life.  This applies to getting an education, career, and most areas.  Having a close walk with the Lord is also no different.  God is watching the efforts we make to hear His truths, to obey Him, and He reads our heart’s desires to know if we want to have a close relationship with Him.

Christianity today has, for many, been made too convenient and has produced fewer strong, faithful, obedient believers.  Many will not pay the cost to witness to their neighbors or those they encounter because it may cost them embarrassment.  Their lack of desiring to be what God wants them to be, not attempting to seek what God has for them, and not separating from what God warns them to avoid will never produce a strong Christian. The only way any Christian grows is if they pay the cost of seeking God’s truths and obeying them.  That price tag includes desire, effort, and sacrifice, no matter what it takes to be close to God and be used by Him.

In the past, I have heard of one man who walked through the African jungle over 1,000 miles through swamps, dangers, and treacherous jungles to listen to a man read from the Word of God. The journey took several months.  It was important to him, so he was willing to pay the price to know God and what He desired of the man.

In John Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, one will read of those who sacrificed their possessions, relationships, and even their lives rather than deny Christ or stop reading His Word.  God’s truths were important to them. They did whatever it took to hear His Word and obey His commandments.

Today, many Christians in Islamic countries are being slaughtered and tortured, but the believers would not recant their faith.  They were willing to pay the price to be close to God with their life!  No matter what happened to them, they made an effort because it was of great value to them.

Instead of making reading God’s Word easy and convenient, if people want to learn what God has for them, I urge them to get into their car and drive to every church service they can.  If they want to know God’s will and way for them, they need to pay the cost of reading His Word for themselves and laboring over sincere prayers.

My devotions are still available on www.DevotionsFromTheBible.com and www.OpenThouMineEyes.com to provide supplemental teaching of God’s Word.  However, I urge you to be willing to pay the cost (my material is always free financially) and make an consistant effort to delve in and study God’s Word yourself. 

“The best truths are gotten by digging deep for them.”   — D. L. Moody



Get It Yourself
Bill Brinkworth

Something has more value when you get it yourself. All can attest to feeling pride when hard, earned money is used to purchase something. “I got that myself because I worked for it” is the warm feeling one usually gets. The purchased object has much personal meaning and value because it was earned.

Pride and value are not usually gained as much when something is given to a person. Proof of this is often seen in government housing. Because of their economic situation, the people were allowed to live in accommodations provided for them at unusually low rates or free. Because it was given and not earned, it is usually not maintained. It is not uncommon that government housing areas are often the worst-looking areas in the community for that reason.

Cafeteria workers in public schools often attest to their disgust at the waste they see of uneaten, “free” food. Someone else’s tax money paid for the children to get those breakfasts or lunches. Because there was no pride in laboring for it or knowing mom and dad worked to pay for the meals, the children took a couple of bites, or none at all, and tossed it away.

When cheating on a test, a student may pass the exam, but the knowledge and self-respect of learning the material were not obtained. Study habits are not developed because the student found an easy way to pass without getting the knowledge for himself.

This “get-it-easily” attitude can also be applied to the things of God. When a person sits in the pew and absorbs what is preached from the pulpit, what is gained will not be as important to him as if he mined the Word of God himself. It may be why many Christians know so little about the Bible. Also, it may be why God has preserved II Timothy 2:15 which says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

When one becomes a “workman” and digs into the scriptures to get the truth for himself, much is gained. First, it shows himself and the Lord that knowing the truth is important enough to spend his time to obtain what God has said. There will be pride in the wisdom gained, and one will be closer to God.  The time spent will help etch scriptures into his mind, help memorize it, and allow him to see how other verses teach similar truths. What is learned will not be forgotten as easily as if they were told to him from the pulpit.

After delving into the scriptures, one would “rightly” divide the truth from fiction. They would learn what God said rather than rely on hearsay, someone else’s interpretation, opinion, or non-biblical traditions. Many might even see what their religion or cult teaches is blasphemous.  Certainly, they would learn from God’s Word what they must do to please Him.

Getting biblical knowledge requires too much effort for many.  They never read and study the Bible for themselves. Too many would rather trust a pastor to tell them what the Bible says. The attitude quite often is “He spent years in seminary studying it,” or “I cannot understand the Bible, so I need someone to tell me what it means.”

You would be very surprised at what some of the professional religionists believe or say about the Scripture. I have talked to many only to discover that those leaders have little understanding of the Bible or believe doctrines that are not taught in God’s Word. Those sitting in the pews will not know the difference because they never got the knowledge for themselves.

If the knowledge is not gotten for oneself the hard way by reading and studying, one’s spiritual life usually suffers.  One will not have the proper spiritual guidance and may go in a direction God would not have him go. Discerning right and sin will be skewed by not having the spiritual measuring tool, the Bible, to gauge decisions.

God is so good to allow us to have His Word (Isaiah 40:8). It is the only way one can know His true mind. Sadly, personal reading of the Holy Scriptures is lacking. Too many who profess to be children of God have never completely read the Word of God for themselves. 

Although my main ministry is writing devotions and Bible studies, they are intended to be additional study material or a jumping-off point for those seeking His truths. I encourage you to read your Bible and obtain its truth for yourself. It will mean more to you, and the rewards of knowing His truth will change your life.

“The Bible was not given so much for our information, but for our transformation.”  – Author Unknown

The Bible View #818 — Wait Patiently

In This Issue:
Handmade Socks
It Will be Here If It’s God’s Will
Bible Verses on Patience
Two Helpful Bears
Wait!

Volume: 818    July 12, 2021
Theme: Wait Patiently

Free Daily Devotions, Bible Studies, Sunday School lessons and printed versions of The Bible View (including church bulletin insert and large print versions) are available at https://openthoumineeyes.com/ and http://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/.

View A NEW Facebook Video: Heaven or Hell? at https://www.facebook.com/bill.brinkworth.966/videos/534362997696494 AND share! (Make sure the sound is turned on.) There are so many headed to Hell. You CAN help them not go there!



Handmade Socks
Bill Brinkworth

One Sunday morning, a teacher assistant mentioned that she made socks. I was very interested in her craft as my feet always seem cold.  The idea of a thick, handmade, wool sock intrigued me. Surely, a custom knitted foot covering would be most likely a warm solution for my frigid toes.

She offered to make me a pair of heavy warm socks, and I quickly accepted her kind offer.  It was not long until she presented me with the product of her labors.  After putting them on at home, they certainly were warm, but the fit was not snug, and after a little walking, they always had to be pulled up.  The idea of a custom-made sock sounded, felt, and appeared wonderful when hearing of them, but they did not fit right.  My store-bought foot coverings, which I usually wore, were snug and fit my feet perfectly. What I already had was just what I needed.

Most people’s choices in life, without God’s intervention, are often like those socks.  An idea of something different may sound enticing, but it may not be what is needed.

Often, without asking and waiting for God’s provision of what He deems to be the right spouse for us, our pick turns out to be the wrong one.  The wife may have looked beautiful or the husband handsome, but those qualities no longer mattered, as our choice was not the right fit.  If only God was asked to choose the right mate and His choice was patiently waited for, the perfect fit for a life partner might have been provided.

People jump at the possibility of a new career and job.  The different livelihood sounded great; the wage was far more than was currently earned. A job interview showed even more opportunities.  It certainly appeared like the dream job that was always wanted. 

Not long after starting the new position, it was quickly realized that the old job was much better.  Yes, there were many future possibilities at the new position, but the people at the new job were hard to get along with, and it was not a nice place to work.  If God was waited to open or close the doors of opportunity, the worker might have been in the perfect position for him.

Finding the right friends is so important.  Too many, however, pick the wrong companion.  It seems the new “bestie” is not who it was thought she was and that any confidence shared with her is soon spread around to others.  If only God were asked to supply the right friend and patiently waited for, one would not be in the bad relationship they now have found themselves.

All of our decisions are important.  The wrong choices can result in a large heap of regrets.  What we see, hear, or determine is not always the right fit for us.  Our picks are often blindly chosen as we do not always see the whole situation.

God, however, knows us better than we know ourselves.    He realizes what we need, not just what we want.  To make His help more necessary, He also knows everything about the other person, job, and situation just as well. When He is asked to choose, one can be assured that it will be the right pick for us. 

Ask God for direction in all things and wait PATIENTLY for His provision.  If you do not have His clear leadership, stay, and be content with what you currently have until His guidance is shown. His selection will be the right choice for you. 

“Opportunity is not always God’s will!”  — B. B.



It Will be Here, If It’s God’s Will
Bill Brinkworth

When buying a new car, a real “beauty” was discovered and was very enticing to buy.  The forceful salesman insisted that I purchase it immediately, as it was such a good deal “that it wouldn’t be on the lot long.”

Usually, I do not buy a big item without first praying.  I told the salesman, “I want the car, but I have to go home and pray about it first.”

Wanting the sale right away, the dealer warned, “You will probably lose this wonderful opportunity if you don’t get it now.”

“If it is God’s will for me to have this car, you won’t be able to sell it until I come back,” I confidently replied.

The salesman looked very confused.

“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.”  – Rousseau

Bible Verses on Patience
“… I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” Psalm  40:1
“… Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation.” Psa. 62:1 “Salvation” here is referring to deliverance from a bad situation.
“Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.” Psa. 25:5
“It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” Lamentations 3:26
“Are there any among the vanities of the Gentiles that can cause rain? or can the heavens give showers? art not thou he, O LORD our God? therefore we will wait upon thee: for thou hast made all these things.” Jeremiah 14:22
“The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.” Psa. 145:15  “Due season” is referring to God’s timing, not ours.
“Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;” Romans 12:12“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” I Thessalonians 5:14
“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,” II Timothy 2:24

“There is no such thing as preaching patience into people unless the sermon is so long, they have to practice it while they hear.”  – Beecher



Two Helpful Bears
Christians Advocate

There lived an old couple who quarreled frequently.  The whole village knew about it, and when at last they ceased their fighting, questions were asked as to how it all came about.

“Two bears did it,” said the wife.

“Two bears?  questioned a neighbor.

“Ah!” said the husband, “but these are two new bears which we found in the Bible.  We have learned to love, “Bear ye one another’s burdens…” and “… forbearing one another in love.”



Wait!
The Believer’s Magazine

God’s delays are not denials;
He has heard your prayer;
He knows all about your trials,
Knows your every care.

God’s delays are not denials;
Help is on the way;
He is watching o’er life’s dials,
Bringing forth the day.

God’s delays are not denials;
You will find Him true,
Working through the hardest trials,
What is best for you!

“Wait in prayer.  Call on God and spread the case before Him.  Express your confidence in Him.  Wait in faith, for unfaithful, untrusting waiting is but an insult to the Lord.  Wait in quiet patience, not murmuring because you are under the affliction, but blessing God for it.”  — Spurgeon