The BIBLE VIEW #923 — Forgiveness

In This Issue:
Handled Properly
What Can be Learned
God Both Forgives and Justifies
“If I Had Known!”

Volume: 923     September 11, 2023
Theme: Forgiveness

Read and use the FREE typeset version of this newsletter at https://openthoumineeyes.com/views23/BibleView923.pdf.  Print as many copies as you can use for your church bulletin inserts, Sunday school paper, or as a ministry handout.


Handled Properly
Bill Brinkworth

“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Mat.  5:44-45

It started innocently.  A “Hey, J.” was shouted to the passing neighbor.  However, the dog walking with its owner started barking at D. and got closer and closer.  The animal’s warning bark turned to a quick nip on D.’s leg.

“Owww!” was D.’s natural cry.  “Your dog bit me!”

“Oh no, he didn’t,” was J.’s defensive retort.  More harsh words ensued.

D. was angered as his words and pain were questioned.  The argument between the two neighbors escalated.  D. took the moment to point out some of J.’s other damages to his property.

Back and forth the argument went.  Both parties shouted hurtful accusations.  Finally, one of the men walked away in disgust, and the heated discussion stopped.

After rehashing it with himself and his wife, D. was even more convinced that he was right and that the neighbor was wrong.  He thought about it for hours and the next day.  D. was very troubled over the matter.  Thoughts about his Christian testimony to the neighbor and how he had reacted troubled D. He could not get any peace as he mulled over what had happened.  He knew he was right, but his reaction could have been better.

As conviction troubled him, D. thought about how to remedy his situation.  The neighbor was definitely in the wrong, but D.’s reaction certainly was not Christ-like. Soon, he found himself composing a letter apologizing for his actions.

“Dear J.,
“I want to apologize for my actions the other day.  It was wrong of me to lose my temper and say the things I said.  I am a Christian, and that behavior is unacceptable…”

“Sincerely,
“D.”
Included with the letter was a gift certificate for two at a local restaurant.

Five weeks later, a letter appeared in D.’s mailbox.  It was from J., and it read,

“Dear D.
“… I have returned your gift certificate.  I cannot accept it, as I had wronged you also.  I hope we can continue to be good neighbors and put this behind us….”

The matter was smoothed over because one man humbled himself and made it as right as possible.  No one on this side of Glory knows how D.’s handling affected that man, his girlfriend, others with whom he may have shared the situation, and others who scoffed at how D. handled it.  A good Christian testimony had been etched in others’ minds.

Although many Christians argue with others, few get it right, as did this neighbor.  I never heard all the details about how J. reacted.  All that does not matter anyway.  The important thing is that a man saw his error in a situation and attempted to get it right. 

If more would value their Christian testimony, obey the convicting “voice of the Holy Spirit,” and handle their actions more Christ-like, Christianity would be a better example than it is to so many today.  Thank you, D. for your example!

Read a related article at http://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/ephesians/lets-go-out-to-the-tree/

“Doing an injury puts you below your enemy.  Revenging one makes you even with him.  Forgiving him sets you above him.” — Benjamin Franklin


What Can be Learned
Philips, 1871

“What can Jesus Christ do for you now?” said an inhumane slave master, applying a lacerating whip to an already half-murdered slave.

“Him teach me to forgive you,  Massa,”  was his reply.

“The best way to get even is to forgive and forget.”

God Both Forgives and Justifies
Dr. H. A. Ironside

When God forgives through the risen, glorified Jesus, He not only forgives, but He justifies us.  An earthly judge can’t forgive and justify a man.  If a man is justified, he does not need to be forgiven.

Imagine a man charged with a crime going to court, and after the evidence is all in, he is pronounced not guilty, and the judge sets him free.  Someone says as he leaves the building, “I want to congratulate you.  It was very kind of the judge to forgive you.”

“Forgive?  He did not forgive me; my actions were justified.  There is nothing to forgive.”

You cannot justify a man if he does a wicked thing, but you can forgive.  God not only forgives, but He justifies the ungodly because He links the believer with Christ, and we are made “accepted in the Beloved.”

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also
forgive you.” Mat.  6:14


“If I Had Known!”
D. L. Moody, 1877

When I was East a few years ago, Mr. George H. Stewart told me of an instance in a Pennsylvania prison when Governor Pollock, a Christian man, was Governor of the State.  A man was tried for murder, and the judge had pronounced sentence upon him.  His friends had tried every means in their power to procure his pardon.  They had sent deputation after deputation to the Governor, but he had told them that the law must take its course.

When they began to give up hope, the Governor went down to the prison and asked the sheriff to take him to the condemned man’s cell.  The Governor was conducted into the presence of the criminal, and he sat down by the side of his bed and began to talk kindly to the prisoner.  

He spoke to the man of Christ and Heaven and showed him that although he was condemned to die on the morrow by earthly judges, he would receive eternal life from the Divine Judge if he would accept salvation.  He explained the plan of salvation, and when he left him, he committed him to God.

When he was gone, the sheriff was called to the cell by the condemned man.  “Who was that man?” asked the criminal, “who was in here and talked so kindly to me?”

“Why,” said the sheriff, “that was Governor Pollock.”

“Was that Governor Pollock?  O Sheriff, why didn’t you tell me who it was?  If I had known that was him, I wouldn’t have let him go out until he gave me a pardon.  The Governor has been here, in my cell, and I didn’t know it,” and the man wrung his hands and wept bitterly.

My friends, there is one greater than a governor with you today.  He sent His Son to redeem you and to bring you out of the prison house of sin.  He is waiting to forgive all your sins.

“The discoverer of the role of forgiveness in the realm of human affairs was Jesus of Nazareth.” — Hannah Arendt

The BIBLE VIEW #922 —Afflictions

In This Issue:
There May Be A Time
Afflictions Have Their Purpose
The Dog of Affliction
Gaining Compassion

Volume: 922     September  4, 2023
Theme: Afflictions

Read the FREE typeset version of this newsletter at https://openthoumineeyes.com/views23/EmailVersion/BibleView922Email.pdf.  Use it for your church bulletin inserts or as a ministry handout.

Since there was no feedback that anyone was using the large print Bible View, that ministry will be discontinued.  :>(


There May Be A Time…
Bill Brinkworth

Joseph, in Genesis, had many undeserved ordeals in his young life.   His brothers hated him.  They sold him into slavery, where he was later jailed.  

However, the hardships he experienced one day turned into triumphs.  He was made the second ruler under the mighty Pharaoh and was eventually able to help save Egypt and his family from a devastating famine.

At the end of his tribulations, we see how God used all those terrible acts done to Joseph.  The times of testing were times he learned more about himself and life.  He learned:

  • There may be a time not to hold on to hurt emotions but to let them out and have joy.
    “Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me.  And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.  2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.” Gen. 45:1-2
  • There may be a time to forget what was done in the past.  All the terrible things that happened to Joseph were to help preserve his and his family’s lives.
    “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.” Gen. 45:5
  • There may be a time when our preferences may have to change.  We may have to move out of our comfort zone to be used by God, as did Israel and Joseph’s family.
    “Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not: 10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children’s children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:” Gen. 45:9-10
  • There is a time to forget past events and live for a different future.  Joseph forgave his brothers’ cruelty towards him and even helped them.
    “Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.” Gen. 45:15

    This certainly coincides with the same principle taught in the New Testament:
    “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;” Mat 5:44
    “Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.” Luke 6:28
  • There may be a time that a lifestyle changes, and one loses what they had in the past.  Possessions may be lost, but God may have something else He allows you to have:
    “Also regard not your stuff; for the good of all the land of Egypt is yours.” Gen. 45:20
  • There may be a time when one has to let God provide for us differently.  Often, His new way for us is better.
    “And the children of Israel did so: and Joseph gave them wagons, according to the commandment of Pharaoh, and gave them provision for the way.  22 To all of them he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five changes of raiment.” Gen. 45:21-21
  • There may be a time to be surprised.  Things may turn out differently than expected when God changes one’s life.
    “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: 28 And Israel said, It is enough; Joseph my son is yet alive: I will go and see him before I die.” Gen. 45:27-28

Like Joseph, most of our lives did not turn out as we first envisioned them.  Our journey was not always on smooth, paved roads.  Most of us traveled over many of life’s “bumps.”  Life can often be rough.

If one played the victim, blamed others, and held a grudge, one may still be stuck in the ditch he initially fell into or was pushed into.  However, those with Joseph’s accepting and unbegrudging attitude may be able to see and experience the plan God has for their lives.  What is your attitude towards the roadblocks in your life?

“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.  3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:  5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Roman  5:2-5


Afflictions Have Their Purposes
Brooks, 1608-1680

God sometimes afflicts us for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness.  The flowers smell the sweetest after a summer shower.  Vines bear the better after their pruning.  The walnut tree is most fruitful when it is beaten and shaken.  Christians spring and thrive most when they are most externally afflicted.  Afflictions are the mothers of virtue.

Manasseh’s chain was more profitable to him than his crown.  Luther could not understand some Scriptures till he was in affliction.  The Christ-cross is no school book, yet it has taught us more than all the words in many thick books.

All the stones that came about Stephen’s ears knocked him closer to Christ.  The flood waves lifted Noah’s ark nearer to Heaven.  

When was it that Stephen saw the heavens open and Christ standing at the right hand of God, but when the stones were about his ears, and there was but a short step betwixt him and eternity?  And when did God appear in glory to Jacob, but in the day of his troubles, when the stones were his pillows, the ground his bed, the hedges his curtains, and the heavens his canopy?  Then, he saw the angels of God ascending and descending in their glittering robes.

Afflictions lift the soul for a more prosperous, clearer, and fuller enjoyment of God.  God makes afflictions to be but inlets to the soul’s more sweet and full enjoyment of His blessed self.
“Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her.”  Hosea 2:14

“The God inside you is bigger than the giant before you.” — Author Unknown



The Dog of Affliction
Cawdray, 1598-1644

If a sheep strays from the flock, the shepherd sets his dog after it.  He does that not to have the sheep devoured but to bring the animal back to safety.  

Many times, if we disobey our heavenly Shepherd, He too may set His dog of affliction on us.  It may be a “dog” of sickness, financial problems, or social situations.  Those difficulties are often meant to draw us back to safety in His arms and never to harm us.

“The greatest affliction of life is never to be afflicted.”


Gaining Compassion
Downame, 1644

Our afflictions make us more compassionate toward others who endure similar troubles.  Those who have been sick are apt to pity those whom they see pained with like diseases.

Those who have been imprisoned are more readily compassionate and accordingly help and relieve those who are restrained.  They who have been pinched with debt and hunger pity those who are poor and want food to feed and clothe them.

This was one reason God laid upon our Saviour so many afflictions, that Jesus might be able sufficiently have compassion on them that are encompassed with infirmity.
“Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” II Cor. 1:4

“The tears of sorrow are like spiritual lenses, showing us the world in its true character as a poor, empty, unsatisfying inheritance.”  — Macmillan

The BIBLE VIEW #921 — Sin’s Damage

In This Issue:
Too Close to the Jalapenos
The Ink Spot
The “Harmless” Ivy
The Marks That Remained
“I Can’t Get Clean

Volume: 921     August 28, 2023
Theme: Sin’s Damage

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Too Close to the Jalapenos
Bill Brinkworth

A friend graciously gave me a few fresh jalapeno peppers from his garden.  We usually do not eat anything “hot,” but sometimes a recipe calls for them, and I thought it would be a good idea to have some handy for when they were needed.

I took those fresh peppers and cut them up very carefully for freezing.  I knew the juice could be harmful if it got in one’s eyes or mouth, and I ensured it did not get on my body.  I handled them cautiously, and after bagging them, I washed my hands very carefully three times. 

Much later, I washed my face.  Not once do I recall getting a drop there, but the pain began after scrubbing.  Apparently, just the vapors of the “hot” vegetable got on my face, up my nose, and even down my throat.  After rinsing, the waters activated the pepper’s juice, and I had to deal with the agonizing pain for the rest of the day and still felt some of its havoc the next day.

While dealing with the vegetable’s side effects, I could not help but think how sin affects one’s life very similarly to what I suffered from the jalapeno juice.  No, sin may not burn one’s face or immediately cause pain, but one does not have to be in direct contact with iniquity to reap the damage it can do.

One may not commit adultery, but watching suggestive television or movies can put lustful thoughts in one’s mind, changing how one thinks about being faithful in marriage.   Perhaps one never would think about doing anyone harm, but after years of seeing violence on television, killing the “bad guys” on a video game, or seeing it much in a family or work situation, it may be easier for one to act more violently when angry. 

Stealing may be one thing one would never contemplate doing, but after hearing of peers who shoplifted and did not get caught, it may be considered a solution for getting what one wants.  One may never imagine himself being involved in a certain sin, but continual exposure to it by being around those engaged in the iniquity or seeing it repeatedly via different media may have one considering such a sin or changing one’s thoughts to “it’s not that bad.”

Sin is so dangerous that distant exposure to it can affect one’s life.  That is why God commands us not only not to commit it but to stay as far away as possible from it.  Any contact with iniquity can desensitize one to it and may break down any mental barriers one has in being involved with it.  Exposure to sin may not burn your face, as did the jalapenos, but it may allow one to be one step closer to sinning.

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,”  II Corinthians 6:17  Also: Isaiah 52:11, I Thes. 5:22.

“One leak can sink a vessel and drown all.  One sin can sink one’s
life as easily.”


The Ink Spot
Hare, (1796-1834)

The mind of man has been compared to a white sheet of paper.  Whatever we write upon the writing material, and every drop of ink that falls upon it, makes a permanent mark.  That mark cannot be rubbed out without much injury to the paper.  

Even while the ink may be somewhat fresh, it cannot be eliminated.  Sometimes, a bigger mess is made while attempting to remove the spot.  Every ink speck embeds itself into the paper.  If we even try to write over it, we may make a deeper blot.  After scratching it out, the next letters written on the spot are blurred.

However small we deem them, every sin affects our lives.  Therefore, we must be careful of what we “write” on our lives. 

Sin will harm all who allow its life-altering marks to soil themselves.  This is why we must separate ourselves from it and avoid it at all costs.

“The wages that sin promises the sinner are life, pleasure, and profit.  However, it only pays him death, torment, and destruction.  He that would understand the falsehood and deceit of sin must compare its promises with what its payments truly are.” — South, (1633-1716)


The “Harmless” Ivy
Spurgeon.

In the gardens of Hampton Court, you will see many trees entirely vanquished and strangled by huge coils of ivy.  They are round about them like the strangling snakes around a victim.  Every hour the rootlets of the climber are sucking the life out of the unhappy tree.

Initially, the ivy was a tiny, harmless appearing plantlet, only requiring a little aid in climbing.  Had it been denied then, the tree would have never become its victim.  The humble weakling grew in strength, arrogance, and soon assumed the mastery.  The tall tree became the prey of the creeping destroyer.

The moral is apparent.  Sorrowfully, we remember many noble characters ruined by their “little” habits.  

Drink has been one’s ivy in many cases.  For others, it may have been dishonesty, laziness, or jealousy.  Reader, see that you are not involved in sin, lest the slowly-advancing iniquity overpowers you.  Sin hurts everyone!

“It is Satan’s custom to use small sins to draw us to greater crimes
against God.” — Manton (1620-1667).

The Marks That Remained
Mursell

A father told his child that the youngster should drive a nail into a post whenever he did anything wrong.  He also told him that when the child did that which was good, he could pull one of the iron spikes out of the post.  A great many nails were driven into the post, but the child tried very hard to get the post cleared of the nails by striving to do right.

At length, he was so successful in his struggles with himself that every nail was drawn out of the post.  The father was just about to praise the child when, stooping down to kiss his son, he was startled to see tears fast rolling down the child’s face.  “Why, my boy?  Why do you cry?  Are not all the nails gone from the post?”

“Oh yes!  The nails are all gone, but look at the marks that are left.”

This familiar illustration reminds many of past sins’ damage to their lives.  It is possible to have those sins forgiven and forgotten as one calls on the Lord to do so.  However, the havoc done by sin may linger for the rest of one’s life.  That is why it is wisest never to get involved with iniquity in the first place.  There will be no regrets when nothing regretable has been done.

“Your ship may have escaped damage by the formidable rocks, but beware lest you be wrecked on the unsuspecting sands.” — Gregory Nazianjen


“I Can’t Get Clean
Mursell

In one of the grandest tragedies of a great English poet, there is a scene that is enough to make one’s blood run cold.  A woman whose husband had made himself king of Scotland by means of several murders and who had been the prompter and partner of his crimes came on stage.  While in her sleep, she continually rubbed her hands as though she were washing them.  She cried, “Here’s a spot!  And another!  Will these hands ne’er be clean?  This blood I have soiled myself with will not come off!  All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten its stench.”

In her words, this is an awful truth.  We can stain our souls with sin.  We can dye them, and double-dye them, and even triple-dye them.  We can dye them all the colors of Hell’s rainbow, but we cannot wash them white.  All the sweetest perfumes in the world will not mask the stench they have left on our consciences.  All the fountains of the great deep will not wash away one little spot of sin.  Its wage and the guilt it often brings can linger around much of our lives.

The usurping Queen of Scotland had been guilty of murder.  The blood from the one she had a part in spilling stained her conscience.  However, it is not just the sin stain of murder that robs one of peace.  Every sin soils the soul.

In that tragedy, the Queen said, “What’s done cannot be undone.” Consider those words.  One cannot push back the wheels of time and make yesterday come again to do over afresh what was done wrongly.  That which you did in the past cannot be changed.  However, a Christian can confess it to the Lord, ask for forgiveness, and strive not to repeat that sin.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12  

The BIBLE VIEW #920 — Unbiblical Teachings

In This Issue:
Misconceptions
Unbiblical Beliefs
Just You and Jesus

Volume: 920     August 21, 2023
Theme: Unbiblical Teachings

Read the FREE typeset version of this newsletter at https://openthoumineeyes.com/views23/EmailVersion/BibleView920Email.pdf.  Use it for your church bulletin inserts or as a ministry handout.

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Misconceptions
Bill Brinkworth

Too often, the teachings found in the Word of God are ignored and replaced by what people think is right, especially about salvation.  None of mankind’s opinions matter, however.  What is important is ”what saith the Lord.”

Good deeds and works will not get anyone to Heaven.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Eph. 2:8-9  (Grace is the undeserved favor, kindness, and love God bestows on individuals.)
“Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:28
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Titus 3:5

The laws preserved in the Bible teach us what sin is, but following them alone will not get anyone into Heaven.
“Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.” Rom. 3:20
“And by him [Jesus] all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.” Acts 13:39  Also: Rom.  3:28.

Church teachings and traditions that do not align with God’s preserved Word will not save anyone!
“Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.” Mark 7:13
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8
“Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.” Titus 1:14

The Bible (KJV for English-speaking people) is the ONLY place where God’s truths and plans for mankind are preserved.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:” II Tim 3:16
 “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” Rom. 15:4
(To learn more of this truth, read “The Word of God ONLY” at https://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/isaiah/the-word-of-god-only/)

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13


Unbiblical Beliefs
Bill Brinkworth

After speaking to many about how the Bible tells us we can go to Heaven, I have heard many beliefs not found in the Bible.  Those ways are not what God has revealed to man.  Some of those ways include:

“There is more than one way to get to Heaven,” and “There are many different roads to Heaven.”  Those philosophies are never taught in the Word of God.

The point of the Bible is to state and preserve God’s plans and commands for all mankind.  Suggesting that man can believe and do what he wants to get to Heaven contradicts Bible’s teachings.  It is man’s way that got him in his sinful state.  Only God’s Way is the path to salvation.  It is God’s Heaven, and there is only one way to get there — His!
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6   Also: John 10:9, 11:25

“We are all children of God!” If that philosophy were true, and we were all children of God, why is there a Hell, and why were we warned about it so we would not go there?  Also, why did Christ die for us if all were going to Heaven?  No one is a child of God unless he is born into God’s family by a spiritual birth.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3    Also: John 3:5

“We’ll see so-an-so in Heaven.”  When discussing the whereabouts of a deceased person, many assume that the person is in Heaven without knowing anything about his spiritual decisions and condition when on Earth.   Quite frequently at funerals, it is mentioned, possibly so people’s feelings will not be hurt, that the person the service is for is in Heaven, when the person never made any profession or indicated that he was trusting Christ as Saviour.  They may have been saved and in Heaven, but the way many talk is all are going to Heaven, and only the “really bad people” are going to Hell.

That sounds humane and nice, but it is God’s Heaven and not man’s; God says only those who do what He commands will go to His Heaven.  It is only His way that matters.  That way is trusting in Christ’s shed blood to cover one’s sins and admitting (confessing) Christ as Saviour (Rom. 10:9).  One will only go to Heaven if saved!
“And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Mat.  7:23   Also: Mat.  25:12, Mat. 25:41, Luke 13:25, II Tim. 2:19

“I’m a good person, so I’ll go to Heaven.”  The Bible does not teach that either.  It teaches the opposite.  The Bible says we are all sinners because of having been born sinners and also our commission of it. 

Because of our sins, we cannot go to Heaven unless we do what God says we must do to get there, and that is to be saved.  No one is a “good” person.  All are sinners!
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Rom. 3:10
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Rom. 3:23   Also: Rom. 5:12

“If God is going to put people in Hell, then I don’t want to have any part of Him or Heaven.”  That statement immediately reveals the person does not see the seriousness of where he is heading eternally.  He is rejecting God’s plan of salvation.
“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21  Also: John 3:18, I Cor. 1:18

God does not want anyone to perish in Hell (II Peter 3:9).  He has clearly shown in His preserved Word the only way anyone can go to Heaven.  Only His way will get anyone there, not mankind’s path.  God’s way is by trusting that Jesus’ death on the cross is the only payment God will accept for anyone’s sin.  That belief is the only one that will get anyone to Heaven!

“If you are on the highway to Hell, take exit John 3:16 to Calvary’s Cross Road.  Don’t wait until it is too late!”  — Author Unknown
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16


Just You and Jesus
Bill Brinkworth

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

What wonderful news it must have been to the Jews, who were used to Old Testament worship when they first learned they could go to God themselves in prayer.  Before Jesus’ death on the cross, they had to have priests go to God as middlemen for them.  After the sacrificial death of Christ, they could go to God themselves.  There no longer was a need for priests.

However, then and even today, many believe they cannot go to God themselves.  Whether they realize it or not, these folks still attempt to worship the way it was done in Old Testament times.  Some go to a “priest” in a confessional and tell him their sins.  With his words and doing what he tells them to do, they believe he can order their sins forgiven.  They trust the “priest” to mediate between them and God.  

Others pray to the dead, and some to deceased biblical characters, hoping a “saint” can be the middleman between them and God to have their sins forgiven or requests granted.

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

We also no longer have to present a perfect, unblemished animal sacrifice for the high priest to carry its blood through the temple’s curtain into the Holiest of Holies, as in the Old Testament.  When Christ died, God ripped that veil in two from top to bottom.  Now any believer can go to God in prayer through Jesus Christ without a mediator.

Telling a person, be it a priest, parent, or any other person, one’s sins will not remove the consequences of one’s iniquity from God’s memory.  Those people may want to help, but they also are sinners in need of the Mediator. 

Going to anyone else other than Christ to meet a need in one’s life or receive help from God will not result in God answering one’s prayers.  The only one qualified to go to the Father on our behalf is His Son, Jesus.  He is the only mediator between God and man.

“Well, my friend, today we have a Mediator.  The Lord Jesus Christ has come.  He has one hand in the hand of Deity because He is God.  He can save to the uttermost because He is God and has paid the price for our salvation.  He is a Mediator because He has also become a man. 

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

The BIBLE VIEW #919 — Sowing & Reaping

In This Issue:
Reaping and SowingSin’s Crops
He Regretted That Crop
What We Sow
Ouch!

Volume: 919     August 14, 2023
Theme: Sowing & Reaping

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Reaping and Sowing
Bill Brinkworth

When a gardener plants corn kernels, he expects them to germinate and produce corn.  Likewise, when he drops lettuce seeds into the soil, he assumes he will one day harvest lettuce.  All farmers and gardeners rely on the law of sowing and reaping.

Just as the agricultural law is always true, so is a similar truth of reaping and sowing the things in life.  When one sows godliness, he will reap blessings and have God’s hand on what “grows.”  When sin is “planted, it also will produce a crop, but a very unpleasant one that most regret.

Here are some biblical verses that teach principles about sowing and reaping in our lives:

Sinful seeds:
“Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity [sin], and sow wickedness, reap the same.” Job 4:8
“He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.” Prov. 22:8
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.  9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Gal.  6:7-9

Godly seeds:
“Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the LORD, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.” Hosea 10:12
“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.” Psalm 126:5

“Sin wouldn’t be so attractive if its wages were paid immediately!”


Sins’ Crops
Bill Brinkworth

“Then there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David enquired of the LORD.  And the LORD answered, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he slew the Gibeonites.” II Sam.  21:1

The idea that “when I sin, it only affects me” is not biblical.  There are many scriptural examples that when a person sins, it affects others around them and even many in their future generations.  One such instance occurred to the people of Israel because of King Saul’s sin.

The Gibeonites had tricked Joshua into sparing their lives (Joshua 9:3-27, around 1,451 B. C.).  The tribes’ falsehood was soon detected, but only after Joshua’s princes gave the Gibeonites their word that their lives would be spared.  The dishonest Gibeonites and their future generations were sentenced to be servants to the Israelites because of their sin, but they were not killed.

Many years later, King Saul broke that promise and killed many Gibeonites (II Sam.  21:1, around 1021 B. C.).  Although the pledge was made generations previously, God judged Israel by allowing famine in their land.  They suffered from a leader’s breaking a promise of bygone days.

Others also encountered God’s judgment because of the sin of:

Idolatry and hating God:
“Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;” Ex. 20:5   Also: Deut. 5:9, Lev. 20:4-5 (Also for the killing of babies.), Isa. 65:6-8.

Parent’s sins:
“Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children’s children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” Ex. 34:7 
“Let the iniquity of his fathers be remembered with the LORD; and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out.  15 Let them be before the LORD continually, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.” Psalms 109:14-15
“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:” Deut. 30:19  Also: Num.  14:18, Num.  14:33, Lev.26:39-40, Isa. 14:20-21, Jer.  32:18.

Wickedness:
“How oft is the candle [their future] of the wicked put out!  and how oft cometh their destruction upon them!  God distributeth sorrows in his anger.” Job 21:17

Although there are many more examples in the Bible, it should be evident from the instances above that people often reap the consequences of another’s sins.  Sin hurts many people.

We also can see it in our own lives.  Laws are made that restrict the freedoms of many because of the actions of a few. 

Teachers sometimes have to be stricter in their classrooms because of the actions of some disobedient students.  Security is often increased in a country because of the sin of others, and often those doing right have to pay for their lack of freedom with their taxes.  A country’s leader can make decisions that hurt his own citizens and sometimes even kill them.  Sin always hurts the trespasser and, many times, those around him.

However, sometimes others can receive God’s blessings from the actions of a godly person or persons.  People and countries were changed and saved by King David, Jonah, Paul, John, Peter, and other righteous people.  If our own Saviour, Jesus, had not stood up and done right, we would never have had the possibility of going to Heaven.  Many nations, including the United States, have been blessed because of the godly stand its early forefathers had made.  Future generations can reap good things from those that lived earlier by God’s principles.

The wrath of God does not have to fall on all of those nations with ungodly leaders or those with wickedness in their ancestry.  The one thing that can override God’s judgment on individuals and even countries is that people of the current generation can make the right decisions. 

God’s grace and mercy are often poured out on those who choose to live according to God’s will and way.  Yes, we will often reap some of God’s judgment on the sins of others and for leaders’ ungodly decisions.  Still, it can be limited if God’s people turn and obey Him — individually and nationally.
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” II Chron.  7:14

“Never forget or be fooled; one always reaps what one sows!  If one plants a crop of sin, he will reap the harvest of some rotten fruit.”


He Regretted That Crop
Daniels

Two farmers in Kentucky were mad at each other.  One had carefully kept the evasive Johnson grass out of his fields.

Meanwhile, a mischievous son of one of the farmers took a bushel of Johnson grass seed and scattered it over a 40-acre field one night to bring havoc to the other’s property.  The feud was settled in due time, and the neighbors became friends.  The boy who planted the seed fell in love with his neighbor’s daughter and married her.

When her parents died and the administrator came to divide the estate, that boy was given the 40-acre field he had planted years previously.  The last I heard from him, he was still digging Johnson grass and regretted the day he sowed the weed!

So it is with sin; in the end, we reap what we sow — and usually regret it!

“You can’t shack up with the devil and expect God to pay the rent!” 
— Author Unknown


What We Sow
Author Unknown

If we sow a thought, we reap an act;
If we sow an act, we reap a habit;     
If we sow a habit, we reap character;
If we sow character, we reap our future.


Ouch!
Michael P. Green

Lord Byron, a poet, spent his life searching for pleasure.  Modern people would say, “He tried to live it up.” One day in desperation, he wrote:

The thorns I have reaped are of the tree I planted.
They have torn me, and I bleed.
I should have known what fruit would spring
from such a tree.

“He who sows thorns should not go barefoot!”  — Author Unknown

The BIBLE VIEW #918 — Grace

In This Issue:
God’s Grace
Day by Day
“My Grace Is Enough for Thee!”
Invincible Grace

Volume: 918     August 7, 2023
Theme: Grace

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God’s Grace
Bill Brinkworth

The word “grace” is not used as much these days as it has been in the past.  Few note that they are even experiencing it, but grace is one of the most important gifts anyone can receive from God.

Noah Webster defines “grace” as “the free unmerited love and favor of God; the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from Him; the favorable influence of God.”  Without this undeserved gift from God, we would be most miserable, which may explain the sad, without-hope condition of many.  Too many are missing “God’s grace” in their lives!

To understand more clearly about “grace,” this brief word study on the subject may help you know what it is we can or do have:

We can only have God’s grace because of Jesus.  We cannot receive God’s grace because of anything we have done.  Our good works and deeds will not merit us any grace.  We must be part of the family of God by accepting Christ as Saviour.
“For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” John 1:17
“Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:” Rom. 3:24    Also: II Cor. 8:9, Eph.  1:7, Eph.  2:7.

It is God’s undeserved merit (His grace) to us that any of us can be saved.
“But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.” Acts 15:11
“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7    Also: Rom.  5:15, Gal.  1:15, Eph.  2:5-8.

A saved person has access to God’s grace!
“By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Rom. 5:2

Grace is a free gift from God!
“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think,.…” Rom. 12:3    Also: Rom. 12:6, 15:15, I Cor. 3:10, Eph. 3:2, 3:7, 4:7, James 4:6, I Peter 5:5.

God’s grace is still available when we are involved in sin.  Fortunately, because of God’s grace, we do not always get what we deserve!
“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound.  But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:” Rom. 5:20

Just because we are not chastised by God every time we sin does not mean we can sin whenever we want.  It is His grace that often spares us from what we do deserve.
“What shall we say then?  Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid.  How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Rom. 6:1-2
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Rom. 6:14   Also: Rom.  6:15-17, Gal.  2:21.

We are no longer held to obey God’s Old Testament laws to earn His favor.
“And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.  But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.” Rom. 11:6

One can lose God’s grace!
“Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.” Gal.  5:4   Paul was addressing saved people that were also trying to obey the Old Testament laws.  It is not saying one can lose one’s salvation.   Also: Heb. 12:15.

If we are anything, we are what we are because of God’s grace.
“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 laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” I Cor. 15:10

God’s grace will meet all one’s needs and help one through any difficulty!
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” II Cor. 9:8
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” II Cor. 12:9   Also: II Thes. 2:16, Heb. 4:16.

Grace is a gift we should desire for all to have.  The New Testament writers often wished and prayed for God’s grace for those they were writing to.
“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen.” Rom. 16:24    Also: I Cor. 1:3, I Cor. 1:4, I Cor. 16:23, II Cor. 6:1, II Cor. 9:14, I Thes. 5:28, II Thes. 1:2.

We enjoy God’s grace.  We should have mercy on others like-wise and extend grace to them, even if we think they do not deserve it.
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.” Eph. 4:29   Also: Col. 3:16.

Some foolishly never give God’s grace a moment’s thought or mutter, “I can do just fine without God’s grace.”  Before they even think such thoughts, they should wait until they suffer the loss of a loved one.  Then, they will need God’s grace to stand next to the coffin and help them through that heartbreak.  They should wait until they have a difficult time, then they would long for God’s taking them by the hand and guiding them through the trial.  They should also wait until confusion overcomes their lives and indecision dominates their thoughts, then they would wish for the comfort of God’s grace to help them through the difficulty.

Grace is a gift from God we constantly need to get through our time on Earth.  We do not always recognize its presence in our life, but His grace is one of the added blessings of being a child of God.  We cannot get successfully through this lifetime without God’s extraordinary grace!

“Grace means ‘undeserved kindness.’  It is the gift of God to man the moment he sees he is unworthy of God’s favor!”  — D. L. Moody


Day by Day
D. L. Moody

A man can no more take a supply of grace for the future than he can eat enough today to last him for the next six monthss or take sufficient air into his lungs to sustain his life for a week to come.  We must draw upon God’s boundless stores of grace daily as we need it.

“We can only fully see God’s grace from the foot of the cross!”


“My Grace Is Enough for Thee!”
C. H. Spurgeon

One evening I was riding home after a hard day’s work.  I felt much wearied and sore depressed when swiftly, and suddenly as a lightning flash, the text came to me, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” When I reached home, I looked up the verse in the Bible, and it came to me this way: “My grace IS sufficient for thee.”  I said, “I should think it is, Lord,” and burst out laughing at my minutes of doubting or forgetting that His grace was all I needed.  His grace was enough for anything!

I never fully understood what the holy laughter of Abraham was until then.  It seemed to make unbelief so absurd.  It was as though some little fish, being very thirsty, was troubled about drinking the river dry, and the mighty Thames River would say, “Drink away, little fish, my stream is sufficient for thee.”  It seemed like a little mouse in the granaries of Egypt after the seven years of plenty, fearing it might die of famine.  Joseph might have said, “Cheer up, little mouse, my granaries are sufficient for thee.” 

Little faith will bring your soul to Heaven, but great faith will bring Heaven to your soul.

“God’s grace is the only cure for sin!”


Invincible Grace
Leighton

Divine grace, even in the heart of a weak and sinful man, is an invincible thing.  Drown it in the waters of adversity; it rises more beautiful, as not being drowned, but only washed.  Throw it into the furnace of fiery trials, and it will come out purer and loses nothing but the dross, which our corrupt nature mixed with it.

The BIBLE VIEW #917 — Salvation

In This Issue:
No Higher Than the Coffin Lid
Born Again
A Changed New Life

Volume: 917     July 31, 2023
Theme: Salvation

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No Higher Than the Coffin Lid
Bill Brinkworth

A rich man came to Jesus unintentionally admitting he committed the same mistake that most would not dare confess.  He confessed to having the same philosophy that sends most lost people to Hell.  The man’s misunderstanding is also where most churches and religions err.  His false belief was in his question, “… what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life” (Matthew 19:16).

That ruler (Luke 18:18) tried to work his way to Heaven by doing all he could to earn himself a place there.  He and most religions believe that if you do enough good things, good will outweigh the bad, and God will let you into Heaven.

False religions teach that obeying and following traditions, rules, catechisms, rites, sacraments, pillars of the faith, or their religion’s teachings will get them to Heaven.  Wrong!  Unbiblical!  That thinking distinguishes man-made religions from real Christianity!

True Christianity is the only “religion” that teaches one does not have to do anything to get to Heaven except believe what Jesus did for them and ask for salvation from Hell.  One does not have to “pay” for salvation by doing good works because it already has been paid for them by Jesus Christ’s sacrificial deed.

After receiving salvation, one will want to do all one can to please and obey God and His commandments out of love and gratitude.  However, those good acts have nothing to do with getting saved.

All have sinned.  All do not only commit iniquity but were born sinners.  Because of sin, no one can get higher than the coffin lid after death.  That is the bad news.

However, there is good news.  There is a person who never sinned.  His undeserved death on the Cross is the sole payment God will accept to cover anyone’s sin.  It is Jesus alone, God’s only son, that was worthy enough to pay for our transgressions.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Trying to do good “works” to earn Heaven is not accepting Christ’s finished work on the Cross.  That rejection shows disbelief that Christ’s sacrificial payment was insufficient to cover a person’s iniquities.

Like the rich ruler learned, doing good deeds and living the way one thinks is right is not enough to earn eternity into Heaven.  That man had done “right” his whole life, yet he was still looking for one more thing to do to guarantee eternal life.

Good deeds never satisfy God because they are not enough.  Trusting that one loves us so much that He gave his life so that we can live eternally is the only way God will accept.

Are you 100% certain that you would go to Heaven if you were to die today, tomorrow, or a hundred years from now?  You can be sure because the “ticket” has been paid for.  All you must do is believe and accept God’s wonderful gift!

The most important question concerning any man living is this: Is he a saved soul or not?  Is he a child of God or an heir of wrath? – Spurgeon
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13


Born Again
Bill Brinkworth

One of the most popular stories told to explain what it means to be saved from Hell is found in John 3. It is the story of Nicodemus.

Nicodemus was a very influential, scripturally educated leader of the Jews (John 3:1).  Perhaps this ruler was afraid, ashamed, or embarrassed to be seen with Jesus, who was causing much confusion among the Jews. For whatever reason, Nicodemus visited Jesus at night.

Jesus told that man a spiritual truth that has troubled many people since.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3

Immediately, this strict follower of the Jewish law admitted he did not understand what Jesus was saying.  Nicodemus questioned if Jesus meant that his physical body had to be re-birthed (John 3:4).  That man had much scriptural learning, but he was missing something fundamental. He was missing an understanding of spiritual things.

Jesus explained to the man how all could know if they were Heaven-bound when they died. The way of salvation involves believing and trusting on Jesus’ sacrifice for all our sins.  Salvation hinges on that belief.

People must rely on Jesus’ gift to us and trust His death on the Cross as the ONLY payment for the forgiveness of sins that God will accept.  Salvation cannot be earned by anything that is done or said. Jesus has done it all for us by His sacrifice.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Read more about the second birth at www.devotionsfromthebible.com/john/born-of-water/.

“Born once, die twice.  Born twice (includes being spiritually born into the family of God); die once.”  — Author Unknown


A Changed New Life
Bill Brinkworth

No one is perfect, or they would not need to be saved.  All are sinners and bound for Hell unless something prevents that from happening.

Accepting Christ as Saviour is the only thing that can keep one from an eternity in torment.  When one is saved, they are a new creature in Christ.  A person is changed when they are genuinely saved.  Paul was certainly proof of this.
“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

Before His salvation, Paul did all he could to serve God his way.  In doing so, he unknowingly became an enemy of God and Christians.  The man was responsible for killing many believers and did much to slow the spreading of the Gospel. 

After Paul was saved, his enthusiasm for opposing Christianity was rechanneled to tell many others how they could be saved.  He became a sincere servant of Christ.

No matter what he did after salvation, Paul still had a past.  There was no way to undo what he had done.  All the preacher could do was go forward in doing the right things after being forgiven and do all he could for the cause of Christ.  Paul 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 for their past, even after they are saved.  Years ago, I remember listening to a Christian radio program where the host answered 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.  I imagine the radio preacher dealt with the man’s guilt and desire to take his own life.  Sadly, many cannot forgive themselves and live defeated lives even after salvation.

We all have pasts.  No saved person should have any joy in the wrong they have done.  If we could do it over, most of us would choose never to have committed the sins we have done.

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) and covered by His shed blood.

Since God, knowing all we did, still offered us a way to His Heaven, we must also forget our past.  We can show our gratefulness for His extraordinary grace, as Paul did, by loving and serving the Lord with all our heart, soul, and might (Deuteronomy 6:5).

‘“Worry not who you are, but whose you are.” — Author Unknown

The BIBLE VIEW #916 — Conversion

In This Issue:
Robinson Crusoe’s Change of Heart
Not by Argument
Unchanged

Volume: 916     July 24, 2023
Theme: Conversion

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Robinson Crusoe’s Change of Heart
Excerpts from The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe

Many of the older classic books had a spiritual lesson taught within their pages.  The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe, is one of those.  The adventures of Robinson, who was ship-wrecked in the mid-1600s, told of his life and how he survived much of the time alone on a deserted island.

Many rewrites of the book and movies leave out the most important theme of the film — that he was disobedient to God and running from His will.  Here are excerpts of what the character finally learned about himself:

“Why has God done this to me?  What have I done to be thus used?  My conscience presently checked me in that inquiry as if I had blasphemed, and me thought it spoke to me like a voice: ‘Wretch!  Dost THOU ask what thou hast done?  Look back upon a dreadful misspent life, and ask thyself what thou hast NOT done?  Ask, why is it that thou wert not long ago destroyed?  Why wert thou not drowned in Yarmouth Roads; killed in the fight when the ship was taken by the Sallee man-of-war; devoured by the wild beasts on the coast of Africa, or drowned HERE, when all the crew perished but thyself?  Dost THOU ask, what have I done?’ I was struck dumb with these reflections, as one astonished, and had not a word to say – no, not to answer to myself, but rose up pensive and sad, … my thoughts were sadly disturbed, and I had no inclination to sleep …

“… and as the few books I had saved lay there too, I took out one of the Bibles which I mentioned before, and which to this time I had not found leisure or inclination to look into.  I say, I took it out….

“… having opened the book casually, the first words that occurred to me were these, ‘Call on Me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.’ These words were very apt to my case and made some impression upon my thoughts at the time of reading them, though not so much as they did afterward….

“… that I began to say, as the children of Israel did when they were promised flesh to eat, ‘Can God spread a table in the wilderness?’ so I began to say, ‘Can God Himself deliver me from this place?’ And as it was not for many years that any hopes appeared, this prevailed very often upon my thoughts; however, the words made a great impression upon me, and I mused upon them very often.…

“… But before I lay down, I did what I never had done in all my life – I kneeled down and prayed to God to fulfill the promise to me that if I called upon Him in the day of trouble, He would deliver me.  After my broken and imperfect prayer.…

“JULY 4. – In the morning, I took the Bible; and beginning at the New Testament, I began seriously to read it, and imposed upon myself to read a while every morning and every night, not tying myself to the number of chapters, but long as my thoughts should engage me.  It was not long after I set seriously to this work till I found my heart more deeply and sincerely affected by the wickedness of my past life.  The impression of my dream revived, and the words, ‘All these things have not brought thee to repentance,’ ran seriously through my thoughts.  I was earnestly begging God to give me repentance when it happened providentially, the very day that, reading the Scripture, I came to these words: ‘He is exalted a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and to give remission.’ I threw down the book, and with my heart as well as my hands lifted up to heaven, in a kind of ecstasy of joy, I cried out aloud, ‘Jesus, thou son of David!  Jesus, thou exalted Prince and Saviour!  give me repentance!’ This was the first time I could say, in the true sense of the words, that I prayed in all my life; for now I prayed with a sense of my condition and a true Scripture view of hope, founded on the encouragement of the Word of God; and from this time, I may say, I began to hope that God would hear me.

“Now I began to construe the words mentioned above, ‘Call on Me, and I will deliver thee,’ in a different sense from what I had ever done before; for then I had no notion of anything being called DELIVERANCE, but my being delivered from the captivity I was in… But now I learned to take it in another sense: now I looked back upon my past life with such horror, and my sins appeared so dreadful, that my soul sought nothing of God but deliverance from the load of guilt that bore down all my comfort… And I add this part here, to hint to whoever shall read it, that whenever they come to a true sense of things, they will find deliverance from sin a much greater blessing than deliverance from affliction….

“… I never had once the words ‘Thank God!’ so much as on my mind, or in my mouth; nor in the greatest distress had I so much as a thought to pray to Him, or so much as to say, ‘Lord, have mercy upon me!’ no, nor to mention the name of God unless it was to swear by and blaspheme it.  I had terrible reflections upon my mind for many months, as I have already observed, on account of my wicked and hardened life past, and when I looked about me and considered what particular providences had attended me since my coming into this place, and how God had dealt bountifully with me – had not only punished me less than my iniquity had deserved but had so plentifully provided for me – this gave me great hopes that my repentance was accepted and that God had yet mercy in store for me.”

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13



Not by Argument
J. C. Jones

It is commonplace to think that an argument can convert a soul or change a person’s actions.  Conquer a man by arguing, and as a rule, you only confirm him in his error.

Last Monday, I looked at a picture titled “Conquered, but Not Subdued.” The young lad in the painting was conquered by his mother.  There he stood, with his face half turned towards the wall.  One could see determination in his mouth, defiance in his eye, and anger in his nostrils.  He was conquered but not subdued.  Drive a sinner in argument to a corner so that he cannot escape, he most likely will not change his ways.

You have all seen sheet lightning.  They flash.  They dazzle, but they never kill.  Arguments, after all, are only sheet lightning — flashing, dazzling, enlightening, but rarely changing anything.

I say nothing against giving logic.  Have as much of it from the pulpit as you can, and personal encounters, but logic will not save or change too many.

God can never save you by argument.  Too many would even rebelliously defy the Almighty in a direct debate.  However, one can be changed and wooed when spiritual knowledge is taken by the Holy Spirit and convicts one’s soul.  It is His revelation, delivering, and reasoning to one’s situation and soul that will result in any change.

“Arguments seldom change one’s mind.  However, we still need to be the ‘delivery boy’ of the Truth, but only the Holy Spirit can do any converting!”

Unchanged
Beecher

There are scores of men who live for the flesh.  They live under the dominion of their senses, yet they often live with full knowledge of truth from God’s Word.  None know it better than they.

Some men have read every word of Scripture.  Some are familiar with every argument and statement in theology.  There are even men that have known and have seen much of the power of God in revivals. Still, there is within them that fixed, rooted, toughened life of sin that refuses to yield itself to any power which can be wielded merely by the hands of men.  Too often, they die in their sins, unchanged by the truth they heard.

“Before anyone is saved or changed they usually have to get to the ‘bottom of their barrel.’  Unfortunately, for some it is lower in the barrel than it is for others.”

The BIBLE VIEW #915 — Don’t Quit!

In This Issue:
Plod On!
Don’t Quit

Volume: 915     July 17, 2023
Theme: Don’t Quit

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Plod On!
Bill Brinkworth

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58

When younger, I spent many summers in an off-grid cabin in Maine.  What an exciting place for an adventure-seeking and curious child it was.

One day, I remember hearing an unfamiliar sound of a distant chainsaw.  As those tools were not common in the ’60s, I wanted to know who was sawing and where it was happening.

Trekking up a forested hill and following barely used logging roads, I found the source of the noise; it was a flannel-shirted, hardworking lumberjack. 

As he cut down the towering pines and firs, he stripped the fallen trees of their branches and fetched his “helper” to pull them to where the pulp wood would be cut and stacked.

After disappearing briefly, he returned with an amazingly large workhorse.  After leading the animal to the fallen trees, a couple of shouted commands got the creature to back up to the logs, where chains and a harness hitched the beast to his next timber task.

More commands were given, and the creature hauled his wood load behind him.  In places, the ground was spongy with rotten debris, cedar roots, and old stumps.  However, the obstacles did not hinder the trudging beast.

If one of the massive logs he lugged was snagged on an old trunk, the horse powered through the obstacle and often even pulled the stump out of the ground.  The horse and his task were unstoppable, and the animal plodded on.

Sometimes the mushy ground gave way to the over 1,000-pound animal, and his hoofs sunk deep into the soft tangle of roots and branches, but still, onward he labored.

There were places the ground was harder and less cluttered with obstacles.  Still, the beast lumbered on with his load at the same speed he held when on marshy, soft ground.  No matter what was encountered, the “worker” consistently trudged on delivering his load.  Nothing seemed to deviate him from His task.

Christians should model their service to the Saviour with the same consistent work ethic as that workhorse.  There will be hindrances and obstacles while serving the Lord.  Sometimes they will be occurrences in a believer’s life or even health trials.  However, an obedient worker must trudge on when possible and complete the task they were convicted to do.

Preacher, if God called you to the ministry to lead and educate a flock of believers, continue at the task despite the opposition you may be facing.  Plod on.

Plod: To walk or study heavily, steadily, and laboriously

Sunday school teacher, bus ministry worker, deaf interpreter, or whatever task you felt led to be involved in, keep on keeping on!  Do not let criticism, ungratefulness, or even unruly children halt you from your responsibility.  Plod on.

Serving the Saviour is not an easy task.  Perhaps that is why so many’s efforts to serve the Lord are short-lived.  There are, unfortunately, more quitters than those “plodding on” through the turbulences and trials.

If God called you to do a task for Him, continue until you are convicted and convinced He desires you to stop.  Plod on!

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

Don’t Quit
Bill Brinkworth

Too many quit or want to resign when the going gets rough.  In most cases, one never quits the problem; one just runs away.  The dilemma is still there.

Deserters are everywhere:

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

It usually is easy to walk away from an uncomfortable situation.  It does not take character, intelligence, or common sense to run away when the way gets tough.

Rarely is anything solved by quitting.  There will always be problems in life.  Unsolved problems have a way of following us wherever we go.

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

You cannot quit being a Christian. Once a true Christian, always a Christian.  You did not earn it.  It was a gift of salvation if you trusted Jesus’ finished work on the cross as payment for all your sins.  However, too many quit being Christ-like.
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:28-29

You cannot quit because the enemy has nothing to offer. There are only two sides – Satan’s and God’s.  If one is truly saved by faith, one cannot get unsaved and be on the loser’s side. 
“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13

You cannot quit because victory may be just around the corner. Troubles and tribulations are part of the school of life.  You may be very close to passing the “test” and going on to life’s next lesson.  Do not quit now.
“And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever.  Amen.” II Timothy 4:18

You cannot quit when you make a mistake. Just get back in the saddle, and try again.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39

You cannot quit now; you may miss the harvest. Maybe one day your problem will be over, and you will reap a blessing from the tribulation.  Maybe it will be tomorrow or the day after.  Spiritual fruit does not always come the day it is planted.
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” I Corinthians 15:58 Also: John 15:4.

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


“God didn’t bring you as far as He has to abandon you!”  — Author Unknown

The Bible View #914 — Gratitude

In This Issue:
Do You Appreciate What You Have Before It’s Gone?
Always Green    In Everything Give Thanks
The Blessing in Being Robbed
Thankful for the Fleas
Memorial of Gratitude
Count It All Joy     Never Happy

Volume: 914     July 10, 2023
Theme: Gratitude

Read the FREE typeset version of this newsletter at https://openthoumineeyes.com/views23/EmailVersion/BibleView914Email.pdf.  Use it for your church bulletin inserts or as a ministry handout.

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Do You Appreciate What You Have Before It’s Gone?
Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Michael Green

There is a fictitious story about a day when the sun did not rise.  Six o’clock came, and there was no sign of dawn.  At seven o’clock, there was still no ray of light.  At noon, it was as black as midnight.  No birds sang, and only the hoot of an owl broke the silence.  Then came the long black hours of the afternoon.

Finally, evening arrived, but no one slept that night.  Some wept; some wrung their hands in anguish.  Every church was thronged with people on their knees.  Thus they remained the whole night through.

After that long night of terror and agony, millions of eager, tear-streaked faces were turned toward the East.  When the sky began to grow red, and the sun rose, there was a loud shout of joy.  Millions of lips said, “Bless the Lord, O my soul,” because the sun had risen after one day of darkness.

The very consistency of God’s blessings sometimes seems to dull our gratitude.  The wonderful thing about the mercies of God is that they are fresh every morning and new every evening.  Let us remember to be constantly thankful to our gracious God.
“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  23 They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23


Always Green
Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Michael Green

An evergreen is always green despite the changes in weather around it.  It is green in the heat of summer and the cold of winter.  

So also our lives are to be characterized by an enduring thankfulness that is unaffected by the changes around us.  When the heat of a pressured week or the deadly cold of pain strikes us, we should stand “ever green,” continually thankful, regardless of what surrounds us.


“A little boy was asked by his father to say grace at the table.  While the rest of the family waited, the little fellow eyed every dish of food his mother had prepared.  After the examination, he bowed his head and honestly prayed, ‘Lord, I don’t like the looks of it, but I thank you for it, and I’ll eat it anyway.  Amen.’” — Green

In Everything, Give Thanks
Author Unknown

‘Mid sunshine, cloud or stormy days,
When hope abounds or care dismays,
When trials press and toils increase
Let not thy faith in God decrease
“In everything give thanks.”

All things we know shall work for good,
Nor would we change them if we could;
‘Tis well if only He command;
His promises will ever stand
“In everything, give thanks.”

He satisfies the longing heart,
He thwarts the tempter’s cruel dart,
With goodness fills the hungry soul,
And helps us sing when billows roll.
“In everything, give thanks.”

“Be thankful you’re still above ground.”  
 

The Blessing in Being Robbed
Matthew Henry

After being robbed, Bible commentator Matthew Henry, wrote in his diary, “Let me be thankful.  First, because I was never robbed before.  Second, because although they took my wallet, they did not take my life.  Third, because they took my all, it was not much.  Fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed.”

Thankful for the Fleas
Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Michael Green

“Rejoice evermore.” I Thessalonians 5:16

In The Hiding Place, Corrie ten Boom related an incident that taught her always to be thankful.  She and her sister, Betsy, had just been transferred to the worst German prison camp they had been to, Ravensbruck.  On entering the barracks, they found them extremely over-crowded and flea-infested.

That morning, their Scripture reading in I Thessalonians reminded them always to rejoice, pray, and give thanks for all circumstances.  Betsy told Corrie to stop and thank the Lord for every detail of their new living quarters.  

Corrie, at first, flatly refused to give thanks for the fleas.  Still, Betsy persisted, and Corrie finally succumbed to her pleadings.  

During the months spent at that camp, they were surprised to find how openly they could hold Bible study and prayer meetings without the guard’s interference.  It was not until several months later that they learned the guards would not enter the barracks because of the fleas.


Memorial of Gratitude
Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, Michael Green

A very poor and aged man busied in planting and grafting an apple tree was rudely interrupted by this interrogation, “Why do you plant trees?  You cannot hope to eat the fruit of them?”

He raised himself and leaning upon his spade replied, “Someone planted trees for me before I was born, and I have eaten the fruit.  I now plant for others that the memorial of my gratitude may exist when I am dead and gone.”

Count It All Joy
Barbara Brinkworth

As a new Christian, over 40 years ago, a close friend encouraged me to read the Bible daily.  Of course, there were many things I did not understand. 

As I read the Bible through each year, the stories in God’s Word became more familiar.  I looked forward to my time in the Scriptures.

Four or five years later, there was still one verse that made no sense to me.  It was James 1:2, ”My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into divers temptations;”  How could one thank God for problems? 

I had been through many tests and trials since I had trusted Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour.  During those times, there had not been a lot of joy going on.  I had to move from West Virginia to New Jersey to care for my ailing parents.  My younger brother died at 36, and ten days later, my mother died.  Within two more years, my dad died — unsaved.  That was very hard to accept.  Also, my oldest daughter was involved in a very serious motorcycle accident.  Whew!  Was I joyful during all these events?  I think not.

Since God’s Word is true, what had I missed about James 1:2?  How could I accept and understand that verse?  God had the answer, and he gave it to me as a present on my forty-second birthday.  Here is how it happened:
I was at a Bible seminar with two friends, who were also sisters.  At some point, the speaker discussed James 1:2.  As always, I had listened in vain, hoping to apply that verse to my own life.  During the next break, I spoke to my friends about their mother, Dot.  She had been through many trials recently, including the death of her husband and some serious physical problems of her own.  She was discouraged, to say the least.  Suddenly I found myself saying, “Wouldn’t you think Dot would see God’s hand working through her problems?  Wouldn’t you think she would know God cares and count it all…?”  I stopped mid-sentence.  That was my answer to the meaning of James 1:2.  It was not that I should be joyful for the trials, but rather joyful about the God of the trials.

Through the testings and temptations God brings into our lives, He teaches us how to live and serve Him better.  He also reveals more about Himself to us in each diverse situation.  As we see Him work through our trials, we are more assured of His love and care.  We learn more about His character.  Our faith is strengthened as we see God working on our behalf in ways only He could accomplish.

Now, James 1:2 is part of my own personal arsenal to keep discouragement at bay.  During times of diverse temptations, I can better trust God and count it all joy.  I wait and see how He will use the trials in my life for my ultimate good and His eternal glory.

“The brook would lose its song if we removed the rocks.”  — Author Unknown



Never Happy
Stennett

The discontented man is ever restless and uneasy.  He is dissatisfied with his station in life, his connections, and almost every circumstance that happens to him.  He is continually peevish and fretful, impatient of every injury he receives, and unduly impressed with every disappointment he suffers.

He considers most other persons happier than himself and enjoys hardly any of the blessings of Providence with a calm and grateful mind.  He forms a thousand distressing fears concerning the future and makes his present condition unhappy by anticipating the misery he may endure in years to come.

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