Tag: Character

The BIBLE VIEW #1046 —Separation

In This Issue:
There Are Accursed Things Among Us!
Do Not Yoke Up
Do You Really Want What It Has To Offer?

Volume: 1046   May 4, 2026
Theme: Separation

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There Are Accursed Things Among Us!
Bill Brinkworth

“Up, sanctify the people, and say, Sanctify yourselves against to morrow: for thus saith the LORD God of Israel, There is an accursed thing in the midst of thee, O Israel: thou canst not stand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accursed thing from among you.” Joshua 7:13

Joshua and the people of Israel had seen God’s hand in their victory over Jericho.  All marveled at how that mighty fortress collapsed with God’s help (Joshua 6).

The leader’s further instruction to the people was to enter the flattened city and not spare any enemy lives (Josh. 6:17, 21).  All were to be killed. 

Israel was also strictly forbidden to take any of the riches of the city for themselves.  All the treasures of the fallen city were to be given to Israel’s treasury.

As Israel’s army entered the city and did to it as they were commanded, one man could not resist the temptation of all the valuables he saw, and took some for himself.  That man, Achan, took a Babylonian garment, silver, and some gold.  He took it back to his tent and buried it.  The thief thought no one knew, but God knew of his disobedience.

Later, when a small force of Israel’s army went to attack the nearby town of Ai, they were easily defeated.  Joshua and the people were horrified over the defeat and the death of some of their soldiers.  The thrashing from a weaker enemy led Joshua to believe that God’s hand was no longer with His people.

Joshua was grieved.  He prayed, and God revealed that the defeat was due to one man’s disobedience (Josh. 8:13). Because of one man’s sin, all of Israel was guilty (Josh. 7:1, 11) of rebelling against what God had commanded them to do.  

One man’s iniquity cost the lives of others.  Israel’s testimony was tarnished, and God’s hand was no longer helping His people.

Later, with God’s help, Joshua discerned who was responsible (Joshua 8:17-19).  Achan was revealed to be the culprit.  He confessed, and what had not been put into Israel’s treasury was recovered.  Because of the sin that cursed the people, Achan and his family were killed (Joshua 8:25).  Many suffered greatly because of one man’s sin.

Today, that principle still applies.  Others suffer great loss because of an individual’s sin. 

Families are split up because of an adulterous parent’s sin.  Friends who innocently ride along with a friend who commits a crime often see jail time as accomplices to the wrongdoing.  

New laws rob many of their freedoms because of others’ wrongdoing.  A family can get a bad reputation because of one misbehaving child.  Whole communities have been looked down upon because of the belligerent attitudes of some.  Sin’s tentacles often reach further than the one sinning.

In the account in Joshua 6-8, one individual’s sin affected all of Israel.  Perhaps two million people suffered loss of God’s guidance and protection!  It was not a “little” sin. 

With Achan’s treachery in mind, and how it affected so many, imagine how the sins that are rampant today are harming nations.  Although many are ignorant of God’s commandments, and many refuse to obey the ones they know, God has not changed. 

What was sin in Joshua’s day and biblical days is still iniquity today.  Sins that cost nations in the past are causing much suffering today.

God is aware of today’s national tolerance of sins such as abortion, sexual deviancies, acceptance of man-made religions, mockery of God and biblical morals, lessening punishments for crimes, reliance on government rather than God, attacks on Christianity, and scores of other “acceptable” behaviors.  Although much of society tolerates current immoralities, God does not.  He did not tolerate it with Achan, and He will not put up with it today.

Because of Achan’s transgression, Israel could not stand against a smaller, insignificant enemy.  Today, we have small, terrorist cults creating great havoc to very powerful nations.  Small minorities seem to hold the power to control vast majorities.  

Common sense is dumped for philosophies that have failed countless times previously.  Once great nations are now cowering under pressures from small groups of radical extremists.

Why all the chaos?  Why is sin prevailing and righteousness failing?  

As a nation was judged because of one man’s disobedience after the Battle of Jericho, so are some being judged today for sin.  No one person or country gets away with wrongdoing. 

There may be no thunderbolts being hurled from the heavens or earthquakes swallowing the sinning individuals, but unless sin is dealt with directly, God’s helping and protecting hand will be withdrawn from many.  It is far past time we learn the lesson that Israel learned the hard way; that unless sin is judged, halted, and repented, many will suffer — even today!
“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

“Oil and water do not mix; neither do the saved and the unsaved.”

Do Not Yoke Up!
Bill Brinkworth

One of the principles that will distinguish a strong Christian from a weak one, when practiced, is taught in II Corinthians 6.  Not adhering to God’s teaching on this doctrine has ruined many Christian lives and testimonies.  It is the number one robber of joy for a child of God.  Paul taught that there should be a separation of a Christian from those who are not saved. (II Cor. 6:14-17).
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?  and what communion hath light with darkness?” II Corinthians 6:14

The double-negative “not unequally yoked” can be somewhat confusing to our modern vernacular, but it simply means “do not be yoked together with unbelievers”.  The yoke spoken of here refers to the wooden implement that binds two farm animals together. 

It was common for two oxen or mules to be joined together with that device so they could plow a field together.  We are not going in the same direction as the world is going.  We should not be plowing the same “field” as they.

We should not be yoked to unbelievers in marriage, business relationships, friendships, or other close relationships.  When we are yoked together closely in such a relationship, we can end up going the wrong direction.  

We are in the world, and we may naturally be in close contact with the unsaved.  That happens and is a good opportunity to be a witness and an example to them, but getting into the position that we are going in their direction is what God is warning us against

A child of God is on the winning side.  Why in the world would he want to go in the same direction as the losing side? 

We have a Leader who will take us in the right direction.  We should not be following those who do not know the way.  We should be guiding others in the right direction, not following their wrong pathways through life.

The Bible says there are two spiritual sides in this life:  God’s and the devil’s (also called Belial).  What can we possibly have in common with an unbeliever’s thinking and goals? 
“And what concord [agreement, union in opinions, sentiments, views or interests] hath Christ with Belial?  or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?  for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” II Cor. 6:15-16 

“The pull to have what the world temporarily has to offer has cost countless Christians their joy, testimony, and futures!” — Author Unknown

Do You Really Want What It Has To Offer?
J. Mason

If you love your soul, beware of what the world has to offer.  It has slain millions.

  • What ruined Lot’s life?  The world!
  • What ruined Haman?  The world!
  • What ruined Judas?  The world!
  • What ruined Demas?  The world!

And you really believe you can survive what the world will give you unscathed?

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36

The BIBLE VIEW# 1045 – Holiness

In This Issue:
Holy, Holy, Holy!
Holiness
Personal Holiness
Reasons Why the Believer Should be Holy
Holy, Holy, Holy.  Lord God,Almighty
Destiny of Holiness

Volume: 1045   April 27, 2026
Theme: Holiness

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 Holy, Holy, Holy!
Bill Brinkworth

“2 And immediately I [John] was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. … 8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.  9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever.” Revelation 4:2-9

In Revelation 4:2-9, the reader gets a glimpse of the throne room of Heaven.  Another peek is revealed in Isaiah 6:1-3.  In both views, we read of similar creatures that surround the heavenly throne and worship God.

Those creatures (Revelation 4 calls them “beasts;” Isaiah identifies them as “seraphim”), because of their nearness to God’s throne must know quite a bit about Him. They know more about what God has created than we do.  We only see what is here on Earth.  They look about Heaven and see creatures, including seraphim, cherubim, angels, and other glorious things, that we cannot even imagine.  However, they were not praising God for all that is in His Heaven.

They must know that all the stars are more than our limited human minds can imagine and count.  It most likely would not surprise them to know that the largest star we know about is VY Canis Majoris, which is estimated at over 1,800 times the size of our sun.  Yet, all those amazing stellar creations were created by God in one day.  However, the heavenly host are not singing His praises about His wonderful creations.

The seraphim must also know about God’s patience in allowing Earth’s inhabitants many opportunities to come to and obey Him.  They also must know how so many curse His name, and openly rebel against their own Creator.  Those creatures know of the Almighty’s wrath, that He can release when it is time and necessary.  Yet, with all they know of what God has done for all those in Heaven and here on Earth, they do not praise Him for His character.

In both instances, in Isaiah and Revelation, they praised Him for His holiness.  “… Holy!  Holy!  Holy! …” cried the Heavenly host.  Of all the wonderful things those creatures must know about Him, they are most impressed and respectful of God’s holiness!  There is no sin in Heaven, as God cannot be near such wickedness, so those singing God’s praises do not sin, yet they praise God for His holiness! 

Holiness is important to God.  That is why He also desires us to be Holy.  We certainly will never be as holy as our Creator, but Christians should still strive to live a holy life.  

It is expected of us to flee and avoid sin and emulate our Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Our goal should be to please God by making our lives as holy as we can.  Living a holy life is possible, or He would not expect it of us!
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” I Peter 1:15-16
“Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.” Lev. 20:7

“The essence of true holiness consists of conforming to the nature and will of God.” — Dr. Lucas

Holiness
Dr. T. W. Jenkyn

Holiness, in the Scriptures, means a hallowed state.  It is a full, entire, and impartial consecration to the service and the use of God.  It is a definite separation and dedication for His purposes and pleasure.  Not to be in this state would be diverting our sacred purpose to which we should be devoted.

“The goal of a Christian should be to be holy, and happiness will follow.”
— Author Unknown

 Personal Holiness
Dr. T. W. Jenkyn

Personal holiness is the first and foremost tribute which we owe to the Holy Spirit to be used by our Master.  We are to offer Him no other service until that is given.

A Roman sent to Caesar a present of a royal crown while he was openly rebelling against Caesar’s throne.  Caesar returned the gift with the message, “First of all, yield obedience, and then send presents.” 

The spirit and the truth of His message are addressed by the Holy Spirit to every Christian and to every church.  He desires our obedient hearts before our worldly “sacrifices” and offerings.

“Real holiness has love for its essence, humility for its clothing, the good of others as its employment, and the honor of God as its end.”  — Emmons



Reasons Why the Believer Should be Holy
Edited from 500 Bible Readings, Marsh

  • Because of what God is.
    “The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” Ps. 145:17
  • Because of what He has done.
    “Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, Ye shall be holy: for I the LORD your God am holy.” Lev. 19:2
  • Because He commands it.
    Lev. 19:2
  • Because of His relationship to us.
    “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.” Lev. 20:7
  • Because of His choice of us.
    “And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.” Lev. 20:26
  • Because of our relationship to Him.
    “They shall be holy unto their God, and not profane the name of their God: for the offerings of the LORD made by fire, and the bread of their God, they do offer: therefore they shall be holy.” Lev. 21:6

“It is a great deal better to live a holy life than to talk about it.  Lighthouses do not ring bells and fire cannons to call attention to their shining.  They just shine.”  — Moody

Holy, Holy, Holy!  Lord God Almighty
Hymn by Reginald Heber

  1. Holy, holy, holy!  Lord God Almighty!
    Early in the morning our song shall rise to thee.
    Holy, holy, holy!  Merciful and mighty,
    God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

    2.  Holy, holy, holy!  All the saints adore thee,
    Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;
    Cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,
    Which wert, and art, and evermore shalt be.

    3.  Holy, holy, holy!  Though the darkness hide thee,
    Though the eye of sinful man thy glory may not see,
    Only thou art holy; there is none beside thee,
    Perfect in power, in love and purity.

    4.  Holy, holy, holy!  Lord God Almighty!
    All thy works shall praise thy name, in earth and sky and sea.
    Holy, holy, holy!  Merciful and mighty,
    God in three persons, blessed Trinity.

Destiny of Holiness
Oswald Chambers, Edited from My Utmost for His Highest, Sept. 1

The preaching of the Gospel awakens an intense resentment because it reveals that I am unholy.  God has one destined end for mankind through holiness.  

His one aim is the production of saints… He did not come to save men out of pity.  He came to save men because He had created them to be holy.  The Atonement He gave is the way God can put me back into perfect union with Himself, without sin’s shadow, through the death of Jesus Christ.

Never tolerate, through sympathy with yourself or others, any practice that is not in keeping in line with a holy God.  Holiness means unsullied walking with the feet, unsullied talking with the tongue, and unsullied thinking with the mind.  Every detail of our lives is under God’s scrutiny.   Holiness is not only what God gives me, but what I show others that God has helped me to be.

“I believe the holier a man becomes, the more he mourns over the unholiness that remains in him.”  — Spurgeon

The BIBLE VIEW #1042 — Lying

In This Issue:
Liar!  Liar!  Your Testimony Is On Fire!
Lying Lips

Volume: 1042   March 30, 2026
Theme: Lying

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Liar!  Liar!  Your Testimony Is On Fire
Bill Brinkworth

Honesty is one of the most important glues that binds people together.  Without truth, trust between people cannot be achieved. 

Relationships most often will not last when dishonesty is involved.  Societies will fall apart, as the only remaining truthful source will be one’s own biased, often-changing opinion.

Unfortunately, taking one’s truthful word on a subject is a thing of the past for many.  It used to be that if someone gave their word on a matter, they would keep their commitment, no matter the consequences, but not anymore.

It is often discovered that a fellow worker’s promises mean little.  Friends, to avoid doing something, offer a fabricated excuse for not participating.  A “little white lie” is still a lie and can cause future distrust.

After watching the news, one is often shocked by the untruths that flow freely from leaders’ mouths.  A quick follow-up on what the person actually said is shown, and one’s apparent falsehood is made public.  Yet, there is no retraction; no apology, only further justification of one’s falsehood.  In too many situations, it seems the liar got away with their deceit and faced no repercussions.  Politicians caught in lies often get re-elected, and their untruths are forgotten and unpunished.

Actual footage of a lawbreaker’s crime shows that he was guilty of the crime for which he was accused.  However, the violator’s own words stick to an untruth, no matter what the evidence reveals.  Police have a difficult time determining what happened in an incident because many of those involved lie.

A wayward spouse insists that they were not unfaithful, even though it was apparent to all involved that it was a lie.  Children caught in the act of doing something they were not allowed to do, deny that they did it.  Proof again does not change their deceitfulness.

Liars are all about us.  We, too, must admit that we have lied at times.
“I said in my haste, All men are liars.” Psalm 116:11
“God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.” Romans 3:4

With the advent of artificial intelligence, pictures loaded on the internet show a political appointee in a compromising situation.  Most know it is not true, but some accept the dishonest picture as truth.  A seed of distrust may have been planted.

Others, if they realize it or not, slowly discover that nothing seen or said can be believed.  Mistrust spreads.  Society weakens and becomes desensitized to dishonesty. 

Dishonesty has always been a plague.  However, in my lifetime, it has never been so unleashed.  Society seems not to be that concerned, and at times has even allowed untruthfulness to be treated as entertainment.  Sometimes the heroes of a movie live lives of deceit but are still the “good guys.”

Lying was not always prevalent.  Satan was the starter and encourager of lying.
“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

However, Satan’s creator, God, is honest.  He can always be trusted.  God’s Word, found in the Bible, can also be relied on.  It is the Truth!
“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:” Hebrews 6:18

God hates all sin, including lying.  For that, and many more reasons, we should strive to be honest!
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,” Proverbs 6:16
“Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.” Proverbs 12:22

To have a relationship with God and others, one must place a high value on honesty.
“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24
“The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth.” Psalm 145:18
“Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD.” Joshua 24:14

To get along with others, truthfulness is needed.  That is why God demands we be honest.
“These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:” Zechariah 8:16 
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Yes, we are all sinners and liars by nature.  However, a child of God has a new nature.  Being born again can allow us to do all we can to please our God, and being honest is an important step in reaching that goal.  We can now make our words truthful and more reliable to others.  Our words can now have value!
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.” Ephesians 4:25
“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:” Proverbs 3:3

“A liar is not believed even though he tells the truth.”  — Cicero

Lying Lips
Bill Brinkworth

From a young age, most know it is wrong to lie.  Perhaps it is an innate guilt or a learned “no-no” from reprimands from parents, friends, or teachers. 

The nonacceptance of untruths is universally frowned upon, or it used to be, and the bearer of falsehoods is often mistrusted and avoided.  One should learn quickly that dishonesty is not acceptable.

 A lie exposed has cost many future suspicions from friends, fellow workers, and casual and long-time acquaintances.  Because of discovered untruths, relationships have been shattered, jobs have been lost, and even jail time has been the penalty for many who lied. 

Lying lips have cost many much more than ever realized.   God also does not tolerate falsehoods and demands that people, especially Christians, be true to their word.

God’s Word, the Bible, has much to say and warn about untruths:

God and His Son, Jesus, are honest.  Since believers should be like our Saviour, Christ-like, we should also be truthful.
“That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:” Hebrews 6:18
“In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;” Titus 1:2

God hates untruths!
“Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.” Proverbs 12:22

God commands us not to lie!
“Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.” Exodus 20:16
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” I John 3:18

Lies are often told because of pride.
“For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.” Psalm 59:12
“The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart.” Psalm 119:69

Liars twist and change God’s truths to enable them to do what they desire rather than what God commands.
“Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever.  Amen.” Romans 1:25 

Although usually our weak flesh succumbs to dishonesty, often people may be encouraged to lie by Satan’s influence.  Since an unsaved person does not typically heed God’s commandments, it may be easier to follow the leading of God’s and humanity’s enemy.
“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 

God knows who is honest.
“The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not.” II Corinthians 11:31

A good witness of a situation should tell the truth of what was seen, heard, or experienced.
“A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies.” Proverb 14:5 Also: Exodus 23:1.
“A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape.” Proverbs 19:5
“A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.” Proverbs 21:28 

ALWAYS be honest.
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;” Colossians 3:9
“Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.” Psalm 31:18 
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;” Ephesians 4:22-23
“Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.” Psalm 120:2

We can lie about anything, including being right with God.
“If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:” I John 1:6
“I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.”  I John 2:21
“Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.” Revelation  3:9

Because of the rejection of God’s will and way, our world has become one of dishonesty, distrust, misdirection, and deceit.  It is a tolerated sin among politicians, police, and most people.  It should not be.

Dishonesty separates many and breeds mistrust.  This must stop for a society to be healed and to get along with each other.  Start today, especially if you are a born-again child of God.  Always tell the truth!

“There is beauty in truth, even if it’s painful.  Those who lie, twist life so that it looks tasty to the lazy, brilliant to the ignorant, and powerful to the weak.  But lies only strengthen our defects.  They don’t teach anything, help anything, fix anything or cure anything.  Nor do they develop one’s character, one’s mind, one’s heart or one’s soul.” ― José N. Harris 

The BIBLE VIEW #1035 —Sin

In This Issue:
Vexed by Ungodliness
Let Go!
It Will Rub Off on You!
Get Far from Evil
Seek the Better Things

Volume: 1035     February 2, 2026
Theme: Sin

Vexed by Ungodliness
Bill Brinkworth

When given a choice by his Uncle Abraham, Lot chose the choicest of lands to raise his cattle and family (Gen. 13:8-11).  He left Abraham (named Abram at the time) the less appealing land, and kept the “best” for himself.

His selfish pick may have appeared to be the best choice; however, there was one important matter Lot did not consider when choosing where to live.  He did not consider what his soon-to-be neighbors would be like. 

As it turned out, the place he chose to live near was near the twin cities: Sodom and Gomorrah.  Those cities were known for their rampant sin, particularly homosexuality.  It was there that the righteous man, Lot, chose to live.

It was not long before he was involved in the city’s government (Gen. 19:1, 9).  He was not only living among wickedness, but he was also involved in the choices made to help manage the city.  

Shortly, his constant exposure to godlessness and their sin affected Lot.  The Bible says that he was “… vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked … in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;” (II Peter 2:7-8).  The part of Lot that wanted to live and please the Lord was “irritated, harassed, teased, and disturbed” by the lifestyle he was allowing himself and his family to be exposed.

As a Christian, we usually cannot live on top of a mountain, away from the world and all their sin.  Most of the time, we have to live around sin, see it in the workplace, hear it on television, and be exposed to its consequences and involvement wherever we go. 

However, if we are not wary of iniquity and do not do all we can to limit its exposure, we too will be “vexed” by sin.  It will wear on us, and if we are not careful, sin will be commonplace to us. 

We will be hardened against it.  Seeing or hearing sin will not bother us as much as it used to.  The spiritual part of us will be desensitized to sin’s evilness.  If we are not careful, we will even be involved in it, thinking it is normal because “everyone is doing it.”

Despite what the unsaved world is doing, sin is and always will be wrong to God.  The only protection against being desensitized by it or involved in it is to do one’s best to avoid contact with it. 

If you are vexed by filthy language on television, there may be some channels you should never listen to again, or you may have to stop watching the “hellevision”.  Filthy words creeping into your own language?  Maybe there are some foul-mouthed influences that you should no longer listen to or associate with.  

Seeing things your eyes should not be seeing on the internet?  Limit where you browse, or maybe you will have to stay off the internet altogether.  

Dirty images you have already viewed plaguing your thought-life?  Avoid further looks and recite Scripture verses, particularly about what you are thinking.  It is difficult to have the clean Word of God and filthiness in your thought-life at the same time.  The filthiness will flee!

The key to keeping a holy, unsoiled life and testimony for the Lord is to separate (II Cor. 6:17) from the world.  It is possible to remain undefiled in this ever-increasing sinful world.

If we purpose in our hearts not to be defiled by ungodliness in this world, the Lord will do His part to help us.  He will give the believer “a way to escape” sin’s vexing grasp, if the believer wants it!

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” I Corinthians 10:13

“If you can get along with the world, then you are out of step with God!”
— Dr. Harold Sightler


Let Go!
Author Unknown

This world holds nothing so dear
That Christ cannot give us more:
His love, His peace, His Joy —
Far more than heart could implore.

Our lives lose much He has for us
As we cling to our earthly ties:
In Him are pleasures forevermore,
Let go — for Christ satisfies.

“Ultimate success depends on loving things above more than things below!” — Author Unknown

It Will Rub Off on You!
Bill Brinkworth

Little Seymour was dressed in the suit he had to wear for his uncle’s wedding.  Being the ring-bearer, he had to wear what was picked out for him.  In this case, it was an all-white suit.  Even the coat, shirt, pants, socks, and shoes were white.

Like many six-year-olds, he was quite squirmy.  It was impossible for him to sit or even stand still.  Some part of him just had to wiggle or wander — all the time.  

Being unsupervised for just a couple of seconds allowed the child the opportunity to sneak outside on the dreary, rainy day.  Partly out of instinct to be where he should not be, little Seymour found himself close to a very inviting puddle. 

The child’s inquisitiveness led him to investigate if the surrounding mud was “really the kind that is squishy, and the kind you sink into?”  An inspecting finger verified, “Yep, it was squishy”.  Muddied shoes also proved the discovery.

The little mind continued to wonder, “Is the water deep enough to splash really good?  Yep!” A now muddied coat and pants also gave him the answer, as they were now splattered with mud and water.  

Of course, the inevitable happened, and the wearer of white fell face-first in the muddy puddle.  He was not the clean member of the wedding party he was ten minutes prior.

Sin is very much like the mud puddle the little boy investigated, and the child of God is very much like little Seymour.  A born-again person has all their sins forgiven.  If the indwelling, convicting Holy Spirit is obeyed, the believer will have many of the sins he was involved in “cleaned up” in his life.  He may not be perfect, but many of the things he used to do will no longer be part of his life.

Honesty will replace a lying past.  Everyday conversation will no longer include the filthy words that used to be said.  Reading filthy magazines will be replaced by reading the Word of God. 

Sundays may no longer spent guzzling beer with friends, and the believer will regularly be found in a local church learning more about the things of God.  The believer should be a new creature in Christ, and much different from what he was before.
“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

However, a mistake could have been made.  He got too close to sin.  Maybe it was just “one puff” on a cigarette that God had helped him keep away from.  Perhaps it was just a “little sip” of his friend’s beer, or it was not turning the television station he knew he should not be watching on.  Maybe it was his involvement in “just a little sin”, but soon the “cleaned up” Christian found himself in the same mud puddle of sin.

The only prevention from this happening in any believer’s life is to keep away from sin.  Sin will rub off on you!  No one is exempt!  However, sin cannot rub off on you if you are far away from it!
“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13

“Whatever you love more than God is your idol!” — D. L. Moody

Get Far from Evil
Adam Clark

Abstain from all appearance of evil.  Sin not, and avoid even the appearance of it.  Do not drive your morality so near the bounds of evil as to lead even weak persons to believe that ye actually touch, taste, or handle it.  Let not any form of it appear with or among you, much less the substance.  Ye are called to holiness; be ye holy, for God is holy.

 Seek the Better Things
C. H. Spurgeon

Many years ago, there was a crossing-sweeper in Dublin with his broom at the intersection of two roads.  His responsibility was to keep the crossing clean.  He was paid one penny for doing so.

One day, a lawyer put his hand upon his shoulder and said to him, “My good fellow, do you know that you are heir to a fortune of ten thousand pounds a year?”

“Do you mean it?” said the road sweeper.

“I do,” he said.  “I have just received the information.  I am sure you are the man.”

The sweeper walked away from his job, and left his broom behind.  Are you astonished?  Why, who would not have forgotten a broom, when suddenly made possessor of ten thousand pounds a year?  

So, I pray that some poor sinners, who have been thinking of the pleasures of the world, when they hear that there is hope, and that there is Heaven to be had, will forget the deceitful pleasures of sin, and follow after higher and better things.

“This world is not my home!  I’m just passing through.  Thank the Lord.”

The BIBLE VIEW #1013 — Sacrifice

In This Issue:
Why Jesus?
He Gave All He Had
Sacrifice for the Furtherance of the Gospel
Much Was Sacrificed

Volume: 1013   August 11, 2025
Theme:  Sacrifice

Why Jesus?
Bill Brinkworth

While many ascertain “Jesus is the Saviour, “He is God’s son,” or ”He died for our sins,” many do not know why Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross was so essential.   Although having the correct answers about God’s only begotten Son is important, that knowledge alone will not get anyone a place in Heaven.  However, understanding why only Jesus’ death was necessary and trusting His sacrifice can save a sinner from an eternity in Hell.

The first glimpse of why God’s Son would have to die a terrible death on the cruel Cross was shown in the account of mankind’s first sin committed by Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:6).  After judging the two and Satan for diobedience, God had to kill an animal so the people’s nakedness would be covered with the animals’s skin.
“Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.” Ge 3:21”

The death of an innocent animal was the first sacrifice to cover sins.  Its death did not take away Adam and Eve’s sin; it only covered it.  It was temporary, and from then on, other animals were killed to cover the nakedness that followed afterwards.  Blood had to be shed to keep people’s inherited and committed sins covered.

After the flood, Noah built an altar.  He sacrificed innocent animals as an offering to the Lord, who spared them from the ravaging flood.  Blood had to be shed to please the Lord and show their gratitude.
“And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.  21 And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.”  Genesis 8:20-21

Later, Moses, the leader of Israel, was instructed to build the first place of worship.  It was a mobile tent that would be erected wherever God’s people traveled.  As lavish as the tabernacle was, worship of God was not complete unless animal sacrifices were performed.  Again, only the life-giving fluid of innocent animals was given to please God and cover mankind’s iniquities..

In time, the tent was replaced with a permanent Temple in Jerusalem.  The shedding of blood was still needed to please God, as a temporary appeasement for man’s sin.  God would and will not accept anything else to cover man’s iniquities.

The temporary blood sacrifices were performed during much of the Old Testament times.  However, at one point they were missed and at times not performed at all.  There was no “covering” of sins.

Finally, and a need realized from the beginning, God changed the offering of the temporary sin-coverings to one that would be sufficient for the rest of mankind’s time on Earth.  The one-time offering was the blood of God’s only sin-innocent Son, Jesus.

Jesus’ blood sacrifice was for all man’s sins.  The blood of animals was not sufficient to cover one’s sins from God’s memory.  Early animal sacrifices were only to prepare people for the perfect permanent sacrifice for iniquities that God allowed to be sacrificed.
“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12
“And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 10:17

God allowed one sacrifice that would blot out all of one’s sins to be offered.  It, again, included a blood offering from an innocent.  God gave his only born Son, Jesus, to be that sin offering.
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” I Peter 3:18
“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6

For those admitting their sins and trusting Jesus’ death was payment for their sin, His sacrifice is enough to be payment for anyone who believes and asks.  One can be saved from eternal torment.
“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
“And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.” Hebrews 9:15

Good deeds, religious acts, self-denial, and being a nice person are unacceptable offerings that will not pay for the penalty of one’s sins, which is Hell.  According to God’s Word, the only means to have anyone’s sins forgiven is to have innocent blood as payment for one’s 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
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” II Timothy 1:9

Jesus was not just a man who died a cruel death.  He was the only sacrificial offering God will accept as payment for anyone’s iniquities.  Have you admitted you are a sinner deserving of an eternal Hell, and then are convinced that the only way to Heaven is by trusting Jesus’ sacrifice is enough?  Is Jesus your Saviour?

“The sacrifice of Jesus is the true reason for our salvation.” — Spurgeon



He Gave All He Had
Edited from the “Young People’s Weekly”

An account is told of a hero of the Chinese rice fields during an earthquake.  From his hilltop farm, a farmer felt the quake and saw the distant ocean swifly withdrawing from the shoreline like some animal crouching back for a leap.  He knew that the leap would soon be a tidal wave.

In the valleys below, he saw his neighbors working in the low fields that soon would be flooded and where many would perish.  “They must all come up here on the hill to survive,” he thought.

He had an idea that would get the endangered farmers quickly to safety.  His rice barns were dry as tinder.  With a torch, he set them on fire and rang the fire gong.

Soon, his neighbors saw the smoke and rushed to help.  From their safe perch on the hill, they saw the waters cover the fields where they had just left.

They quickly realized that their salvation was due to the quick sacrifice of their considerate neighbor.  He gave his all so that others would be spared.

A monument was erected in memory of his deed.  On the stone  was the motto, “He gave us all he had, and gave it gladly.”  All Christians should also have a similar concern for the souls of  perishing neighbors.

“It is what we give up, not what we lay up, that adds to our lasting store.”
 — Ballon

Sacrifice for the Furtherance of the Gospel
Heart and Life Bulletin

George Atley, a young Englishman with the heart of a hero, was engaged in the Central African Mission.  A party of natives attacked him.

He had with him a Winchester repeating rifle with ten loaded chambers.  The party was completely at his mercy.

Calmly and quickly, he summed up the situation.  He concluded that if he killed them, it would do the mission more harm than if he allowed them to take his life.  As a lamb to the slaughter, he allowed himself to be taken.  When his body was found in the stream, his rifle was also discovered with its ten chambers still loaded.

“One of our greatest concerns should be about the eternal residency  of our neighbors.” — Brinkworth

Much Was Sacrificed
Dr. R. W. Ketchum

Do not be indifferent to Christianity and take it lightly.  It was given to you by the blood of Christ and preserved for you by the blood of martyrs.

For almost the first three hundred years, Christianity was a forbidden religion.  Many of its adherents were publicly whipped and dragged by their heels through the streets until their brains ran out.  Some had their limbs torn off, ears and noses were cut off, and eyes were dug out with sharp sticks or burned out with hot irons.  To some, sharp knives were run under their fingernails.  Melted lead was poured on many.  Others were drowned, beheaded, crucified, ground between stones, torn by wild beasts, smothered in lime kilns, scraped to death by sharp shells, and killed by other horrendous means.

In 1651 in Massachusetts, Reverend Obadiah Holmes was ordered to be whipped by Governor Endicot for holding a prayer meeting in his home.  So severe was the whipping that for days he could lie only by resting  on the tips of his elbows and his knees, and yet when the last lash had fallen, he looked at his tormenters and, through bloodstained lips, cried, “Gentlemen, you have whipped me with roses!”

A redeeming Christ has given you a future filled with hope and joy.  Do not look lightly upon this thing called Christianity, which cost the Son of God His blood, and millions of His followers their lives.

“What is your offering for the cause of Christ.  If we don’t tell or show them,who will?” — Brinkworth

The BIBLE VIEW #1009 — Hard Times

In This Issue:
Reasons for Hard Times
Difficulties One Can Face
Different Temptations
Health Problems

Volume: 1009   June 16, 2025
Theme: Hard Times

Sunday School Teachers & Preachers: There are hundreds of free lessons at http://www.openthoumineeyes.com/lessons.html and http://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/.  One commentary for each New Testament chapter can also be used for lessons at http://www.openthoumineeyes.com/blog/.  You can be assured that all material uses only the KJV (most other Sunday School material from other companies cannot claim that)!

Reasons for Hard Times
Bill Brinkworth

Everyone has difficulties and tribulations at one time or the other.  There is no promise from God that believers are exempt from having hardships.  Ordeals still rain on “the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).

It does not necessarily mean that a person facing some misery is out of the will of God.  Jesus healed a man of blindness in John 9.  Jesus’ disciples asked Him if the man’s blindness was because of some sin he or his parents had committed.  

Christ responded that there was another reason for the man’s infirmity.  It was so God could get the glory in healing the man.  God certainly was honored when the man was able to see.
“Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” John 9:3

There can be many other reasons why a person may be going through hard times.  According to God’s Word, they can include:

  • To move a person to where God wants him or to change that person for future use, as in the story of Joseph.
  • To strengthen a person, as in the story of Job.
  • To separate a person from things God wants him separated from, as in the story of Noah.
  • To teach a person a lesson he needs to learn, as in the stories of Jonah and David.
  • To get that person close to and reliant on God, as in the story of Lazarus.

Not all trials are God’s wrath on a person.  Much of the time, life’s difficulties are a loving God’s intervention in a person’s life for their best!

“Your disappointments may be God’s appointments.”

Difficulties One Can Face
Bill Brinkworth

When we get saved, we are expected to serve the Lord who saved us.  We are not to sit and just soak up God’s goodness. 

We should do as the  Lord commands us: to go and tell others the messages from God’s Word, spiritually feed ourselves, have a relationship with the Lord, and do whatever else the Lord lays on our hearts.  To some, these seem to be simple tasks, but many know those “simple” things can cause us a lot of grief when we try to do them.

The Scripture in Matthew 10 tells the disciples that Jesus had just explained their responsibilities.  They were warned that it would not be easy to tell others what they had learned from Christ. 

Although it was addressed to the disciples reaching Israel, there is much that they faced that if we try to live and do right, we can also expect to deal with, including persecution and resistance.  Here are some of the things that we can expect in our lives if we strive to be good Christians and do what we are told:

  • Some will not receive the message of the Scriptures (vs. 14).  Not everyone will jump for joy when they are told what the Word of God says.  We probably were not excited the first time we heard the truths from God’s Word either.
  • There will be problems from the “religious.”  Not everyone who has a “form of godliness” is a Christian.  It was a religious group that tried the hardest to silence Christ.  They did not want anyone exposing that their “religion” was contrary to what was taught in the Bible (vss. 16-17).  

    Many of the “religious” today also do not want to hear the truth.  They choose to believe only their traditions and interpretations.
  • The secular government will oppose many efforts to reach the world with the government of God.  After all, many government officials think their rules and laws are what the world needs.  They do not understand how a good Christian life can solve man’s needs and problems.  The government was much involved in Jesus’ murder.
  • There may be conflicts in a family when a member gets saved and lives differently than one did before (vs. 21).
  • A Christian may be hated for how he lives (vs. 22).  It’s amazing how the world “understands” and tolerates criminals, but those living right often get more criticism and hatred than those purposely doing wrong. 

    Perhaps it is the godly example that convicts and troubles their consciences.  The only way they can silence their troubled convictions is to get rid of the messenger rather than change themselves!

It was difficult for these men to stand and live for Christ.  It is not easy today, which is probably why so many do not do it.  Many quit when the going gets tough!  One cannot “quit” being a Christian if one is one.  He can only stop being a good testimony of a living God.

“Following God’s directions are the only way to get safely home.”

Different Temptations
Bill Brinkworth

James, who many believe to be the brother of Jesus, gives practical advice in his writing in James 1. One of the most sensible and oft-visited situations for all people, including believers, is discussed here.  The “good” side of going through difficulties is examined in verses 2-6.

James identifies the difficulties, trials, and enticements all face as “divers temptations.”  Although most initially shudder at even the thought of going through different problems, James exposes what can be positively gained by going through our individual “valleys.”  Instead of agreeing on how terrible it is to have problems, James encourages Christians to “… count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;” (vs. 2).

How could anyone be joyful when facing joblessness, heartaches, financial problems, family problems, or the thousands of difficulties we all face in our lifetime?  James tells us we can be “joyful” because:

  • The trying of our faith during the hard times builds our patience (vs. 3).  Since there usually is not much we can do but wait until the trial passes, we learn to patiently wait and trust in the Lord during those hard times.
  • The practical lessons on patience we learn build a good Christian into a “tested” believer.  Most of us have some person in our life that we have observed as more spiritual than ourselves.  We are often amazed at how cool, calm, and patient they are when they face difficulties. 

    They did not wake up one morning and decide to be patient for the rest of their lives.  They got that way because they went through hard times, got close to God, and saw that His help was sufficient to deliver and guide them.  The next time they faced an unfavorable situation, they remembered all He had done in the past and did not get frazzled.  Their learned patience (vs. 4) built their character and trust in the Lord.
  • When we go through a “temptation,” we go to the Lord in prayer more than we ever had before.  In doing so, we get closer to the Lord, see how He supplies wisdom on handling our trial (vs. 5), and have the potential to increase our faith.

Trials and tribulations are not something anyone desires to go through, but after going through many of them and drawing close to God during those times, we can learn that they are not so bad.  The valley of “temptation” can be joyous as our God guides us through the treacherous pathways. 

“… for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”  Nehemiah 8:10

Health Problems
Bill Brinkworth

Paul was a man used greatly by God.  With God’s helping hand, that evangelist survived shipwrecks, beatings, persecutions, imprisonments, and other ill-treatment.  With God’s miraculous help, that man was used in healings, revivals, and many miracles.  However, as used of God as he was, Paul still had a personal ailment (II Cor. 12:7)

Commentators have strained at attempting to name Paul’s “thorn in the flesh.”  God has chosen not to make it clear to us what it was.  

No matter what it was, Paul made it clear that it was an infirmity he faced.  Three times Paul pleaded with God to remove the malady from him (II Cor. 12:8).  God’s answer was “…My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness …” (II Cor. 12:9).

Here was a man who had seen glorious things in the third Heaven (II Cor. 12:2-4) and had been delivered from many horrible things, yet God wanted Paul to experience this physical problem.  God could have easily healed his body, but His answer was that God’s grace was enough for him to live with the problem and that Paul’s infirmity would be a vehicle to make him spiritually stronger.

If God would allow one of His great spiritual warriors to face such a battle, we should not be surprised if we face problems.  As with most trials, we can do one of two things when going through testing.  We can either shake our fists at God and be angry with him, which is not the wise thing to do when we need Him the most, or get close to Him and rely on Him to get us through the struggle.

Paul chose not to be foolish and get angry at God.  He decided that if God allowed him to go through the problem, he would have a good attitude about it (II Cor. 12:10) and give Him the glory.  In doing so, Paul learned exactly what God wanted him to get out of the situation: that when he was weak, he was the strongest through God’s help (vs. 10)!

“Some cry, ‘Why me?’ when they go through a trial.  My question to them is, ‘Why wouldn’t it be you?  Are you something special that you are the only person in the world that shouldn’t have problems or sicknesses?’”

The BIBLE VIEW #1005 — Trust the Lord

In This Issue:
An Unreliable Foundation
Give God the Rudder

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

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

An Unreliable Foundation
Bill Brinkworth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

God certainly knows we are sinners.  Our confession of our guilt shows God that we are humbling ourselves and admitting our failure in doing it our way rather than His.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9

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

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

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

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

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



Give God the Rudder
C. H. Spurgeon

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

“Oh!  Yes,” said he, “I do.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The BIBLE VIEW #999 — Priorities

In This Issue:
Not As Important As You Think
Our Important Testimony
Beware of Covetousness

Volume: 999    March 31, 2025
Theme:  Priorities

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

Read what readers have said about the e-mailed devotion at
https://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/what-readers-say


Not As Important As You Think
Bill Brinkworth

Many are concerned about things that often are not as important as believed.  As Christians, we need to be concerned about the priorities God desires us to have and make what He deems relevant important to us.

Webster defines “vanity” as “emptiness; want of substance to satisfy desire; fruitless desire or endeavor; trifling labor that produces no good; empty pleasure; vain pursuit.” Vanity is a concern for things that are not that important.  “Vain” is similar in that it is defined as “worthless, having no substance, empty, and unsatisfying.” Many times, vain interests get more energy and concern than they deserve.

Here is a brief study on what the Bible classifies as “vanity” and “vain” in hopes that more Christians will realize what is truly important and what is not essential (vain) in God’s eyes:

What the Bible calls “vain”:

  • Ideas and popular trends of the world are vain.  
    “And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that were round about them, concerning whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.” II Kings 17:15
    “They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.” Psalm 12:2
  • The “end justifies the means” philosophy is vain.  
    “The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a vanity tossed to and fro of them that seek death.” Proverbs 21:6
  • The wages of sin are vain.  
    “He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.” Proverbs 22:8
  • The love of money is vain.  
    “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity.” Ecclesiastes 5:10
  • Foolish desires of youth can be vain.  
    “Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.” Ecclesiastes 11:10
  • Nations against God are vain.  
    “All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.” Isaiah 40:17
  • Ungodly wisdom of judges is vain.  
    “That bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity.” Isaiah 40:23
  • Good works without salvation are vain.  
    “Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.” Isaiah 41:29
  • False religion is vain.  
    “For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd.” Zechariah 10:2
  • Prideful wisdom is vain.  
    “For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.” II Peter 2:18
  • Cursing is vain.  God’s name should never be used lightly and without respect.  
    “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7
  • Over-beautifying the flesh is vain.  
    “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” Proverb 31:30
  • Customs and traditions are vain, especially religious ones.  
    “Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them.  For the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.” Jeremiah 10:2-3
  • Philosophies of men are vain.  
    “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:9
  • Religion without Christ is vain.  
    “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” I Corithians 15:14 Also: Titus 3:9, II Timothy 3:5-7.


What Is Not Vanity:

  • Hard work is not vanity.  
    “Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.” Proverb 13:11
  • A godly stand is not vanity.  
    “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,” Ephesians 4:17
  • Fear of the Lord is not vanity.  
    “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” Proverb 31:30
  • God’s creations are not vanity.  
    “For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:18


The best word to define both “vanity” and “vain” is “emptiness.” No matter how much time and energy one spends on vain things, the results will be nothing of value.  God has so much more to offer you than “emptiness”.  Fill yourself with the desires of God.  They will have value that will last forever.

“A man is rich based on what he is, not what he has!” — Author Unknown


Our Important Testimony
Bill Brinkworth

One of the most valuable assets a Christian can have is one’s testimony.  What others think of him is often what they see him do, how he reacts in certain situations, and how they believe a Christian should live (although their views may not always be accurate).  Paul gave some advice on how to preserve that testimony in Ephesians 4.  Some of his advice included:

  • Do not live like the rest of the world and put the wrong value on things that are not that important (vs. 17-18).
  • Do not lust after things of this world and be consumed with greed for them (vs. 19).
  • Do not let your conversation with others be about lust for this world’s things (vs. 22).
  • Live a righteous life and strive to be a good example (vs. 24).
  • Let your conversation be honest, and do not lie (vs. 25).
  • If you get angry, get it right with those involved before the sun goes down (vs. 26).
  • Do not get close to sin, and allow the devil to destroy your testimony (vs. 27).
  • Do not steal; work hard for what you want (vs. 28).
  • Be careful of the words you utter, making sure what you say helps others (vs. 29).
  • Do not sadden the indwelling Holy Spirit by sinning (vs. 30).
  • Do not allow the sins of bitterness, violence, anger, and evil speaking to be part of your life (vs. 31).
  • Be kind to others (vs. 32).

As hard as we try, some will always see our example wrongly, no matter how we adhere to the above advice and other godly principles.  Although it is impossible to please all the people all the time, we are responsible for trying to have the best testimony we can.  Our example is not so much about what others think about us but what others think about Christ from our example.  We are often all the unsaved will ever know about Christ.  Will they determine that they do not want to be a Christian because of what is observed in our behavior, or will they consider being one because of how we live our lives?

“Your walk talks louder than your talk talks.” — Author Unknown

Beware of Covetousness
C. H. Spurgeon

Beware of covetousness.  It is one of the most insidious of all sins.

Covetousness is like the silting of a river.  As the stream flows down, it brings sand and earth and deposits all these at its mouth.  Soon, unless cleared and dug out, it will block itself, leaving no channel for ships to travel.  Daily deposits create a sandbar, which is dangerous to navigation.

Many people, when accumulating wealth, ruin their lives similarly.  The more that is acquired, the more closely one’s spiritual life is blocked.  Instead of doing more for God, a person does less.  The things of this world get in the way.  The more that is saved, the more that is wanted, and the more that is wanted, the less one cares for the world to come.

“The greatest deception is to equate success with wealth.” — Author Unknown

The BIBLE VIEW #998 — Assorted

In This Issue:
A Failure?
Appearance of Evil
The Lament of a Backslider
Doing It on Their Own
A Good Example
A Burden for Others
Christ, Forever

Volume: 998    March 24, 2025
Theme:  Assorted

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


Read what readers have said about the e-mailed devotion at
https://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/what-readers-say


A Failure?
Cameron

Many years ago a merchant’s business had failed.  He went home greatly upset.

“What is the matter?” asked his wife.

“I am ruined.  I will be a beggar.  I have lost it all!” he exclaimed, pressing his hands upon his forehead.

“All?” said his wife.  “No.  I am left.”

“Papa?” questioned his eldest boy.  “Here I am!”

“And I, too,” piped in his little girl, running up and putting her arms around his neck.

“I’m not lost, papa,” repeated Eddy.

“And you have your health left,” reminded his wife.

“And your hands to work with,” said the eldest, “and I can help you.”

“And your two feet, papa, to carry you about, and your two eyes to see with, papa,” chimed in Eddie.

“And you have God’s promises,” added grandmother.

“And a good God,” added his wife.

“And a Heaven to go to,” said his little girl.

“And Jesus who came to fetch us there,” said his eldest.

“God forgive me!” said the poor merchant, bursting into tears.  “I have not lost it all.  What I have lost is nothing compared to what I have,” and he took comfort and began the world afresh.

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

Appearance of Evil
John Bate

A thing may have the appearance of wrong-doing and not be evil in itself, just as an apple may have the appearance of sweetness and soundness and yet be both sour and rotten.  Why, then, are we to abstain from the “appearance of evil”?

  1. Because most judge by the appearance and would therefore judge us wrongfully.
  2. Because in this judgment, our characters would be damaged and Christianity be defamed.
  3. Because by following the appearance of doing something wrong, we would promote and encourage evil.
  4. Because we are positively commanded to keep from even looking like we are doing something sinful.
  5. Because it is directly inconsistent with the good we profess we do.
  6. Because by abstaining from even looking like we are doing something wrong, we do not appear as hypocrites.

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



The Lament of a Backslider
Author Unknown

Where is the Saviour now,
Whose smiles I once possessed?
Till He return, I bow,
By heavy grief oppressed.
My days of happiness are gone,
And I am left to weep alone.

Where can the mourner go,
And tell his tale of grief?
Ah, who can soothe his woe,
Ah, who can give relief?
Earth cannot heal the wounded breast
Or give the troubled conscience rest.

Jesus, Thy smiles impart;
My gracious Lord, return,
Bind up my broken heart
And bid me cease to mourn;
Then shall this night of sorrow flee,
And peace from Heaven be found in Thee.


Doing It on Their Own
H. W. Beecher

Many say, “I can find God without the help of the Bible, church, or minister.”  Very well.  Do so if you can. 

The ferry company would feel no jealousy of a man who should prefer to swim to New York City rather than ride in their ferry.  Let him do so if he is able, and we will talk about it on the other shore, but probably trying to swim would be the thing that would bring him quickest to the boat.  So God would have no jealousy of a man’s going to Heaven without the aid of the Bible, church, or minister, but let him try to do so. It will be the surest way to return him to the three helpers for assistance.



A Good Example
Author Unknown

A chaplain told this story of a young soldier who consulted with a question of Christian duty.  “Last night,” said the young man, “in my barrack, before going into bed, I knelt and prayed in a low voice when suddenly my comrades threw their boots at me and laughed.”

“Well,” replied the chaplain, “suppose you defer your prayer until you get into bed and then silently lift your heart to God?”

A week or two afterwards, the young soldier called again.  “Well,” said the chaplain, “you took my advice, I suppose?  How has it gone?”

“Sir,” he answered, “I did  take your advice for one or two nights, but I began to think it looked rather like I was denying my Saviour. I once more knelt at my bedside and prayed in a low whisper as before.”

“And what happened?”

“Not one of them laughs now, sir. The whole fifteen kneel and pray, too.”

“I felt ashamed,” added the chaplain in narrating the story, “of the advice I had given him.  That young man was both wiser and bolder than I was.”

“A good example has twice the value of good advice.” — Author Unknown




A Burden for Others
K. Arvine

Ancient history records that a city was besieged and, at length, obliged to surrender.  In that city, there were two brothers who had, in some way, obliged the conquering general and, because of this, received permission to leave the city before it was destroyed, taking with them as much of their property as each could carry.  Accordingly, the two generous youths appeared at the city gates, one carrying their father, and the other their mother.

If we could all be as generous and burdened as those brothers after we get saved, we would be concerned to tell as many family members, friends, and neighbors as possible about the way to Heaven.  More would be Heaven bound from our efforts! 


Christ, Forever
S. Coley

When King Ptolemy built Pharos he wanted his name upon it.  Sostratus, the architect, did not think that the king, who only paid the money for its construction, should get all the credit while he had none.  Sostratus put the king’s name on the front of the structure in plaster, but underneath, in the eternal granite, the architect had his name chiseled deep into the stone.

The sea dashed against the plaster and chipped it off bit by bit.  It lasted out the time of Ptolemy, but by and by, the plaster was chipped away, and there stood the name “Sostratus”.

I am not sure that there are not “waves” that will chip off all human names from the true church that Christ built.  I am sure that the one name of Christ shall last forever after all others fade away.

The BIBLE VIEW #997 — Encouragement

In This Issue:
The Brake Is On!
Assurance
“I Have Nothing to Complain About!”
Christ, Our Banner
Prepare for the Daily Battle


Volume: 997    March 14, 2025
Theme:  Encouragement

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


Read what readers have said about the e-mailed devotion at
https://www.devotionsfromthebible.com/what-readers-say/


The Brake Is On!
Bill Brinkworth

“Yippee” was the feeling of glee the young driver felt.  It was the first time for her to drive after she got her license.  All those school classes on driver safety, reading and reciting that boring driver’s manual were finished, and now the moment of freedom was not far away.  She could go anywhere daddy’s car would take her.

“Well, what’s the first thing I should do? Check the driver’s mirror.  Check.  Check the rear-view mirror.  Oops, my lipstick needs a little more on the top lip.  Double-check.  Adjust seat.  Put on the seat belt.  Check.  Put the key in, and turn it on.”  A little burst of excitement made her smile as she was seconds from a world she had wanted to enter for way too long.  “Put it in drive, and away we go,” she giggled.  This was it.  “A little bit on the accelerator, and?”

The car would not move.  “Maybe a little more gas?”  The car inched forward, lurching and jerking.  It did not want to cooperate.  “Hmm.  What didn’t I do?”  The novice driver double-checked everything she had done so many times before.

More gas, and still the car lurched forward.  “Something is wrong here,” she concluded.  “I had better check with Dad.”  As she put the car in park, turned off the ignition, and prepared to leave the vehicle, something caught her eye.  Someone had left the emergency brake on.  Again, she restarted the car, removed the emergency brake, put it in gear, applied the gas, and she was off.  The brake made it almost impossible for her to get anywhere!

In church, there also may be securely applied brakes that keep many from going forward for God.  The appliers of the brake often mean well, but sometimes, they unintentionally restrict others from moving smoothly forward in Christian service.

These “brakes” are often:

  • Unkind, unthought-out words such as, “We ain’t done it that way before,” “That’s not how we do it around here,” “When you’ve been saved as long as I have, you’ll know better,” and “I’d never do it that way.”  Although there should be proper ways to do things, since any ministry is representing the church, too often we can deflate one’s enthusiasm to move forward for God because of unedifying, self-purposing, wrong words.
  • Very few attend church-wide events such as church, prayer meetings, visitation, church dinners, or other church functions.  Lack of attendance instantly sends a message to those who attend that they are not like anyone else, and maybe they are “taking this “Christian” thing too seriously.”  Immediately, their zeal is quenched, and they soon could become one more Christian who is sitting and not serving.
  • The longstanding members and leaders do not attend church regularly.  New converts and visitors see their lack of support for the ministry and instantly halt their zeal in attending.  “Well, if they’re not coming, then maybe it is not important for me to attend all the time,” could be their thoughts.
  • Members are late.  Lateness gives a clear impression of the importance of attendance.  One would not think of being late for school or work because it is essential.  Church attendance is also important!
  • Complaining and murmuring among members magnifies to the on-looker that maybe this is not a happy church family.  It also does not help when someone in public prayer makes it clear that they are not satisfied with something that is going on in the church.  Under the guise of spirituality, it is sometimes prayed aloud, “Please pray for Brother So-and-so that he will get his heart right and stop lying,” or some other cutting remark about a situation.  Those cowardly attacks never do anything positive; they only increase discord and hurt feelings.  No one is usually fooled and realizes that the person is venting his opinion about how they think people or situations should be dealt with in the church. 

    The Holy Spirit should handle most situations and not us!  If we need to ensure the matter is handled, it should be dealt with first on a one-to-one basis (Matthew 18:15-17)!



There are enough obstacles in serving the Lord without discouraging others, intentionally or unintentionally.  The work is great, and so is the battle (Ephesians 6:12).

There is more said in the Bible about encouraging others and ourselves than there is in our being volunteer holy spirits, and our telling others how to serve God.  The real Holy Spirit can certainly do a better job in speaking to hearts and guiding one in the way He would like it done.  We need to be more like accelerators, and less often “brakes”!

“If you are busy rowing the boat, you won’t have time to rock it!”

Assurance
Author Unknown

Pelopidas, when informed that the number of the enemy was double that of his army, replied, “So much the better.  We shall conquer so many the more.” His intelligent self-assurance was more powerful than a thousand spears.

“It takes little intelligence, character, or spirituality to criticize.  However, it does take all three to encourage others!”  

“I Have Nothing to Complain About!”
Bill Brinkworth

One of our favorite blessings in the nursing home ministry is L.  We asked her the other day how she was, and she cheerfully replied, “Brother Bill, I’d like to complain about something, but I honestly cannot find anything to complain about.” 

Another time, when asked what she was thankful for, she quipped, “I am so thankful for my health.”   She meant this from her heart, as she sat in her wheelchair receiving oxygen much of the day and needing the care provided for her by the nursing home.

What a testimony she is to us who have so much more, but complain too often about our “little” afflictions.

“The men who are lifting the world upward and onward are those who encourage more than they criticize.”  — Elizabeth Harrison

Christ, Our Banner

C. H. Spurgeon

The army’s banner was a source of consolation to the wounded.  There he lies, the good knight.  Well has he fought without fear and without reproach.  A chance arrow pierced the joints of his harness, and his life is oozing out from the ghastly wound.  

No one is there to unbuckle his helmet or give him a draught of cooling water.  His frame is locked up in that hard case of steel, and though he feels the smart from the wound, he cannot gain the remedy.  He hears the cries, the mingled cries, the hoarse shouts of men that rush in fury against their fellows, and he opens his eyes as yet he has not fainted with his bleeding.  Where, think you, does he look?  He turns himself around.  What is he looking for?  For friend?  For comrade?  No.

Should they come to him, he would say, “Just lift me, and let me sit against that tree awhile and bleed here, but go you to the fight.”

Where is that restless eye searching, and what object is it looking for?  Yes, he has it, and the face of the dying man is brightened.  He sees the banner still waving, and with his last breath, he cries, “On!  On!  On!”  He falls asleep content because his troop’s banner is safe.  It has not been cast down.  Though he has lost, the flag is secure.

Even so, every true soldier of the Cross rejoices in its triumph.  We fall, but Christ does not.  We die, but the cause prospers.  When my heart was most sad, sad as it never was before nor since, that sweet text, “Him hath God the Father exalted, and given him a name that is above every name,” immensely cheered my soul and set me again in peace and comfort.  Our banner is still flying, and there is hope!

Prepare for the Daily Battle!

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  12 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.  13 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.  14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Ephesians 6:10-18