Tag: Christian Life

The BIBLE VIEW #934 — Godly Women

In This Issue:
A Godly Example
The Virtuous Woman
The Ephesians 5 Husband and Wife  

Volume: 934     November 27, 2023
Theme: Godly Women

Read the FREE typeset version of this newsletter at https://openthoumineeyes.com/newsletters.html (Click on #934).  Use it for your church bulletin inserts or as a ministry handout.

A Godly Example
Bill Brinkworth

Mary, Jesus’ mother, was a remarkable woman God could use.  Luke 1 speaks much of this willing servant God used mightily.

Here are some of what the Bible says about Mary, the mother of Jesus:

  • God had planned to use Mary long before she was born.  She was from the lineage of King David, which was the line where the prophesied Messiah would be born. 
  • She was obedient in relations with men. She remained a virgin before she was married (Luke 1:27, 34).
  • God saw she had a good testimony. She was highly favored in His eyes (Luke 1:28, 30).
  • God had unique plans for her.  She was going to have a child in a special way that would require her to have a good character and testimony (Luke 1:31).
  • God would use her child, Jesus (Luke 1:32, 35).
  • Mary was obedient. She was willing to do whatever the Lord required (Luke 1:38, 46).
  • Mary was humble. She did not think highly of herself (Luke 1:48). She would be angered at how people venerate her above Christ in some religions.
  • Mary admitted that God had done great things through her (Luke 1:49).
  • She knew about God’s mercy (Luke 1:50).
  • She knew about the mighty things God had done, His power, and His provision (Luke 1:51-53).
  • She understood the Bible (Luke 1:54-55).
  • She intended to marry a godly, obedient, hard-working man, Joseph, who paid his taxes and obeyed the law (Luke 2:4-5). 
  • She humbly accepted what God allowed her to go through. She was willing to go through hard times and not complain about it. She had her baby in a barn (Luke 2:7).
  • Mary had at least four sons and two daughters (Mark 6:3) after Jesus was born.
  • Mary needed a Saviour. If she were the mother of God, as the Catholic church claims, she would not have needed a Saviour. She was a woman that God could trust to do His will.
    “And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.” Luke 1:46-47

Mary was a godly vessel that God could use.  Although no one will ever be used in the way she was, all can be used for God’s glory if we obey and allow Him to use us.


The Virtuous Woman
Bill Brinkworth

Throughout the Bible, there is much advice given from father to son.  Proverbs 31, however, relays a mother’s counsel to her boy.

Most likely, King Lemuel was a godly leader, as his name means “belonging to God.”  His mother advised the King on how to continue to be a strong leader (Proverbs 31:3-9).

The mother helped her son know the important values to consider when picking the right wife.  She knew a wife could make or break a man’s and family’s success.  In the rest of the chapter, she helps him with one of the most crucial decisions in his life.

The mother’s advice did not include picking a woman for her beauty and sex appeal.  She suggested picking a woman who would be faithful to her husband, a hard worker, pure, moral, and industrious.

A good wife should be “virtuous.” Beauty will change (Proverbs 31:30), but good character and morality will last a lifetime and benefit many.
“Who can find a virtuous woman?  for her price is far above rubies.” Proverbs 31:10

Virtuous: practitioner of duty, accomplished, and moral

According to this Proverb, a virtuous woman:

  • Can be relied upon and trusted (Proverbs 31:11).
  • Will do a husband good and make him a better man (Proverbs 31:12, 23).
  • Will be industrious, always helping and providing for her husband and family (Proverbs 31:13-15, 17, 27).
  • Will look to meet not only the family’s current needs but what will benefit them in the future (Proverbs 31:16, 21).
  • Is a hard worker (Proverbs 31:18-19, 24, 27).
  • Is kind, even to those outside her family (Proverbs 31:20, 26).
  • Provides for her own needs (Proverbs 31:22).
  • Is honorable and has a strong character (Proverbs 31:25).
  • Is wise (Proverbs 31:26).
  • Is respected and relied on by her family (Proverbs 31:28).
  • Is godly (Proverbs 31:30).

This type of woman was not uncommon in the past.  Today, perhaps because of the changed values of women in the 1970s, they are not as prevalent. 

Unfortunately, it has been drummed into many women’s minds that they can do better than being stay-at-home mothers and wives.  Many have been brainwashed into believing being a housewife is beneath them and they should seek a career in which they are worthy and is more important.

Being a wife and mother is not a menial task.  The incredible abilities and responsibilities given to women are the backbone of a family and nation.  It is the mother who can mold young lives and strengthen families and, eventually, even society.  She is the silent strength and selfless worker who may not get much limelight, but without her families and society stumble and crumble, as can be seen today. 

Despite what the “unisex” movement tried to convince women to believe, men and women are different.  Women have strengths and abilities that a man does not have.  Vice versa, a man can do things a woman cannot.  It does not imply that one sex is better than the other.  Instead of changing their created purpose and trying to be what they are not, society would benefit if the sexes would again not be confused about their strengths and gifts and fulfill the purpose and unique abilities God has given them.

Since the confusion of the sexes proliferated, the divorce rate has skyrocketed.  Many children now come from “broken” homes.  Males and females are confused about who and what they are.  An increasing number of couples are living together unmarried.  Many children do not even know who their parents are.  “Know-better-than-God” and making their own social guidelines have not worked!  Humanity is suffering greatly.

Man and woman must return to living the way God wants them to and be the man or woman He desires them to be.  Men and women, especially those who want to please God, should be virtuous, content, and proud of who they are and be the best they can be!


The Ephesians 5 Husband and Wife
Bill Brinkowrth

“Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.  22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.  23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.  24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.  25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it … 28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies.  He that loveth his wife loveth himself.  29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: … 31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. … 33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.” Eph. 5:21-33

Ephesian 5 discusses a subject that bristles the hair on the back of many necks. It takes a position that has been hated and rebelled against for generations.  Unfortunately, the refusal to follow God’s commandments in this area has resulted in a divorce rate of nearly 50%.  In Ephesians 5:21-33, Paul discusses submissiveness between a married man and a woman.

According to Noah Webster, submitting is yielding or surrendering to an authority.  The first surrendering to an authority discussed in those verses is for both husband and wife to concede to each other (vs. 21) because they respect God’s commandments! 

They are to submit to each other because God tells them to, and they should know God’s way is always best. God ordained the union between man and woman, so He knows how it will work.  No other way will be successful!

A wife is to submit to her husband (vs. 22).  When she is humbling herself to do so, she is doing it “unto the Lord.”  What a step of faith it takes for a wife to trust the Lord that way.

I am sure most women shudder at that point, thinking about all kinds of situations: “What happens if I submit to him, and my husband mistreats me?”; “What happens if I let him be the authority and decision-maker, and he makes wrong decisions?”; “What happens if I don’t get my say?” and countless other scenarios.

Those situations could happen if the husband does not hold up his commitments.  That is why it is so vital that marriage is between believers (II Cor. 6:14).  However, there are no retractions for bad decisions in marriage partners in God’s Word.  No matter the spiritual status, one is still committed to holding up his part of the marriage, as the Lord commands.

There are many marriage failures because couples did not adhere to God’s way but rather try to cohabit the way “everyone else is doing it”. When a marriage fails, it is usually because someone is not holding up their end of God’s commandments.

Submission in a marriage is not just the wife’s responsibility. The husband also has a part in making a marriage work. His part is not just surrendering to his wife, but he is to love his wife as Christ loves His church (vs. 25) and as much as he loves his own body (vs. 28, 33).  One should not want to do wrong to his body, so he must only want to do what is right and best for his wife.

Marriage is a picture of Christ (vss. 23, 25, 27, 32) submitting His body to die for man’s sins. Jesus submitted to His Father and allowed Himself to be payment for our iniquities.  As we submit ourselves to Christ, we should also submit ourselves to each other. God’s way works! 

“The husband should be the ‘houseband,’ binding all together like a cornerstone, but not crushing everything like a millstone.”  — Spurgeon

The BIBLE VIEW #931 — Christian Examples

In This Issue:
Be A Worthy Example
A Christian Home
An Encouraging Example
An Encouraging, Cleaned Example
Showing Hope and Love

Volume: 931     November 6, 2023
Theme: Christian Example

Read the FREE typeset version of this newsletter at https://openthoumineeyes.com/newsletters.html (Click on #931).  Use it for your church bulletin inserts or as a ministry handout.

Be A Worthy Example
Bill Brinkworth

“Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: 9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.” II Thessalonians 3:8-9

Every Christian is responsible for a very important task: to be a good Christian example (“ensample”) to others.  Many do not read the Word of God for themselves, have not learned what God has for them to do, and are more reliant on a godly example than they should be.  It is dangerous to their spirituality to totally follow someone else, but it does happen.

For this reason, Paul the Apostle was aware of eyes attuned to his behavior and actions.  He wrote some important points to be “… an ensample unto you to follow …”.  In II Thes. 3, he pointed some of them out:

  1. That obedience and understanding of God’s Word would be seen in his life, and God would get the glory.  If we are a godly example for someone, it should always be God and His work that get the glory, not us!
    “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:” II Thes. 3:1
  2. Keep your distance from others who are not doing right (“disorderly”), even if they are Christians (“brethren”).  He defines “disorderly” in verse 11 as those who are lazy and not working and those who are meddling in other people’s business (“busybodies”).  Association with those types of people may give others the impression that you are also like the crowd you are with.
    “Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.” II Thes. 3:6
  3. Do not stop living and doing right.  Others around you, even Christians, may be acting worldly, not obeying God, or not involved in reaching others for Christ, but that is no reason for you to abandon your post!  Keep on keepin’ on, no matter what others are doing.  Do not tire of doing it alone.
    “But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.” II Thes. 3:13

It would be better for all if each Christian faithfully read God’s Word and obeyed all that he is shown but not many do that.  They often follow the actions and behavior of those they associate with.  With this reality in mind, our responsibility to be a proper, godly “ensample” is thrust on us.  Lead those who are watching or following your example down the right path.  There are eyes on your testimony — constantly!

“A godly, virtuous man shines the purity of his righteous life.  He is a lighthouse set by the sea-side, whereby mariners sail safely and avoid danger because of his light.  But, he that lives in sin is a false lantern, which shipwrecks those that trust him and follow his example.”  — Fellthan, 1668


A Christian Home
D. L. Moody

A godly house should be the best proof of true Christianity.  It is not my church; it is my house that knows me best.  It is not my pastor; it is my home companion who can best judge me.  It is the servant, the child, the wife, and the friend that can discern most of my real character.

A good man will improve his household.  Rowland Hill once said he would not believe a man to be a faithful Christian if his wife, children, servants, and even the dog and cat were not the better for it.  That is being a good Christian.

If your household is not the better for your Christianity, if men cannot say, “This is a better house than others,” then be not deceived; ye have nothing of the grace of God.  

Let not your servant on leaving your employ, say, “Well, this is an odd sort of a Christian family.  There was no prayer in the morning, and I saw no prayer at night.  I was kept at their home all Sunday working.  Once a fortnight, perhaps, I was allowed to go out in the afternoon when there was nowhere for them to go so that I could hear a Gospel sermon.  My master and mistress went to a place where they heard the blessed Gospel of God; as for me, I had to work.”

Surely, Christians should not act that way.  Carry out your godliness throughout your home.

An Encouraging Example
Bates, 1625-1699

Precepts instruct us what our duty is, but examples assure us they are possible.  Examples resemble a clear stream wherein we may not only discover our spots and sins but also be encouraged to wash and clean them.

When we see men like ourselves, united to frail flesh and in the same condition as us, but they overcome the most glorious and glittering temptations, we are encouraged in our spiritual warfare.  We are encouraged that we, too, can get the victory over such temptations and sin.

“Men can ‘live’ long after they are dead.  They can outlive their memory and may be more enduring than any monument of brass or marble.

“Their example may be like the circles rising around a sinking stone.  The waves it makes grow wider and wider, embracing a larger and larger sphere, until it dies in gentle wavelets on a distant beach.  Likewise, your example can also reach a distant time.  Take care, then, how you live now.” —Guthrie

An Encouraging, Cleaned Example
Talmage

A child from a filthy home was taught at school to wash his face.  He went home so much improved in appearance that his mother scrubbed her face.  When the father came home and saw the improvement in domestic appearances, he also cleaned his face.

The visiting neighbors also saw the change and tried the same experiment until all on that street were cleansed.  The next street copied their example.  Soon, the whole city felt the result of one schoolboy washing his face.

This tale illustrates the best way for the world to be washed of its sins and pollution.  It can start by cleansing our hearts and lives.  

A man with grace on his happy face, Christian cheerfulness in his heart, and consistency in his behavior is a sermon that many will see and will impact many lives.  Your godly Christian behavior and attitude will make a difference!

“The flower blossom cannot tell what happens to its fragrance.  Neither can any man tell what becomes of his influence and example.”  — Unknown


Showing Hope and Love
Deb McCoy

Recognizing hope in unexpected places,
Displaying courage and character that shines forth on our faces.
Joy unrestrained in heartfelt authenticity,
Facing challenges without sinking to fleshly complicity.

Persevering by faith against all odds,
Battling exhaustion through the lenses of facades.
’Tis grace that is unleashed from Heaven above,
Telling the story of our Father’s great love.

Beyond the most painful chapters in each of our lives,
We are met by the mercies of God as our hearts He revives.
This pathway of hope strengthens our testimony in the Lord.
Growth and vitality permeate our hearts and minds as we lift up His Sword.

Our commitment to God will reveal our willingness to obey,
May we always be mindful that salvation was costly as on Calvary’s cross He did pay.
Whatever your circumstances, Christ is your truest and most loving friend,
Hope is assured as you receive God’s favor and victoriously run the race to the end.

“One watch kept on time is good to set the time of others.  On the other hand, if one is not on time, it will be a poor example for others to set their time by.  Christian, be careful by whom you set your ‘time’.”  — E. Cook

The BIBLE VIEW #925 — Getting Right with Others

In This Issue:
Get It Right — Immediately!
When Anger Is Sinful
You’re Only Fooling Yourself

Volume: 925     September 25, 2023
Theme: Getting Right with Others

Read the FREE typeset version of this newsletter at https://openthoumineeyes.com/views23/BibleView925.pdf.  Use it for your church bulletin inserts or as a ministry handout.

Get It Right — Immediately!
Bill Brinkworth

“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24 Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.” Matt 5:23-24 

Although much of the Matthew  5:23-24 verses was about another time, the principle of getting right with fellow Christians still applies today.  Getting along with others,  even Christians,  will always be a challenge.

As a church deaf interpreter, I stood before the deaf congregation at the front of the church.  After hearing what the pastor said over my right shoulder, I relayed what God had laid on Pastor Fedena’s heart to the deaf congregation in sign language.

Part of the sermon was about not holding a grudge against another Christian.  Being angry at a brother or sister in Christ will hinder the Holy Spirit from working in one’s life and may keep one from being used by God.  The pastor detailed some examples of how that sin hurts individuals and the church. 

God began to deal with my heart about a grudge I was holding against a man in the church.  The man had offended me, and the smoldering embers of bitterness were rekindled every time I looked at him.

Trying to concentrate on delivering the message to the deaf and remembering my sin soon distracted me.  The pastor’s sermon became more personal and required a decision on my part.  “If God reminds you of a person you have something against, go to him and get it right,” the pastor emphasized.  

As the preacher continued, he made the invitation even more immediate.  “If that person is here, go, get it right now.  Don’t delay!  Go to them and deal with your sin.…”

“Gulp!” That was when the conviction became overwhelming.  I silently argued with the Lord while still interpreting.  “Lord, I can’t do it now.   I’m interpreting.  I’ll do it later….”

The conviction became stronger, and dealing with it immediately seemed inevitable.  It was as if the preacher knew about the sin I had harbored in my heart and was speaking to me personally.  He did not, but it certainly felt like it.  More urges like “… now  … don’t grieve the Holy Spirit … go to that person now … don’t wait another second …” pestered my thinking.

That was it.  I could not take another second of the Holy Spirit’s conviction.  I signed to another nearby interpreter to take over and interpret for me.  After he had taken my position, I looked for the man with whom I was harboring bitterness.  Wouldn’t you know it, he was sitting on the other side of the church and towards the back.

I crossed the front of the church and went down the aisle to the back of the church.  It seemed like all eyes were on me, but I had to get that sin right.  I went to the man and leaned over to speak to him.  Without getting into details and trying not to justify that my reasons were right, I apologized to him for getting angry at him and asked for his forgiveness.  He must have been embarrassed as much as I, but fortunately, he accepted my apology, and the matter was closed. 

I had previously apologized to the Lord, and now I had forgiven the man.  The conviction subsided.  I had done what the Lord told me to do.  Peace returned.

No matter what the other person did or said, it is essential for us not to sin.  If the offender sinned, it should not be a reason for us to do likewise.  However, if we sin, it may require humbling ourselves and getting it right with a family member, child, parent, friend, or acquaintance.  If their sin was greater, that is between them and the Lord.  Our concern should be to keep our slate clean from unconfessed sin.

Is there a person you may have something against?   Perhaps it is a matter that happened a long time ago, but it still gnaws at your memory.  Is that bitter feeling more important than grieving the Holy Spirit by harboring that sin?

If your conviction reminds you of an unsettled matter, now would be a good time to get that sin forgiven by God and right with that person.  You may not have to cross a whole church congregation, but you may have to pick up a phone, write a letter, or even visit that person personally — TODAY!

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.  26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I John 1:9

“If anger is not restrained, it is frequently more hurtful to us than the injury that provokes it.”   — Seneca


When Anger Is Sinful
J. Beaumont, 1871

Anger is a sin:

  • When we are angry with the providence of God.
  • When we are angry with the laws of God.
  • When we are angry at the doctrines taught in the Word of God.
  • When we are angry at the good we see in others.
  • When we are angry with those who differ from us in religious sentiments.
  • When we are angry at reproof.
  • When we wish evil upon our reprover. 

“The sun must not set upon anger; much less will I let the sun set upon the anger of God towards me.”   — Donne

You’re Only Fooling Yourself
Bill Brinkworth

In starting the first of his three letters, John the Apostle bluntly covers two areas many are not completely honest with themselves about.  Those areas are:

  • When people claim to be in fellowship with God but are not!
    “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:” I John 1:6

    Many times folks fool even themselves into believing that they can talk to God, He is listening to them, answering them, and they are in full fellowship even when they are in sin.  They are lying to themselves.  

    It is impossible for a believer to have close fellowship with God when there is sin in their life!  God hates sin, and although people do not lose their salvation when they fall for sin’s enticement, they certainly grieve Him (Ephesians 4:30).  

    That grieving will cost anyone a close relationship with God.  The only remedy for that broken relationship is to turn from sin (Acts 8:22) and again “… walk in the light …” (I John 7).  One should then live in the manner in which God requires.
  • When people claim to have no sin.
    “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” I John 1:8   Also: vs. 10.

    Some consider themselves sin-free.  My grandmother claimed never to have sinned.  She was a good person by man’s standards, but when I approached her with the Bible truth that “… all have sinned …” (Romans 3:23), she insisted that she was not a sinner. 

    I remember her even being insulted that I would even think such a thing about her.  No matter how much I loved my grandmom, she was like the rest of us — a sinner!  She was deceiving herself, and as far as I know, she was never saved because of that deception.

    The only cure for my grandmom, and any other person in that state of not recognizing their sin, is to acknowledge their iniquities and admit them.  Once we realize and confess it to Him, God is “… faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9).  

    However, that first step is the tough part: recognizing oneself as a sinner.  Some know it at a young age, but other folks, such as my grandmom, can go 80 years and still not recognize their sinnership.  One of the most important steps for anyone’s salvation is to first realize they are a sinner.

The most valuable and important thing everyone has is their soul.  Making the decision to be close to God and to go to Heaven rests on their shoulders.  That decision can only be made when one is completely honest with Him, and is willing to do what the Bible commands.

“The wages of sin is death.  There is no minimum wage.”

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 #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 #911 — Thoughtlife

In This Issue:
A Tale of Two Minds
Our Thoughts
As We Think
A Recipe for Health

Volume: 911   June 19, 2023
Theme: Thoughtlife

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A Tale of Two Minds
Bill Brinkworth 

“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

After one is saved, it is often argued that a child of God is “brainwashed. After having a lifetime of being filled with godless, worldly philosophies and unhealthy ideas, most brains need to be washed of unscriptural influences.

When one is saved, he becomes a new creature (II Cor. 5:17) with a new mind.  Examine some of what the Bible says about the new, godly mind:

A godly mind should have desires and thinking similar to Christ’s.  As the acronym WWJD suggests: What would Jesus Do?  What would He do if He were in the situation in which you find yourself?  We should have thinking patterns similar to those of the Son of God.
“For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him?  But we have the mind of Christ.” I Corinthians 2:16

A godly mind wants to please God. 
It shares the desires that God has instilled in it.  An unsaved person cannot experience this.  This is why they do not understand the different thinking of a Christian.
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:” Hebrews 8:10   Also: I Peter 1:13, 3:8.

A godly mind should be an eager, willing one desiring to serve God and follow His leadership.

When Nehemiah took on the task of rebuilding the place to worship God, he was successful because there were people helping him with a mind to work.  Work for God will not grow if people do not desire to work to accomplish the desires He has put in their hearts.
“So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.” Nehemiah 4:6

David had a deep desire to build a place of worship.  Because his background involved much bloodshed, God would not allow him to build the temple.  Solomon, David’s son, could build it, according to God.  David put his energies into getting the materials to build it, so the place of worship could be built.  His godly mindset was to build a place to worship God even if he was not allowed to build it.  The leader was determined to help another construct it.  We need to have similar thinking in accomplishing something for the Lord.

“And David said to Solomon, My son, as for me, it was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God:” I Chronicles 22:7  

A godly mind should be a remembering mind.  This mind remembers the spiritual lessons it was taught.  It is a mind that can hear and understand the words and urgings of God.  It is a spiritually sensitive mindset.

An example is Peter.  Peter was not standing up for Jesus as he should have, but he remembered what he was told.
“And the second time the cock crew.  And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.  And when he thought thereon, he wept.” Mark 14:72    A “remembering” mind can be convicted of God’s will and way.

A godly mind is a “right” mind.  When Jesus healed the demoniac, he put the man in his “right mind.”  This implies there is such a thing as a “wrong mind.”
“And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.” Mark 5:15


Here is how God defines a wrong, ungodly mind:
An ungodly mind is a forgetful mind.  No, I am not referring to the aged mind that forgets what it did yesterday.  I am referring to a mind that chooses not to remember the things of God that it has already learned.  That mindset does not want to hear the convicting voice of God.
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;” Romans 1:28

An ungodly mind is a prideful mind.  King Nebuchadnezzar had such a mind, and God taught him a painful lesson.  The King learned the hard way who was responsible for his success.
“But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him:” Daniel 5:20   Also: Romans 12:16

An ungodly mind is a reprobate mind.  Its thoughts and desires are abandoned to sin.  The commission of sin does not bother one’s conscience.
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;”  Romans 1:28

The world has often influenced an ungodly mind, or it has never had any godly precepts put into it.  It prioritizes the temporary glitter the world offers more than it does living for the Lord and pleasing Him.
“Because the carnal mind is enmity [opposite of friendship] against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Romans 8:7  


Are you a child of God?  If so, there is no guarantee that our minds will have the proper thinking.  We have to guard our thought-life and fill it with godly influences.  As is often said to explain computer data errors, “Garbage in, garbage out!”

Are godly influences going into your mind?  Are you letting that mindset lead you?  Christian, is your mind the mind of Christ He intends it to be?
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” Philippians 2:5

“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” — Proverbs 23:7  


Our Thoughts
War Cry

 Our thoughts make us.  They are the silent builders of the temple of character we are rearing.  They give color and form to the entire building.

If we think properly, we are rearing a fabric whiter than Parian marble.  If our thoughts are evil, the fabric rising within us is blemished.

The inner and the outer life will always correspond in the end. An evil heart will work through to the surface.

If a man’s life is righteous, you know his thoughts are just.  Unjust thoughts will never yield righteousness in conduct.

Thoughts seem mere nothings.  They are like flecks of cloud flying through the air and like flocks of birds flittering by and are gone.  However, they are the most natural things about our life.

Our thoughts fly out like birds and take their place in the world.  Our heart is still their home-nest, where they may return to dwell.

“The mind grows by what it feeds on.” — Holland


As We Think
Daniel Robbins, War Cry

The mind is like a crowded street
Where phantom thoughts like people meet;
Some hard at work, some idle are,
Some stay at home, some wander far.
Some thoughts wield power that ever lives
A power that inspiration gives,
While others dwell with us awhile,
Then pass, as transient as a smile.
Thus, come and go these thoughts of ours,
Some perfume-laden as the flowers,
While others sear our lives with blight
And bring no pleasure or delight.
Our thinking lifts us to the stars,
Or seals our hearts with prison bars
Confers on us both joy and strife,
For as we think we fashion life.

“He that never thinks, never can be wise.”   — Johnson


A Recipe for Health
Gospel Herald

“We do not advance upward unless we yearn upward,” it has been said.  Our thoughts shape our lives.  We grow little or big by the ideals we cherish and the thoughts upon which we dwell.

“Avoid worry, anger, fear, hate, and all abnormal and depressing mental states,” said an eminent authority on health.  This victory over harmful thoughts cannot be achieved by suppressing these feelings but by supplanting them with proper thinking, which is becoming the followers of Jesus Christ and the outgrowth of a close walk with the Lord.

“Thinkers think, and doers do.  But, until the thinkers do and the doers think, progress will be just another word in the already overburdened vocabulary of the talkers who talk.” — Author Unknown

The BIBLE VIEW #892 — Watching Over Us

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

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

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

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


Thank You for Slowing Me Down
Bill Brinkworth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Ouch!  It’s Prickly!
Bill Brinkworth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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



Follow the Detour
Bill Brinkworth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The BIBLE VIEW #890 — Christian Example

In This Issue:
It Could Have Been Me
A Child of God Should Be…
I Am A Soldier

Volume: 890     January 1, 20239
Theme: Christian Example

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

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


It Could Have Been Me
Bill Brinkworth

Thank you, Lord.  I am grateful for your mercy, love, and all the “second, third… hundredth…” chances you have given me.

  • I was saved.  So many had the opportunity, did not trust Christ as their Saviour, and sooner than they expected, they died.  As far as anyone knows, they are in Hell!  It could be me that died lost!
  • I did many terrible things, and many horrible events happened to me, but I did not die.  It could have been me that perished because of my foolishness!  God protected me so that I could get saved and serve Him.  So many did fewer dumb things than I did and perished.
  • I am glad after I got saved that I took my salvation seriously.  I studied the Bible, attended church, did my best to obey what God showed me to do, and served Him with all my heart.  So many also got saved, did nothing for the Lord, died, and now they must surely be regretting their mistakes.
  • I am overwhelmed that God gave me opportunities and used me to do His will.  There are many more intelligent, talented people that could have done so much for Him but did not.  They wasted much of their life when they could have done great things for the Lord and society.  It could have been me that was useless to the cause of Christ.
  • I am so appreciative that I learned proper biblical doctrines.  God allowed me to have excellent Bible preachers, teachers, and friends.  So many, brighter than I, believed unbiblical teachings, followed the wrong doctrines and did not please the Lord.   Because of their ignorance of His truths, they were, often unknowingly, disobedient to His Word.  It could have been me that followed the wrong Spirit and false teachings.

My realizations are not meant as boastings.  I recall that God even used a donkey to do His bidding by talking to a man of God (Number 22:28).  So, if He can use a donkey, He can certainly use me.  We both were willing, and you?

“He that turneth from the road to rescue another, turneth toward his goal; he shall arrive by the footpath of mercy; God will be his guide.” — Henry VanDyke


A Child of God Should Be…
Bill Brinkworth

Christians are often the only source the unsaved see that glorifies our God, His will, and His way.  Godly men and women should represent Him by living differently than those not born again.

Here, in this study on the “man of God,” men, and in most cases women, can see how their lifestyle should be.  A saved person should be:

A Christ-like example.
“But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.  12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”  I Timothy 6:11
“That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” II Timothy 3:17

A blessing to others, as was Moses.
“And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.” Deuteronomy 33:1

A praying person and a leader, as was Moses.
“A Prayer of Moses the man of God.  Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.”  Psalm 90:1
“Pray without ceasing.” I Thessalonians 5:17

Honorable, knows the mind of God, is known from afar, and someone to go to when there’s a problem, as was Samuel.
“And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.” I Samuel 9:6

Able to “hear” and be obedient to God, as was a man of God during Jeroboam’s day.
“And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.” I King 13:1
“The altar also was rent, and the ashes poured out from the altar, according to the sign which the man of God had given by the word of the LORD.” I King 13:5

Speaks and knows the truth, as did Elijah.
“And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in thy mouth is truth.” I Kings 17:24

Speaks for God.
“And there came a man of God, and spake unto the king of Israel, and said, Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD.” I Kings 20:28

Trusts God, as did Elijah.
“And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty.  And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty… 14 Behold, there came fire down from heaven, and burnt up the two captains of the former fifties with their fifties: therefore let my life now be precious in thy sight….” II Kings 1:10-14

Obeys God’s commandments (“law”), as did Solomon.
“And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.” II Chronicles 8:14

Able to discern what to do in many situations.
“But there came a man of God to him, saying, O king, let not the army of Israel go with thee; for the LORD is not with Israel, to wit, with all the children of Ephraim.” II Chronicles 25:7

Chastised by the Lord when necessary.
“And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient unto the word of the LORD: therefore the LORD hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake unto him.” I Kings 13:26

“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


I Am A Soldier
Author Unknown

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” II Timothy 2:3

I am a soldier in the army of my God.  The Lord Jesus Christ is my commanding officer.  The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.  Faith, prayer, and God’s Word are my weapons of warfare.  I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire.

I am a volunteer in His army, and I have enlisted for eternity.  I will either retire at the rapture or die in His army, but I will not get out, sell out, be talked out, or be pushed out.  I am faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable.  If my God needs me, I am there.  If He needs me in the Sunday school to teach the children or work with the youth, if He needs me to work with the adults, He can use me because I am there.

I am a soldier!  I am not a baby.  I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up.  I am a soldier!

No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.  I am a soldier!  I’m not a wimp.  I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building His kingdom.  No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts.  I do not need to be cuddled, coddled, cradled, cared for, or be catered to.  I am committed.  I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around, and I cannot be discouraged enough to cause me to quit.

When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing.  If I end up with nothing, I will still come out ahead.  If I win, my God is the reason, and He will continue to supply all my needs.

I am more than a conqueror.  I will always triumph.   I can do all things through Christ.  The devil cannot defeat me.  People cannot disillusion me.  Weather cannot weary me.  Sickness cannot stop me.  Battles cannot beat me.  Money cannot buy me.  Governments cannot silence me, and Hell cannot handle me.  I am a soldier!  Even death cannot destroy me.

When my commander calls me from His battlefield, He will promote me to captain and then allow me to rule with Him.  I am a soldier in His army, and I am marching and claiming the victory.  I will not give up.  I will not turn around.  I am a soldier marching Heaven bound.  Here I stand!  Will you stand with me?

“Loyalty that will do anything, that will endure anything, that will make the whole being consecrate to Him, is what Christ wants.  Anything else is not worthy of Him. — Burdett Hart

The BIBLE VIEW#889 — Christian Examples

In This Issue:
Wet Wood
The Keeper’s Light
Gone and Missed
Bad Choice
Start Doing

Volume: 889     December 19, 2022
Theme: Christian Example

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

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Wet Wood
Bill Brinkworth

Like many, we try to avoid using the house furnace to heat our house in the winter and try to heat it as much as possible with our wood stove. 

Every summer, I cut, split, and stack wood for winter’s use.  In the cold months, I use the oak that was split back in July.  It burns hot, starts quickly, and does a wonderful job of heating the house.  It seems, however, that I never split enough.

In early fall, I continue to split more, but it has not dried enough when I use it in December or January.  Yes, it burns, but the heat is half as much as seasoned wood produces.  It needs more attention, or it will go out.  As it burns, it is not hard to hear the water still in the wood, bubbling and sizzling.

As I was burning the wetter wood at the end of this season, I thought about how much it was like many Christians.  Because of their involvement in sin, lack of spiritual growth, or decisions to not give their utmost to the Highest, they never totally achieve God’s full potential for them. 

Yes, they had gotten saved, but that is about where it ends.  Unfaithfully, they attend church or start reading their Bible, but soon their attempts fizzle out.  If someone visits them, they may go to church that one time. 

It seems they are high-maintenance Christians.  They require a lot of attention to keep living the way they should.  They’re like the wet wood; they do not burn hot for the Lord.  They constantly need “stoking.”

Like the sap-soaked green wood, it will not be long until their little light flickers out.  They will not lose their salvation, but it will not be long until their church pew is empty, or they will be one of the countless that are saved but not doing anything with their salvation.

What a waste of a precious, spiritual life they are.  God had such grand plans for them.  It is a shame their light is close to flickering out; if they would only “dry out.”  No one can do it for them.  They have to do it for themselves. 

They must decide on whom they will serve and how fervently.  It is they that have to obey the commands God has already laid on their hearts through reading Scripture or convictions laid there from a Sunday sermon.  The choice must be theirs.  This world desperately needs seasoned, mature Christians to warm this dying, cold world with fervent, godly heat!

“To walk on water, you first have to get out of the boat!.” — Author Unknown


The Keeper’s Light
Author Unknown

A traveler once, visiting the lighthouse at Calais, said to the keeper, “What if one of your lights should go out at night?”

“Never.  Impossible!” the lighthouse keeper cried.  “Sir, yonder are ships sailing to all parts of the world.  If tonight one of my burners were out, in six months, I will hear from America, or India, saying that on such a night the lights at Calais lighthouse gave no warning, and some vessel had been wrecked.  Ah, sir!  Sometimes I feel, when I look upon my lights, as if the eyes of the entire world were fixed upon me.  Go out!  Burn dim!  Never!  Impossible!”

What a lesson to the Christian!  It is not just good intentions that make the Christian a spiritual lighthouse for the world.  Let then his example be full, bright, and clear.  The moment he neglects it, and leaves his “lamps” untrimmed, some poor soul, struggling amid the waves of temptation, will be dashed upon the rocks of destruction for lack of a good, Christian testimony to draw them to safety.

“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


Gone and Missed
T. Cuyler – edited

We missed him when he was gone.  When he went home to Glory, he left something more than a tomb behind him.  He left a goodly heritage of holy deeds.  There is a fragrant perfume yet lingering about his precious memory; a trail of light that followed his luminous pathway has not yet died away from his saddened disappearance from this earth.

He was a legible Christian.  There was no mistaking him.  He never stood upon debatable ground.  He never required one to search the church records to see if he was only a professor of “religion.”   We felt and saw his “religion.”

You might have followed him by the fragrance of his Christ-like deeds of well-doing.  You might enter the house of sorrow and see that he had been there by the weeping eyes once more dried and the broken hearts he encouraged.  You might enter an abode of poverty and know that he had been there by the plentiful stores he had left behind.  If you saw a group of children gathered by the way­side, you might have conjectured that he was there already giving out packages of little booklets and New Testaments.  We all felt him in every good enterprise: in the prayer circle, Sunday school, and church.  His mark was left pretty much everywhere.

But now there is a great blank in our meetings and gatherings.  We wait in vain for his beseeching, tremulous voice that well we knew had the ear and heart of God.  The teachers’ prayer meeting is not the same now that he is gone.  The little Bible class that met at Widow Mear’s house is now without a shepherd. 

It was a little time since a long procession wound its way, with many weeping eyes out of the village churchyard.  That grave, beside which you may sometimes see an aged woman in black bending over it, had a stone with a touching date engraved on it.  It reads, “aged twenty-four years.”  His slight form and boyish expression made him look younger than that, but his testimony and work for the Lord surpassed most of those that were older than 60 years.

When it is our time to go to Glory, will we leave such a testimony behind?

“The path may lead, but examples draw.”   — H. G. Bohn


Bad Choice
F. W. Robertson- edited

Lot chose wisely by the world’s standards.  Well, if this world be all, he got rich soil, became a prince, and had kings for neighbors.  It was nothing to Lot that “the men of the land were sinners before the Lord exceedingly.”  It was more important to him that the land was well-watered everywhere. 

But his wife became addicted to her city’s glitter and enticements, and his children were tainted with ineradicable corruption.  Warnings from God finally got him and his family to leave.  All they gained for their time in that community was left behind.  It was a wasted time for Lot and his family.

Lot’s wife looked back with lingering regret upon their splendid home and was turned into encrusting salt.  His children carried with them into a new life the plague-spot of sin they “caught” from their exposure while living in the city devoted to wicked living.  All that he had built in their life in Sodom was buried by the wrath of God.  The remainder of his life was spent in shame.  He did not make a good choice of friends and lifestyle after all.

“Where one man reads the Bible, a hundred read you and me.”   — D. L. Moody


Start Doing
Harry Todd

He that goes forth weeping,
Bearing precious seed.
Shall doubtless come rejoicing,
Bringing sheaves, indeed.

But too many Christians
Are standing idle today,
Telling others to take it easy
Instead of telling them “The Way.”

Christ commands us, “Go,”
And the rich man in Hell
Still echoes, “I have five brethren,
Won’t someone go and tell!”

James said to be not only hearers,
But be ye doers too,
You’ve heard many times,
When are you going to do?

We are saved to serve;
There is a job to do,
A few are serving Christ,
What excuse have you?

Christ is coming soon,
To catch His bride away.
Now it is the time to work,
Christians, start today!

The BIBLE VIEW #883 — Enduring!

In This Issue:
Not Much Has Changed!
I Won’t! 
What Did They Do?

Volume: 883     November 7, 2022
Theme: Endure!

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

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


Not Much Has Changed
Bill Brinkworth

The battles and challenges Christians face today are not much different from those early Christians encountered.  Little has changed.

Although people today see themselves far advanced from their early predecessors, there are remarkable similarities between New Testament and today’s Christians.  They are similar because of man’s consistent-through-the-ages sin nature,

Paul warned Timothy (I Tim. 6:20) to keep far away from the doubting, faith-challenging science.  It attempted to challenge what God would have His people believe by faith.
“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:” I Timothy 6:20

The “science” Paul referred to here was not so much the “science” we recognize today.  “Science” in I Tim. 6:20 referred to man’s knowledge.  It was intellectualism that challenged a Christian’s faith and beliefs.

Many today also believe that “knowledge” is superior to what God’s Word declares.  However, the Bible refers to it as “fables” (I Tim. 1:4), “vain (empty and pointless) jangling” (I Tim. 1:6), “profane and old wives fables” (I Tim. 4:7), and “vain babblings” (II Tim. 2:16).  God wants all to know that man is not as wise as he thinks he is. 

Man’s intellect continues to question and challenge creationism, the existence of God and His involvement in His creation, life after death, and God’s Word is preserved and is still with us.  That we’re-smarter-than-God attitude is still doing all it can to question and ridicule Christianity’s principles and beliefs.  However, despite incorrect thinking, God’s way will “work” with modern man.

Early Christians also had to deal with unbiblical religion and traditions.  Today’s Christians are still dealing with false teachings.
“… ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.” Mark 7:8  Also: Mat.  15:2, Mat.  15:3, 6.

It is man’s philosophy, mixed with God’s way, that waters down the truths and power of God’s commandments (Mat. 15:6).  Man’s ideas and beliefs that contradict the Word of God have often weakened Christianity.  To make it even harder to live the Christian way, those who call themselves “religious” or “Christian” often become stumbling blocks and the enemies of true Bible-believing and obeying Christians.

Man, then and today, still has to deal with immorality.  Saints in Sodom and Gomorrah had to deal with homosexuality, as do today’s Christians.

False worship was just as big a problem in the Old and New Testament times as we are experiencing.  Idolatry was just as much a shock to Paul as it is to modern believers when people are seen praying to idols, some even professing to be Christians.

Ungodly leaders have also been a hampering and discouraging force that opposed the open practice of Christianity.  Early Christians faced the government’s controlling arm under Roman rule.  It was that reign that martyred thousands of Christians on Roman crosses, in their fires, and other tortures.  Old Testament saints faced similar torment from the pharaohs, Shalmanesser, Sennacherib, Nebuchadnezzar, and countless other unrighteous rulers. 

Many today vote for government officials.  The “rulers” that get elected are often not leading their people in the way God would have them govern.  The government’s support of abortion, welfare without working, paying for illegitimate births and birth control, and diseases contracted from sinful behavior are some proofs of ungodly governmental authority.

It is not much easier to live a godly life today than in yesteryears.  The world and its often ungodly practices, beliefs, laws, and temptations have always been a barrier to those committed to obeying God.  Very few times in history has the world been a comfortable environment to live the way God would have all to live. 

Hiding behind the excuse, “Well, it was easier for earlier saints and Christians than today,” is not true.  There always have been difficulties and challenges for those living God’s way.

It is the individual Christian’s responsibility to choose correctly.  Decide to reject man’s philosophies, traditions, and what is popular to fit in. Determine to trust God’s way of salvation and walk the narrow way God expects the believer to follow (Mat. 7:13-14).  Difficulties may arise in pleasing God but obey Him, no matter what.
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15

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


I Won’t!
Author Unknown

I want to let go, but I won’t let go,
There are battles to fight,
By day and by night
For God and the right,
And I’ll never let go.

I want to let go, but I won’t let go,
I’m sick ‘tis true;
Worried and blue,
And worn through and through,
But I won’t let go.

I want to let go, but I won’t let go,
I will never yield;
What, lie down on the field
And surrender my shield?
No!  I’ll never let go.

I want to let go, but I won’t let go,
May this be my song,
‘Mid legions of wrong;
That I may never let go.

The man who wisely said, “Be sure you’re right, then go ahead,” should have added, “Be sure you’re wrong before you quit!”


What Did They Do?
Bible Readings for the Home1

  • When beaten by the Jewish rulers for preaching Christ, what did the apostles do?1
    “And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.” Acts 5:41
  • After receiving “many stripes” with their feet made fast in the stocks, what did Paul and Silas do while in prison?  1
    “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.” Acts 16:25
  • When Jesus was nailed to the cross, what did He say?
     “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.  And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” Luke 23:34
  • Even when persecuted, what are we told to do, and why?
    “Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake.  Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.” Luke 6:22-23
  • What assurance is given that the child of God may bravely endure every trial and hardship of life?
    “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
  • How constant should our rejoicing be?
    “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.”  Phil.  4:4

1Bible Readings for the Home, Sothern Publishing Association, Nashville, TN, 1943, Page 574-575

“Build your nest upon no tree here; for you see God has sold the forest to Death, and every tree whereupon we rest is ready to be cut down.  We must flee and build upon the Rock.  Jesus is that Rock.” — Rutherford, 1661