Tag: Christian Life

The BIBLE VIEW #1052 —Bad Decisions

In This Issue:
 Ruined!
If One Could Hear from Hell

Volume: 1052   June 15, 2026
Theme:  Wrong Decisions

Ruined!
Bill Brinkworth

While reading the daily news, I came across a sad story about a 19-year-old.  He had killed another teenager and was sentenced to 35 years in prison.  What a ruined life that young man is now facing, all because of a bad decision and reaction.

Because of incarceration, he will most likely not be able to experience a marriage with the love of his life, experience the joy of teaching a young son how to ride a bicycle, or have a career that he looked forward to expanding.  His life was drastically changed because of one terrible act.

My mind mused on a family member who also committed a terrible deed and how their life was also changed because of a wrong decision.  That person also missed out on a lot of joy and a more “normal” life because of the wrong act.

Then I continued to ponder on my own poor decisions and sinful deeds.  Except for traffic violations, I never committed a crime, but in God’s eye, I committed transgressions against Him.

Except for the enduring, patient grace of God, it could be me locked up and missing all the wonderful things that have happened in my life.  From those brief meditations, it was not a long stretch to think of the most likely trillions that found themselves in a tormenting Hell because they made many wrong choices.  Thank you, Lord, for keeping me from what I deserve.

As was the title of the article I read about the youth being sentenced to jail, there will be a “Judgment Day” for those who did not trust Christ as their Saviour from a tormenting eternity.  Their worst and damning decision was not to trust Christ’s death as payment for their sins and be saved.  Now, their hopeless screams resonate off Hell’s walls.  It will be a time that is much longer than 35 years. 

Hell, however, is a “temporary” holding cell for the damned dead who will one day face a judgment for their sins.  They will be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment and later sentenced to eternal punishment in the Lake of Fire.  What a terrible day that will be for too many!
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.  12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.  13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.  14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.  This is the second death.  15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:11-15

The saved will never face judgment for their sins; they are forgiven when they trusted Christ’s death as payment for their sin.  However, there will be a time when those folks will also face a time to answer for what they did or did not do for Christ after their salvation.  No one is saved just to sit and soak up God’s goodness.  We are to serve Him.“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.” II Corinthians 5:10
“But why dost thou judge thy brother?  or why dost thou set at nought thy brother?  for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.” Romans 14:10
“Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.  25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.” Colossians 3:24-25

The young murderer has ruined his life.  I am sure he has many regrets, but those emotions will not change his future.

Likewise, those who have not been born-again by trusting Christ’s payment for all their iniquities will one day have an eternity of regrets and sufferings.  Now, while you have breath and an opportunity, trust Christ as your Saviour, if you have not done so already.

“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 Chronicles 7:14


If One Could Hear from Hell
Bill Brinkworth

“And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores … 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.  24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame … 27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.  29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.  30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.  31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”  Luke 16:20-31

In Luke 16, Jesus tells of two men who died.   One found himself in Hell.  The other found himself in a comforting, rewarding place where Abraham and other Old Testament believers temporarily dwelt.

A rich man discovered that Hell was real, and the torment was unbearable.  Most likely, he had little concern for where he would go after his death, but then it was taken seriously.  He knew there was no hope for him and that he would be facing an eternity of torment, pain, and separation from God.

However, he wanted his five, still-living brothers, to be warned of the dangers of Hell-fire.  He pleaded for the opportunity to keep his family from also ending up in that terrifying place, but his request was denied.

All in Hell surely regret the wasted opportunities they had to keep from spending an eternity there.  It is too late for them.  However, they most likely want their remaining family to avoid Hell’s torment.  I am sure they all wish their loved ones had a chance to heed the Word of God and be saved, so they would never experience what they are.

Nowhere in God’s Word is there an account of the damned conversing with the living (although deceiving demons may have tricked some).  If Hell-imprisoned prisoners or one from the dead could communicate with the living, what would be their plea?

It may be a thirst-caused raspy voice, exhausted from endless terror and torment that would reach out to a loved one.  The plead would be personal; I am sure.  “Bruce, please listen to me.  Jesus is the only way out of this dark, lonely abyss of hopelessness.  Stop mocking Hell; it is real!  Run to that Baptist church on the corner.  Beg the preacher to tell you what the Bible says you must do to avoid this torment.  What he warned us of is true!  Go now!  Pleasssse, go now.  Don’t wait!”

Perhaps a barely audible whisper from Hell would plead, “It’s me, your father.  I failed to be saved from this terrifying torment.  Don’t waste your time on Earth, as I have.  Trusting Jesus as payment for all your sins is the only way to miss Hell.  Go to our Christian neighbor next door and beg him to show you what the Bible says one must do to avoid this place.  Don’t wait!  Go now, while you have the chance!”

A pained, frightened voice from the lonely bowels of the Earth would undoubtedly beg a grandson to flee the child’s sin and to read, believe, and obey all that is within the pages of God’s Word.  “Heed it, Bobby!  It’s all true!  Read it and do as God commands in the Bible.  It’s too late for me, but not for you!  Please, Bobby.  I beg you — go!”

Although logic may tell us that hearing a cautioning cry from Hell or beyond the grave would change our minds and encourage us to live as the Lord desires, God knows better.  He knew that, as people of the early church ignored what prophets, believers, and God’s Word warned people, they would most likely continue to take God’s promises and warnings lightly.  Pleadings from the dead will not permanently change hearts.

The only action that will rescue anyone from that tormenting destination is to believe God’s saving words by faith!  Faith is what saved the poor beggar whom Christ used as an example.  He had no sign or heard no warning from a Hell-imprisoned soul.  He just believed what he had heard.

The beggar had the same conviction that billions of sinners since Jesus’ time have had.  That trusting, believing, and obeying faith is still sufficient to save a person today.  Visual or audible proof will not usually soften or change the heart of an unrighteous person.  Only believing God’s warnings and promises will allow a person to enjoy an eternity with Jesus!
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

“If you put-off sincerely seeking God’s will and way today when the Holy Spirit is speaking to your heart, tomorrow your heart may be too hard to hear Him!”

The BIBLE VIEW #1050 — Hatred

In This Issue:
 Hatred and Love
The Old Nature
A Life Long Battle

Volume: 1050   June 1, 2026
Theme: Hatred

Hatred and Love
Bill Brinkworth

As biblical principles have been ignored or not taught, personal and social standards have changed drastically.  For millennia, God’s standards have been ingrained in most behaviors and have permeated society.  Those norms, however, are no longer at the forefront of social behavior, and harmful attitudes and ways have become the new standard.

Restraint over emotions and feelings is uncommon today.  Opinions rule the roost, and strong feelings against those who disagree are rampant.  Many are so vehemently opposed to any opposition that hatred is expressed.

Angry parents demand special treatment for their children, and their red-faced shouting shows their anger.  Screaming and sometimes cursing are unleashed against a politician who does not agree with what another believes.  Fistfights have broken out in government chambers over disagreements.

News anchors are no longer polite and even honest when they attack those with whom they disagree.  For much of mankind’s existence, hatred was viewed as a negative character trait, and it was most often kept private, but not now!  

Kindness and understanding are now replaced by hatred in so many walks of life.  The Bible, however, teaches and warns much about such feelings:

Hatred is not of God.
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” I John 4:8

Hatred is forbidden by God!
“Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.” Leviticus 19:17

Hatred is wicked!
‘Whose hatred is covered by deceit, his wickedness shall be shewed before the whole congregation.” Proverb 26:26 

Hatred is unwise.
“He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.” Proverbs 10:18

Hatred is damaging and hurtful!
“Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” Proverbs 10:12

Hatred’s root cause against Christianity can be deceptive.
“The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.” John 7:7
“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” John 15:18
“Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.” I John 3:13

Hatred will be more prevalent as we approach the end days.
“And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one
another.” Matthew 24:10


However, love should be experienced, not hatred, especially for Christians:

Love should be the prevalent emotion for all!  A godly attribute is love.
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” I John 4:7
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you;” John 15:12

Love everyone, even those who hate you!
“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;” Matthew 5:44
“Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.” Romans 12:14

Love is commanded by God!
“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.” Levitcus 19:18
“For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.” I John 3:11

Love for the Lord should be great!
“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” Deuteronomy 6:5
“If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” I John 4:20



Hatred can lead to alienation from others, even those doing right.  The separation between people and nations should help those involved understand who is often behind the spewing of hatred and anger — Satan.

Hatred, no matter the reason or circumstances, is not of God.  It is unacceptable and destructive to people and nations.  It certainly is not the emotion our God of love desires for any of us!

“We may fight against what is wrong, but if we allow ourselves to hate, that is to insure our spiritual defeat and our likeness to what we hate.”
— George William Russell

The Old Nature
Bill Brinkworth

In Romans 6, Paul let us know that when one trusts Christ as Saviour, the sin-desiring “old man” should be dead (Romans 6:6).  That part of us was removed when one is saved.  Also, the believer’s new nature does not want to do what is against God’s desires.  On the right side of salvation, one no longer must serve the flesh’s desires.
“Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” Romans 6:6

Romans 7 takes that understanding and explains how we are no longer under sin’s dominion and the Old Testament laws that identified the sins.  Paul likens the new arrangement of being saved to a new marriage (Romans 7:2-3).

In a marriage, one is bound to one spouse as long as they are alive.  Before we were saved, we were bound to sin until that nature died.  It led us where we allowed it to take us: into bars, adulterous relationships, bitterness, hatefulness, blasphemy, and a host of other regrettable places and feelings.  Our sinful nature was in control.

A saved person, however, is “… dead to the law by the body of Christ…” (Romans 7:6).  Our first “spouse” “died” when we got saved.  That “husband” contained over 600 Old Testament laws.

The law is important, however.  It shows us what God likes and dislikes.  From it, we learned that lying is wrong, as are adultery, deceitfulness, disobedience, rebellion, hatred, and on and on the list goes (Romans 7:7). Without the law of God, we would not have known the whole mind of God concerning sin.

The law is very hard, however.  It curses and condemns us for the sins we have committed.  When accepted, Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross pays for our sins, and now one can have grace and mercy.  As Matthew Henry put it, “The sentence of the law against us is vacated and reversed by the death of Christ, to all true believers.”

For the believer, the “old man” is dead.  We can be “married” to another.  The second spouse is Christ.  We are not bound to the “old man” and His laws.  Yes, the old and new nature will still battle for control (Romans 7:18-19), but with the altered mind a Christian has, one can be free from the power of sin (Romans 6:7).
“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

“If you are saved, you sin by choice, not by chance.” — Barbara Brinkworth



A Life Long Battle
Bill Brinkworth

A Christian may be saved on the inside, but he will still fight the temptations of the flesh until the day he dies.  Paul gives the only solution for keeping the sin-seeking human nature we were born with at bay.  That temptation-resisting advice is “… Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16).

To avoid life-controlling temptations and often the life-ruining consequences they bring, be wary of where suggestions to do something arise.  Recognize if the enticement comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit or what feels good to the flesh.

Paul explained some “works of the flesh” so one can avoid them.  They are adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness (“lustfulness and indulgences of animal desires” 1), idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance (“disputing that causes disagreement, discord, and dissensions” 1), emulations (“contentions” 1), wrath, strife, seditions (“causing commotion”), heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like…1 (Galatians 5:19-21).  His checklist should make it easy to evaluate whether a behavior or feeling one is having is the old sin-nature controlling a person.

The preacher also listed some things that, if one were doing them, could indicate that the Holy Spirit was involved.  An old nature would have nothing to do with committing these activities, so one could know that God’s Spirit was probably engaged in them.  The “fruit of the Spirit” included: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22-23).

If we can detect what we are involved in or are feeling is of God, we may avoid temptation’s grasp (Galatians 5:25).  If one keeps far from sin, they will rarely be in danger of falling for iniquity’s commission!  Obey the Spirit, and one will not give the sin-desiring flesh any control.

1 Noah Webster, American Dictionary of the English Language, Facsimile First Edition, Foundation for American Christian Education, 1828

“Sin will keep you from this Book.  This Book will keep you from sin.”
— Dwight L. Moody 

The BIBLE VIEW #1048 — Church

In This Issue:
Family Time
Back Seat Problem
What My Absence in Church Did
Upper or Supper Room?
The Devil’s Tactics in Today’s Church

Volume: 1048   May 10, 2026
Theme: Church

Family Time
Bill Brinkworth

As Paul concluded his letter to the Roman church in Romans 16, the preacher spent the whole chapter remembering Christians he knew in the ministry.  He named 28 individuals and remarked on what they had meant to him, or how they had been useful in the ministry.  

Those believers were more than acquaintances to him. The people in the church were close to his heart.

Going to church for us should also be more than just nodding at people as they pass us in the aisle or shaking their hands as we see them in Sunday school.  Church is where those of like faith and beliefs gather.  

Church should be a place removed from the world, where we can be with our own kind — Christians. In that place, we are no longer a “peculiar” people as the unsaved see us.  In that fellowship, we are with others who share our beliefs.  We are with members of the family of God.

Church is a place where some hear the Gospel for the first time and get saved. It should be a place where the Bible is taught, and people learn more about God’s Word. 

In church, Christians can hear what the Lord has laid on the under shepherd’s heart, and learn how they can be better Christians.  It is a place where people can be burdened for needs they see or hear about and can get involved in a ministry themselves.

The church is also a place where we are among those of like faith.  I know I cannot speak for all churches, as too many have too much of the world in them, but church should be a place where we can be far from godless living and closer to God.  

In church, we can be encouraged by other Christians. All week, we are swimming against the current of the world. It can spiritually tire us. 

Being around other believers can reward us with advice, encouragement, and even with seeing how other Christians handle their problems, so we can run our own spiritual race successfully.

Those Christians who are not faithful in church attendance miss the help and encouragement of being around their own kind.  It is not just the preaching, teaching, church dinners, and special events that we need.  We need to feel, for the time we are with others of like faith, that we are not alone in this world. 

We need to know there are others like us.  No wonder Paul addressed many individually.  They were important to him because they were part of his spiritual family — the family of God.

“Going to church is family time.”  — Charles W. Tobey

Back Seat Problem
Author Unknown

“I wonder,” said good Parson Jones
With a little troubled frown,
“If there is any way to get
You folks seated farther down?

“You see I have to talk across
So many empty pews,
Before my voice can reach the back,
I fear my point you lose.

“And then I feel so lonesome,
Way up here and you clear back there,
It’s hard to feel you’re with me
When I come to God in prayer.

“I wonder if you folks are scared
Of what I’m going to preach
That you hurry so to park
In the fartherest back seat?

“Or do you fear the church some day
Will suddenly catch afire?
Or do you want to slip out quick
If of my subject you tire?

“I wish you’d come up closer
So I wouldn’t have to shout;
If you don’t, I’m going to have
Those back seats taken out!”

“A lot of church members who are singing ‘Standing on the Promises’ are actually just sitting on the premises.”  — Author Unknown

What My Absence in Church Did
Author Unknown

  • It made some question the reality of Christianity.
  • It made some think that I was a pretender.
  • It made many regard my spiritual welfare and that of others as a matter of small concern.
  • It weakened the effect of the church service.
  • It made it more difficult for the preacher to preach.
  • It discouraged the brethren, and therefore robbed them of a blessing.
  • It caused others to stay away from church.
  • It made it harder for me to meet the temptations I faced this week.
  • It gave me a poor Christian testimony with those that know I am a Christian.
  • It gave the Devil more power over lost souls.
  • It encouraged the bad habit of non-church going.

“God wants full custody of His children, not just Sunday visiting rights.”
— Author Unknown

Upper or Supper Room?
Author Unknown

The early church prayed in the upper room.  Today’s church cooks in the supper room.  Today the supper room, or the church kitchen, has taken the place of the “upper room”.

Play has taken the place of prayer, and feasting has taken the place of fasting.  There are more full stomachs than there are bended knees and broken hearts.  There is more fire in the range in the kitchen, than there is in the pulpit. 

When you build a fire in the church kitchen and the smells permeate the building, it often puts out the fire in the pulpit.  Ice cream awaiting to be eaten chills the fervor of spiritual life.

The early Christians were not cooking in the supper room the day the Holy Ghost came.  They were praying in the upper room.  They were not waiting on tables.  They were waiting on God. 

They were not waiting for the fire from the stove, but for the fire from above.  They were detained by the command of God, and not entertained by the cunning of men.  They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, not stuffed with a stew or roast.

Oh, I would like the cooking crew put out, and the praying band put in.  We need less ham and sham, and more Heaven; less pie, and more piety; less use for the cookbook, and more use for the old Book. 

Put out the fire in the kitchen and build it on the altar; more love and more life; fewer dinners and getting more sinners in the church.  Let us have a church full of waiters on God, and a church full of servers, serving God.

“The church is to feed the sheep, not to entertain the goats!”  — A. W. Tozer

The Devil’s Tactics in Today’s Church
J. Vernon McGee

When the Devil saw that persecution would not stop the church, he changed to a different tactic.  He joined the church.  He began to hurt the church from the inside. 

Satan still does that today.  He attacks the validity of the Word of God, and he tries to discredit the Gospel.  If that doesn’t work, he tries to discredit the man who preaches the Gospel. 

“The Christian church is a society of sinners.  It is the only society in the world in which membership is based upon the single qualification that the candidate shall be unworthy of membership.” — Morrison

The BIBLE VIEW #1047 —Difficulties

In This Issue:
God Will Protect His Own
Don’t Mess with Me!  I’ve Got Bodyguards!
Only with God’s Permission
God Has A Purpose

Volume: 1047      May 11, 2026
Theme: Hardships

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God Will Protect His Own
Bill Brinkworth

Biblical Israel faced a plethora of attacks from their godless enemies (Psalm 129:1).  Modern-day Israel is facing similar assaults against it.  Through all the attempts of destruction upon them, that nation has persevered and even prospered. 

Israel’s enemies’ attempts to weaken and destroy the nation have failed.  The adversary’s advances came to naught.  The attacks failed, not because of Israel’s strength and might, but because the attacks against the people God cares about, although often spiritually wayward, were foiled by their faithful God.

The Bible is packed with other accounts of God protecting His own.  Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego walked out of a devouring, fiery furnace without harm because God delivered them (Dan. 3:16-17, 26) from the danger.  Daniel was spared the ravaging appetite of a den of lions because of God’s protection (Dan. 6:22).  Israel learned many times that, no matter the attacks from their enemies, no one could harm them unless it was God’s will at the time. 

In the story of Job’s trials (Job 1:8:22, 2:3-10), one reads that Satan could only attack God’s man if God granted the enemy permission.  God allowed His own Son, Jesus, to be tested by Satan, but no harm came to Him.  Paul faced beatings, being stoned, robbed, and many other perils (II Cor. 11:25-28), yet God delivered him from all situations.  No harm can come to His people unless God allows it!

Today’s Christian can also have similar safety and security.  We will have attacks from enemies, disappointments, and trials, but they will never harm us unless God allows them to do so.  Most of the time, if the enemy’s assaults are seemingly victorious, it is to teach a deserved lesson or to move the believer in the direction God wishes for him.

There is much in tis world that can be feared.  However, the child of God, if he is within God’s will, has nothing of which to be afraid.  God will protect His own and often destroys the intentions and devices of the wicked.  We are safe because of God’s watchful eye and protective hands.
“The LORD is righteous: he hath cut asunder the cords of the wicked.” Psalm 129:4

“Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side for God is always right.”  — Author Unknown

Don’t Mess with Me!  I’ve Got Bodyguards!
Bill Brinkworth

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.” Psalm 28:7

I cannot read the first part of Psalm 28:7 without smiling, as it reminds me of a time in my youth.  As a scrawny, 89-pound (when-soaking-wet) kid, I had to be careful who I said what to and where.  It would not take much of a bully to teach me a painful lesson because of my sometimes big, provoking mouth.

One day, I met a boy much bigger than me.  He had a reputation as a tough and rough person, and people had to be careful what they said around him.  We got to be good friends, and I hung around him at home and at school.  He had a friend who was also large, and we became friends too.

I found I wasn’t as shy or quiet around those two.  Sometimes, with one on my left and the other on my right, I even found myself being brave, trying to be tough, and letting my provoking mouth have its way.  I knew I could get away with it because I had my “bodyguards” protecting me.  Anyone who wanted to shut my foolish mouth would have to deal with my rough and tough defenders.  I certainly felt safe when in that situation.

Soon, I outgrew my “protection” and went on with my life.  I went back to wisely watching what came out of my mouth.  Then, 13 years later, something wonderful happened in my life: I got saved!

It was not long afterward that I started reading my Bible.  I learned that I did have to watch what my unkind mouth said, but I also learned that, since I was now a child of God, I had protection all around me.  I had no reason to fear because nothing could happen to me that God did not allow or know about.  I was safe and secure.

I learned that:

  • “The LORD is my strength ….”  Psalm 28:7   God will give me strength that I usually do not know I have to face any trial or tribulation this life throws at me.  A situation may look frightening and with no hope in sight, but He WILL give me the power to face and defeat my “Goliath” (I Samuel 17)!  He has done it thousands of times in my life!
  • “… and my shield; …” Psalm 28:7 Just like a soldier’s shield shunned any arrows, rocks, or spears thrown at him, the Lord will protect His own from what he faces in this life.  He is the “shield” that will protect him when he drives down the road, from the plans of our enemies, from sin, and whatever can happen in his life.
  • Not only do we have God’s protection, but we have His heavenly host surrounding and protecting us.  Angels do God’s bidding on Earth and protect His own.  I am supernaturally protected!
    “The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” Psalm 34:7
  • God knows the dangers we will face well in advance and will protect us from dangers we may not even know are there!  He is our “high tower” observer and defender!
    “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” Psalm 18:2

It has been a long time since I had my “bodyguards.” However, I am safer and more secure than I have ever been.  I have better protection.  I have the Lord protecting me, and nothing can happen to me unless it is God’s will, and if it is God’s will, He will give me the strength and grace to face that challenge.

If you are born again, you too can have that security.   You can be “safe and secure,” as an old hymn reminds us.
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6



Only with God’s Permission
Bill Brinkworth

Many Christians are more fearful than they should be.  A child of the King should never fret or worry because nothing can happen to him unless God allows it for the person’s or other people’s betterment.

According to Psalm 91, our Lord is:

  • Our safety and protection (Psalm 91:2, 9)
    “I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.” Psalm 91:2
  • Our protector from life’s traps that are set to get us to fail (Psalm 91:3).
  • Our protector from life’s storms (Psalm 91:4).
  • Our source of truth (Psalm 91:5).
  • Our protector from what scares us (Psalm 91:5-6).
  • Our protector from the attacks of our enemies (Psalm 91:5-7).
  • Our protector from health problems (Psalm 91:6, 10).
  • Our protector from evil (Psalm 91:10-12).
  • Our protector from danger (Psalm 91:14-15).
  • Our rewarder (Psalm 91:15-16).

One born into the family of God by the spiritual birth (John 3:3) has nothing to fear.  You are safe in the hands of your heavenly Father.  Frightening situations will occur to all, but God is always in full control.  Nothing is a surprise to Him.  You will be safe.  Fear not!
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7

God Has A Purpose
Bill Brinkworth

Living the way God commands us to live is not easy.  So many people are under the false impression that once they submit to the Lord’s will, problems will never occur.  They think they will be exempt from heartaches, hardships, hazards, and life’s hiccups.  That certainly is not true.

The godly may have God’s protection and guidance, but we are in a sinful world, and we face the consequences of our and others’ sins.  We experience it today, and David faced it as he wrote in Psalm 31.  The King dealt with:

  • Traps sent for him to make him fail (Psalm 31:4).  A foiled believer makes the ungodly triumph as they see that Christians “are not so holy and perfect ….”  Somehow, a defeated Christ-follower eases their guilt in not living a godly life.
  • Lies, all around him (Psalm 31:6, 18).
  • Troubles, and plenty of them (Psalm 31:9).  However, those troubles and trials are not always a “bad” thing.  Often, undesirable occurrences draw us closer to the Lord as we seek His help.  They can also help us grow in our faith as we see that God will protect and help us through the tribulations.
  • Grief.  Because of sin, there will be death and many let-downs.  Hearts will be broken, but we have a God who will fix and comfort broken, discouraged, and sad believers (Psalm 31:10).
  • Those who forgot him and his needs (Psalm 31:12).  We are not the first to have invested a lot of time and trust in a person and later been cast aside.  David had experienced the hurt of abandonment more than once.

Although we do not have a get-out-of-pain-and-suffering card just because one is a child of God, we do have something that the godless do not have when they go through hardships.  We have the Lord.  He is our God (Psalm 31:14), and we will have his watch-care, guidance, and protection. 

We will experience what God allows in our life for our or someone else’s benefit.  We may not always like the trials we face, but God has a purpose for us: to learn and to grow spiritually through our tests and tribulations.
“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”  Psalm 31:24

“Courage: Being scared to death and saddling up anyway.”  — Wayne

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 #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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View 18+ 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, Sunday school, deaf ministry, bus ministry, and church bulletin insert. 

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#1025 — Money

In This Issue:
Borrowing
The Delusion of Wealth
Never Enough
What Some Wealthy People Thought about Wealth

Volume: 1025   November 10, 2025
Theme:  Money

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Borrowing and Lending
Bill Brinkworth

Many in the last three decades or more have developed a lifestyle of spending more than they can afford.  Yes, I know that the economy is geared to people living off their credit, and yes, I know “everyone is doing it.”

No, I do not think it is the bank’s fault for lending us money we cannot afford to repay.  We are responsible for our decision to obtain a loan.  We alone are accountable for our spending and paying back what we borrowed.

In many cases, it may be necessary to borrow money to purchase a “need.” However, there is such a thing as “responsible borrowing and lending.” Here are a few biblical principles that, if heeded, may keep many from the financial trouble that could easily happen to them if these principles are ignored:

  • The Bible does teach that it is acceptable to loan money and things.  The good lender should show mercy and kindness to those to whom he has lent.
    “A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.” Psalm 112:5
    “He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.” Proverbs 19:17
    “Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.” Luke 6:30
    “Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” Matthew 5:42  Also: Psalm 112:5, Proverbs 19:17
  • A godly person has a responsibility to pay back what he has borrowed.  It is a wicked person who does not repay a loan!
    “The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.” Psalm 37:21
  • When we give our word to repay money we have borrowed, we have an obligation to repay it.  Breaking our word is lying.  We are accountable for the promises we make!  It is our testimony, especially as Christians, to do what we say we will do.
    “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,” Proverbs 6:16-17
    Covenant breaking (promise breaking) is listed as a sin in Romans 1:31.
  • When times are tough and it does not seem possible to pay the bills, turn to God first —not the banks.  He can, if it is truly a need, help you!
    “Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.  I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.” Psalms 37:24-25
    “Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” Psalm 37:4
  • When a person does not repay what he borrows, he keeps what does not belong to him.  That is stealing!
  • When you do borrow, you can lose some freedom.
    “The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.” Proverbs 22:7
  • When you do borrow, do not get into a situation where your freedom is used as collateral for a debt.
    “Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.” Proverbs 22:26 (“Surety” can be one that is legally bound to pay off a debt. In some cases, if the debt is not paid, a person may be bound to pay off the debt by his being in slavery, in one form or another.)
  • Some debt may be accumulated because of one’s coveting.  Coveting is a sin (Exodus 20:17).  It is wicked in God’s eyes because one may not be happy with what God has allowed him to have.  

    A person may lust for what another has.  That coveting may lead him to spend what he should not have spent.  He may end up with payments he cannot afford.  The financial hardship may be the consequence of one’s sin.  It may be a reaping of what was sown.
  • If we borrow something, and it is damaged or dies in our possession, it is the borrower’s responsibility to restore to the lender what was lent.  The borrower needs to fix what was damaged or loss.
    “And if a man borrow ought of his neighbour, and it be hurt, or die, the owner thereof being not with it, he shall surely make it good.” Exodus 22:14
  • If you are responsible for making a person poor, do not charge him interest!
    “If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.” Exodus 22:25
  • If you are trying to help a person who is having financial difficulties, do not profit from his hardship.
    “And if thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: yea, though he be a stranger, or a sojourner; that he may live with thee.  Take thou no usury of him, or increase: but fear thy God; that thy brother may live with thee.  Thou shalt not give him thy money upon usury, nor lend him thy victuals for increase.” Leviticus 25:35-37

Having a “little” may not be such a bad thing!
“A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked.” Psalm 37:16
“Better is little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble therewith.” Prov. 15:16 “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” I Timothy 6:6

The Delusion of Wealth
Author Unknown

There is a fable about a covetous man who claimed to find his way one moonlit night into a fairy’s palace.  There he saw bars, apparently of solid gold, strewed everywhere.  He was permitted to take away as many as he could carry.  He carried his treasure home with much difficulty.

In the morning, when the sun rose, he found himself waking and still clutching his “treasure”,  which he saw was only a bundle of sticks.  All around him, invisible “people” laughed and scoffed at what he previously thought was valuable.

Such will be the confusion of many a person who died in this world and who is worth much.  Awaking in the next life, they will find that their “treasures” on Earth meant nothing in eternity.  They will find themselves “… wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked” (Rev. 3:17).

“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.”  Rev. 3:17-18

Never Enough
Author Unknown

“When I was younger,” said a friend, “an older man tried to teach me some wisdom I should know about.  He once asked me when a man was rich enough?”  I replied, “When he has ten thousand dollars?”

“No,” was his answer.

“Twenty thousand?”

Again, “No.”

“A hundred thousand?”

“No.”

In an attempt to settle the discussion, I responded, “One million dollars?”

“No!” he again responded.  “When he has a little more than he has, and that is never!  If he acquires one thousand, he wishes to have two thousand, then five, then twenty, then fifty.  If he grasped all the money in the whole world, he would desire other world’s riches to possess.”

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

What Some Wealthy People Thought about Money

“I have made many millions, but they have brought me no happiness.”  
— John W. Rockefeller 

“The care of $200,000,000 is enough to kill anyone.  There is no pleasure in it.”
— W. H. Vanderbilt

“I am the most miserable man on Earth.” — John Jacob Astor 

“I was happier when doing a mechanic’s job.” — Henry Ford

“Millionaires seldom smile.” — Andrew Carnegie

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which, while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” I Timothy  6:10

The BIBLE VIEW #1024- Sin

In This Issue:
Catching Monkeys
It Cannot be Tamed
A Wormhole
A Snow Story

Volume: 1024   October 27, 2025
Theme:  Sin

Catching Monkeys
Bill Brinkworth

Many hunters use their skills with bows and arrows, blowguns, and spears to kill monkeys.  Missionary Arnold Skelton told of an interesting way that natives capture the primates.

Some clever hunters have figured out a way that monkeys can trap themselves.  The hunter would scour the jungles looking for the right-sized, wild gourd.  It would have to be large and big around the middle.

After the gourd had dried for several weeks, he would cut a two-inch hole in the side and a smaller one in the top, through which a rope could be passed and the gourd hung from a tree.  He would then take the insides out of the gourd, leaving an empty, hard-shelled trap that he would use to catch a monkey dinner.

After finding the right place in the jungle where there were plenty of monkeys, he would hang his trap from a tree.  In the center of the gourd-trap, he would place several handfuls of peanuts and then leave his monkey-catcher.

In a short time, the curious creatures would scamper over to see what the man had left behind.  A glance and a long sniff would reveal to the monkeys that one of their favorite foods was conveniently close by — and easy to get!

One monkey would venture first.  He would look the gourd over well.  The gourd was a common sight to the creature and would not rouse many questions, and inside, he would discover wonderful, plump peanuts.  What more could a monkey ask for?

Into the gourd would venture one monkey’s hand, grasp one or two peanuts, and then slowly, he would ease out his hand.  Easy pickings!  He got a handful and they were so good!

Perhaps another monkey saw how easily it was done.  He, too, wanted his share.  In would go his little hand, and not wanting to miss out on this free deal (“Why, some of the other monkeys may go next and not leave any more for me!”), he would grab as many as he could get.  His hand was now too big to get back out of the hole.  When he tried to pull back his hand, it would not come out through the gourd’s hole.  His hand was stuck.

He would pull and pull, but to no avail.  The creature was caught.  There seemed to be no way out.  His own selfishness had bound him to the trap.  It would never dawn on him to let go of the peanuts.  There, he would be captured until the hunter returned and easily killed the monkey.

So many people are in a similar trap.  It may not be a lust for peanuts that has them bound, but it may be bondage to cigarettes, drinking, drugs, lying, adultery, stealing, or some other sin that has them caught.

At first, the sin looked harmless to them.  “Everyone was doing it, and it seemed to be okay.” Finally, sin’s noose tightened, and there was no longer any fun or enjoyment in the iniquity.

It has them caught.  There seems to be no escape from the terrible wage (and there always is at least one) of the sin.  There is.  Let go, before it’s too late!

“Oh, it’s easy to say, but harder to do,” many claim the excuse.  There is only one way to escape the consequences of sin, and that is to leave it.  No person can do it for you.  No pill will take sin’s grip away.  No good work will erase it.  You have to break the bind.  The sin has to be stopped.  The longer it continues, the stronger its grip.

“Well, I can’t stop this sin.” Well, maybe YOU can’t.  There is, however, another way to get the victory.  This way is to call upon the Lord to help you.  He can help you get the win over this world, its traps, and snares.  You must trust in Him to show you the way out.

Here are some Bible verses about letting go and letting God help you get the victory over the devices of this world:
“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13
“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.  Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:29-31
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10
“Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” II Corinthians 12:10

The only way you will know His will and way is if you read His book.  His Word is exactly that, His words.  The Bible is a book with the preserved plans of God to help you through life.  You will never know His way if you do not read it and you will never get the victory unless you obey it.

Yes, little monkey, there is a way out of your predicament.  Let go and let your Heavenly Father help release you from sin’s bondage.

“In diving to the bottom for pleasures, we bring up more gravel than pearls.”
—Author Unknown

It Cannot be Tamed
C. H. Spurgeon

I have heard of a man who kept a tame leopard in his house.  It had been nursed from the time it was a cub, and it wandered about the house like a cat.

One day, while the master was asleep, the leopard licked his hand.  As it licked a place where the skin was thin and broken, blood began to flow.  Soon,s all the wild instincts of the beast flashed from its furious eyes.  

The man suddenly woke and saw the situation.  His end was near unless he should be quick and skillful enough to destroy the animal.  

Do you think he paused or hesitated?  No, a loaded pistol was within his reach, so he stretched out his hand quietly, grasped it firmly, aimed it steadily, fired it instantly, and the creature lay dead at his feet.  It had come to this: either he must kill it, or it would kill him.

Is it so with you?  Your sins may have begun to draw “blood” from you already.  Those stings of conscience, that empty purse, that lack of peace, those red eyes all are starting to tell what sin can do.  

Not yet do you know all sin’s horror.  Before the leopard of iniquity springs upon you and speedily tears you to pieces, God help you to give it up!

“Secret sin down here is open scandal in Heaven.”  — Dr. Chafer

A Wormhole
Author Unknown

You have seen an apple with a wormhole in it.  Do you know whether the worm began to bore the hole in the apple from the inside or from the outside?  Many would say from the outside, but a scientist will agree with the observer who declares that the worm began on the inside.  In fact, they tell us that the egg was laid in the blossom and that the worm was hatched in the heart of the apple, whence he bored his way out.

That is precisely the way the worm of sin starts work in the human life.  It begins in the heart and bores its way out.  We know it is true that out of the heart are the issues of life.  We must never forget that the heart must be sound, or the life will be mutilated.

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Prov. 4:23



A Snow Story
Author Unknown

It was wintertime, and the freshly fallen snow had clothed the whole face of the country in a beautiful white robe.  Crossing a field with her milk can in hand was a little girl.  She was on her way to the farmhouse to buy some milk.  In the middle of the field, she stopped and took three looks.

She looked around.  All was pure and white: the hedges, the trees, the ground, and the house.  All were covered with snow.

She looked within.  The little girl thought of her sins, of how many wrong words she had spoken, and of how many bad things she had done.  She felt she was dirty with her sins and not at all like the snow around her.

She looked up.  She turned to the Saviour of sinners, and from the field rose her cry, “Lord, wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

Would the Lord hear that cry?  Indeed, He would.  He answered it at once and gave that little girl knowledge and confidence that His precious blood cleansed her from all sin, and that she was whiter than snow in His sight.

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7

The BIBLE VIEW #1023 — Difficulties

In This Issue:
Why Me?
The “Bad” Times
A Shelter in The Time of Storm

Volume: 1023   October 27, 2025
Theme:  Difficulties

Why Me?
Bill Brinkworth

Even if a person is well-educated, lives a good life, has wealth, and may be able to protect themself, but lives in a bad neighborhood, it does not guarantee they will be exempt from lawlessness.  It is a crime-ridden neighborhood, and all who reside there will most likely have terrible things happen at some time.

It is the same for good Christian people in this world.  Earth is a sin-infested place where we reside.   All who live here will be affected or involved in iniquity because of the “neighborhood”  where they reside.  

The hardships encountered by living here may include financial, health, accidents, social, and many other areas.  There will be problems that happen to all of us at some point in our lives.  Many of the difficulties and bad experiences are because we live in a cursed residence.
“And unto Adam he said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;  19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Genesis 3:17-19
“The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.6 Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.” Isaiah 24:5-6

Christian souls may be saved, and we may be doing much better than our neighbors, but all will encounter the consequences of iniquity from our own weaknesses or those committed by others.   Nowhere in the Bible does it say that followers of Christ will not have problems as a result of sin.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” Romans 5:12

Do not expect not to have problems.  We are all born sinners; that is why we need to be saved.  All will be affected by sin’s side effects.
“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.” Job 14:1
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” Romans 5:12

So, why are bad things happening to you?  Not only are you a sinner and possibly reaping the repercussions of your iniquities, but you live in a sin-oppressed world.  Sin hurts everyone, even the innocent.  Believers are not exempt from its terrible consequences.
“For all his days are sorrows, and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night.  This is also vanity.” Ecclesiastes 2:23

As overpowering as the plague of sin on all is, Christians can have protection during iniquity’s storms.  We can limit what happens to us by living a God-centered and God-lead life. 

If waves from wickedness do crash spray over your life’s bow, it is a time to draw near the Master of the Sea to help you through sin’s gale.  He may be using that trial to make you a stronger Christian.  It is not time to abandon ship!

“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

The “Bad” Times
Bill Brinkworth

No one likes troubles, trials, and tribulations, but we all will or have had them.  Since we will all encounter them in our lives, it only makes sense to view them properly.

God often sends “bad” incidents to make us into what He desires us to be.  They will teach us lessons in life’s school that will never leave us the same.  It can be for this reason that God preserved the words in James 1:2-4:“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; [trials] Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

We are to take these challenging times as a “joyful time”?  How can anything as miserable as some have experienced be joyful?  Usually, the lesson is learned and thankfulness is appreciated after the fire is passed through and when we’re out on the other side of calamity.  It is then that we can have “joy”.

After one goes through so many “temptations” and remembers how they benefited from those experiences, one can easily develop the right attitude the next time unpleasantness comes into view.  “Ah, I don’t like the class, but the lesson I will learn will be worth it.” That is joy.

The Bible gives us many different reasons why hard times come into our lives.  Those amidst trials learn many lessons.  Some did not learn their lesson the first time they took the “course.”  Later on, they faced more difficult training further down life’s path because they had never learned it previously.

Sometimes tempestuous times are meant to strengthen us.  We can be made stronger when we are awed at His deliverance from the impossible.  When we get to that point, we can look back and say, “Only God could have gotten me through that”.
“He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.” Deuteronomy 10:212

At other times, our turbulent trials build our faith after we see what God has done.  After passing through enough testing and remembering how we were delivered in the past, we have faith that He will guide us through the next time.
“Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.” I Samuel 12 24

Part of what happens when our faith is strengthened is that we are taught.  We learn more about Him, what He can or will not do, and His other character traits when we see God work in our lives.

There are many lessons to be learned from life’s trials.  When Israel was led through the wilderness, they learned to fear and follow God.  Jonah’s experience also taught him to obey – the first time.  

Paul’s blinding experience on the road to Damascus taught him that there is only one way to please God, and that it is God’s way, not the traditions or religions of man.  After Jesus healed a blind man from a lifetime of darkness, the man came to know of His power.

All these events changed the lives of those going through what they initially thought were unwanted times.  What would they have been like if they had not experienced them?

Reading the Scriptures, one can easily see how hard times were used to teach God’s people how He could protect them.  God has used hornets, earthquakes, darkness, disease, fear, and water, to name a few, to guard and direct His own.  What an unforgettable lesson must have been learned when they got to see the mighty works of their protective Father.

Hard times can also direct us.  The trials we go through often change the direction we are going and put us on the course God desires – much like the road detour no one likes.  

If our route had not been changed, we would have ended up in the construction workers’ freshly dug trench, possibly damaging our vehicle and ourselves.  The many extra miles were worth the aggravation we could have faced in the body shop or even in the hospital.  When we look back on what could have happened, we can be joyful about what did not occur and are thankful for His direction.

Certainly, tough times can change us.  Jonah’s attitude was surely changed after his stay in the whale’s belly.  Saul had a new perspective about persecuted Christians after he was one.  

Joseph was certainly appreciative of all the hardships he endured after recognizing how they prepared him for his future.  We can lose all our self-righteousness and self-worth in a short hurry when we face trials and realize that in those times, only God can make a difference.

Not all trials are punishment of God, but some are.  Our miseries can be an act of God to correct us when we do wrong.  A proper punishment will change wrong behavior and quickly.  

When God’s people were doing wrong, God sent enemies, bondage, plagues, and other deterrents to change their mindset.  Parents sometimes have to punish their child for wrong behavior; our heavenly Father sometimes needs to do so also.

Not too many people get excited when terrible things happen to them, but if you have not already learned, there is much to be learned from the “bad times.”   Not one spiritual, close-to-God Christian got that way without going through a lot of heartache.  Sometimes the most spiritual have gone through the most.  Hard times can have a positive effect on us if we learn our lesson properly.



A Shelter in The Time of Storm
A Hymn by Vernon Charlesworth

The Lord’s our rock, in Him we hide,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain:
Oh, Jesus is a rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Je­sus is a rock in a weary land,
A shel­ter in the time of storm.

A shade by day, defense by night,
A shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes af­fright,
A shel­ter in the time of storm.
Refrain:

The raging storms may round us beat.
A shelter in the time of storm
We’ll never leave our safe retreat,
A shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain:

O rock divine, O refuge dear,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our helper ever near,
A shelter in the time of storm.
Refrain: