Tag: Salvation

The BIBLE VIEW #1059 — Eternity

In This Issue:
Unprepared
Eternity

Volume: 1059   August 3, 2026
Theme: Eternity

Unprepared
K. Arvine

A woman spent her afternoon and evening gambling at a casino and partying heavily with her friends.  When she returned home, she found her maid reading a well-worn Bible.

After glancing at the reading material over the servant’s shoulder, she muttered, “Poor woman.  What pleasure can you find in wasting your time reading such a boring book?”

That night, the mistress could not sleep.  She sighed, wept, and tossed and turned.  Twice, the servant asked her what was the matter.

The lady of the house finally burst out in tears and cried, “Oh, it is one word I saw in your Book that troubles me.  The word that has bothered me so was ‘eternity’!  Oh, how happy I would be if I knew I was prepared for a heavenly eternity!”

Eternity
Bill Brinkworth

The life God has allowed us to have now is only temporary.  What we do with the existence God allows us to have now will determine where we will go in the next promised life.

Our time here on Earth is only the beginning!  All will face an eternity, but most wonder, “Where?” The Bible promises that there is a permanent place where everyone will spend their eternal future.

Only one instance of “eternity” is found in the KJV.  It is the habitation of God, and He will have others with Him.
“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isaiah 57:15

However, “eternal” is used 45 times in the King James Version New Testament and twice in the Old Testament.  Noah Webster defines “eternal” in his 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language as being “Without beginning or end of existence, ceaseless, continued without intermission.” It is a never-ending habitation far surpassing the 70-year average in this life.
“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.” Psalm 90:10  (A “score” is 20 years.)

People have always wondered how they could live eternally in God’s kingdom.
“And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Mark 10:17

To be with Him now is only by trusting Christ as one’s Saviour.
“That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:15
“As thou hast given him [Jesus] power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.” John 17:2
“And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.” I John 2:25
“And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.” I John 5:11
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” I John  5:13

For this church age, eternal life is not gained by good deeds, works, or strict obedience to the Old Testament laws.  It is by accepting what Jesus did for us.  It is a gift (Romans 6:23) for those who believe and trust what God has offered them.
“And I give (given, not earned!) unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:28
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Those who live the way God desires will receive eternal rewards.
“And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.” John 4:36
“That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.” Titus 3:7

When this life takes its last breath, those saved by Jesus will live in a place that God has prepared for them.
“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, (Webster: ”to break, to separate, to lose the tie or bonds to anything), we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” II Corinthians 5:1

“Immortal” is used once in the KJV to describe eternity.  According to Webster (1828) it: “Has no principle of alteration or corruption; exempt from death, having life or being that shall never end; continual.”
“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever.  Amen.” Timothy 1:17

“Everlasting” is used the most to describe what is on the other side of this life.  It is mentioned 91 times, and most usages are found in the Old Testament.  The word means “lasting or enduring forever, eternal, existing or continuing without end, immortal.”

The word is used to promise that God’s vows to us will “never end.” They will always been reliable and available.
“And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.” Genesis 17:7
“Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.” Psalm 90:2
“For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Psalm 100:5

God will always be a source of safety and protection for His own.
“The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.” Deuteronomy 33:27
“Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:” Isaiah 26:4
“Hast thou not known?  hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?  there is no searching of his understanding.” Isaiah 40:28
“19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory…” Isaiah 60:19-20

God will never forget us.
“Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.” Psalm 112:6

The Word of God prophesied that God would send mankind a Savior who is also God.  It was said in advance that the One (Jesus) would come.
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Again, Jesus is the only way to Heaven and to have “everlasting” life.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24

God’s way and plan will always be available.  It will be continually available to be obtained by mankind. 
“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people,” Revelation 14:6

Everlasting salvation will be the most important accomplishment one can make that will never perish.
“Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.  “ John 6:27

Every person who was born of a woman has a soul that will live forever.  However, the majority will not open their eyes to the wonderful permanent future described above.  There is also another everlasting life most will experience, but it is a horrifying, tormenting future.  It is Hell, and one day it will be emptied into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:14-15).
“Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:14
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:46
“But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:” Mark 3:29
“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” Matthew 25:41
“And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:46
“Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;” II Thessalonians 1:9

An examination of “eternity,” “eternal,” “immortal,” and “everlasting” in the scriptures gives a more expansive view of what awaits one after this life.  It is a future longer than 70, 100, 1,000, 10,000 or even a million  years.  However, that understanding should make one more aware of how important it is to receive the right never-ending consequences to wrong choices.

One should now realize not just about their own future, but also about those encountered.  They are not just neighbors, old, young, ugly, good-looking, smart, or dumb.  They are souls soon facing a never-ending future.  Where will they spend their everlasting future?

That thought should make one more cognizant of directing others to the right eternity, not the one they will eternally regret.  Your efforts may direct others toward a gratifying future rather than a sorrowful one.  If you do not show or tell them, they may suffer permanently.  You can make an eternal difference!

The BIBLE VIEW #1057 —Salvation

In This Issue:
“I Have a Mighty Castle”
The Captured Bird
Take Me to the Other Side
The Sacrifice for Others
The Last Two Words

Volume: 1057   July 20, 2026
Theme: Salvation

Print your own Bible Word Search!  The puzzle book is designed to teach Bible facts and Scripture verses.  Use it for personal use, Sunday school, homeschool, Christian school, or for grandchildren.  Download your copy today at https://www.openthoumineeyes.com/devotional/Devotional.html#WordSearches and print as many as you can use!

“I Have a Mighty Castle”
From a story by Charles H.  Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon likened a man in his unsaved, natural estate to a man who lived in what he thought was a strong, impenetrable castle.  Within it, the man hid behind its protective outer and inner moats.  Beyond those deep waterways were tall, thick walls, and further within, if an enemy could ever get beyond them, were protective, fort-like dungeons.

Now, the first moat that goes around the sinner’s trusting place is his good works.  “Ah,” he says, “I am as good as my neighbor.  I pay my bills on time.  I tithe to the church on even the smallest thing I earn.  I am a good, respectable gentleman, indeed.”

When the Lord comes to save this man, He easily storms the first obstacle the man has created.  The approaching thundering voice of God shouts, “Salvation is of the Lord!”  If salvation be of God, how can it be of good works, and instantly the moat is dried up.

“There is still the moat of ceremonies,” the man thinks.  “Well, I may not be able to trust in my good works, but I have been baptized.  I have been confirmed.  Do I not take the sacrament?  That shall be my trust!”

The convicting army of God again attacks and approaches this second barrier.  Again, the master shouts, “Salvation is of the Lord!”  That watery obstacle is also dried up.

Confused, the man retreats further into his fort of protection.  He never expected that protection to fail him.  Behind the tall, thick, strong walls, he stows himself away.  The sinner looking over the fort’s walls convinces himself of his safety and says, “I can repent.  I can believe, whenever I like.  I will save myself by repenting and believing.”

Up the walls God’s conviction approaches.  The walls are easily battered down.  His voice shouts, “Salvation is of the Lord.  Your faith and your repentance must all be given you, or else you will neither believe nor repent of sin.”

The castle of self is overcome.  Any hopes the sinner had are all cut off.  He now knows salvation is not of anything he could have done, as he reads the banner that replaces his own.  It proudly waves, “Salvation is of the Lord!”

Is the battle over?  Oh, no.  The sinner has retired to the dungeons in the center of the castle.  He now uses another tactic, “I cannot save myself.  There is no salvation for me.”  The sinner sits down and cries, “I cannot be saved.  I will perish.”

The Lord also attacks this battlement.  The Lord’s commanding voice shouts, “Salvation is of the Lord.  It is not of man; it is of God.  I can save even the worst sinners.  This sword, you see, cuts two ways; it cuts pride down, and then it cleaves the skull of despair.  If any man says he can save himself, it halveth his pride at once.  If another man says he cannot be saved, it dasheth his despair to the earth, for it affirms that he can be saved when he truly sees salvation is of the Lord.  I came to save all who would believe and trust that Jesus’ payment for sin is the only way to victory!”
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

“The most important question concerning any man living is this: Is he a saved soul or not?  Is he a child of God or an heir of wrath?” – Spurgeon



The Captured Bird
D. L. Moody

A little Irish boy had caught a sparrow.  The poor little bird was trembling in his hand and seemed very anxious to escape.

A gentleman begged the boy to let it go, as the bird could not do him any good; but the boy said he would not, for he had chased it three hours before he could catch it.  The man tried to reason with the boy, but in vain.  At last, he offered to buy the bird.  The boy agreed to the price, and the payment was made.

Then the gentleman took the poor little thing and held it out on his hand.  The boy had been holding it very fast, for the boy was stronger than the bird, just as Satan is stronger than we are.  There the creature sat for a time, scarcely able to realize the fact that it had liberty.  In a little while, it flew away, chirping, as if to say to the kind man, “Thank you!  Thank you!  You have redeemed me.”

That is what redemption is — buying back and setting free.  So Christ came to break the fetters of sin, to open the prison doors, and set the sinner free.  This is the Good News, the Gospel of Christ.
“Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:” I Peter 1:18-19

“Salvation is free for you because someone else paid for it.”
— Author Unknown

“Take Me to the Other Side!”
Charles Spurgeon

A slave was once sent by his master on an errand that did not suit him.  He did not want to go, but he went as his master commanded him.  When he came to a river, he turned back and said, “Master, I came to a river, and I could not swim across it.”

“Well, was there not a ferry boat to take you across?”

“Yes, there was a ferryboat, but the man who manned the boat was on the other side.”

“Well,” said the master, “did you call to the ferryman to come and take you across?”

No, he did not think of doing that, as he did not wish to go over.  He was glad to find an excuse. 

Now, it is true, sinner, that you cannot save yourself, but there is One who can.  There is a “ferryboat”, and there is a Ferryman.  Cry to Him!  Cry to Him, “Master, across this river be pleased to take me; I cannot swim it, but thou canst bear me over it.  Oh!  Do for me what I cannot do for myself!  Make me be accepted!”

 If you seek the Lord, he will be found by you.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

The Sacrifice for Others
Talmage

During a plague many years ago in Marseilles, thousands died.  One day, the College of Physicians met and resolved that a victim of the plague should be dissected so that the physicians might know how to treat the disease.

There was silence among the physicians, for it was known that whoever undertook that dissection would lose his own life.  After a while, Dr. Guyon stepped forth and said, “I will do the work.”

The next morning, he made his will.  The doctor prepared for death.  He entered the dissecting room and did what he promised to do.  He wrote down the result of his observation, and in twelve hours, he died.

“Oh,” you say, “what a wonderful self-sacrifice that was!” The Lord Jesus Christ looked out on this plague-stricken world.  He saw its sins must be “dissected”.  He came down, and He entered the hospital of the world’s suffering.  He made His will, giving all things to His dear people.  Of our plague, He died; the well for the sick, the pure for the impure, the good for the bad, the God for the man.

The Last Two Words
Author Unknown

 A young woman spent much of her life seeking every pleasure she could find.  One day, a friend told her what the Bible said about what one must do to receive God’s promise of Heaven.  She turned aside a friend’s appeal for her soul by saying, “I only want time enough, when I die, to say two words to the Lord, ‘Save me!’”

Throughout the rest of her life, she had other opportunities to be saved, but she put them off, too.  Her heart hardened to any spiritual interests and only sought the pleasures this world could offer her.

Suddenly, without any warning, she was struck with an incurable disease.  Death was only minutes away.  From her hospital bed, she was only able to wail in despair another two words: “Too late!  Too Late.”

“Faith is the pencil of the soul that pictures heavenly things.”
– Thomas Burbridge

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 #1032

In This Issue:
The Old Suitcase
I Am a Soldier!

Volume: 1032     January 5, 2026
Theme: Standing Strong

 The Old Suitcase
Bill Brinkworth

“Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.” Acts 11:14
“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31
“And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.” Acts 16:34

To be better organized, I put all my Gospel magic in various cases.  When I use the object lessons to preach or teach to children, I always lug cases with me.  

One particular case is certainly well-worn, old, and the ugliest of them all.  Because of its sentimental value, I cannot bring myself to throw out the 80-year-old, small, two-toned, brown leather suitcase.  It reminds me well of who I used to be.

Growing up, I had a very godly grandmother.  She was my mother’s mother, and she came to visit several times a year.  Honestly, and shamefully, she was not my favorite of our two grandmothers.  There was something different about her that made me uncomfortable.  She was a Christian.

Shortly after her arrival, the little suitcase was opened, and she pulled out several copies of a Sunday school paper she had saved and gave them to me.  She would then lug out her old, battered Bible.  It would start on the nightstand next to her bed, but after her next morning’s devotions, it would be left on a table in the living room, where she read it and where its appearance haunted and troubled me.

Every time she came, her conversation turned to the things of God at least once.  Perhaps it was to correct something I had done wrong, or maybe it was, “Did you read those Sunday school papers I gave you?  What did you think?”

Her godly presence in our house often convicted me.  Things were not comfortable when she was there, even if she did not say anything about the Bible or religion.  I now know I was not saved then, and that her godly lifestyle made me feel bad and guilty.  Her presence brought me under tremendous conviction much of the time, without her having to say anything.

As I got older and after I got the polite welcomes out of the way, I made an effort to stay out of the house as much as possible when she was visiting.  I also developed an attitude toward her because of something my father said.  He roughly remarked, more than once, that she was “forcing her religion down our throats.”

Good, Dad gave me another defense to keep me from having spiritual guilt; she was wrong, and she was forcing her way of thinking on me.  Still, her presence made me uneasy.  Things went back to “normal” when she and that brown, leather suitcase were out of the house.

All her remarks and advice she gave me somehow made it through the dark crevasses of my conscience, even though I tried to prevent them from invading it.  For years, without even realizing it, I was influenced by her biblical teachings. I felt guilty when I sinned.

Her influence came to light at a particular Memorial Day parade years after she died.  I remember sitting on the steps of my rented home in Yardley, Pennsylvania, watching the parade go by.  I recalled all the successes I had already had in my young life; I was married; I had property; I owned a new truck; I had a young child.

Everything seemed to be going so well.  Then, I remembered thinking, “Grandmom was wrong.  I did get away with sin!”  Her persistence in trying to teach me God’s way had, unknowingly to me, still stayed with me.

One year later to the day, everything had changed.  Almost everything I boasted of the previous year was gone: house, marriage, and property.  All gone!  Then I realized, “Oh, no.  I did not get away with anything.  Grandmom was right!  I didn’t get away with my sin.”

It was not long until I realized my way did not work.  I was in desperate need of the right answers.  

It was then that I started reading my Bible.  In a short time, I asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins. He did and saved my soul.

The old book that I used to run away from when grandmom came was now the source of the solution to my life’s problems.  I could not wait to get home from work to read more from the same book I had previously avoided much of my life.

As I read and learned more, my thinking and life began to change.  The sinful things I used to do lost their appeal, and one by one, dropped out of my life, or at least I worked on stopping them.  Because, at that time, I was not in a good, Bible-believing church and was not around strong Christians, I did not know what was happening to me.

I thought of calling grandmom.  Surely, she would like to know about the changes in my life, and how I was reading my Bible, but I did not.  Six months went by, and I still had not called her.  Then I got my mother’s telephone call.  Grandmom had died and gone to Heaven.

With guilt in my heart, I went to the funeral.  People at the funeral told how wonderfully my grandmom had served the Lord; how she had led many to the Lord, taught Sunday school for most of her life, had knocked on doors to invite people to church, and even visited her students.  

It even turned out that after she led a person to the Lord, she wrote their name in a little book.  People repeatedly requested to look into the little book.  My grandmom had made quite a difference in many lives, including mine.

Then the preacher preached at the service.  I had heard preaching much of my life, but his words were much different.  I had never heard anything like it in my life: such truth, such power, so interesting!  

Then he did an unusual thing.  He said that my grandmother would want him to conclude her “going home service” with an invitation to invite anyone listening with an opportunity to be saved and have the same promise of Heaven she had.  

After hearing the invitation, I finally realized what had happened to me; I had been saved.  I learned right there at her funeral that I had done what God wanted me to do; I had trusted Christ as my Saviour.  I was forgiven and not forgotten by God.

It has been over 55 years since that funeral.  Grandmom’s in Heaven, and I have God’s promise that I, too, can go there and see her one day.  

All that happened because my grandmom cared about my soul.  She did not quit her godly influence, just because I was not interested at the time.  

In the end, her perseverance, daily prayers, and efforts to get me to be obedient to God paid off.  “Thanks, Grandmom, for not giving up.”

No, I do not think I will ever get rid of that old suitcase.

** I don’t think it is a coincidence that God moulded me into being a teacher and soul-winner just like my grandmother, and I have been a publisher of Sunday school papers, similar to the ones she gave me!  Her faithfulness helped make me the Christian I am.  I am glad she did not quit on me **

“Example is more forcible than precept.  People look at me six days a week to see what I mean on the seventh.”  — Cecil

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 this army, and I have enlisted for eternity.  I will either retire at the rapture or die in this 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, pumped, 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 catered to.  I am committed.  I cannot have my feelings hurt badly 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, it will be because of my God, 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?

“You have received Christ; persevere in receiving him.  You have come to trust him; keep on trusting him.  You hang about his neck as a poor, helpless sinner; remain hanging there.  Abide in Him.”  — Spurgeon

The BIBLE VIEW #1017 —The New Birth

In This Issue:
The New Birth
Sin Sick
What Should I Do?

Volume: 1017   September 8, 2025
Theme:  The New Birth



Read or HEAR the DAILY VIEW devotion, a KJV chapter, and more spiritual food for a hungry soul. The e-mailed devotion is a spiritual all-you-can-eat buffet that might have some biblical comfort or advice you may need for that day. Sign up for it at https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/a26cc9M



The New Birth
Bill Brinkworth

Throughout time and the world, many feel that there’s more to life than meets the eye.   They are right!

There is a God and a Heaven where He dwells.  That place can also be a home for anyone who enters His way.

That “way” is questioned and doubted by many.  What “way” is right many wonder? 

Without reading or following the only preserved roadmap (the Bible) God has given and preserved for mankind, many man-made avenues are created that many hope will get them to that eternal home.

Religions have cropped up all over the world, but their way to God’s Heaven is often not His way.  However, they usually have one thing in common.  That way is that mankind tries to please God by doing good works or religious tasks.  They believe that if their good works outweigh their bad deeds, the Lord will be obligated to let them enter His Heaven.

However, as sincere as those believers are, there is only one way to enter into God’s abode.  It is His way!

There is no good deed or any amount of good works that will get anyone higher than the coffin lid.  Nothing one can do (except being saved) can get them a heavenly passage, as Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross has paid for their sin-debt.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Titus 3:5

God’s only way to Heaven is by being born-again.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
“Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.“John 3:7

Being “born again” is a spiritual birth.  We cannot birth ourselves, especially by good works.  One’s spiritual birth can only be done by God.
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:5
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” I Peter 1:23
“Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” John 1:13
“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” James 1:18

If one is truly born again, there will be a new life!  One certainly will not be perfect,  as one still has the natural, sin-prone body given them at birth.  There will, however, be changes in one’s behavior and thinking.
“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
“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” Galatians 6:15

Have you been born again?

“One can’t do what is already done.  Jesus paid for your sins; you can’t.”
—Brinkworth



Sin Sick
Barbara Brinkworth

“But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.  13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Matthew 9:12-13

Sometimes, the sick do not even know that they need a physician. That was my condition for over 36 years. I was spiritually sin sick because of my iniquities.

I was religious, but lost, and did not even realize I was unsaved and not bound for Heaven. For many years, I had gone to church and knew about God.  I knew that Jesus Christ had come to Earth and died on the Cross for my sins.  But, I later learned that knowing is not enough.

Despite all I knew, I was not born again.  I was not saved.  I was not trusting the price Jesus paid for my “illness” but was relying on my good works.
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

It took a faithful preacher’s message on the Bible’s way of salvation to open my eyes to the truth.  The man’s message spoke to my heart when he said that salvation was in Jesus Christ alone, plus nothing and minus nothing.  That day, I trusted Jesus as my Saviour and was assured that Heaven would be my home one day.
“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” I John 5:12-13

I am so glad that Jesus Christ came to call “… sinners to repentance.” He healed me from my sin sickness!
“When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Mark 2:17

“Real Christians are forgiven, but sin can still ruin one’s walk with Christ and make one’s life miserable.” — Brinkworth

What Should I Do?
Bill Brinkworth

A rich man came to Jesus unintentionally admitting that he had committed the same mistake that most of the religious and unreligious would not dare confess.  It is the same philosophy that sends most to Hell.  That terrible iniquity is where over 90% of churches and religions are wrong.  His confession was, “… what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18)

That ruler (Luke 18:18) was trying to work his way to Heaven by doing all he could to earn a place there.  Certainly, he and others in many unbiblical religions think it natural that if you do enough good things, the good will outweigh the bad, and God will let you into Heaven.  

Wrong!  Unbiblical!  That is what distinguishes all man-made religions from true Christianity!  Other religions teach that doing something, such as abiding by traditions, rules, catechisms, rites, sacraments, pillars of the faith, or their religion’s teachings, will get one to Heaven.

Real Christianity is the only “religion” that teaches one does not have to do anything to get to Heaven except trust Christ as one’s Saviour and ask to be saved from Hell.  One does not have to do anything for it because it has already been done for them by Jesus Christ.

There is a Person who never sinned.  His undeserved death on the Cross is the only payment God will accept to cover anyone’s sin.  It is Jesus alone, God’s only Son, who is worthy enough to pay for our sins.  

Trying to do good “works” to earn Heaven is rejecting Christ’s finished work on the Cross.  That rejection says that Christ’s payment was not enough.

Like the rich ruler, doing good things and living the way one thinks is right will earn no one an eternity with Jesus.  That man had done “right” his whole life, yet he was looking for one more thing to do to guarantee eternal life.  Good works never satisfy because they are never enough.

Trusting that God loves us so much that He gave His life so that we can live eternally is the only way God will accept us.  Are you 100% sure that if you were to die today, tomorrow, or a hundred years from now, you would go to Heaven?  You can be sure because the “ticket” has been paid for; all you have to do is accept it!

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

The BIBLE VIEW #1016 — Sin Free?

In This Issue:
One Can’t be Sinless
I Stil Mak Mistaks
Guilty

Volume: 1016   September 1, 2025
Theme:  Not Perfect

One Can’t Be Sinless
Bill Brinkworth

When I was younger, my mother once confined me to my room until supper time because of my bad behavior.  While there, I was very upset about getting into trouble.

The guilt of not doing right and being punished was humiliating.  Making my mother upset also lay heavily on my heart.   I never wanted to disappoint her and have her punish me.

After retrieving my Bible from the bookcase and reading random passages from it, I felt even worse.  Although I don’t remember which passage affected me, I was reminded that my actions were sinful.  Conviction made me feel worse.

Soon, I made up my mind that I would never sin again.  In a short time, I don’t remember what I did, but even though I was the only one in the room, I had sinned again.  All alone, with no one to lead me astray, and I still sinned.

At that point, I realized that it was not possible not to sin.  Now that I am saved, I understand that I was discovering my soul may not want to commit iniquity, but my weak flesh had a mind of its own if I let it. 

As a Christian, we may be forgiven and may not sin as much as we did before being saved, but we are and always will be sinners, as long as we are in this body!  We may not want to break God’s commandments, but we can and too often will.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
“If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” I John 1:10
“What then?  are we better than they?  No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin.” Romans 3:9

Admitting one’s sins is essential, but it is just a starting point for getting ALL one’s sins forgiven and forgotten by God.  The crucial next part to have ALL one’s iniquities pardoned is to realize there is nothing anyone can do or pay to have their sins canceled.  Good deeds and acts will not pay the great price the sinner owes God.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

There is only one payment that God will accept to cover our transgressions.  Believing that God sent Jesus, His only Son, to pay our sin debt on the Cross is the only way.  That personal realization and trusting what He has done for us will then free one from sin’s ultimate penalty.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9  We can be saved from an eternity in a tormenting Hell.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12

Although we may still need to confess and repent of our sins daily to remain in fellowship with God, it does not mean we have to be saved again.
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30  “Sealed” indicates salvation is an official transaction that cannot be changed.
“Quench not the Spirit.” I Thessalonians 5:19

“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 10:29  A saved sinner will not lose one’s salvation.

If one is not saved, they will experience an eternity of regret.  For those who are truly trusting Christ’s payment for their iniquities, you are forgiven.  However, get it right with God and purpose to do your best to flee temptation and sin with God’s help.

“When one is saved all their sins are forgiven, but refusal to clean out current iniquity can halt God from working in one’s life.” — Brinkworth

I Stil Mak Mistaks
Bill Brinkworth

I have been writing Christian material for over 40 years.  Thousands of articles have been produced.  However, despite my best efforts, I still make many mistakes.

All articles have been read and reread.  Each time I review the material, I find more errors and often discover a more effective way to express something.

My bookshelves have many grammar and writing books.  I have studied them and try to adhere to the rules, but still, not one article I have written in all those years has been without error. 

During and after writing, I carefully proofread what I have written.  Sometimes, I reread the article more than five times before I handed it to my wife for her to check.  Still, even with the two of us proofreading, there were still errors or improvements that could have been made.

Since she was unable to proofread my writing due to her illness, I use professional proofreading software to check the pieces I had written.  Those programs still find mistakes.  If I check the article with one program, another system will find errors that the other software did not detect.

Just before they are published, I reread them again.  Still, I find mistakes or more efficient ways to make a statement.

It is very discouraging to me that, despite the effort I put into the material, I still do not write “perfectly.”  The fact and truth of the matter is, no writer can proof their own work.  Other proofreaders may also still find more mistakes.

One printing company I am familiar with has put each of its publications through a rigorous 12+ point barrage of proofreaders.  Most have still found errors.

As hard as I try, I will always make mistakes in what I write.

Likewise, a person, saved or lost, will also make “mistakes,” however, their deeds are often sins.  Sin always has grievous side effects and usually regrets.  It must be avoided,

Try as the sinner may, iniquity will always be around the corner.  It is very difficult not to sin, especially in this God-rejecting environment. 

None of us is “good.”  We may have better moments, but sin can hijack one’s thought life or behavior.
“But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.” Galatians 3:22

Because of an inherited sin nature, no thanks to Adam and Eve’s disobedience,  we will always sin.  Those who claim they do not sin are either ignorant of what iniquity is, are dishonest, or should be checked for nail prints in their hands  (Jesus was the only person who never sinned and His hands were nailed to a Cross).
“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

Because one will always sin, that does not give anyone the license to continue transgressing God’s commandments, nor does one need to stop trying to halt iniquity.  “Why, I keep messing up, so why try?” some mutter in exasperation.

When a born-again child of God sins, one does not lose one’s salvation.  No one has earned their salvation; it is a free gift of God, and He does not take back what He has given.
“Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” II Timothy 1:9

Sin needs to be confessed to God, and with God’s help and one’s watchful attempts, it can be curtailed.  Draw closer to Him.  He will patiently help you get untangled from sin’s stranglehold.  You can succeed.
“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.  And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” I John 2:1

We cannot be perfect because of our temporary, weak bodies.  However, one day we will not have to battle our sinful flesh and be discouraged by our sin.  God will one day give saved people a new body that will not sin.  Until that time, carry on doing his will and way.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“Real Christians are forgiven, but sin can still ruin one’s walk with Christ and make one’s life miserable.” — Brinkworth

Guilty?
“Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.  24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:  25 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.  26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.  28 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;  29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:  32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.” Romans 1:22-32

The BIBLE VIEW #989— Assorted

In This Issue:
Believe His Truths
He Speaks the Truth
The Devil’s Tactics
Separate

Volume: 989    January 13, 2025
Theme: Assorted

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


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

Believe His Truths
D. L. Moody

Suppose I was dying from consumption that I inherited from my father or mother.  I did not get it by any fault of my own or by any neglect of my health.  I inherited it.

I went to my physician and other medical specialists, and they all gave me the same prognosis.  They say I am incurable and that I will die.  They also told me I had only thirty days to live.

A friend happens to come along and looks at me and says: “Moody, you have got the consumption.”

“I know it very well.  I don’t need anyone to tell me that.”

“But,” he says, “There is a remedy.  A remedy, I tell you.  Let me have your attention.”

“But, sir, I don’t believe it.  I have tried the leading physicians in this country and Europe, and they tell me there is no hope.”

“But, you know me, Moody.  You have known me for years.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Do you think I would tell you a falsehood?”

“No.”

“Well, ten years ago, I was far gone.  The physicians also gave me up to die, but I took this medicine, and it cured me.  I am perfectly well — look at me.”

“That is extraordinary!”

“Yes, it may be strange, but it is a fact.  That medicine cured me.  Take this medicine, and it will cure you.  Although it has cost me a great deal, it shall not cost you anything.”

“Well,” I say, “I would like to believe you, but this is contrary to what I have heard.”

Hearing this, my friend returned and brought another friend to me, who testified to the same thing.  He again went away when I would not believe it.  He brought back another, and another, and another, and they all testified to the same thing.  They said they were as bad as myself, but they took the same medicine that had been offered to me, and it cured them.  He then handed me the medicine.  I dashed it to the ground.  I did not believe in its saving power.  I died with the cure repeatedly offered to me.

This fictitious instance sounds ridiculous, yet similar versions have occurred thousands of times worldwide and in history.  People know of countless folks who have had their lives ruined by sin.  They clearly see it is harming their own lives.  

Most have heard enough Bible teaching and know there is an eternity after this life for all and an eternal wage for sins committed in this life if one is not saved.  They have learned they will not get away with their sin.

These same people have heard the Gospel many different ways, from preaching, articles, signs, and countless acquaintances.  Many testimonies have been heard about how the lives of folks, even more vile than themselves, have been transformed simply by being saved by Christ’s precious blood.  They have even seen the transformations for themselves.  

Still, they refuse to take the only cure to prevent eternal torment.  They reject the gift of salvation’s remedy.  It is against their reasoning to solve their “problem.” 

Sadly, there are many reading this who also may be “dashing” the only “medicine” that cures their sin-sick life and can give them eternal life.  They never trust Christ as their Saviour.

Do not throw away the only remedy that can cure one from the ravages of sin.  Jesus can save!

“Is life a puzzle?  Christianity has the missing peace!”  — Author Unknown

He Speaks the Truth
Moorehouse

Suppose you go to a street and meet a man whom you have known for the last ten years to be a beggar.  You notice a tremendous change in his appearance, and you say, “Hello, beggar, what’s happened to you?”

“I ain’t no beggar.  Don’t call me a beggar.”

“Why,” you say, “I saw you begging in the street the other day.”

“Ah, but a change has taken place since then,” he replies.

“Is that so?  How did it come about?” you inquire.

“Well,” he says, “I came out this morning and got down here intending to catch the businessmen and get money from them.  One person came up to me and said there was $10,000 deposited for me.”

“How do you know that was true?” you say.

“I went to the bank, and they put the money in my hand.”

“Are you sure of that?” you ask.

“I got the money, and that’s all the proof I needed.  Things are different now.”

After being saved by doing what the Bible says, some often question similarly.  “Did I really get born again?  Did I truly get saved?  Do I really have God’s  promise of eternity?”

They have only to accept His testimony, and they are saved.  John said, “He that hath received His testimony hath set his seal that God is true.” (John 3:33)  Is there a person reading this who will receive His testimony and gift for our salvation and trust God’s promise is true?  Proclaim that God speaks the truth.  Make God’s testimony true.  Take Him at His Word.  Anyone who believes and asks can be saved!

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21

The Devil’s Tactics
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. 

The enemy of God 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.  He has used these tactics on many Christians.

“The devil doesn’t come to you with a red face and horns.  He comes to you disguised as everything you’ve ever wanted.” — Author Unknown

Separate
Smith Wigglesworth

The reason the world is not seeing Jesus is that Christian people are not filled with Him.  They are satisfied attending weekly meetings, reading the Bible occasionally, and praying from time to time.  It is an awful thing to see people who profess to be Christians but are are not living His way, powerless, and in a place where their lives are so parallel to unbelievers’ lives that it is difficult to tell if they really are children of God.

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
 II Cor. 6:17-18

The BIBLE VIEW #981 — Changes

In This Issue:
Changed!
The Wrong Doctors
What Christ Did
Just As I Am
Need of a New Birth


Volume: 981 November 11, 2024
Theme: Changes

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

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Changed!
Bill Brinkworth


When a person is saved, there will be changes in him. He will act, live, and think differently than he did 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

After the Holy Spirit becomes the controlling conscience of a born-again individual, there will usually be at least one area that His convicting Spirit urges us to deal with. He often “speaks” to our hearts about our flesh’s desires.
“That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” I Peter 4:2

Fulfilling the lusts for the things in this world never actually filled us in the past and did nothing to help us. After salvation, the Holy Spirit directs us to eliminate the sinful, damaging baggage we do not need.

In the past, indulgences of animal desires (“lasciviousness”), lusts, drunkenness, partying (“revellings”), and putting other things above the Lord (“idolatries”) ruled our lives (I Peter 4:3). Now, on the side of salvation, they are to be halted.

Another important area the indwelling Spirit of God will most likely address is the company one keeps. Those who were once part of our sinful lifestyles will either get saved or need to be separated from a saved individual. It is not uncommon that those who were “friends” in sin break off the relationship and even speak negatively of the saved person they used to sin with (I Peter 4:4).

The changes in the new believer are often emotionally painful. If they are not made, the person will certainly not lose their salvation. However, their testimony for Christ and their living for Him will not be what God desires for His child.

Many get saved, and immediately the Holy Spirit of God deals with their heart about an area of their lives that needs to be changed. Often, the child of God will try to obey the voice but may fail and fall back into sin. The Holy Spirit does not give up. Repeatedly, He deals with the person’s heart. He is undoubtedly a second, third, fourth, etc., chance God.

However, when the individual hardens his heart and purposely disobeys or ignores the convicting Spirit, God may cease dealing with the child of God until he repents. When he says “No” to God too many times, God’s “voice” stops speaking to him. It is in that place many Christians find themselves. God urged them to forsake a sin they had before their salvation or their association with the ungodly, but they refused to obey.

The key to having a victorious Christian life is to listen to the convicting “voice” of the Holy Spirit and to obey it. When He deals with past involvements, He attempts to remove us from what He knows will harm us.

When saved, we are new creatures in Christ. We have a second chance in life not to make the mistakes we made in the past. Listen and obey the Holy Spirit’s directions!

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



The Wrong Doctors
Edited from an article by C. H. Spurgeon

Have you been to Doctor Ceremony? He is, at this time, a fashionable doctor. Has he told you that you must heed him and obey his rules? Has he prescribed you so many prayers and so many church services? Ah! Many go to him, and they persevere in a round of religious observances, but those yield no lasting ease to one’s conscience.

Perhaps you have tried Doctor Morality? He has an extensive practice and is a fine old Jewish physician. He suggests, “Be good in outward character, and it will work inwardly and cleanse your heart!” Many persons are supposed to have been cured by him and his assistant, Doctor Civility, who is nearly as clever as his master. I have it on good evidence that neither of them apart nor the two together could ever deal with inward sin’s disease.

Do what you may, but your doings will not heal the wounds of a bleeding heart. Doctor Mortification also has a select practice, but men are not saved by denying themselves until they first deny their self-righteousness.

Doctor Excitement also has many patients. However, his cures seldom outlive the setting of the sun.

Doctor Feeling is much sought after by tender spirits. These try to feel sorrow and remorse, but the way of cure does not lie in their efforts.

Apart from accepting our blessed Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour, everything that is done will not better the sin-sick soul. You may try human remedies for a lifetime, but sin will remain in power, guilt will cling to the conscience, and the heart will be as sinful as ever.

A young woman turned aside a friend’s appeal for salvation immediately by saying, “I only want time enough when I die to say two words to the Lord, ‘Save me’”

Having neglected her soul’s salvation, she was soon called away by death, but the only two words she could utter were the wails of despair, “Too late! Too late!” — Author Unknown

What Christ Did
Edited from an article by Clarence Larkin

Those who are saved, the Bride of the Lamb, are from a disowned and outcast race made so by the disobedience of the head of that race in the Garden of Eden. However, Jesus, the Bridegroom, saw her and loved her.

To redeem her, He came from His own lovely home in Heaven to her sin-cursed home on Earth. It was there He was rejected by members of her family, seized and subjected to a mock trial, and nailed to a cross as a malefactor. He voluntarily laid down His life for her, though, thus demonstrating His love and opening up the way for her redemption from the Law that held her in bondage.

Jesus then left her to return to His Father’s House to prepare a home for her. During her betrothal, He has left her with her own family. He sent the Holy Spirit to teach, protect, and fit her for the day of her marriage. One day, He will descend midair to meet her on her way to the bridal halls of Heaven.
“For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” I Thessalonians 4:16-17

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Romans 10:9



Just As I Am
Edited from an article by Pentecost

A London artist had hired a dirty, wretched beggar to come to his studio so that he might paint the man’s want and woe. The painter was disappointed to have the man appear with his face washed, hair combed, and store clothes put on.

“I don’t want you that way. I want that beggar I saw in filth and squalor.”

Many a sinner falsely feels that, before he comes to Jesus, he must fix up a little, improve his condition, and borrow the second-hand garments of empty righteousness instead of coming just as he is, waiting not to cleanse away a single blot.

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Need of a New Birth
Edited from an article by C. H. Spurgeon

I was staying at an inn in one of the valleys of Northern Italy, where the floor was dreadfully dirty. I had it in my mind to advise the landlady to scrub it, but when I perceived it was made of mud, I reflected that the more she scrubbed the worse it would be.

The man who knows his own heart soon perceives that his corrupt nature admits to no improvement. Outward “cleaning” will not change its nature. A new nature must be implanted, or the man will be only washed like that mud floor.
“That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” John 3:6-7

Ours is not a case for mending but for making new. No outward actions can make you clean. Your sin-leprosy lies deep within, and only accepting the sacrificial death of God’s only Son, Jesus, can change one’s heart and make one born into the family of God.

The BIBLE VIEW #979 — Repentance

In This Issue:
It’s Not Too Late!
Repentance
A Changed Heart
A Broken Heart
Verses on Repentance
“Stop Now”

Volume: 979    October 28, 2024
Theme: Repentance

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


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It’s Not Too Late!
Bill Brinkworth

Psalm 137 is a sad hymn that Israel sang. The time referred to in this song was when God’s people had been captured (Psalm 137:1-3) by the Babylonians and taken to a foreign land.

There, Israel found themselves slaves to their captives. Their freedom was lost because of their sin (Lamentations 1:8).  They found themselves surrounded by godless people and all Israel could remember was what it was like in Jerusalem.  Their beloved Temple and Jerusalem were destroyed.

Israel pined for their freedom and their country. They remembered how it was before captivity left them grief-stricken.

In the past, they and Jerusalem were known for joyous singing and happiness.  In their bondage, they could not (Psalm 137:4) utter a note when requested to sing. Their hearts were broken, and their spirits were crushed.

Too many today find themselves with a similar sadness. They remember their joy and good times before reaping the consequences of their sin.  When their memories drift back to those joyous days, they, too, are not happy. It is heartbreaking to think about what one’s life could have been without involvement in iniquity.

The captive Israelites must have constantly pondered, “It’s too late!” Maybe they shook their heads in despair, thinking, “There is no taking back what we have done. We have sown sin and are now reaping its terrible consequences.” Today’s sinners also will one day have similar regrets.

There is no way to take back what was done, that is why it is so important to stay away from sin. Unfortunately, most have to live with iniquity’s consequences, but they can go forward without making the same mistakes.

A repentant, regretting heart can decide to start over. Seeking God’s forgiveness and help can give one a second (or third, or fourth…) chance. 

Moping about “spilled beans” will not clean up the mess sin made. God is a forgiving God. There may still be a sinful crop that one will reap from the seeds sown by iniquity, but with God’s help, one can still go forward. 

Seek God’s forgiveness and His help. There is hope!

“The greatest griefs are those we cause ourselves.”  — Sophocles

Repentance
Edited from an article in Homilies of the English Church.

Repentance is a true turning or returning unto God.  People forsake their idolatry and wickedness with a stronger faith and embrace, love, and worship only the true, living God.  They give themselves to good works and changed behavior, which, according to God’s Word, they know to be acceptable unto Him.

The four parts of repentance are contrition, confession, faith, and amendment of life’s wrongdoings.  They may be likened to an easy and short ladder.  From that “ladder,” one may mentally climb from gut-wrenching guilt to the castle where the Lord is pleased.

“When the soul has laid down its faults at the feet of God, it feels as though it had wings.”  — Guerin

A Changed Heart
Bill Brinkworth

Repentance is the “… pain, regret, or affliction which a person feels on account of his past conduct…” (Noah Webster, 1828).  This sorrowful attitude over one’s sins was a vital part of John the Baptist’s ministry and is essential today when one is saved from the eternal wages of one’s iniquities. 

Although a repentant person will usually change their behavior, just changing conduct alone will not save anyone. If a lifestyle change were necessary for salvation, those acts would be good work, and no good deed can save anyone from the eternal wages of sin (Ephesians 2:8-9).

John, the Baptist, illustrated that a broken heart over sin would produce a better life when he spoke to four types of people:

  • To the religious but not righteous, John told them that if they were convicted over their sins, they would prove it by a lifestyle that would show “fruits” from their inward changes.  Their changed heart would change how they lived, and others could see what the changes had done in their life (Luke 3:8).
  • To the common people, he told them that a giving attitude would show a changed heart (Luke 3:11).  John must have known that they were covetous of the things of this world and that they were not trusting God daily for their needs.
  • To the publicans, he also said there would need to be some changes in their lives. Publicans were notoriously dishonest tax collectors. John told them their spiritual remodeling should include honesty (Luke 3:13).
  • To soldiers, he did not tell them to quit the army. He told them their change of heart would include halting unnecessary violence, lying, and dissatisfaction with their salaries.

A changed, repentant heart is proof of one’s salvation. The areas John said should change in lives over 2,000 years ago should still change today when one’s life is altered by salvation.
“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

“Sin and Hell are married unless repentance proclaims the divorce.”  
— Spurgeon

A Broken Heart
Spurgeon

What man can stand against his children’s tears?  When King Henry II was provoked to take up arms against his ungrateful and rebellious son, he cornered his son in a French town.

The son, near death, desired to see his father and confess his wrongdoing, but the stern older man refused to look the rebel in the face.  His offspring was sorely troubled in his conscience and said to those about him, “I am dying; take me from my bed, and let me lie in sackcloth and ashes, in token of my sorrow for my ingratitude to my father.” Then he died.

When the tidings came to the older man that his boy had died in ashes and was repentant for his rebellion, the man threw himself upon the earth.  Like King David, he cried, “Would God I had died for him.” The thought of his boy’s broken heart touched the father’s heart.

If ye, being evil, are overcome by your children’s tears and grief, how much more shall your Father who is in Heaven find your moanings and confessions an argument for the display of His pardoning love through Christ Jesus our Lord?  This is the eloquence which God delights in: the broken heart and the contrite spirit.

“Contrite”:  Full of guilt and remorse for a wrongdoing or sin

“The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”  Psalm 34:18

Verses on Repentance

  • “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2
  • “And they went out, and preached that men should repent.” Mark 6:12
  • “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”  Acts 3:19
  • “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”  Acts 17:30
  • “But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” Acts 26:20

“Stop Now!”
Tillmage

Some young men were ice-skating on a pond around an half-melted spot in the ice some years ago near Princeton, New Jersey.  As they neared the dangerous place, the ice began to break.

Most of the skaters stopped.  However, one young man said, “I am not afraid.  I will skate around it one more time.” He almost was able to glide entirely around it, but the ice broke, and he fell in.  Not until the next day was his lifeless body found.

Similarly, people often get too close to sin.  They were warned, but they were determined to do it  “one more time.”  That last willing iniquity may be their permanent downfall.

Do not risk one more attempt at ignoring God’s sent conviction not to commit that sin any longer.  Stop now!  He can deliver us from the foolhardiness and temptation of doing wrong “just one more time.”

The BIBLE VIEW #944 — Converted

In This Issue:
B. C. — Before Christ
A Man Drank Up a Farm
A Notable Conversion

Volume: 944    February 12, 2024
Theme: Conversion

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B. C. — Before Christ
Bill Brinkworth

When Christ saves a soul, God does tremendous work in that person we do not always see.  A new spiritual life will begin, and the old ways should be behind that person.

The old ways were before Christ.  The new life results in much freedom and joy!
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Corinthians 5:17

Before people were saved, no matter who they were, they were enslaved.  They may not have mindfully planned to be servants, but they were enslaved.  They were:

Slaves to self.
People did whatever felt good to them.  “Gimme, gimme, gimme,” was their selfish attitude.  “Me first,” they lived.  “Who cares what happens to others, just as long as I make out okay,” they believed.

Because of our selfishness, we are commanded: “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: … 7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.  8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.  9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” (Colossians 3:5-10)  

“Die” (“mortify”,  quit) your self-gratification and other acts of selfishness.  Let the new creature in you live a life of freedom in Christ without self-centeredness!

Slaves to sin.
Before the Holy Spirit controlled one’s life, it was common to think:

  • “Can’t live without that cigarette.”
  • “I need a drink to think.”
  • “I need to lie to cover up past lies…”

“Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” John 8:34

See in the following verses what the lost did and what he is expected to do now that he is on the Heaven-side of Calvary:
“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; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24  With God’s help, we can put off our old ways and let the new person in us give us new freedom.

Slaves to sin’s fruits.
Do not be deceived; there is a price tag on all sins.  AIDS and other diseases are often the wages of the sin of fornication, homosexuality, and adultery.  Cirrhosis of the liver comes many times as a consequence of drinking.  Lung cancer can come from defiling the temple with smoking.  The sins of lying and dishonesty reap loneliness, being cut off from others, mental illness, and guilt.  Consequences may be slow in coming, but there are often visual wages from iniquity.

“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.  8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.” Galatians 6:7  Also: Romans 6:23.

Slaves to Satan’s whims.
Because an unsaved person is not a child of God, like many would have us believe, they obey their father, Satan.
“Ye do the deeds of your father.  Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God.  Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: …Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do .…” John 8:41-44   Also: Ezekiel 11:19-21.  When we become born-again, we are born into the family of God, and we can obey our new Heavenly Father and have more freedom.

Slaves without hope of an eternity in Heaven.
There is a price tag on our “slavery” without Christ as one’s Saviour.  That cost is one’s eternal life in the Lake of Fire.
“For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.  21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed?  for the end of those things is death.  22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.  23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:20-23 Also: Ephesians 2:1-6.

There can be freedom from the “slavery of sin” which ruins so many.  By acknowledging one’s sinnership and accepting God’s only Son’s death on the cross as payment for our sin, we can have God’s promise of Heaven and freedom from sin’s hold.

Even after being saved, the hard part is listening to the new Master and not the flesh.  When we do let our new Master have control, we can be free in a way the unsaved world cannot even imagine.  We can have a new life better than the one we had before Christ saved and changed us.

“Walk by new rules towards new ends from new principles.  Make a new choice of the way.  Choose new paths to walk in, new leaders to walk after and new companions to walk with.  Old things should pass away, and all things become new.  The man is what he was not and does what he did not.”  — Henry


A Man Drank Up a Farm
Excerpts from D. L. Moody

Years ago, I was going away to preach one Sunday morning when a young man drove up in front of us.  He had an aged woman with him.

“Do you see that beautiful meadow?” said the young man, pointing to a nearby property, “and that land there with the house upon it?”

“Yes.”

“My father drank that all up,” said he.  Then he went on to tell me all about himself.  His father was a great drunkard, squandered his property, died, and left his wife in the poor house.

That young man is one of the finest young men I ever knew.  He toiled hard, earned money, and bought back the land.  He had taken his mother out of the poorhouse and was now taking her to church.

That is a wonderful illustration.  The first Adam in Eden sold us for naught, but the Messiah, the second Adam, came and repurchased us.  The first Adam brought us to the poorhouse, as it were; the second Adam makes us kings and priests unto God.  That is redemption.  

In Christ, we get all that Adam lost and more.  Men look on the blood of Christ with scorn and contempt, but the time is coming when the blood of Christ will be worth more than all the kingdoms of the world.

“Conversion is separating ourselves from the course and custom of this world, and devoting ourselves to the conduct according to the word of God.”  
— Henry

A Notable Conversion
Excerpts from a D. L. Moody Article

A jail chaplain once told me a surprising case of conversion in which the covenant of grace was the chief instrument of the Holy Spirit.  My friend had under his charge a man most cunning and brutal.  He was repulsive, even in comparison with other convicts.  He had been renowned for his daring and the utter absence of all feeling when committing acts of violence.

Several times, the chaplain had spoken to him but had not succeeded even in getting an answer.  The man was sullenly set against all instruction.  At last, he desired a particular book, but it was not in the library.

The chaplain pointed to the Bible, which was placed in his cell, and said, “Did you ever read that Book?”

He did not answer but looked at the good man as if he would kill him.  The question was kindly repeated, with the assurance that he would find it well worth reading.

“Sir,” said the convict, “you would not ask me such a question if you knew who I was.  What have I to do with a book of that sort?  It would do me no good,” he snapped.  “I am past all feeling.” Doubling up his fist, he struck the cell’s iron door and said, “My heart is as hard as that iron.  There is nothing in any book that will ever touch me.”

“Well,” said the chaplain, “do you want a new heart?  Did you ever read the covenant of grace?” The man answered sullenly by inquiring what he meant by such talk.

The preacher replied, “Listen to these words, ‘A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.’” (Ezekiel 36:26)

The words struck the man with amazement.  He asked to have the passage found for him in the Bible.  He read the words again and again.  

When the chaplain came back to him the next day, the wild beast was tamed.  “Oh, sir,” he said, “I never dreamed of such a promise!  I never believed it possible that God would speak to men in such a way as that.  If He gives me a new heart, it will be a miracle of mercy.  Yet, I think He will work that miracle upon me, for the hope of a new nature is beginning to touch me as I never was touched before.”

That man became gentle in manner, obedient to authority, and childlike in spirit from then on.  He was a new creature.

When a preacher heard a convert bragging about his wicked past, he remarked, “Never mind what you did while you were asleep.  Let us hear what you did when you were awake!”  — Author Unknown