What Are You Doing for God by Bill Brinkworth

Daily View Devotion – rogerfulksr@gmail.com – Gmail (google.com)

What Are You Doing for God?
God rarely gives up on us. He gives us second, third, tenth, fiftieth chances, and more. He still forgives and forgets our past wickedness. He is so wonderful, so what are you doing for Him?
Many say that their prayers are for God. Much of our praying is for us, and not for God, nor for others. “Lord, gimme this”, or “gimme that,” is usually a prayer for only ourselves.
Some think their Bible-reading is for God. Reading His Word can guide us in the direction He wants, but most of our reading is for us, and not for Him. Too many are not reading it to “hear” from God, and allow His Spirit to sway and direct their hearts. For many, it is a drudgerous work and is not done for God.
Attending church, also, is usually for us. In too many cases, the reason for attendance is for fellowship, food, guilt, or for obtaining interesting facts. Attendance should be to hear what God has laid on the pastor’s heart to speak to ours or to learn how we can be of further use to Him.
Unfortunately, too many think the above deeds are “for God”. If the intent for doing those things are not for the right reasons, they usually are not for God. So, what are you really doing for Him? (When I taught this to my class, at this point I sat down and said nothing for about 30-60 seconds. Everybody looked at each other, and I could hear them whisper to each other. Hopefully, they were evaluating if they were actually doing something for God. Then, I stood and continued.)
First of all, why do you want to do something for Him? Is it because you are trying to earn your way to Heaven, and to “trick” Him into letting you in. There is no way anyone can earn their way to Heaven (Ephesians 2:8-9). If that is your reason for doing something for God, then it is the wrong reason. If you are trying to serve him because you did something bad, and you are hoping that a good deed will cover up the sin and He will forget it, that also is the wrong reason. To many people, good deeds are done for the wrong reasons.
If you have been saved by trusting in what Jesus has done for you when He gave His life for your sins on the cross and just want to serve and please Him because He has done so much for you, then that is the right reason. Gratitude and love should be the motivation, not guilt or a “peace offering.” If you are not saved, or wanting to serve God for the wrong reasons, then you are wasting your time.
No one can do anything for God but the following three things:# The first thing we can do for God is to trust God by faith. Sounds simple, and it is, but too many add all kinds of baggage to their “faith.”
Pure faith is what a little child follows when he obeys his parents. He believes it is cold outside, because mommy said so. He believes that eating broccoli is good for him because mommy says so, even though he does not like it. If mommy says the sky is green, he will believe it because “Mommy said so.” That is the kind of faith our heavenly Father wants from us most of all.
I love to be around young Christians who have the attitude, “If you show me in the Bible what God wants me to do, I’ll do it!” That is the unwavering faith God wants us to follow. “You show me or tell me, and I will do it for the rest of my life.”
For many, their faith starts out like the child I mentioned earlier. Soon, however, they think they are much smarter. “Aw, mom, it’s not really that cold outside.” “There’s no way I’m eating that broccoli,” and “Are you nuts, mom? That’s not green. There’s something wrong with your eyes.” Their faith changed.
It is the same mother, but some “educated” excuses have entered into the picture. Those same type of justifications enter into too many people’s faith.
We hear people’s changes excuses frequently: “I don’t see God, so I can’t believe in him,” although they did when they were younger. “I can’t believe that old Bible, it was written by some old men a long time ago.” “God can’t still preserve His Word for me today.” “Those rules were for then, this is now.” “I can’t believe that God can send anyone to Hell.” On and on the “educated” defenses fly, and not one of those people will ever please God with their lack of faith.
# Obedience is the other thing we can do for God. All He wants is for us to obey what He tells us to do. That is what the Scriptures are for, to show us what He wants accomplished.
When we read that lying is wrong, we need to stop lying. When the preaching from the Word of God reminds us of our adultery, filthy language, or other sins, they need to be halted immediately.
“Well,” some defend, “that’s too simple.”
“It’s not too simple, if you’re not doing it.”
Do not let “educated” excuses dirty up your obedience. “Tithe? Not me, I can’t afford it,” or “That’s not for today.” “Church? I have got to work on Sunday!” “Witness to others? That’s not my ‘gift’.”
“Stop cussing? Well, all the men at work do it.” “Stop shacking up with this woman? I don’t believe in marriage.” On and on, those excuses flow. The truth of the matter is, not doing what the scriptures say to do is pure disobedience, and that person will not do what God demands of him.
However, there are many that have done what God has told them. It was hard for them to tithe, go soul-winning, attend church although they had a work schedule and all the other things that so many excuse their way out of. The difference between them and the excuse-makers is that obedience to God was important to them, and they did obey what they were shown or told.
When one is obedient, all the things that God wants them to do are done. Then they will give, teach, help others, pray, read their Bible, attend church, serve in a ministry, and other things God wants them to do.“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” Romans 6:16″But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?” James 2:20″For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Romans 5:19# The third thing we can do for God is to be loyal and faithful to Him. Denying our faith when in the world is not being loyal. Nor is it being loyal when we do not say something when God is mocked in our presence or His principles are scoffed at.
God is a faithful friend to us. We need to remain true and loyal to Him. Remaining true to the Lord includes not letting other things separate us from Him.
How do we feel when a person, whom we regard as a friend, turns on us when we are not around? It breaks our heart when we learn they are gossiping or ridiculing us. God is always around, and He knows if we are being loyal.

What we can do for God is have 100% faith in Him, obey all He shows and tells us to do, and be a faithful, loyal friend to Him. He has done so much for us, why should we do anything less for Him!
Let me, again, ask you what are you doing for God? If you have to say, “Nothing!” or “What I thought I was doing for Him was for the wrong reasons,” hopefully you desire to change that. If you are a child of God, then you should want to do something for your heavenly Father — for the right reasons!
— Bill Brinkworth

Daily View Daily Devotion

The intent of this publication is to provide daily encouragement and to biblically educate the child of God. Feeding on truths from God’s Word will strengthen and help believers. (Only the KJV is used!)
Some of the articles are repeated for two days, but there is always something new in the posting. Please, scroll down and check.

Daily Devotion in James 1

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Daily Nugget:James, who some believe to be the brother of Jesus, gives practical advice in this writing. One of the most helpful and oft-experienced situations for all people, including believers, is discussed here. The “good” side of going through difficulties is examined in James 1:2-6.
Here James identifies the difficulties, trials, and enticements all face as “divers temptations.” Although most initially shudder at even the thought of going through different problems, James exposes what can positively be gained by going through our individual “valleys.” Instead of agreeing on how terrible it is to have problems, James encourages Christians to “… count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;” (James 1:2).How could anyone be joyful when facing joblessness, heartaches, financial problems, family problems, or the thousands of difficulties we all face in our lifetime? James tells us we can be “joyful” because:The trying of our faith during the hard times builds our patience (James 1:3). Since there usually is not much we can do but wait until the trial passes, we learn to wait patiently and trust the Lord during those hard times.The practical lessons on patience we learn build a good Christian into a “tested” believer. Most of us have some person in our life that we have observed as more spiritual than ourselves. We are often amazed at how calm and patient those godly examples are when they face difficulties. They did not wake up one morning and decide to be patient for the rest of their lives. They got that way because they went through hard times, got close to God, and saw His help delivered and guided them. The next time they faced an unfavorable situation, they remembered all He had done in the past and did not get frazzled. Their learned patience (James 1:4) built their character and trust in the Lord.When we go through a “temptation,” we go to the Lord in prayer more than we ever have before. In doing so, we get closer to the Lord, see how He supplies wisdom as to how to handle our trial (James 1:5), and have the potential to have our faith increased.
Trials and tribulations are not something anyone desires to go through, but after going through many of them and drawing close to God during those times, we can learn that they are not so bad. The valley of “temptation” can be joyous as our God guides us through the treacherous pathways.
Today’s Thought: “…for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10
Words to Understand:Divers: differentSuperfluity: more than enough; not necessaryUpbraideth: criticizeVariableness: changeable; varied
Today’s Reading:James 11 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.2 ¶ My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.9 Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:10 But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.13 ¶ Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.19 ¶ Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:20 For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.— Bill Brinkworth

* Does your ministry use the free, weekly BIBLE VIEW? Use it as a bulletin insert, ministry handout, or the LARGE print version for those with vision problems or a nursing home ministry.

This week’s Bible View’s theme is “God.” Read the articles “One,” “God for All,” “Valued MoreThan Any,” “More Careful Than Mother,” “The Sailor’s Confidence,” God’s Uniqueness”… at https://openthoumineeyes.com/views23/EmailVersion/BibleView894Email.pdf Mobile devices can best see the BIBLE VIEW https://www.thebibleview.com/2023/the-bible-view-894-god/Hard copies (FREE Church bulletin insert, LARGE PRINT, and e-mail versions) of this Bible View can be printed from https://openthoumineeyes.com/newsletters.html. Last week’s Bible View’s theme was “Wages of Sin.” Read the articles “When God’s Hand of Blessing Was Removed,” “Wrath of God,” “God’s Restraint,” “Curse of Sin,” “A Free Pardon”….” at https://openthoumineeyes.com/views23/EmailVersion/BibleView893Email.pdf Mobile devices can best see the BIBLE VIEW https://www.thebibleview.com/2023/the-bible-view-893-wages-of-sin/Hard copies (FREE Church bulletin insert, LARGE PRINT, and e-mail versions) of this Bible View can be printed from https://openthoumineeyes.com/newsletters.html.
Mini Sermon:“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” James 1:12 All in this world are surrounded by sin. We are enticed at the workplace by iniquity. At school, wickedness is seen and sometimes promoted. Our “entertainment” through movies and music is saturated with wrong-doing. This sin-scarred Earth is not Heaven, as some have foolishly declared. Where we live is bubbling over with sin, we are to avoid. Encountering and falling for iniquity’s beckoning for a child of God can bring nagging guilt and disappointment. Participation in doing what the believer knows grieves the indwelling Holy Spirit will also rob one of peace and joy. As encircled as we are by temptations, we must resist its taunting allure. God promises He will always provide a way to escape its enticement. We may have to change channels, friends, places of employment, or where we go. There will be a way to avoid sin. God promised!“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

Prayer Requests:PRAISE THE LORD! Deb McCoy has gotten the results back from a heart test and they show “no arterial blockages. God made the impossible possible!” Continue to pray as there will be more testing and other health issues she is facing. THANK YOU, LORD!Your prayer request could be posted here where people all over the world could approach God’s throne on your behalf.
Pray for the needs of others as if they were your own. There may be a time that you will want others to pray fervently for your situation.“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:19-20Send prayer requests to brinkworth@frontier.com
“I Broke Its Leg!”Adapted from an article by James McConkey
A lady was summering in Switzerland. One day she started out for a stroll. As she climbed the mountainside, she came to a shepherd’s fold. She walked to the door and looked in. There sat the shepherd. Around him lay his flock. Near at hand, on a pile of straw, lay a single sheep.
It seemed to be suffering. The lady saw that its leg was broken. At once, her sympathy went out to the suffering sheep. She looked up inquiringly at the shepherd. “How did it happen?” she asked.
To her amazement, the shepherd answered, “Madam, I broke that sheep’s leg.”
A look of pain swept over the visitor’s face. Seeing it, the shepherd explained, “Madam, of all the sheep in my flock, this one was the most wayward. It never would follow the pathway in which I was leading the flock. It wandered to the verge of many a perilous cliff. Not only was it disobedient itself, but it was often leading the other sheep of my flock astray.
“I had before had experience with sheep of this kind, so I broke its leg. The first day I went to it with food, it tried to bite me. I let it lie alone for a couple of days. Then, I went back to it. Now, it not only took the food but also licked my hand, showing every sign of submission and even affection. Now, let me tell you something. When this sheep is well, it will be the model sheep of my flock. No sheep will hear my voice so quickly. None will follow so closely at my side.”
As that sheep had to have its leg broken to change its self-destructive lifestyle, so does the Lord often have to allow hardships in our life. The hard times often change our wrong direction, make us more loving to the Lord, and make us more willing to obey Him. Wise Words“There is no education like adversity.” — Benjamin Disraeli Make sure your students know the basics taught in the Bible. The beautifully typeset curriculum is downloaded onto your computer when purchased. The 92 pages are designed to fit on standard 8 1/2″ by 11″ paper. You do not have to buy a copy for each student.
Download your copy at https://openthoumineeyes.com/devotional/Devotional.html#Basics

This booklet has 53 verse coloring sheets, one for each week of the year (and one extra), that reinforce the learning of many of the most popular verses in the King James Bible. I am providing this for others that have found themselves in the predicament that they could not find additional resources to use in their Sunday school classroom, in a homeschool or Christian school environment, or for their own benefit.
Download your printable copy from https://openthoumineeyes.com/devotional/Devotional.html#Color

This booklet’s word searches are designed to reinforce biblical knowowledge. They can be used by individuals who enjoy puzzles and are also ideal for a Sunday school, vacation Bible school, homeschool, Christian school, or any Bible teaching situation where students (third grade and higher), can be encouraged to learn more about the Word of God.
Download your printable copy today at https://openthoumineeyes.com/devotional/Devotional.html#WordSearches

www.DevotionsFromThebible.com & https://openthoumineeyes.com/

What Are You Doing for God by Bill Brinkworth

What Are You Doing for God by Bill Brinkworth

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