Matthew 16:8 (KJV) Ye Of Little Faith

Matthew 16:8 (KJV)

Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

It is heartbreaking to me to see how often Christians, and humbling considering how prone I am to do the very same thing, make choices based on some financial or material consideration instead of a spiritual one.

It appears Jesus was broken hearted over the same thing. Jesus looked at His closest followers and called them, “ye of little faith.” 

What was the trouble that led to this denouncement? 

They were in the presence of with Jesus but troubled they had forgotten bread. Jesus reminded them of His previous provisions to the multitudes. He then moved the topic to something of much greater importance. A Christian need not concern himself for material things. God will provide that in His own way and time. But that same Christian must beware of the leaven, the influence and bad doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

The priority of our lives, according to Jesus, IS DOCTRINE. 
We must be constantly aware of the bad doctrine in this world, our own conformity to it, and how it leads us into so much error.

It is worth noting that, this same chapter, the very next subject of the chapter, introduces the disciples, and us to Jesus’s church. It is not by coincidence. The best way to avoid bad doctrine is to affix ourselves into a solid local church.

Once there, beware of any influence that attempts to pull you from that church.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

For this and, more than 5600 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Matthew 16:8 (KJV) Ye Of Little Faith

Isaiah 23:15 (KJV) God’s Control Group

Isaiah 23:15 (KJV)

And it shall come to pass in that day, that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years, according to the days of one king: after the end of seventy years shall Tyre sing as an harlot.

Verses 15-18 refer, three times, to Tyre being in captivity for seventy years.

• It is the same approximate time frame as was Judah
• It was the same conquering country as was Judah
• It was in the same approximate region as was Judah
• It would have been approximately the same time of return as was Judah

I see them as a sort of “control group.” God had a particular reason for judging Judah in this manner. I do not see the exact reasons for Tyre. (Though the passage leans heavily on Tyre‘s reputation for dishonesty, worldliness, and lust for gain.) One nation is called the people of God. The other is a neighboring Gentile nation. Tyre was not unfriendly to Israel, but it was the King of Tyre that God used to describe for us the character of Satan.

Interestingly Tyre comes up once again as a contrast many decades later when Jesus said,

Matthew 11:21-22 (KJV)
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.

Paul’s ministry found much more reception in the Gentile regions of Tyre and beyond. Though she was profligate in many ways, God’s Word concerning her was, “her hire shall be holiness to the Lord…for them that dwell before the Lord …”

Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD. Tyre has been inhabited almost continuously. God’s mercy extends to all nations. We live in a time when God’s focus is on the Gentile world. There is coming a day, I believe very soon, when God will once again focus attention on Israel.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

For this and, more than 5600 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Isaiah 23:15 (KJV) God’s Control Group

Isaiah 21:11-12 (KJV) If Ye Will Enquire

Isaiah 21:11-12 (KJV)

The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night?
The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.

I think we apply this, perhaps to the missionary in a foreign land,[1] whose duty it is to warn the people of coming judgment. Used in this setting it is appropriate to speak of all Christians because every Christian has a duty to both watch and warn the souls within reach. But please notice that it is the Idumean who enquired[2] of the watchman and not that the watchman shouted out the warning.

Someone will disagree and charge the watchman of negligence. “He should have been door to door with the message.” I understand. But that’s a stretch in the context. Certainly the Idumeans knew who and where the watchman was. We must never hide our candle. But the watchman only answered the enquiries. He never forced his message. Once asked, he then offered to provide them further details if they wished them.

I understand the urgency of winning souls. But I am confident that what has been happening, at least in some cases, has led to false professions of false, assurance of salvation where no such assurance is warranted, and a “cattle-driver” mentality in some churches attempting to make these false professors look like Christians.  The result is the loss of the generations following because they witness the hypocrisy in the homes and churches they grew up in.

Our duty as believers is
First to be watchful. 
Be aware of what the Word of God says so we have an answer for those who ask.

Second be visible. 
Don’t hide your faith. We don’t have to be obnoxious or obtrusive. In fact, we ought to be exactly the opposite. But be visible. Our neighbors ought to know who the watchmen are.

Third be ready. 
When the questions come, be willing to answer them with the Word of God. Let those who ask know you are willing to answer further questions. All they need do is ask.

---

[1] I say this primarily because it is the burden of Dumah- Idumea

[2] Traditionally, enquire simply meant “ask,” while inquire was used for formal investigations. In the UK, the two words are used interchangeably, although inquire is still the more commonly used word for formal or official investigations. In the United States, inquire is the strongly preferred spelling in all uses. (https://www.grammarly.com/blog/inquire-enquire)

---

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

For this and, more than 5600 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Isaiah 21:11-12 (KJV) If Ye Will Enquire

Isaiah 19:24-25 (KJV) World Peace? How?

Isaiah 19:24-25 (KJV)

In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land:
Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.

I am pretty sure everyone I know would say they want world peace. I think it’s the motivation of almost every political movement and those who become involved in them. Satan and the devils that followed him in the fall want world destruction. But I doubt that the people who follow their agenda know or believe that it their ultimate goal.[1]

I assume those who lead nations to fight other nations do so, at least in part, because they believe that their system of philosophy and government is more likely to produce world peace than another’s would. I assume those who counter them in combat do so believing that world peace cannot be achieved by the agenda of the invaders but only by their own.[2]

I imagine that those people who rigged the recent election to ensure that the candidates of their choice came into office did so because they believed that world peace can only be achieved by those they elected. They believed it to the point of willingly cheating so they could win. 

The soldier will say that he hates war. But he believes so strongly that the only way to prevent war and thus bring in world peace is to be willing and able to fight.

Everyone except Satan wants world peace. It’s a question of how we get it. Our text shows us three nations, historically and even currently at odds one with another. To the north, Assyria. To the south, Egypt. Sandwiched between them, Israel. Geographically they represent only a small portion of the earth’s land mass and, at least in modern times, a smaller portion of the world’s population. I am certain that they can be used here to represent the peoples of the world. Currently, right now, the world is at odds with itself. In the center of the controversy is Israel.

But the day being described in this text shows them to be completely at peace. How? They are under the headship of God.

• Egypt is, in this day, God’s people
• Assyria is Gods workmanship
• Israel is God’s inheritance

Only when all the people of the world finally come under the headship of the LORD will this world have peace. The Bible teaches us that this will not come perfectly to pass until after the Millennial Kingdom of Christ. We cannot force nations to surrender to God any more than we can force an individual to come to Jesus for salvation.

• But we can pray
• But we can seek others to see them saved
• But we can preach truthfully the Word of God

We can’t make this day happen. But, seeing the goal of the Lord, we can make that the objective of our lives.

---

[1] In most cases they do not know or believe they are even following Satan’s agenda.

[2] The Bible teaches that wars come about because of our own lusts. World leaders lust for power. The rest of the world lust for things sometimes but always for peace.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

For this and, more than 5600 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Isaiah 19:24-25 (KJV) World Peace? How?

Isaiah 17:12 (KJV) The Multitude of Many

Isaiah 17:12 (KJV)

Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!

“The multitude of many people.”

What an interesting phrase.

The primary application, as I understand it, is a pronouncement of doom upon Sennacherib and his armies. He had enlisted the aid not only of his own armies, but of other nations to mount an attack upon the people of God. He would appear to have some success against Israel. He would, in fact, defeat the northern kingdom. He was loud and aggressive and formidable. But he could not defeat God. We know the prophecy of Isaiah to have come to pass as foretold. The Assyrians were defeated in a night.

It is reminiscent of some other battles the Bible says will yet come.
The battle of God and Magog
When forces from many nations assemble against Israel. Russia, Persia, and China[1] sweep down upon Jerusalem but are defeated in a moment by almighty God.

Armageddon
When at the end of the Tribulation, the antichrist gathers his armies in Megiddo to face Jesus Christ. Jesus defeats them with the sword that proceeds from His mouth. (He just speaks, and they are dead.)

The battle at the end of the Millennial Kingdom
Some call it Gog and Magog II. I don’t believe it is even worthy a name. Satan will be loosed a little season. He will assemble an army against Jesus. And they will be defeated summarily.

Since Cain killed Abel multitudes of many people have stood against the LORD and His followers. They have always been and will always be unsuccessful. In the end they all will be cast eternally into the Lake of Fire.

Oh, may God help us that at the same time a multitude of many people will come to Christ, turn to Him, and be saved!

---

[1] Others will be involved but these will be the major players.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

For this and, more than 5600 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Isaiah 17:12 (KJV) The Multitude of Many

Isaiah 15:1 A Coming Day

Isaiah 15:1 (KJV)

The burden of Moab. Because in the night Ar of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence; because in the night Kir of Moab is laid waste, and brought to silence;

It is stunning to consider that Isaiah, a prophet in Judah and clearly a Jew, would have had such a burden for the land of Moab. The Jews developed such a hatred for those who were not their own blood that they considered them dogs and were forbidden to have anything more than necessary contact with them. This is neither the heart of God nor of those who know and love the Lord.  Though Isaiah was given a message for them, a message of judgment, he did not enjoy it.

Two cities of Moab are here considered. The first, Ar, was a chief city, perhaps even the capital. It was destroyed by and earthquake in around 315 AD. The second, Kir was a fortress upon a high rock. It is visible from Jerusalem with a scope even today. It was considered impenetrable.

In the night
What a terrifying time to come to destruction. While the inhabitants slept, believing themselves to be at rest, then to be suddenly awakened and laid waste.

Laid waste
Rendered nothing. The principal city rendered to nothing. The outpost of security rendered nothing.

Brought to silence
Silence can be a mournful sound. Where once there was life and activity and commence and confidence, there is nothing but silence. All the prospects, all the potential, and the plans and goals for the future – but now there is nothing, less than hopelessness.

There has obviously been a fulfillment of this prophecy as neither of these places are of consequence today. The application and benefit we might derive from this extend beyond the limits of the physical location. There is coming a day when this vision will be the fate of this world. It is imperative that we preach it, but we ought to do it with a tear in the eye and a prayer for the rescue of the souls who are destined to soon and suddenly perish, unless we are able to reach them and win them to the Saviour, Jesus Christ.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

For this and, more than 5600 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Isaiah 15:1 A Coming Day

Isaiah 14:24 (KJV) Perfect and Complete

Isaiah 14:24 (KJV)

The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, so shall it stand:

I find the word “purposed” three times from verse 24-27. 

Purposed is one of three strong words of assurance within the verse.

• Sworn- from the Hebrew word seven – to complete a thing. To declare it seven times or to do seven things to prove a thing is true.
• Thought-to silently toss a thing back and forth, to compare and think through thoroughly. 
• Purposed-to resolve, to be firm as a tree. 

God had determined a thing against Assyria. He had thought it through, considered the options, tossed it back and forth and established a plan.[1] He had become firm upon His plan that what He had determined to do would be done. Therefore, He had declared it as His perfect and complete will. Assyria would be judged.

This purpose was upon Assyria, but the principle is true of all of God’s Word. What He has said has been purified seven times. It is thoroughly complete. It is as firm as a tree. Heaven and earth will pass away, but His Words will not pass away.

---

[1] Speaking as a man. The only way finite man can express the workings of the infinite and omniscient God is with terms we would use for ourselves. It is incomplete, but carries the concept.

To my readers:
Thank you! It is a great joy to me to know you read the thoughts and lessons God has given me in His word. I would love to hear from you. Please feel free to leave comments.

Donate to Bible Baptist Church every time you make an Amazon purchase through this link, https://smile.amazon.com/ch/91-1265824

For this and, more than 5600 earlier Daily Visits with God, visit https://mckenzie-visit-with-god.blogspot.com. There you will find daily visits going back to 2005.

If you have been blessed by this blog, please subscribe to my feed and share it with others.

For more resources from Pastor Marvin McKenzie visit http://puyallupbaptistchurch.com.

My books are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Isaiah 14:24 (KJV) Perfect and Complete