Ezekiel 14:7 (KJV) Fear vs. Faith

Ezekiel 14:7 (KJV)

For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself:

 

There are several Biblical texts that reference God’s visitation. It is very seldom seen in a good light. God’s visitation is almost always in respect to the pouring out of His wrath.

 

There are two serious mistakes I think we see among the carnal; the first is the inappropriate fear of His coming. I once heard a lady on a Christian radio station in Portland, OR complain about her pastor, “He’s always preaching that Jesus is coming soon. Why can’t he be more positive?” To the one who loves Christ, there is no message more positive than the blessed hope. It is true that the unsaved will not fare well at His coming, but we preach to them the good news of reconciliation.

 

The second serious mistake among the carnal regarding God’s visitation is to think too lightly of it. One might reason it is mean or cruel or unfair that God would seek vengeance against those who “hold the truth in unrighteousness,” but it is foolish, even if you think it’s monstrous, to resist God on that count. We are not His equal. To fight against God is the utmost foolishness. The good news is, once you surrender to God, a light shines into His nature not seen before. You discover He is no monster, but the very source of love, goodness, and charity.

 

Do not take God’s visitation lightly. Hear the message of His prophets and preachers. Seek the God of the Bible. Trust Him. In this way, He will be gracious to you.

 

#GodsVisitation #BlessedHope #SeekGod #DivineWrath #TrustGod

Fear vs. Faith: Facing God's Visit

 

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.

For this and, more than 6300 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.

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Ezekiel 14:7 (KJV) Fear vs. Faith

Ezekiel 12:27 (KJV) Time to Act

Ezekiel 12:27 (KJV)

Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off.

 

That Ezekiel’s message is from God, there is no question. Few of the prophets were more insistent upon it than he.

Ezekiel 12:1 (KJV)

The word of the LORD also came unto me, saying,

 

That said, the majority did not obey God’s Word the same as Ezekiel did.

Ezekiel 12:7a

And I did so as I was commanded…

 

This chapter describes clearly two of the most common responses to the Word of God (with a third one implied):

Denial

Recently someone commented to one of my messages, “It’s all fake. Use some common sense.” In my mind common sense says I had better not deny what is arguably the best documented event in ancient history (the resurrection of Christ) what is the most published and read book in all of history, the Bible, and what many of the best minds have examined and found the evidence to be too compelling to ignore.

 

Rebellion

Ezekiel 12:9 (KJV)

Son of man, hath not the house of Israel, the rebellious house, said unto thee, What doest thou?

Common among those who know in their soul that God is, would be rebellion. They choose to disobey, or else they choose to find their own way to supposedly love and worship God.

 

Procrastination

Ezekiel 12:27 (KJV)

Son of man, behold, they of the house of Israel say, The vision that he seeth is for many days to come, and he prophesieth of the times that are far off.

Likely the most common of responses is procrastination. People claim to believe the Bible but believe they have time. They stick their spiritual heads in the sand and refuse to think about the consequences of faith. They hope to do all they wish to do while there is still time. They think they will have the time to reconcile with God in the end.

 

I am of the mind that, since I have a conviction in my soul that God is, the Bible is true, and Jesus is the only way truth and life, the time to reconcile and to follow Him is NOW.

 

#DivineMessage #ObeyGodsWord #DenialVsFaith #RebellionAgainstGod #TimeToActNow

Time to Act: Terrible Responses to God's Word

 

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.

For this and, more than 6300 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, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Ezekiel 11:23 (KJV) Divine Departure

Ezekiel 11:23 (KJV) Divine Departure

Ezekiel 11:23 (KJV)

And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city.

 

I found an interesting observation concerning the removal of the glory of God. Though Israel was about to be judged, God gave every opportunity for them to repent, as He removed Himself:

·       From the mercy seat to the threshold, then

·       From the threshold to the court, then

·       From the court to the east gate, finally

·       From the east gate to the mountain on the east side

 

This mountain must be the mount of Olives:

·       Where Jesus wept over the city

·       Where Jesus descended into the city to hear hosanna

·       Where Jesus ascended into heaven after His passion, proving Himself alive forty days

 

For three and a half years Jesus moved about Israel, preaching, healing, performing miracles, calling souls, “ come unto me…”[1] He walked a straight path, never diverting from His mission the “seek and to save that which was lost.”[2] On the outskirts of the city, on a hill called Calvary, the final indignation against Him was committed. But what the devil meant as a death blow turned out to be the stroke of God’s ultimate glory.

·       Jesus died

·       Jesus was buried

But three days and three night later

·       Jesus rose again

 

And through His resurrection, all who accept His invitation find victory over sin, and over death.[3]

 

#GloryofGod #RepentanceOpportunity #MountofOlives #ResurrectionVictory #DivineGlory

Divine Departure: From Calvary to Victory

 

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.

For this and, more than 6300 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, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Ezekiel 11:23 (KJV) Divine Departure

---

[1] Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

[2] Luke 19:10 (KJV)

For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.

[3] 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (KJV)

So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Luke 7:23 (KJV) The Offense of Christ

Luke 7:23 (KJV)

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

 

The idea of being offended in Christ is taking on new meaning in my day. There was a time when it seemed that, even among the most hostile toward the faith, their hostility was against Christians for being hypocrites and against organized religion for the notable atrocities it has committed. I suppose this hostility has always existed, but it seems to have increased in number and found its voice, those who decry Christ Himself.

 

They view Him as a charlatan who did no miracles.

I had a brief conversation with a man the other day who said Thomas Jefferson believed Jesus did none. I am aware of the so-called “Jeffersonian Bible.” I am also aware that Jefferson is not here to explain his intentions by cutting the miracles out of a copy of the Bible. Could he have been demonstrating the meaninglessness of a miracle-less Gospel? Whatever he meant, I am certain it wasn’t meant for public consumption and speculation.

 

They view Christ as the founder of the religion guilty of horrible acts against Mankind.

To this, I would counter they do not understand church history. There was always a kind of Christian who saw the error and corruption of Catholicism and that never protested out of Catholicism because it never was part of Catholicism. The crimes against humanity were all committed by Catholicism and its babies – the various denominations of Protestantism. The Christians who never yoked with Catholicism were persecuted by Catholicism and never in history hurt anyone.

 

Those Baptists guilty of harm and injury today can arguably be said to have joined the ranks of Protestantism and are not true to Baptist convictions.

 

I would also claim that Baptists alone, and only those who have done no harm, are the true faith Christ founded.

 

Blessed is he whosoever is not offended in me.

To love and to follow Christ is to be blessed indeed.

 

#OffendedInChrist #ChristAndMiracles #TrueFaith #ChurchHistory #BlessedInChrist

The Offense of Christ: Clarifying Christ's Role in Church History

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.

For this and, more than 6300 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, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Luke 7:23 (KJV) The Offense of Christ

Luke 6:9 (KJV) Jesus' Bold Challenge

Luke 6:9 (KJV)

Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?

 

I’ve always been amazed at Jesus’ willingness to confront religious error. The scribes and Pharisees watched Jesus closely, hoping He would break what they believed to be a Sabbath commandment. They expected Him to heal on the Sabbath day and intended to accuse Him if He did so. However, there is nothing in God’s Word that forbids healing on the Sabbath.

 

Notice the contrasts the Lord makes in our passages:

- Good or evil

- Save life or destroy it

 

Religion, in this context, is portrayed as evil and destructive. Christ, on the other hand, does good and saves lives. Those who accuse religion of evil do so justifiably. However, where they fall short is in failing to make the distinction between Christ and religion.

 

#ReligiousErrorConfronted #SabbathHealingDebate #GoodVsEvilContrast #ChristSavesReligionDestroys #AccusingReligionVsFollowingChrist

Jesus' Bold Challenge: Religion vs. 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.

For this and, more than 6300 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, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Luke 6:9 (KJV) Jesus' Bold Challenge

Luke 5:17 (KJV) The Neediest of All

Luke 5:17 (KJV)

And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

 

Commentaries suggest that the "power of the Lord" to heal in the passage could be attributed to the multitude of people surrounding the house where Jesus was teaching. Alternatively, the power of God may have been present to heal the man with palsy who was lowered down to Jesus through the roof by his friends. He was undoubtedly healed.

 

However, I prefer the way the passage reads. The power of the Lord was present there to heal the Pharisees and the doctors of the law who had come from every town of Galilee and Judea and were sitting by.

 

The power of the Lord was present to heal them. They needed healing every bit as much as the sick, infirmed, deaf, and blind. They needed healing just as desperately, perhaps even more so, than the man with palsy. They needed what Jesus gave to the palsied man. They needed their sins forgiven.

 

The context makes it clear that the goal was never solely about healing a man with palsy. His friends may have been confused about that, as they were more concerned with the physical than the spiritual. Similarly, the Pharisees and doctors were likely confused, knowing that only God could forgive sins. Yet Jesus did so, which puzzled them. He forgave the man's sins and then healed him as a sign of His deity, proving that as the Son of Man, He had the power on earth not just to heal, but to forgive.

 

There is no reason for confusion. Jesus is 100% man and 100% God. His purpose, as God, is to forgive our sins, and His plan, as man, was to pay for them through His death, burial, and resurrection.

 

#PowerToHeal #ForgivenessOfSins #DivineAuthority #HealingForTheHeart #JesusIsGod

The Neediest of All: Forgiveness and Healing

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.

For this and, more than 6300 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, and other resources, are available at:
https://marvinmckenzie.org

Join me at Daily Visits with God Podcast
https://marvinmckenzie.substack.com/

Merch at my Teespring store https://macz.creator-spring.com/
Be a witness with hats, mugs, t-shirts, sweat shirts, and more

Let’s have coffee?
The link to Ko-fi  is an opportunity to support this effort to reach a world of souls with the Word of God. I would appreciate any gift you can give. 

Luke 5:17 (KJV) The Neediest of All