John 19:4 (KJV) Pilate Found No Fault—But Religion Did

John 19:4 (KJV)

Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

It would be foolish to claim that human government has ever truly been the friend of the believer. Many of us would say the government of the United States has been about as close as any in history, yet even it has not always been friendly—and lately it seems less so by the day.

But here’s the reality: governments are not our greatest concern compared to religion. It was not Pilate who desired the death of Christ; it was religion. For nearly 1,500 years, the Catholic system hunted down and killed those who dared to believe a different doctrine of Christ. They, like the Jews before them, used the arm of government to empower their persecution—but the driving force was religion itself.

Then came the Protestant churches, who for the next two centuries picked up the same weapon. Though they themselves had suffered persecution, they failed to see that they had become a fresh version of the same old enemy Catholicism had been.

Today a new religion has risen with its own hostility toward the Christian faith. Atheism is a religion—don’t be persuaded otherwise. They claim to have no god, but that is untrue. Their god is the corrupt human mind. They worship themselves, and no god is more cruel, controlling, or corrupt.

As imperfect as it is, government was established by God for the protection of people. In its truest form, it brings no accusation against Christ. Only when government falls under the domination of religion does it turn violent toward the faith.

#TruthFromJohn19 #ChristOnTrial #ReligionGoneWrong #StandFirmInFaith #GodAboveAllGovernment

Pilate Found No Fault—But Religion Did: A New Hatred Rising Against the Faith

 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 7000 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.

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. 

John 19:4 (KJV) Pilate Found No Fault—But Religion Did

John 16:6 (KJV) Sorrow Now, Joy Later

John 16:6 (KJV) 

But because I have said these things unto you, sorrow hath filled your heart.

Christianity today loves to spotlight the happiness, the joy, the delights of being a believer—the Joel Osteen “Your Best Life Now” approach.

We’ve been misled into thinking the Christian life is mainly about solving problems or building success.

It’s why some read this very chapter and struggle. John 16:24 (KJV) says, Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.
They ask and don’t receive. Then they conclude either God doesn’t love them or the Bible isn’t true.

The Scriptures stand.
We’ve simply misread them.

• These are days of sorrow.
• These are days of labor.
• These are days that require hardness, endurance, faith, and persistence.
• Fight the good fight.
• Run your race.
• Finish your course.

There is peace available in the struggle. There is grace in the running. But the deepest joy comes only when the race is done.

There’s nothing wrong with acknowledging that these are days of sorrow. That awareness keeps us sober and watchful—mindful that an enemy stands ready to devour. Staying alert helps us avoid unnecessary grief.

Hold on, my child. Morning is coming, and joy with it.

#SoberFaith #EndureHardness #JoyComesInTheMorning #BibleTruthAlways #RunYourRace

Sorrow Now, Joy Later: Grace for the Hard Days

If you’re searching for real Bible answers, not feel-good shortcuts, dive deeper into what Jesus actually taught about sorrow, endurance, and true joy. 🌄📖
The Christian life isn’t “your best life now”—it’s a faithful walk with Christ through every season, trusting His Word even when the road is rough.

💬 Question for you:
When has God strengthened you during a hard season? Share your experience in the comments—your story may encourage someone today.

👉 For more Scripture studies, devotionals, and solid Baptist teaching, visit marvinmckenzie.org.
Let’s grow in truth together. ✝️🔥

 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 7000 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.

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. 

John 16:6 (KJV) Sorrow Now, Joy Later

John 11:37 (KJV) Confusion Meets Christ

John 11:37 (KJV) 

And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died?

I appeal to this verse as a picture of the confusion surrounding Christ throughout the chapter.

The disciples were unsure whether He should even make the trip to see Lazarus.

Martha and Mary were puzzled about why He had not come sooner.

Some wondered why He hadn’t healed Lazarus before he died.

They questioned His command to roll away the stone.

Everyone stood amazed when Lazarus walked out of the grave alive.

They speculated whether Jesus would now travel on to the temple in Jerusalem.

And the chief priests simply wanted someone to betray Him so they could seize Him.

There is so much we may learn of the Lord if we will trust Him, wait upon Him, open His Word, and hear from Him. There is no reason to remain in the dark concerning Him. Yet even with all He reveals, our fallen nature will never grasp everything about Christ in this life. Only when we see Him as He is will we finally understand our Saviour in the fullest sense. And it may well be that even in our incorruptible state, we will still have the privilege of discovering eternal depths of His glory.

#TrustHimInTheTrial #ChristOurLight #LearningOfJesus #FaithOverConfusion #WalkingInHisWord

Confusion Meets Christ: Seeing Jesus Beyond the Questions

If you’re looking for clear Bible answers and real hope when life doesn’t make sense, don’t walk this journey alone. 🌟 Open God’s Word, strengthen your faith, and discover how Christ brings light even in our most confusing moments. 📖✨

What part of John 11 challenges or encourages you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear from you! 💬

For more Bible studies, devotionals, and resources to help you grow, visit marvinmckenzie.org. 🙌

 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 7000 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.

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. 

John 11:37 (KJV) Confusion Meets Christ

John 5:4 (KJV) Jesus Heals Without the Hype

John 5:4 (KJV) 

For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

It occurs to me that there have been “charismatic types” of people around since probably the fall of man.

• People who want to believe in miracles.
• People in desperate need of these miracles.
• People, misguided, who see angels and wonders in the strangest places.

There were years ago reports of someone claiming they saw the face of either Mary or Jesus—I can’t remember which—in the frost on a street sign in Boardman, OR. Folks came from miles around hoping to catch a glimpse and receive a miracle. I remember similar stories about a pancake somewhere taking on the imaginative shape of Christ.

Then we have the faith healers, attracting thousands to their miracle-working services where crowds witness others receiving miracles—but, just like this man at the pool, somehow never themselves.

The Bible is an absolutely true book, but it must be read and interpreted using basic comprehension skills—skills then illuminated by the Holy Ghost. The record simply reports that such a pool existed and that people believed these things about it. The Bible never says an angel actually stirred the water, or that such an angel, if one did, was holy. Nor does it assert that the first one in was truly healed—only that this is what the people believed.

But then came Jesus.

• He needed no agitated water.
• He wasn’t limited by the actions or expectations of the crowd.
• He approached the man, heard his story, and healed him.

We need today, as men have always needed, an honest faith in Jesus Christ—not fairy-tale miracle pools, pancakes, or frosty street signs.

We need holy men of God who boldly preach the Bible—not charlatan faith healers preying on the desperation of the needy.

We need Jesus. Not religion. Not hype. Not even simply health.

We need Him—His salvation from sin, His purpose for our lives, and the hope of eternity in His presence.

#TrustInChristAlone #BibleTruthForToday #DiscernmentForBelievers #FaithOverFables #JesusStillSaves

Jesus Heals Without the Hype: We Need Christ, Not Charlatans

If you’re searching for real Bible answers, not superstition or hype, dig deeper into the truth that always points us back to Jesus Christ. He still saves, still heals the heart, and still offers hope the world can’t touch.

Have you ever been tempted to look for a “sign” instead of going straight to Scripture? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear from you.

For more solid Bible teaching and daily encouragement, visit marvinmckenzie.org and keep growing in the 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 7000 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.

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. 

John 5:4 (KJV) Jesus Heals Without the Hype

 

John 4:4 (KJV) A Necessary Journey for Necessary Souls

John 4:4 (KJV) 

And he must needs go through Samaria.

The Saviour’s need

Travel from Jerusalem north through Samaria was the most direct route but it led them through the area of what most Jews thought were the “unsavory” characters - Gentiles and half Jews. There was no earthly need to travel that direction. But we see in the text that there was an eternal one.

Our Saviour is all God, all knowing, all powerful. There is nothing He cannot do. There is nothing He does not possess. But our Saviour has placed Himself on a mission and that mission sets certain needs. There is the need to be where people are. Specifically there is the need to be where people who need the Lord happen to be.

He must needs to through Samaria because there was this woman at the well.

Since our Saviour ascended to heaven He has passed on the responsibility of reaching those souls to the believers - you and me. 

The Saviour’s need has became our necessity. We must needs go….

• We must needs go to town and cities, we might otherwise never go.
• We must needs go through neighborhoods and communities we would generally pass around.
• We must needs speak to people we may never have otherwise spoken to.
• We must needs travel to places we would never have thought of going to for any other purpose.

It might not be comfortable.

It might be out of our way.

It might involve conversations we find difficult.

It may mean missing a meal we might have had.

But our Saviour needs us to go through those places because there are people there who need to hear the Saviour’s message. 

#HeMustNeedsGo #ReachTheUnreached #FollowTheSavioursPath #SoulsStillThirsting #GoWhereJesusWent

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 7000 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.

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. 

John 4:4 (KJV) A Necessary Journey for Necessary Souls