Proverbs 10:28 (KJV) Happy and Sad

 

Proverbs 10:28 (KJV)

The hope of the righteous shall be gladness: but the expectation of the wicked shall perish.

There would be, I am sure, some practical applications of this passage today. But the key words, hope and perish, lead me to believe that this passage is meant to put eternity in mind.

The Bible says that the Christian has hope but the one who is without Christ is also without hope.

Jesus promised that those who believe in him have everlasting life but that those who do not believe are condemned to perish.

Now consider the expectation of the wicked concerning eternity. It might take one of three forms:

• It does not matter
• We just die and turn to dust
• God will not send anyone to hell

I want to say it does matter.
Death and hell are serious matters. Eternity lasts forever. This brief life is over in a breath. What happens beyond that grace is forever.

I want to say that there is something after death
The Bible assures it to be so. The resurrection of Christ proves it to be so. Every fiber of human being demands it to be so.

I want to say that soul will be and are now in hell.
Jesus’ account of the rich man and Lazarus informs us that souls do go to eternal hell.

The wicked man’s expectations about his future will perish. They will be dashed to pieces in the rocks of eternal reality. But that same wicked man can be made righteous by coming to Jesus. What gladness awaits him at the foot of the cross of Jesus!

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

Proverbs 10:28 (KJV) Happy and Sad

Proverbs 8:9 (KJV) It Ought To Be

 

Proverbs 8:9 (KJV)

They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.

If wisdom is the Word of God and the cry of wisdom is preaching, then:
It ought to be passionate
Crying is not necessarily out of sadness. I would think that is the case here. But crying does reflect a burden. I can’t imagine a preacher with no burden. There might be men in the pulpit with no burden, but they are not preachers.

It ought to be serious
People enjoy levity. I get that. But the pulpit is no place for worldly foolishness.

It ought to be excellent and right
We are humans and we make mistakes. But the pulpit is no place for ill preparedness and sloppiness.

It ought to be true
That just means the Bible. If we cry out the Words of the Bible, they will be true. Anything else is a guess at best.

It ought to be plain
Fact is that some won’t get it even then. The preacher is only one side of this communication. The hearer must wish to find knowledge.

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

Proverbs 8:9 (KJV) It Ought To Be

Revelation 4:2 (KJV) Consider The Numbers

 

Revelation 4:2 (KJV)

And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

Too much can be made of numbers in the Bible. This doesn’t mean we must make nothing of them. Consider the numbers in Revelation chapter 4.

One
Revelation 4:2 (KJV)
And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
“sat on the throne”
Is there any doubt but this is God?

Four

Revelation 4:6 (KJV)
And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
“Beasts full of eyes before and behind.”
A being whose only purpose is to worship God.

Seven
Revelation 4:5 (KJV)
And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
“which are the seven Spirits of God”
I think this represents the perfect illumination of the Holy Spirit. Right now, we see through a glass darkly. In heaven we will have perfect ability to know the Word of God.

Twenty-four
Revelation 4:4 (KJV)
And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
Revelation 4:10 (KJV)
The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
“Elders sitting in a white raiment with golden crowns.”

I believe these to be representative of believers.

• • Seated around God’s throne, what a place
• • Clothes in white and gold, what an honor
• • Illuminated with the Holy Spirit, what glory
• • Worshipping with those who have only ever known worship, what a humbling experience

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 5500 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

Revelation 4:2 (KJV) Consider The Numbers

Proverbs 4:7-9 (KJV) Get Wisdom

 Proverbs 4:7-9 (KJV)

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.

I see in this passage three things we are to do concerning wisdom:
Get wisdom
The Bible says, “with all thy getting.”  First and foremost, before work, money, or family. Before we attempt to make our mark in the world, get wisdom.

Exalt wisdom

The word has to do with stacking up as the Lord did the waters of Jordan for Israel under Joshua. It is similar to the words of Jesus Christ “if I be lifted up.”[1] It means to make wisdom plain and visible. Wisdom is not to be hidden.

Embrace wisdom
Meaning, “to clasp or fold the hands.” Once gotten, wisdom must be held on to. It would not do to get wisdom and stuff it in a closet. It is to be gotten with all our getting, elevated so that it is obvious and then embraced so that it is ever near to our side and heart.

As it is found in the Proverbs, the description of wisdom sounds like Christ Jesus. Get Christ with all your getting. Lift Christ for all to see in your life. Embrace Christ so that you never leave His side.

---

[1] John 12:32 (KJV)
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.

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 5500 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

Proverbs 4:7-9 (KJV) Get Wisdom

Revelation 3:18 (KJV) What Hope!

 

Revelation 3:18 (KJV)

I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

What hope!

When one considers the scathing words of our Saviour against the church that was in Laodicea, one could come nearly to the conclusion that all hope was gone.

• Jesus said He would spue them out of his mouth
• Jesus said they were, wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked

But then:
He offered them counsel
That is hopeful

He told them to buy
That means that even in their spiritual wretchedness they had something

Jesus said to buy gold tried in fire
They could still obtain something of spiritual worth

He said He loved them
And was therefore willing to rebuke and chasten them

He said they could repent
It was not too late to turn around

He said He stood at the door and knocked

He had not forgotten or forsaken them
It’s not too late. If you read this and wonder if it is too late for you it is not.

Be zealous therefore, and repent

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 5500 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

Revelation 3:18 (KJV) What Hope!

Proverbs 1:17 (KJV) The Theme of the Bible

 

Proverbs 1:17 (KJV)

Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.

I think it would be possible to think of this verse as the theme of the book of Proverbs. Come to think of it, it could be the theme of the entire Bible.

We have enemies, both physical and spiritual. This world, the flesh, and the devil are opposed to us. There are nets and traps of all sorts scattered about all around us. If it isn’t something that is harmful to our health it is someone looking for an easy victim.  In the spiritual realm false teachers, antichrists, and dangerous religions are just about on every corner. Jesus said that some of them would be so convincing that, if it were possible, they would deceive the very elect.

But the Bible reveals these nets and traps. The believers who keep their eyes on the book will see those nets for what they are.

We’ve just got to get hold of our attention, so we are in the Word of God as we ought to be.

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

Proverbs 1:17 (KJV) The Theme of the Bible

Revelation 2:9 (KJV) What Jesus Said

 

Revelation 2:9 (KJV)

I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.

Consider this verse in contrast with, Revelation 3:17 (KJV) 
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:

On the one hand, we see a Church that appeared poor, but Jesus said is rich. On the other hand, we see a church that appeared to be rich, but Jesus said that it is “wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”

The one is a matter of fact. Jesus said that He knew the church in Smyrna to be poor and in tribulation. He said of them that the physical fact that it was poor did not outweigh the spiritual fact that it was rich.

The other was a matter of perception. Laodicea felt like it was rich and needed nothing. The church did not know it was spiritually impoverished.

What we appear to be and what we believe ourselves to be is not nearly as important and what Jesus says is the truth concerning us.

That truth can only be discovered in the Bible.

How desperately we must be Bible people.

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 5500 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

Revelation 2:9 (KJV) What Jesus Said

Revelation 1:9 (KJV) Companions

 

Revelation 1:9 (KJV)

I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

John says to the reader[1] that he is our brother and that he is our companion on three levels:

• In tribulation
• In the kingdom
• In the patience of Jesus Christ

I am thinking about the third of those three. Jesus is both Lord and King even today. He was also in John’s day. He can turn the king’s heart. He can conquer and consume any evil we face in this world. He could, if so willed, return at any moment to take us to heaven. There is nothing too hard for God. And yet, we face the tribulations of life. We endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. Our faith places us in predicaments of every sort and trials of every nature. What a pleasure it would be to have an end to these troubles. What joy when we find ourselves finally enjoying His kingdom.

And why not now? I pray every day, “Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus.” “Why not today?”

It’s because of the patience of Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

---

[1] Who, as much as any book of the Bible, is you and me because the Revelation is written to the future.

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 5500 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

Revelation 1:9 (KJV) Companions