John 20:19 (KJV) Courageous Christian Faith

John 20:19 (KJV)

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

Just about a year ago, my wife and I were privileged to visit a number of churches scattered around the United Arab Emirates. These churches operate underground, but for the most part we would never have known it. They hold regular services at which they sing joyfully and preach the gospel clearly. They conduct evangelistic outreach, hold camps and special services; anything we in a free world would do on a regular basis, they did as well.

But they are underground and, in small (and some not-so-small) ways, we witnessed it.

In a midweek service, the believers were gathered and the song service was underway. We were singing with joy, holding nothing back, when suddenly the song leader held up his hand in a stop motion. I don’t hear so well, so my wife explained what was happening. There was a knock on the door. Everyone stopped singing so our voices would not carry outdoors while the doorkeeper found out whether it was someone coming to services, someone coming to complain, or the police.

In another church, the congregation met in a high-rise apartment. The pastor there joked that they were an underground church meeting six stories up. But they had soundproofed the room with foam boards. He said when they first began holding services and could not yet afford the board, they had stapled old egg cartons to the walls and ceiling to dampen the sound. They preached without reservation and sang loudly and cheerfully.

But in every case, they were aware of their surroundings.

Fear had not paralyzed them. It only made them conscious.

Imagine those disciples assembled, doors shut, and very aware that Jesus Christ, the One to whom they had committed their souls, had been crucified. They had not scattered. They had not separated or disbanded. They were together, assembled, cautious, but not quitting.

And in walks Jesus!

I want to say that these are days we must be aware of our surroundings, but we must not quit our service for the Lord. We assemble not out of fear of what might be done to us but for the souls of those who do not know our Saviour.

And as we meet, aware of the dire need around us, conscious of how little we possess to effect change, we pray, we wait, we hope for that day when the LORD steps in.

#DailyVisitWithGod #John20v19 #FaithOverFear #FaithfulUnderPressure #JesusInOurMidst

Courageous Christian Faith: Cautious, But Not Quitting

Be Cautious, But Don't Quit!

The disciples gathered behind closed doors, but they had not abandoned their faith. And Jesus stood in their midst!

Whatever challenges may come, don't allow fear to silence your witness, separate you from your church, or stop your service for Christ. Keep assembling, keep praying, and keep looking for the Lord to work!

Are you remaining faithful, even when circumstances are difficult?

I invite you to visit https://marvinmckenzie.org for more Daily Visits With God, practical Bible teaching, and encouragement to remain faithful to the Lord.

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 7300 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.

John 20:19 (KJV) Courageous Christian Faith

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

https://youtube.com/post/UgkxhIm7BXX-r6dsHIQGMw801j8E5ZoACIuE?si=1H66yIW8LVGSgX3t

Psalm 52:7 (KJV) Why Do Wicked People Prosper?

Psalm 52:7 (KJV)

Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.

This Psalm purportedly was David’s response when Abiathar, the son of Ahimelech, came to tell him that Doeg had told Saul David had been at Nob. Upon this report, Saul had the priests at Nob summoned and then killed at the hands of Doeg. David’s response was not so much grief for the priests, although 1 Samuel 22:22 speaks of that, but of the arrogance of Doeg.

I’d put it like this: what had happened to the priests was done and over. It was terrible and gross, but it was done and could not be resolved. Doeg, on the other hand, was a present matter that could be addressed.

And David addressed him, not by taking vengeance but in prayer. And by recalling God’s ultimate victory over everything that trusts in the abundance of riches and strengthens himself in his wickedness.

Doeg appeared to be the mighty man. He had the favor of the king and the power to destroy those who stood in his way. But David knew something Doeg did not. The goodness of God endureth continually. Doeg trusted in what he could accomplish through wickedness. David trusted in the mercy of God.

David, as we know, was the one who ended on top. Saul lived long enough to mourn his choices but not much longer.

David lived out his days, not always in comfort, because this world is uncomfortable for the people of God, but with inner peace and the joy of his salvation.

And David lives on in eternal life.

I do not know what ultimately became of Doeg, but I do know I’d rather follow the example of David.

#DailyVisitWithGod #Psalm52v7 #TrustInGod #GodsGoodness #BibleDevotional

Why Do Wicked People Prosper? God Has the Final Word

The Wicked May Appear to Win Today, But God Has the Final Word!

Doeg trusted in his influence, his position, and his wickedness. David trusted in the mercy of God. We know which man ultimately prevailed!

Where are you placing your confidence today? In what you possess, what you can accomplish, or in the God whose goodness endureth continually?

Don't let the temporary success of wickedness shake your faith. Follow David's example. Trust God, leave the outcome in His hands, and remember that His judgment is final!

📖 Read more Daily Visits With God and find biblical encouragement for everyday life at https://marvinmckenzie.org.

Share this devotional with someone who needs reminding that God always has the final 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 7300 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.

Psalm 52:7 (KJV) Why Do Wicked People Prosper?

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

https://youtube.com/post/UgkxeEyeO8hauoRGs1Xaa53_vKwT_iCtgntk?si=54LAR8c-YxVcvr3h

Psalms 51:1 (KJV) The Messenger's Spirit

Psalms 51:1 (KJV)

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. 

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

I recognize that the superscript that begins many of the Psalms is not God-breathed, inspired writing. But it's considered established that this superscript is accurate. The Psalm was written by David upon being confronted by the prophet for his sin with Bathsheba.

Psalm 51 is a lesson in repentance.

It's not my point to go through the Psalm, but it would be a good one for the one struggling over his sin to work through. This isn't academic; this is visceral, real, cutting to the quick of things.

My point is that it was the response to being confronted. We have a record of this confrontation in the Word of God, and it is worth noting that Nathan wasn't in the flesh when he approached the king. He demonstrated sense, restraint, compassion, and wisdom, but he did confront.

And David did respond. He responded with grief, burden, honesty, and genuine repentance.

Perhaps there is a lesson for both the offended and the offender here, the preacher and the congregant he must rebuke. Perhaps the sinner would be in a better place to repent if the "prophet" approached him with a little more of God Himself…

Matthew 7:5 (KJV)

"...first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

#Psalm51v1 #BiblicalRepentance #SpeakingTheTruthInLove #GodlyCorrection #DailyVisitWithGo

The Messenger's Spirit: Confrontation Leading to Repentance

The truth must be preached, but the spirit of the messenger matters!

Before confronting someone else's sin, examine your own heart. Are you seeking their restoration or simply pointing out their failure? And when God uses someone to confront you, will you respond with the humility and repentance David demonstrated?

Ask God to give you both the courage to speak the truth and the grace to speak it in the right spirit.

If this Daily Visit With God has challenged you, share it with someone who might benefit from its message.

Visit marvinmckenzie.org for more daily Bible encouragement, practical Christian teaching, and resources to strengthen your walk with the Lord.

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 7300 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.

Psalms 51:1 (KJV) The Messenger's Spirit

Here's a comic version of the lesson. 

https://youtube.com/post/Ugkx796wJB6gYxV9Tk9pQFrXTzkCEvS9vBa_?si=xjoDPVucJvyY1G4x

Psalms 50:5-6 (KJV) Christ Is Coming Again

Psalms 50:5-6 (KJV)

Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.

And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah.

Whenever I read the word “gather” in the Word of God, I think of the rapture. It is represented in the New Testament often as a gathering of God’s people. The Old Testament, of course, has its own context, but the author of God’s Word, who is God Himself, knew where the book would end when He wrote the first word.

Considering that, I see:

• His coming (vs. 3)
• His presence on earth (vs. 4)
• His gathering of the saints (vs. 5)
• His Tribulation, Kingdom, and Great White Throne (vs. 6)

And then, in verse 7, the Word of God says, “Hear, O my people, and I will speak.”

How we need the one who will speak today!

The preacher, the witness, the one who declares the righteous truth, is the most meaningful and essential person in our world today. That is precisely because what is written in verses 1–6 is so very, very true.

I know these truths are mocked, scoffed at, and derided. They are often thought of as only secondary, even among professing believers.

But if these things were not true, then nothing about Christianity has purpose.

And if they are true, then nothing else even compares in importance.

#Psalms50v6 #JesusIsComingAgain #TheRapture #GodsFinalJudgment #PreachTheWord

Christ Is Coming Again: Nothing Else Compares

If God's Word is true, nothing matters more than proclaiming it!

Christ is coming! God will gather His saints, establish His kingdom, and judge the world in righteousness. These are not merely interesting Bible prophecies. They are eternal truths that demand our attention today!

The world desperately needs faithful men and women who will declare God's Word without compromise.

Will you be one of those voices?

📖 Read more in today's Daily Visit With God from Psalm 50:5–6.

Visit https://marvinmckenzie.org for daily Bible encouragement, sound doctrine, and practical teaching from God's Word.

Read it. Believe it. Share it. Someone needs to hear God's truth today!

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 7300 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.

Psalms 50:5-6 (KJV) Christ Is Coming Again

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

https://youtube.com/post/UgkxdmKNNDPGUWw3kCRZX2omgycxKRni3NSs?si=zI3OjX1Qsu571enS

Psalms 49:11 (KJV) Your Name and Eternity

Psalms 49:11 (KJV)

Their inward thought is, that their houses shall continue for ever, and their dwelling places to all generations; they call their lands after their own names.

What David observed in his day hasn’t changed at all. People still “call their lands after their own names.”

David did it too. It was “the city of David,” wasn’t it?

2 Samuel 5:9 (KJV)

So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward.

We actually call the place our house sits on McKenzie Mountain.

Many of the streets (and parks) in Republic are named after people whose life stories are completely unknown to me. There are cities, towns, and regions all over the U.S. named Lafayette or Fayetteville, and the majority of Americans have no knowledge of why.

Here’s the thing: while it may not be wrong to name something after a person or perhaps even after yourself, it is completely foolish to think such an act will make your memory last much longer than the generation in which you live.

But you personally—you can live much longer than your memory. You can live in the presence of God eternally.

I’d like to leave a work that outlasts me—perhaps by many generations. That’s one of the reasons I write.

But if my life on earth is completely forgotten once my grandchildren pass, it’s okay. I know my name is written in the Lamb’s book of life, and with Him I will not be forgotten.

#DailyVisitWithGod #Psalm49v11 #EternalLife #LambsBookOfLife #WhatReallyLasts

Your Name and Eternity: An Better Perspective on Life

 What are we passing on to the next generation?

Our love for the Lord should produce a love for His church, its biblical doctrines, and its faithful practices. These are treasures worth preserving!

If this Daily Visit with God encouraged you, share it with someone who loves the local church. Help the next generation understand why it matters!

📖 Visit https://marvinmckenzie.org for more daily Bible studies, practical teaching, and resources to strengthen your walk with the Lord.

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 7300 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.

Psalms 49:11 (KJV) Your Name and Eternity

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

https://youtube.com/post/UgkxH4MjTVy6Fz9vZjL48_Tgu2Cw8EJaZ92f?si=OEjAgb0m9-O4Uips

Psalms 48:13 (KJV) Doctrine, Faith, and Practice

Psalms 48:13 (KJV)

Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.

I'm intrigued by the way the opening verses of this chapter weave together God and “the mountain of his holiness.”

A place is just a place unless it has been consecrated to the Lord or God has chosen it for Himself. I think of David and the threshing floor he purchased. He was not to be the one who built the temple, but he did purchase the site and collect a great deal of the materials and means necessary for its construction.

He did this out of love and devotion to the Lord, and through that love and devotion, he developed a great affection for the site and the temple that would eventually stand there.

And then he writes, “Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell it to the generation following.”

May I say that love for the Lord creates in us a love for the place He has called His believers to assemble—the local church—and for the place that local assembly of believers has consecrated for that purpose.

The bulwarks, that which upholds this local assembly, are not the building or its construction but the doctrines, faith, and practice of that church. We are instructed to mark these well, to take good note of them. Consider them, learn them, and then speak of them so that future generations might learn to love the church as well.

#DailyVisitWithGod #Psalm48v13 #LoveYourLocalChurch #BiblicalDoctrine #FaithForTheNextGeneration

Doctrine, Faith, and Practice: The Foundation of Biblical Faith

What are we passing on to the next generation?

Our love for the Lord should produce a love for His church, its biblical doctrines, and its faithful practices. These are treasures worth preserving!

If this Daily Visit with God encouraged you, share it with someone who loves the local church. Help the next generation understand why it matters!

📖 Visit https://marvinmckenzie.org for more daily Bible studies, practical teaching, and resources to strengthen your walk with the Lord.

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 7300 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.

Psalms 48:13 (KJV) Doctrine, Faith, and Practice

Here's a comic version of the lesson.

https://youtube.com/post/UgkxuKH18CQCPqSzjFzEvv7C_8bFQWxJ0-7_?si=e2ux6UlKfb1e84yx