Esther 5:3 We Know the End

Esther 5:3 (KJV)
Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

Years ago, I heard of a preacher who saw in the book of Esther a type of the relationship between God the Father, God the Son, and the church of Jesus Christ. I won’t remember his comparisons exactly, but I can see:

  • Ahasuerus, as God the Father

  • His first wife, Vashti, as Israel

  • Ahasuerus, as God the Son

  • His second wife, Esther, as the church

  • Haman, as Satan

There are a million holes in the picture, and I hate the idea of Ahasuerus as a type of God. But allow me this grace.

God would have loved to have made much of Israel. She is the apple of His eye. She is loved simply because He loves her. But she has spurned His love.

Israel is currently set aside. The Bible says she is divorced from God. In her place, God today, is preparing a bride for His Son, the church of Jesus Christ.

As the bride, Esther appeals to her husband through days of fasting and prayer. She puts on her royal apparel and awaits the grace of His call to bid her to Himself.

In the meantime, she faces a terrible enemy.

Satan, the fallen angels, and those taken captive by him at his will plot to destroy the object of Christ’s love. Satan and those who belong to him boast of their wealth, power, and position. Pride is the primary characteristic of the devil.

As he prepares his victory over the love of God, she prepares her appeal to the king of kings. It may look bad for her now.

But we know the end of the book!

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

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For this and, more than 6000 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.

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Esther 5:3 We Know the End

Esther 1:13 Study to Know Right

Esther 1:13 (KJV)
Then the king said to the wise men, which knew the times, (for so was the king’s manner toward all that knew law and judgment:

I am reminded of Psalms 1:1-2 (KJV)
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

The king had access to the wisest men of his day. But when he asked them for counsel in the matter of Vashti, all they gave him was:

  • Their concern for cultural norms
  • Their consternation over gossip and
  • Their care for their reputation

No one even considered what would be morally, emotionally, or spiritually right.

Herein is the challenge with the wise men of the world. They study to know how to get along or to be successful. They do not study to know what is right.

Better to be an expert in right and at a loss in the world than the other way around.

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

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 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

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

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Esther 1:13 Study to Know Right

Nehemiah 13:31 When Only God is Happy

Nehemiah 13:31 (KJV)
And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good.

I imagine by the time Nehemiah had finished, there was almost no one happy with him.

  • He had offended Sanballat and Tobiah
  • He had fought off those who tried to stop the work
  • He had confronted those who had married outside the faith
  • He had opposed those who had charged usury
  • He had rejected those who had no clear heritage as Levites
  • He had forced out the Moabites and Ammonites
  • He had locked the doors and driven off those who wished to buy and sell on the Sabbath

The book ends with the words, “Remember me, O my God, for good.”

A person who wishes to follow the Lord must be content to be remembered for good by God. It might be no one else will.

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

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 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

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. 

Nehemiah 13:31 When Only God is Happy

Acts 22:1 The Art of Effective Persuasion

Acts 22:1 (KJV)
Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

Rhetoric
“the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques.”[1]

The Apostle was well-trained even before his salvation and calling. He was also highly experienced by this time, having spent years in public preaching. While he was unsuccessful in persuading this audience (there are significant lessons to be learned even from that observation), he was nonetheless masterful in his presentation.

Men, brethren, and fathers
My understanding is that this was a traditional opening meant to express respect.

Men,
General audience. All who would hear.

Brethren
Of the same family, sentiments, and background.

Fathers
Leaders, elders, counselors, and teachers.

This opening could be thought of individually or corporately. He was one of them, respected them, and appealed to their reason and emotions.

We do not have to be obnoxious in our appeals. Neither do we have to be dripping with false affections. We can: 

  • Identify with our audience, 
  • Give them proper respect, and 
  • Deliver doctrinal truth to which they may choose their own responses

[1]https://www.google.com/search?q=rhetoric&oq=rhetoric&aqs=chrome..69i57.4870j0j1&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

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

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 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

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. 

Acts 22:1 The Art of Effective Persuasion

Acts 21:9 No More Than Teachers?

Acts 21:9 (KJV)
And the same man had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy.

Nearing the end of Paul’s ministry, at least as a free man, he arrived in Caesarea to lodge with Philip. What a time this must have been. Philip was saved and serving the Lord much sooner than Paul. Philip was one of the seven original deacons, of whom was Stephen, whom Paul had his hand in his martyrdom.

Philip had gone on to serve as an evangelist in the city of Caesarea. The Bible says he had four daughters, “which did prophecy.” I believe some groups make this out to be something entirely unnecessary. Adam Clarke writes, “Probably these were no more than teachers in the Church: for we have already seen that this is a frequent meaning of the word prophesy; and this is undoubtedly one thing intended by the prophecy of Joel, quoted Acts 2:17-18 of this book. If Philip’s daughters might be prophetesses, why not teachers?”

I would challenge his phrase, “no more than teachers,” because there is little more valuable than those who study and teach the Word of God. It requires a heart, a dedication, and a spiritual discernment. Few attain it. Many, if not most, are content to be the served rather than the servants. Would to God we had more men and women who were: sold out to God, stable in their church membership, willing and gifted to serve.

But I do get his gist. He calls them “no more than servants,” in contrast to the wild-eyed definitions of the prophets we often find among the Pentecostal and Charismatic sects of Christians.

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

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 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

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. 

Acts 21:9 No More Than Teachers?

Acts 20:38 A Scriptural Ministry

Acts 20:38 (KJV)
Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.

Acts 20:17-34 is perhaps the best summary of scriptural ministry we’ll find in the Word of God. Interestingly, Paul summoned the elders of Ephesus to hear this. These were certainly not the only believers, and maybe not the ones he was closest to. But Ephesus was where he invested the longest part of his time.

I get what’s going on now more than any time in my life. I’m beginning to sense the close of my years, and though some insist I am still young and have many years ahead of me, I know my time is shorter now than it used to be. Mortality is setting in.

  • I am thankful for what the Lord has allowed me to be a part of
  • I am hopeful for the Lord’s soon return
  • I am happy for those God has called to carry on

At the same time

  • I am mindful of the trials I experienced and
  • I am cautious for those who will turn away from the truth

I can’t say how much more time I have to invest in the ministry. If God gives me even another 15 years, I know they will fly away.

I want to be free from the blood of all men, having, by the grace of God, served Him in all good conscience.

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

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 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

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. 

Acts 20:38 A Scriptural Ministry

Nehemiah 8:8 Good Lessons!

Nehemiah 8:8 (KJV)
So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.

This must have been a sight.

The Jews assembled together
The pulpit was tall enough that Ezra could be seen by all the congregation who were standing.[1]

The Bible priests, scribes, and Levites scattered among the people.
The Bible says three things happened that day concerning the Word of God:

They read it distinctly
Carefully, loudly, so that all could hear.

They gave the sense
Which is hermeneutic; they told them an interpretation.

They caused them to understand
They did some teaching. They expressed what the Bible meant to them personally.

Good lessons for us today. 

[1] From morning to mid-day

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

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 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

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. 

Nehemiah 8:8 Good Lessons!

Acts 18:12 This Man Can Never Fail

Acts 18:12 (KJV)
And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,

Paul had “assuredly gathered”[1] that God sent him west into Greece and the Western World. Looking back in time, we can see the impact of the Macedonian call and Paul’s obedience to it. But it was no easy walk. Paul and his team experienced persecution, mockery, and oppression in virtually every city they preached the Gospel.

  • In some places, they were forced out of town
  • In some places, they were beaten and jailed
  • In some places, they were laughed at and mocked
  • In some places, riots broke out as a result

But they were exactly where God called them to be.

A man can never fail when he is where God places him. His successes may not be what worldliness is attracted to, but they will yield an eternal fruit that is better far than anything offered on earth.

[1] Acts 16:10 (KJV)
And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

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

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 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

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. 

Acts 18:12 This Man Can Never Fail

Acts 17:16 He Could Not Wait

Acts 17:16 (KJV)
Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry.

While waiting, he could not wait.

The Apostle had gone to Athens under pressure. The Jews of Thessalonica had chased him down in Berea and forced his evacuation. Having arrived in Athena, he called for Silas and Timothy to meet him there. While he waited, the Apostle became stirred for souls in Athens and began preaching.

Sometimes, we might find ourselves in what we might call a holding pattern. Perhaps we are it sure what our next step will be. We may be waiting on the Lord for our new assignment. But waiting is never an excuse for idleness, and I would suggest a sure sign of the Spirit of God working through a person is that he is easily stirred to ministry.

We need not wait while we wait. There will always be something to do for God. We do not have to find a new place, a fresh call. All we need to do is what we can for Christ. God will do all the rest.

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

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 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

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. 

Acts 17:16 He Could Not Wait

Acts 16:18 Why He Waited?

Acts 16:18 (KJV)
And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.

I by no means wish to cast aspersion upon the Apostle; I only desire to make applications based on my personal ministry observations.

The Bible says that the damsel possessed followed Paul and distracted his ministry with her “cries” for many days. The Bible further says that after many days Paul, being grieved, turned, and commanded the spirit to come out of her. Perhaps it took these many days before the Holy Spirit gave Paul liberty to give this command. I do not know. What I do know is that for many days

  • The evil spirit continued to possess the damsel and to vex the ministry of Paul
  • Paul was forced to persist in his ministry, dealing with this evil spirit’s pressure and grief.
  • Those Paul preached to were subjected to the harassment of the evil spirit

Had Paul turned and commanded the spirit to come out of her the first day

  • The damsel would have been free sooner
  • Paul would have less stress sooner
  • His audience would have been protected more quickly

Why he waited many days is a mystery. The Bible does not say, and I would not question Apostle Paul. I do know that in the years I’ve been in the ministry, I have, too many times, waited longer to confront an evil than I think I should have.

Seldom do those I need to confront turn on their own. Very often, the problems I had hoped to avoid by waiting happens nonetheless.

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

Donate to our cause of “Reaching a world of souls with the Word of God.”

For this and, more than 6000 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

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. 

Acts 16:18 Why He Waited?