Tag: Luke

Luke 24:11 (KJV)
And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

Idle tales

It’s important to recall to whom the women gave this report. These were the apostles. These were the men who had walked with Jesus, sat at His feet, and learned the Word of God from the very lips of God. There were the men who had been sent out to preach the word of God, heal the sick, and cast out demons. These men had witnessed His miracles. These men had sat with Christ at the last supper. They knew that Jesus had told them He would rise again.

But they had also seen Him captured. They knew of His betrayal by Judas. They knew how it seemed the whole world had turned against Him. They knew that Pilate had consented to His death while pronouncing Him innocent.

• How could it be that He had died?
• How could it be that He had risen?

The words of the women seemed then as idle tales. They heard them. They understood them. But they did not believe them.

I wonder how often the message of Christ’s resurrection is but idle tales to us?

I understand that we would agree with the message. I know we would claim to believe the message.

But we’ve heard this message. Again, and again. Week after week, we’ve heard. And yet our world grows darker. Fewer people profess than ever before. Our government grows more wicked. The righteous seem to be less influential.

We’ll hear the message, even amen the message. But will we, as Peter, arise and run to the sepulcher? 

Will the words of the resurrection forever change our hearts and lives?

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:
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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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Luke 24:11 Idle Tales

Luke 21:5 (KJV)
And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and gifts, he said,

It is no coincidence that this passage comes right at the end of the previous
Luke 21:1-4 (KJV)
And he looked up, and saw the rich men casting their gifts into the treasury.
And he saw also a certain poor widow casting in thither two mites.
And he said, Of a truth I say unto you, that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all:
For all these have of their abundance cast in unto the offerings of God: but she of her penury hath cast in all the living that she had.

There is a disparity between 

• How the wealthy view offerings
• How the poor view offerings 

and

• How Jesus views offerings

Indeed, the disparity reaches even to those of us who believe we have the mind of Christ. We would claim to believe the widow’s gift was of greater value spiritually than the wealthy person’s offerings – but we would be thankful for those rich offerings too.

After all, how could the house of God have afforded those goodly stones and gifts it was adorned with had there not been some rich men casting in their gifts?

• We’re thankful for the little gifts of those in poverty but
• We depend upon the lavish gifts of the rich

At least that’s true if we want a nice place to worship.

Do I have an answer for this disparity? I do not. There are some things in this Christian life I believe remain a struggle because of the war between the flesh and the Spirit.

But I do believe that we must confront it if we ever hope to have a heart that is truly after God.

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. 

Luke 21:5 An Answer for the Disparity?

Luke 22:32 (KJV)
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

I believe Jesus.

I believe that when Jesus prays Jesus’ prayers are answered.
Answers to my prayers, as someone has so famously put it, might be classed, “yes, no, or wait.”

I believe Jesus’ prayers are answered “yes” every time.
So, when Jesus said He had prayed for Peter that his faith would fail not, I am certain that is exactly what happened…

Unfailing faith

But…

• He was still sifted by the Devil
• He still denied Jesus three times
• He still questioned the resurrection
• He still went fishing

Unfailing faith

But…

• He still needed to be rebuked by Paul on an occasion

The Bible says that Jesus “ever liveth to make intercession for us.”^[1]

His prayers always get answered, “Yes.” So, 

• When our faith is tested
• When our faith is shaken even 
• When our faith isn’t exercised as it ought to be

We can be assured that our faith hasn’t failed.

Jesus prayed that it wouldn’t.

I believe Jesus.

---

^[1] Hebrews 7:25 (KJV)
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for 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. 

Luke 22:32 I Believe Jesus

Luke 18:6 (KJV)
And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

The two keys to this parable are found in the first and last verses.
The first verse tells us the end or purpose of the parable,
Luke 18:1 (KJV)
And he spake a parable unto them to this end,that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

The final verse provides us a warning associated with the purpose,
Luke 18:8 (KJV)
I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

The parable describes a situation where a helpless person, a widow, is oppressed by an adversary. The description implies that the oppression lasts a long time, that she pleads for help, and that her pleas seem to fall on deaf ears. The judge, the one to whom she pleas, is thought unjust. By and by, after a long time, the judge hears her case and avenges her.

Jesus urges us to consider the unjust judge and to

• Pray and not faint
• Pray and trust God
• Pray and believe God will avenge us

But then He warned that few would have such faith when He comes again.

• Some will turn away from God
• Some will mock His coming
• Some will lose heart and hope
• Some will give up praying

Jesus will come again, and the believers will be avenged their adversaries. But the time may still be a long way coming.

Pray. 

Don’t faint.

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. 

Luke 18:6 Hear This!

Luke 17:17 (KJV)
And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

• Ten men were in great need
• Ten men came to Jesus
• Ten men cried out for mercy
• Ten men were healed
• Ten men went their way

One man, just one, returned to give thanks.

It is essential to mark that, while Jesus received the praise of the one, He made a note of the nine.

I might question if even one out of ten who benefit from Christ become followers. Most men, at least in the Western world, occasionally cry out for God’s mercy. Everyone who does so (even those who do not) receives that mercy.

The rare exception is that one, having benefited from God’s goodness, returns to give thanks and becomes a faithful follower.

I wonder how many in churches are faithfully there, waiting to receive God’s favor, but then go their ways during the week to live to disregard our Father’s will?

Where are the nine?

Perhaps they are saved. Perhaps they will be gathered in eternity. But where are they now? What part are they playing in an authentic life of faith and obedience to God?

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. 

Luke 17:17 Where Are the Nine?

Luke 14:34 (KJV)
Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned?

The passage begins with a multitude following Christ. But, in this ominous text, we find Jesus pairing down the crowd and distinguishing between the multitudes and the disciple. In fact, Jesus made the standard of discipleship so strict that most professing followers of Christ could not make the grade.

• Jesus said He must be of greater value than family or “ye cannot be my disciple.”
• Jesus said we must bear his cross or “ye cannot be my disciple.”
• Jesus said we must finish our course or “ye cannot be my disciple.”
• Jesus said we must battle to victory or “ye cannot be my disciple.”
• Jesus said we must forsake all when we follow Him or “ye cannot be my disciple.”

I fear modern American Christianity goes for the multitudes, not the disciples. Even when we claim to have discipleship classes, so much of it is merely meant to help the multitudes assimilate. The mark of discipleship is negative. It is a program of exclusion. Only the most ardent and devoted will attain to discipleship. 

Without absolute sacrifice of selfish want, “ye cannot be [Christ’s] disciple.”^[1]

• You can be saved
• You can be a church member
• You can teach a Sunday school class
• You can be a deacon
• You can even be a preacher

But unless you forsake all you have and follow Christ exclusively, you’re fit for little good but to be cast out.^[2]

Certainly, you are no disciple.

---

^[1] The question then is not whether a person can be saved and still worldly. I think that might be possible. But no one can be a disciple of Christ and still be worldly. In fact, no one can be a disciple of Christ and care for the world. Biblical discipleship demands meticulous, extreme obedience to the Word of God. This, in turn, requires earnest, diligent study of God’s Word. It is not a matter of carefully obeying what a church or preacher teaches, but adamantly obeying the Word of God so far as we understand it and working hard to see that we understand it.

^[2] I view Revelation 3:15-16 as a parallel passage.
Revelation 3:15-16 (KJV)
I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.)

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 5900 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. 

Luke 14:34 Seeking the Few

Luke 13:34 (KJV)
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

“I would; ye wouldn’t“

The setting is toward the Jews, represented by their chief city, Jerusalem. The history of the people of God is replete with accounts of God wooing them to Himself. Consider Jeremiah, begging them to repent and surrender to Nebuchadnezzar. Prophets repeatedly called on them^[1]  to put away idols and trust Him. They killed those prophets too often.

I notice a contrast between God and the people of Jerusalem that indicates a truth concerning our God.

God would have gathered them
He wanted to do it. It was His desire. It was His longing.

They would not be gathered
Though He behaved like a hen gathering her chicks and as a shepherd gathering His flock, they instead scattered.

God was perfectly capable of gathering them against their will. There are plenty of Biblical instances where this is demonstrated. But while God is able, He would not do it against their will. 

A fleeing chick is free to flee.

Even so, God would save any and every soul. He would have all to come to repentance. He is not willing that any should perish. But He only gathers to Himself those who come of their own free will.

The Calvinists hate this doctrine. 
He believes it diminishes the sovereign power of God. 

The religionists reject this doctrine. 
He is anxious to force his perception of godliness upon people. 

In truth, this is the only doctrine that may glorify God. 
He is capable but gracious. He is a Lord and a Father to those who come to Him. He is no despot or dictator. All who call upon and come to Him are immediately and unconditionally received. All who choose to flee His care are freely allowed to do so. 

And even those, should they in the future repent, are free to come under His saving wing.

---

^[1] Through their kings.

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 5900 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. 

Luke 13:34 Free To Flee God

Luke 12:5 (KJV)
But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

I believe Jesus

• I believe Jesus about heaven.
• I believe Jesus about the resurrection
• I believe Jesus about salvation
• I believe Jesus about eternal matters

And

• I believe Jesus about hell

Jesus said hell is a place where “the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.”^[1] Hell is a literal place of fire. Those who go there suffer the pains of death eternally.

Jesus also said hell is a place to fear.

Death is something to dread and to fear if, in death the soul is cast into hell. 

• It is not annihilation
• It is not eternal soul sleep
• It is not the end of consciousness

Jesus came for the purpose of rescuing souls from hell. Jesus gave His life in agonizing death to pay the price of death for those bound to go to hell. Jesus rose from the grave and ever lives to make intercession^[2] for those souls and to win for all who call upon Him and place in heaven and not hell.

Let religions make all the claims they please.

I believe Jesus.

---

^[1] Mark 9:44-48 (KJV)
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

^[2] Hebrews 7:25 (KJV)
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for 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 5900 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. 

Luke 12:5 I Believe Jesus