Grace 809

When darkness descends, flee solitude. 1 Kings 19:11 (NIV): “The Lord said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.’”

God wanted Elijah’s attention. Elijah obeyed and beheld a display of power. The roar of tempests bounced off the canyon walls. “But the Lord was not in the wind” (1 Kings 19:11). An earthquake sent tremors through the desert floor. “But the Lord was not in the earthquake” (1 Kings 19:11). Next came fire that leapt to the height of the trees. “But the Lord was not in the fire” (1 Kings 19:12). Then… “the sound of a low whisper” (1 Kings 19:12).

The soothing touch of God was needed for  Elijah’s season of sadness. Listen for it…listen for Him.

Read more Unbreakable Courage

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Transcript

This is Monday, so we’ll read from the Law, Deuteronomy 23-25. That’s the reading for the day, but I’m going to call a mulligan on yesterday’s commentary. You know what a mulligan is? It’s a do over. I’ve never done this on the show, but I think this one is important. I’ll tell you why after the reading. So I’m calling today’s episode “Taking A Mulligan.”  

Brother Paul of Seattle commented on my remarks on yesterday’s reading, “1 John 4-5: The Prayer We Should Not Pray”, and what he said was important enough that I would like to take some time to respond.

Listen to the episode for the comments.

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 23 CEB; Ch. 24 NKJV; Ch. 25 GNT

This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising=censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and send it to me here: SUPPORT.

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00
I’m going to do something today I’ve never done on the show.

INTRO S12E341 – 0:11
Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. And podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year, which is almost over. This is Monday. So we’re going to read from the Law. We’ll read Deuteronomy 23 through 25.

Now, that’s the reading for the day, but I’m going to call a mulligan on yesterday’s commentary. You know what a mulligan is, right? It’s a do-over. I’ve never done this on the show. But I think this one is important. I’ll tell you why after the reading. So I’m calling today’s episode, “Taking a Mulligan”. But before we start, I want to thank those of you who have sent a THE NEXT STEP email to me. Each email I’ve gotten has been very thoughtful and helpful. And I appreciate each one of you for doing that. But there are many more of you who have not yet written. And I sure do wish you would. If for nothing else, then for me to see

Transcript

This is Epistles Sunday 1 John 4-5. I’m calling today’s episode “The Prayer We Should Not Pray.”  

As in chapters 1-3, there are many great truths taught in today’s chapters. But chapter five, verses 16-18 need a closer look, I think.

Let me read it to you again. “If you see another believer committing a sin that doesn’t lead to death, you should pray that God would give that person life. This is true for those who commit sins that don’t lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I’m not telling you to pray about that. 17 Every kind of wrongdoing is sin, yet there are sins that don’t lead to death.

18 We know that those who have been born from God don’t go on sinning. Rather, the Son of God protects them, and the evil one can’t harm them.”

So what is this sin that leads to death, and the sin that does not lead to death?

I read several commentaries, and as is often the case with these difficult passages, there is some disagreement among scholars. But let me give you my understanding of the passage in a somewhat simplified way. Which works since I’m a simple guy.

To give these verses context, in this passage John is talking about prayer. He’s talking about how God hears the prayers of the believer, and how, if we ask according to His will, He will grant our prayers.

But, then John includes this statement that I just read.

So my understanding of what John was saying is this. If we see a Christian brother or sister sinning, we should pray for them, that God would forgive them. A person who is living for Christ, who loves the Lord, will sometimes sin. We all do. But since we *do* love God, the blood of Jesus covers that sin. And the Holy Spirit *will* speak to our heart and we *will* confess that sin to God and ask forgiveness. This is a sin that does not lead to death, because as we read in the last episode, God is faithful and just to forgive us when we confess.

However, a person who rejects God, who has no relationship with Jesus, is already condemned to death. His sin is a sin unto death already. John is, in this passage, telling us that we should not pray that God would forgive them, because for God to do so would be asking Him to circumvent His justice. Scripture says that without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sin. Believers are covered by that blood, but those who reject Christ are not, so they cannot be forgiven, and we should not ask God to do so.

We can, however pray that they would soften their hearts and come into r

Transcript

Lifespring Family member Berean Brother Paul of Seattle

Today is Gospel Saturday. We’ll read Acts 19-20. I’m calling today’s episode “Big Business.” 

So Paul sort of stirred things up in Ephesus, didn’t he? There was a whole industry built around the worship of Artemis. The silversmith, Demetrius, had a financial interest in keeping people devoted to this false god, didn’t he? It was big business. 

What really caught my attention about this scene was when, during the confusion at the big assembly, it said in verse 32 that “Most of the people did not even know why they were there.” That even happens now at big demonstrations. There’s mass confusion, shouting and even violence, and many of the demonstrators don’t know why they’re even there. And some are there for their own vested interests. 

As it says in Ecclesiastes, “there’s nothing new under the sun”. Beloved, people don’t change. Circumstances change, but men and women are still the same. They needed Jesus in Paul’s time, and we need Jesus now.

For me, the thing that stands out here in Acts 20 is where Paul says, “I want to finish the race that I’m running. I want to carry out the mission I received from the Lord Jesus; the mission of testifying to the Good News of God’s kindness.” 

Paul had already been on the receiving end of quite a lot of persecution, and the Holy Spirit told him that in every city imprisonment and suffering was waiting for him. Yet he was determined to run…and finish…the race.

I want to have that kind of determination, too. Don’t you? When your race is over and you stand before God, don’t you want to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” To me, that will be a glorious day, and I will do whatever it takes, go through any trial, to hear those words. 

What about you? 

As time winds down, and I believe we are in the final days, living for Jesus is not going to get any easier. We look at the news today and we see how persecution against believers around the world is growing. One of the most important things we can do is to decide, before persecution comes to us, what we will do when we look it in the face. That’s one of the reasons we’re told in scripture that we will face trials. God wants us to know that things aren’t going wrong when those times come. He wants us to know that it’s part of His plan. And He want

In this uplifting message, J.John uses the story of Lazarus to encourage us to remove any barriers between ourselves and God, and to respond to His call in our lives. He explains how to overcome our inhibitions and be bold in sharing the gospel with others.

Receive a copy of "Jesus Christ - The Truth" and an audio download of "Bringing God's Peace to a Chaotic World" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive.

Get More Episode Resources 

Do you have a story or comment on how Focus on the Family impacted you or your family? Leave a message for Jim Daly!

If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.

Evangelist J. John explains how we need to remove any barriers between us and Jesus.

Listen to today's broadcast

Get today's featured resource "Jesus Christ – The Truthl"

Explore more episode resources 

If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family Minute, please give us your feedback.

For six long weeks Elijah had walked across the wilderness of Sinai. Finally he reached and began to ascend Mt. Horeb. Elijah was in search of God.

And, according to 1 Kings 19:9 (NKJV), “the word of the Lord came to him, and He said to him, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” Elijah answered with a complaint. I did everything you told me to do, but your people have rejected your covenants and killed your prophets. I’m the only one left in the country, and now they want to kill me too.

Well, the Lord gave Elijah a word. According to verse 12, our Creator spoke to the prophet with a still, small voice. He will speak a word to you as well. Let his Word, living and active, speak to you. Open your Bible and listen.

Read more Unbreakable Courage

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Transcript

Today is Prophecy Friday and our reading is the book of Malachi. I’m calling today’s episode “In the Valley.” 

Malachi is another Old Testament prophet about whom we know very little. Here’s what we do know. His name means “my angel”. That’s about it. Judaic tradition holds that Malachi was from the tribe of Zebulun and that he did not live a long life. 

The message of the book of Malachi contains God’s charges against the people for the neglect of the rebuilt temple. You’ll remember that the prophets Haggai and Zechariah brought reproof for their neglecting to build the temple. In Malachi’s time, the temple had been rebuilt, but now it is neglected.

In addition, God charges them with profaning the temple by their behavior while there. 

There was a period of 400 years between Malachi and the birth of Jesus. Before beginning this period of silence, God used Malachi to speak more about the coming Messiah, and He told the people that His coming was close. Four hundred years might sound like a long time, but in the scheme of things, it’s not.

The second chapter of Malachi ends with this: 17You have tired the Lord out with your talk. But you ask, “How have we tired him?” By saying, “The Lord Almighty thinks all evildoers are good; in fact he likes them.” Or by asking, “Where is the God who is supposed to be just?”

And  God’s answer is in the first verse of chapter three: 1The Lord Almighty answers, “I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me. Then the Lord you are looking for will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger you long to see will come and proclaim my covenant.”

Who was the messenger the Lord Almighty sent to prepare the way? John the Baptist. The gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all quoted this passage in pointing out that John’s coming was prophesied, and that it was to prepare the way for Jesus the Messiah. 

Notice again the words of the verse: I will send my messenger to prepare the way for me. Who was speaking? The Lord Almighty. Not another prophet. God Himself would come *to the Temple*, fulfilling the old covenant and establishing a new covenant. A New Covenant. That covenant was what we call the Good News, 

And then verses two through five speaks of the second Messenger judging and refining. This is referring to the second coming of Jesus. Most of the Old Testament prophets did not see the

Counselor Geremy Keeton offers some constructive thoughts on processing grief.

Listen to today's broadcast

Get today's featured resource "Hole in My Family Portraitl"

Explore more episode resources 

If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family Minute, please give us your feedback.

Grief is a powerful and often overwhelming process that no one voluntarily wants to experience. But it’s a normal and inevitable part of life. Jane Daly and Geremy Keeton share their personal stories of loss and insights they’ve learned in the journey. They describe how grief can draw us closer to the Lord if we are willing to go through it, stay connected with others, and trust God for the results.

Receive a copy of "Hole in My Family Portrait" and an audio download of "Grieving the Loss of a Beloved Family Member" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive.

Get More Episode Resources 

Do you have a story or comment on how Focus on the Family impacted you or your family? Leave a message for Jim Daly!

If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.