Transcript

Today we’ll read Leviticus 10-12. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you. I’m calling today’s episode “What Were They Thinking?”

Let’s look at verses 1 and 2:

Nadab and Abihu were two of Aaron’s sons. They got their shallow cups for burning incense. They put fire in them. They added incense to it. They made an offering to the Lord by using fire that wasn’t allowed. They did it against his command. So the Lord sent fire on them. It burned them up. They died in front of the Lord.

Leviticus 10:1-2 NIRV

Think about what Nadab and Abihu had witnessed. In the closing verse of chapter 9, the Lord Himself sent fire down on the altar and burned up the burnt offering. So they had a very recent evidence of the reality of God. 

In addition, they witnessed the miracles that He did in bringing them out of Egypt. They heard the voice of the Lord, saw the fire, smoke and lightning, and they felt the earth shake at Mt. Sinai. They were there with Moses, Aaron and the seventy elders when God called a meeting on Mt. Sinai, and according to Exodus 24, they actually saw God!

What were Nadab and Abihu thinking on this fateful day when they decided to go against the very explicit instructions of God? Was it pride? Ambition? Jealousy? We don’t know. Maybe it was familiarity…they might have just become used to the idea of serving God. Maybe they no longer thought of their duties as special. Whatever they were thinking, they were not considering the holiness and truly awesome nature of God. 

Beloved, though we live in the age of grace, once again we must be reminded that God does not change. Yes, Jesus is our intercessor at the right hand of God the Father. And it is Jesus who took upon Himself the sin of the world…my sin and yours. But let us not become so familiar with God that we take His grace for granted. That grace came with an enormous price. Let us not cheapen it with a cavalier attitude. Because I can assure you, God does not.

Let us be thankful each and every day for the forgiveness we have received through the shed blood of Jesus. Let us magnify Him, let us lift His name, let us worship Him for what He has done for us. Let us thank Him for allowing us to be alive today, and for sustaining us because of His love. Let us consider how we can serve Him with thanksgiving in our hearts. 

With Easter, or Resurrection Day as I prefer to call it, just a little over a month away, let us think of how Jesus, of His own free will, gave up the glories of Heaven to be born a completely helpless human baby, in a very primitive time, into a poor, working class family, with a mission to live a perfect sinless life, to ultimately be deserted by his friends and beaten nearly to death, and hung on a cross, where even God the Father had to turn his face from Him. But just three days later, Jesus triumphed over sin and death when He walked out of the tomb. Hallelujah! Oh death, where is thy sting? Jesus is triumphant, and He sits at the right hand of the Father, now and forever. 

This is the God we serve. This is the God who saved us. And this is why we must never take Him for granted. Hallelujah and amen!

Comment at the bottom of this page.

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 10 NIRV, Ch. 11-12 NKJV

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When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Download .txt file

Steve Webb 0:00
They actually saw God.

Steve Webb 0:10
This is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California broadcasting since 2004. I’m your OG God casters Steve Webb. Today we’re going to read Leviticus 10 through 12. And after the reading, I’ll have some thoughts for you. I’m calling today’s episode. What were they thinking? The show notes page for today’s episode is Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 187. You can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Let’s open the Word together shall we?

Steve Webb 0:42
Leviticus chapter 10.

Steve Webb 0:44
Nadab and Abihu were two of Aaron’s sons. They got their shallow cups for burning incense, they put fire in them. They added incense to it. They made an offering to the Lord by using fire that wasn’t allowed. They did it against his command. So the Lord sent fire on them. It burned them up. They died in front of the Lord. Then Moses spoke to Aaron, he said, that’s what the Lord was talking about when he said, among those who approached me, I will show that I am holy. In the sight of all the people I will be honored. So Aaron remained silent. Moses infer Michelle and as a fan. They were sons of Aaron’s uncle, a zeal. Moses said to them, Come here, carry the bodies of your cousins outside the camp, take them away from in front of the holy room. So they came and carried them outside the camp. It was just as Moses had ordered the bodies of NE DAP and Obi who still had their inner robes on them. Moses spoke to Aaron and daily Azar and Ithamar they were Erin sons. Moses said, Don’t let your hair hang loose. Don’t tear your clothes. If you do, you will die. And the Lord will be angry with the whole community. But all of the people of Israel are allowed to show they are sad. They’re your relatives, they can sob over those the Lord has destroyed with fire. Don’t leave the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, if you do, you will die. That’s because the Lord’s anointing oil has made you holy. So they did what Moses told him to do.

Steve Webb 2:18
Then the Lord spoke to Aaron, he said, you and your sons must not drink any kind of wine when you go into the attentive meeting. If you do, you will die. That is a law that will last for all time to come. You must be able to tell the difference between what is holy and what is not. You must be able to tell the difference between what is clean and what is not. You must teach the people of Israel all of the rules I have given them through Moses. Moses spoke to Aaron and al azar and to Ithamar. They were Aaron’s two remaining sons. Moses said, take the grain offering that is leftover from the offerings that are made to the Lord with fire. It is very holy, make bread without yeast from it, eat it beside the altar, eat it in a holy place. It’s your share and your sons share of the offerings that are made to the Lord with fire. Those rules are in keeping with the command the Lord gave me. But you and your sons and your daughters can eat the breast that was waved. You can also eat the thigh that was offered. Eat them in a place that is clean. They have been given to you and your children. They are your share of the friendship offerings the people of Israel bring. The five that was offered must be brought together with the fat parts of the offerings that are made with fire. The breast that was waved must be brought in the same way. All of it must be lifted up and waved in front of the Lord as a wave offering. It will be the regular share for you and your children. That’s what the Lord has commanded. Moses asked about the goat that was brought as the sin offering. He found out that it had been burned up. So he became angry with Le Azar and Ithamar. They were Aaron’s two remaining sons. Moses asked them, Why didn’t you eat the sin offering in a place that is near the holy room. The offering is very holy. It was given to you to take the people’s guilt away. It paid for their sin in the sight of the Lord. The blood of the offering wasn’t taken into the holy room. So you should have eaten the goat in a place that is near the holy room. That’s what I commanded. Aaron replied to Moses. Today the people sacrifice their sin offering to the Lord. They also sacrifice their burn offerings to him. But a terrible thing is happened to me. Two of my sons have died with the Lord have been pleased if I had eaten the sin offering today when Moses heard that he was satisfied.

Steve Webb 4:45
Leviticus chapter 11. Now the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron saying to them, speak to the children of Israel, saying these are the animals which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth, among the animals, whatever divides the hoof, having cloven hooves and chewing the cud, that you may eat. Nevertheless, these you shall not eat among those that chew the cud, or that have cloven hooves. The camel because it chews the cud, but does not have cloven hooves is unclean to you. The Rock hyrax because it chews the cud but does not have cloven hooves is unclean to you. The hair because it chews the cud, but does not have cloven hooves is unclean to you. And this wine, though it divides the hoof, having cloven hooves, yet does not chew the cud is unclean to you, their flesh you shall not eat, and their carcasses You shall not touch, they are unclean to you. These you made of all that are in the water, whatever in the water has fins and scales, whether in the seas or in the rivers that you may eat. But all in the seas or in the rivers that do not have fins and scales, all that move in the water or any living thing which is in the water, they are an abomination to you. They shall be an abomination to you, you shall not eat their flesh, but you shall regard their carcasses as an abomination. Whatever in the water does not have fins or scales that shall be an abomination to you. And these you shall regard as an abomination among the birds they shall not be eaten. They are an abomination, the eagle, the vulture, the buzzard, the kite and the Falcon after it’s kind. Every Raven after its kind, the ostrich, the short eared owl, the seagull, and the hawk after its kind, the little owl, the Fisher Owl and the screech owl, the white owl, the Jackdaw and the carrion vulture, the stork the Heron after its kind, the hoopoe and the bat. All flying insects that creep on all fours shall be an abomination to you. Yet these you may eat of every flying insect that creeps on all fours, those which have jointed legs above their feet with which to leap on the earth. These you may eat the Locust after its kind, the destroying locust after its kind, the cricket after its kind, and the Grasshopper after its kind, but all other flying insects which have four feet shall be an abomination to you. By these you shall become unclean. Whoever touches the carcass of any of them shall be unclean until evening. Whoever carries part of the carcass of any of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until evening. The carcass of any animal which divides the foot, but is not cloven hoofed or does not chew the cud is unclean to you. Everyone who touches it shall be unclean, and whatever goes on its paws among all kinds of animals that go on all fours, those are unclean to you. Whoever touches any such carcass shall be unclean until evening. Whoever carries any such carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. It is unclean to you.

Steve Webb 8:05
These also shall be unclean to you among the creeping things that creep on the earth, the mole, the mouse, and the large lizard after its kind, the gecko, the monitor lizard, the sad reptile, the sand lizard, and the chameleon, these are unclean to you among all that creep. Whoever touches them when they are dead shall be unclean until evening. Anything on which any of them falls when they are dead shall be unclean, whether it is any item of wood or clothing or skin or sack, whatever item it is, in which any work is done, it must be put in water, and it shall be unclean until evening, then it shall be clean any earthen vessel into which any of them falls you shall break and whatever is in it shall be unclean. In such a vessel, any edible food upon which waterfalls shall become unclean, and any drink that may be drunk from it becomes unclean, and everything on which a part of any such carcass falls shall be unclean, whether it is an oven or cooking stove, it shall be broken down, for they are unclean, and shall be unclean to you. Nevertheless, a spring or cistern in which there is plenty of water shall be clean, but whatever touches any such carcass becomes unclean, and if a part of any such carcass falls on any planting seed, which is to be sown, it remains clean. But if water is put on the seed, and if a part of any such carcass falls on it, it becomes unclean to you. And if any animal which you may eat dies, he who touches its carcass shall be unclean until evening. He who eats of its carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. He also who carries its carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. And every creeping thing that creeps on the earth shall be an abomination, it shall not be eaten, whatever crawls upon its belly whatever goes on all fours, or whatever has many feet among all creeping things that creep on the earth. These you shall not eat, for they are an abomination. You shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creeps, you shall not make yourselves unclean with them, lest you be defiled by them. For I am the Lord your God, You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy, for I am holy, neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth. For I am the Lord who brings you up out of the land of Egypt to be your God, You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. This is the law of the animals and the birds and every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the earth, to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten, and the animal that may not be eaten.

Steve Webb 10:55
Leviticus chapter 12.

Steve Webb 10:57
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the Children of Israel, saying, if a woman has conceived and born a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days, as in the case of her customary impurity, she shall be unclean. And on the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised, she shall then continue in the blood of her purification, 33 days, she shall not touch any hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary until the days of purification are fulfilled. But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her customary impurity, and she shall continue in the blood of her purification, 66 days, when the days of her purification are fulfilled, whether for a son or a daughter, she shall bring to the priest, a Lamb of the first year as a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtle dove as a sin offering to the door of the tabernacle of meeting, then he shall offered before the Lord and make atonement for her, and she shall be cleaned from the flow of her blood. This is the law for her who has born a male or a female. And if she is not able to bring the lamb, then she may bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, one as a bird offering and the other as a sin offering. So the priest shall make atonement for her and she will be clean.

Steve Webb 12:19
Well, let’s talk a little bit about Leviticus 10. And we’ll look at verses one and two. Let me read him for you again, made avenue by Hugh were two of Aaron’s sons. They got their shallow cups for burning incense, they put fire in them, they added incense to it. They made an offering to the Lord by using fire that wasn’t allowed. They did it against his command. So the Lord sent fire on them, it burned them up, they died in front of the Lord. Now think about what neigh dab and a by Hugh had witnessed. In the closing verse of chapter nine, the Lord Himself sent down fire on the altar and burned up the offering, you remember that? So they had a very recent evidence of the reality of God. And also they witnessed the miracles that God did in bringing them out of Egypt. They heard the voice of the Lord, they saw the fire, the smoke and the lightning, and they felt the earth shake at Mount Sinai. They were there with Moses, Aaron and the 70 Elders when God called a meeting on Mount Sinai, and According to Exodus 24, they actually saw God, what were nay dab in a by hue thinking on this fateful day, when they decided to go against the very explicit instructions of God. Was it pride, ambition, jealousy, we don’t know. Maybe it was familiarity. They might have just become so used to the idea of serving God that they didn’t think anything about it. Maybe they no longer thought of their duties as special. Whatever they were thinking they were not considering the holiness, and truly awesome nature of God. Now, beloved, though, we live in the Age of Grace, once again, we’ve got to be reminded that God doesn’t change. Yes, Jesus is our intercessor at the right hand of God the Father, in it is Jesus who took upon himself the sin of the world, my sin and yours. But let us not become so familiar with God, that we take his grace for granted, that grace came with an enormous price. Let’s not cheapen it with a cavalier attitude, because I can assure you, God does not. Let’s be thankful each and every day for the forgiveness that we’ve received through the shed blood of Jesus. Let us magnify Him, let us lift up his name. Let us worship him for what he’s done for us. Let us thank him for allowing us to be alive today and for sustaining us because of his love. Let us consider how we can serve Him with Thanksgiving in our hearts with Easter or resurrection day as I

Steve Webb 15:00
prefer to call it just a little more than a month away. Let us think of how Jesus of his own freewill gave up the glories of heaven to be born a completely helpless human baby in a very primitive time, into a poor working class family with a mission to live a perfect, sinless life, to ultimately be deserted by his friends, and beaten nearly to death, and then hung on a cross, where even God the Father had to turn his face from him. But just three days later, Jesus triumphed over sin and death when he walked out of that tomb, hallelujah, oh, Death, where is thy sting? Jesus is triumphant. And he sits at the right hand of the Father now in forever. This is the God we serve. This is the God who saved us in this is why we must never take him for granted. hallelujah and Amen.

Steve Webb 15:55
A Charlie like to hear your thoughts. Go on over to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 187. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and leave a comment. Tomorrow we’ll begin the book of Second Kings will read the first five chapters.

Steve Webb 16:13
Beloved, the show’s only support is from the Lifespring family. There are no advertisers because I won’t compromise the message of the gospel. I don’t take advertising because advertising is censorship. If I relied on advertisers, I’d have to water down my comments. So the advertisers wouldn’t have to worry about offending people. Listen, I don’t want to offend anybody. But there are those people who are offended by the plain teaching of the Bible. So instead of compromising I rely on you. If you believe in what the Lifespring family is all about, if you’re receiving value from the show, then all I ask is that you send some of that value back to me in either time, talent or treasure. There are ongoing expenses to create the shows destroy the over 2600 episodes of The Lifespring media podcasts, to pay the bandwidth for the downloads, to pay for the software subscriptions and updates for studio equipment and on and on and on. I can’t tell you how much money to send, I’m not going to ask for a specific amount. You decide how much value the show brings to your life, then put a number on it and send some of that back to me. The amount is your decision. A one time donation are a weekly or monthly or quarterly donation. It’s up to you pray about it when you if you believe in what the Lifespring family Audio Bible is all about. If you’d miss the show, if it went away, then please help support it. You can do that at Lifespring media.com/support. Another way to support it is by using one of those podcasting 2.0 apps that you can get at new podcast apps.com. With one of those you can set it up so that as you listen, you can stream micro payments to me as you listen. These days, they’re pretty easy to set up. You don’t have to be a complete geek. And whenever you listen to the show, as soon as you hit play, you start streaming sets to me. And when you hit stop the streaming sets stop. You can send boosts and booster grams when you hear something that you really like, and it really is a fun and rewarding way to send value back to me. So if that sounds like something that you’d like to do, just go on over to new podcast apps.com However you support the show. I thank you and I know God will bless you.

Steve Webb 18:36
On this date in church history, march 7 1804, the nonsectarian British and Foreign Bible Society or BFBS was founded in London to promote the circulation of the Holy Scriptures without noter comments, both at home and in foreign lands, BFBS funds and publications aidid such missionary pioneers is William Carey, Robert Morrison and Henry Martin. And on this date in church history, march 7 1825, Alfred Edgar Schein was born he was the Jewish born Anglican Bible scholar, theologian and writer. His most widely read titled The life in times of Jesus the Messiah, published in 1883 is still in print

Steve Webb 19:27
Prayer requests. I got an anonymous prayer requests that says please pray for my son Russell that he would receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit with wisdom, knowledge and discernment to make good godly decisions. Pray that he give his life to the Lord and repent of his sins and be the man and father that the Lord created him to be. Well, I’ll tell you anonymous, believe me, I do know how you feel. I too have a prodigal in my life and the lovely lady Leanne and I have lost many hours of sleep and we’ve shed many tears but we’re leaning on God’s

Steve Webb 20:00
promise from Proverbs 22 Six which says, Train up a child and the way he should go. And when he is old, he will not depart from it. I’ve talked about my dad on the show before, but I’ll share again that for most of his life, he was completely against anything having to do with God. The day I accepted the Lord, as a teenager, my dad told me that I was a fool. So on the day, that should have been a day of rejoicing, I ended up in tears. Over the years, I tried to talk to him about Jesus, but he would just shut me down. So I decided that instead of me talking to him, I began to pray that the Lord would bring someone into his life that he’d listened to. In shortly before he died, his next door neighbor came over to his house and said to him, Kenny, you don’t have much time left, you need to accept Jesus. I don’t know the whole conversation, but my dad did give his heart to the Lord at the age of 82. We can never give up praying for our loved ones. And I hope your son doesn’t take as long as my dad did. But hang in there. Let’s pray. Our gracious heavenly Father, we worship you, we thank you for your grace and for your mercy. Help us, Lord, to never take these great gifts for granted. The forgiveness you’ve given us cost you so much, and there’s no way we could ever repay you. All we can do is thank you as we offer ourselves back to you. Now, Lord, we pray for Russell. First, we pray that his heart would be softened, and that he would hear Jesus knocking on the door of his heart, and that he would respond to the message of the gospel, Lord, help him to see that he needs forgiveness of sins that only come through accepting you as his Lord and Savior. And then we pray that he would truly allow you to shape him into the man you created into be. Give him the wisdom that we’ve been learning about from our reading of the book of Proverbs. Give them a thirst for your word in a relationship with you. I thank you for the love and concern that anonymous obviously has, and I pray that you bless them, and give them a peace knowing that you love Russell infinitely more than even they do.

Steve Webb 22:04
And I thank You, Lord, for each person that you brought to the Lifespring family. Thank you for giving us this vehicle to share our time around your word. Thank you for the technology that allows us to come together from all around the world. What a marvelous gift it is you’ve given us. I pray that you bless each one wherever they are, whenever they hear this. May they feel your presence with them right now. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. If you’ve got a prayer request or a praise that you’d like to share with the Lifespring family, go to prayer dot Lifespring media.com Like anonymous did and share it right there. Prayer dot Lifespring media.com.

Steve Webb 22:52
Comment on the show. Tell me what you like tell me what maybe you didn’t like go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 187. Scroll to the bottom of the page and you’ll find a place to tell me your thoughts. You can also email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com and support the show if you receive any value from it. Do that at Lifespring media.com/support. And until tomorrow may God bless you richly. Thank you for being here. My name is Steve Webb. Bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

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Transcript

Today we’re going to complete the book of  Philippians 3-4. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you. I’m calling today’s episode “Peace.”

I’m going to make an assumption…something that I try not to do with any regularity. But I think this is probably a safe assumption. I’m assuming that you would you agree with me that we live in turbulent, troubled times. Did I get that right? As a matter of fact, I’m so sure about it that I’m not even going to list the problems that are going on in the world. You know what they are, because if you are at all aware of world events, as my grandfather would say, it’s nigh-on  impossible to be unaware of the plight of mankind.

The apostle Paul lived in turbulent times, too. And he bore the scars to prove it. 

But through it all, he was led by the Holy Spirit to write these words in chapter 4, verses 6-8: Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.

Friend, the fact that there are problems in the world is not new. We live in a fallen world that is suffering the effects of sin. It was true in Paul’s time. It is true in our time. But we are called to take our concerns to God in prayer and leave them in His more-than-capable hands. And then, we are to stop focussing on the bad, and look for the good. 

How can we, with any degree of authenticity, share the Good News of Jesus if we are constantly stressed out about the troubles of the world? If our life doesn’t radiate the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, why should anyone choose to follow Christ? How can we say, “Follow Jesus. Be like me?”

If you find yourself getting worked up about current events, turn off the media spigot. Stop watching the TV news. Turn off the talk shows. Quit arguing on social media. The problems in the world are not new, and your getting all worked up about them will not change them. As a student of the Bible, you should know that problems will be a part of man’s existence until the Lord returns. 

Do you want to help your fellow man? You can make an eternal difference in the lives of men and women by introducing them to the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. 

Only He can sort out the problems in the world. And only those whose faith is in Him will experience the peace every person seeks. 

Our time on earth is short. Eternity is forever, and it awaits us all. Keep your eyes fixed on the prize that Jesus bought for those who choose to follow him. 

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 3-4 NET

Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here.

When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Download .txt file

Steve Webb 0:00
I am going to make an assumption.

Steve Webb 0:09
This is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. I’m your OG God caster Steve Webb. Today we’re going to complete the book of Philippians. We’ll read chapters three and four. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you and I’m calling today’s episode, peace. The show notes page for today’s episode is Lifespring media.com/s 12, e 186. Let’s get started.

Steve Webb 0:39
Philippians chapter three.

Steve Webb 0:42
Finally, my brothers and sisters, Rejoice in the Lord. To write this again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers. Beware of those who mutilate the flesh. For we other circumcision, the ones who worshiped by the Spirit of God, exalt in Christ Jesus, and do not rely on human credentials, though mine too are significant. If someone thinks he has good reasons to put confidence in human credentials, I have more. I was circumcised on the eighth day from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. I lived according to the law as a Pharisee. In my zeal for God, I persecuted the church. According to the righteousness stipulated in the law, I was blameless, but these assets I have come to regard as liabilities because of Christ. More than that, I now regard all things as liabilities compared to the far greater value of knowing Christ Jesus, my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things. Indeed, I regard them as dumb that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not because I have my own righteousness derived from the law, but because I have the righteousness that comes by way of Christ’s faithfulness, a righteousness from God. That is, in fact, based on Christ’s faithfulness, my aim is to know him to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings, and to be like him and his death. And so somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead, not that I have already attained this, that is, I have not already been perfected. But I strive to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus also laid hold of me, brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have attained this. Instead, I am single minded, for getting the things that are behind and reaching out for the things that are ahead with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, let those of us who are perfect embrace this point of view, if you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways. Nevertheless, let us live up to the standard that we have already attained. Be imitators of me, brothers and sisters, and watch carefully, those who are living this way, just as you have us as an example, for many live about whom I have often told you and now with tears, I tell you that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ, there is destruction, there God is the belly, they exalt in their shame, and they think about earthly things, but our citizenship is in heaven. And we also await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform these humble bodies of ours into the likeness of His glorious body, by means of that power by which he is able to subject all things to himself.

Steve Webb 3:43
Philippians chapter four.

Steve Webb 3:45
So then my brothers and sisters, dear friends, whom I longed to see my joy and my crown, stand to the Lord in this way, my dear friends, I appeal to you odia in cinta ki to agree in the Lord. Yes, I say also to you true companion, help them. They have struggled together in the gospel ministry along with me and Clement and my other co workers whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again, I say rejoice. Let everyone see your gentleness. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable. If something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. And what you learned and received and heard and saw in me do these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Steve Webb 4:59
I have great joy in the Lord. Because now at last you have again expressed your concern for me. Now I know you were concerned before, but had no opportunity to do anything. I’m not saying this because I’m in need for I’ve learned to be content in any circumstance, I have experienced times of need and times of abundance. In any in every circumstance, I have learned the secret of contentment, whether I go satisfied or hungry, have plenty or nothing. I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you did well to share with me in my trouble. And as you Philippians no at the beginning of my gospel ministry, when I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in this matter of giving and receiving except you alone, for even in Thessalonica on more than one occasion, you said something for my need. I do not say this because I’m seeking a gift. Rather I seek the credit that abounds to your account, for I have received everything and I have plenty. I have all I need because I received from a Pafford itis what you sent a fragrant offering and acceptable sacrifice, very pleasing to God. And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus. May glory be given to God our Father forever and ever. Amen. give greetings to all the saints in Christ Jesus, the brothers with me here send greetings. All the saints greet you, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Steve Webb 6:35
Beloved, I’m going to do something I don’t do very often, I am going to make an assumption. But I think that this is probably a safe assumption. I’m assuming that you’d agree with me that we live in turbulent, troubled times that I get it right. As a matter of fact, I’m so sure about it, that I’m not even going to list the problems that are going on in the world. You know what they are, because if you’re at all aware of world events, as my grandfather used to say, it’s nigh on impossible to be unaware of the plight of mankind. The apostle Paul lived in turbulent times, too, and he bore the scars to prove it. But through it all, he was led by the Holy Spirit to write these words in chapter four, verses six through eight. Do not be anxious about anything. Instead, in every situation, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, tell your requests to God. And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable. If something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things. Beloved, the fact that there are problems in the world is not new. We live in a fallen world that is suffering the effects of sin. It was true in Paul’s time, it’s true in our time, but we’re called to take our concerns to God in prayer, and leave them in his more than capable hands. And then we’re to stop focusing on the bad and look for the good. How can we with any degree of authenticity, share the Good News of Jesus? If we’re constantly stressed out about the troubles of the world? If our life doesn’t radiate the peace of God that surpasses all understanding? Why should anybody choose to follow Christ? How can we say, Follow Jesus be like me, which by the way, Paul said, be like me, so it’s not a boasting type thing. We have something that the world doesn’t have, and other people can have it. So it’s okay to say follow Jesus be like me, if in fact, your life does model Christ. So if you find yourself getting worked up about current events, turn off the media spigot, stop watching the TV news, turn off the talk shows, quit arguing on social media, the problems in the world aren’t new, and you’re getting all worked up about them will not change them as a student of the Bible. And you are if you’re listening to this show, you should know that problems will be a part of man’s existence until the Lord returns. Do you want to help your fellow man, you can make an eternal difference in the lives of men and women by introducing them to the Prince of Peace, the King of kings in the Lord of lords. Only he can sort out the problems of the world and only those whose faith is in him will experience the peace that every person seeks. Our time on Earth is short, Eternity is forever and it waits for us all. Keep your eyes fixed on the prize that Jesus bought for those who choose to follow him.

Steve Webb 9:57
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Go to Lifespring me At a.com/s 12 e 186. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and leave a comment. are reading tomorrow is Leviticus chapters 10 through 12.

Steve Webb 10:10
Hey, I got a boostagram this morning from Brittaney of San Pedro. That’s right. Brittaney is Sean’s wife. She said. Thanks for all you do. Also the free SATs from the fountain app work. She said 2000 SATs. Brittaney, thank you. It’s so good to hear from you. Shawn has written in so many times that I hadn’t heard of you. I thought he was making you up. So I’m glad to see that you do exist. Thank you so much for the booster grant Brittaney and God bless you.

Steve Webb 10:59
On this date in church history, march 6 1475, Michelangelo Buonarroti was born. He’s the Italian artist extraordinare. Of course, his most famous works include the sculptures Pietta and David, the architectural plans for the rebuilding of St. Peter’s Cathedral in Rome and the paintings on the 5800 Nate square foot ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

Steve Webb 11:30
Let’s pray. Our Heavenly Father, we praise you and we thank you for the peace we have in you. Help us to focus on you, Lord, help us to think on the good things knowing that you are eternal in the things of this world are passing away. You are what matters in our relationships with you and with each other. Help us to rest in that, Lord. Thank you for each person that you brought to the Lifespring family Lord, thank you for giving us this vehicle to share our time around your word. Thank you for the technology that allows us to come together from all around the world. What a marvelous gift you’ve given us. I pray that you bless each one Lord, wherever they are, whenever they hear this, may they feel your presence with them right now. I pray this in Jesus name, amen. If you’ve got a prayer request or a praise that you’d like to share with the Lifespring family, send it in at prayer dot Lifespring media.com. I’ll pray for you in my private prayer time and we’ll share it on the show.

Steve Webb 12:37
Speaking of sharing, share the show and also are you signed up for the newsletter. Every week, Kirstie sends out the reading schedule for the upcoming week. You can look ahead, read ahead and send questions to me about what we’ll be reading. I’ll try to answer them in my comments on the show. You can sign up for the newsletter at news dot Lifespring media.com. It doesn’t cost anything and I promise I will not share your information with anybody. Comment on the show at Lifespring media.com/s 12 v 186. Email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. And please support the show if you receive any value from it. Would you miss the show if it didn’t show up in your podcast app. But if you would then help support it at Lifespring media.com/support Until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. Thanks for being here. My name is Steve Webb, turn off the media. Bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

Experience the book that has restored, reoriented, and renewed millions of people—now thoroughly updated with seven new chapters and dozens of additional stories! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or eager to encounter a fresh edition of the classic text you already love, you’ll not be the same when you finish it. 368 pages, hardcover from B&H.

Transcript

It’s Saturday. So this must be our day for reading from the Gospels. Today we’ll read   Luke 15-16.   After the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “What’s Your Plan?”

I don’t remember ever hearing a sermon based on this parable. It requires some thought.

There are three basic players in the story. The main character is the steward. Of second importance is the debtors, and finally we have the rich man.

It seems that the steward, who worked for the rich man as the manager of his possessions or property, had wasted the rich man’s goods. We don’t have any details, but we are told that the rich man called the steward to account for how he had handled his responsibilities. And the rich man told him that his services would no longer be required.

So the steward, knowing that he needed to make other plans for his future, went to the debtors with a scheme. If he could make friends with them, he would be able to at least have a roof over his head. So he had the debtors rewrite what they owed to the rich man, with substantially less than the full amount. In doing this, they were now in debt to the steward, and he could collect on that with favors from them.

When the rich man found out, he complimented the steward for being so clever in making a new plan for himself.

So the lesson in this parable is this: We will all be called to account for what God has given us. How clever are we with the time, talent and resources He has entrusted to us? Do we put as much thought and effort into building the Kingdom of God as we do to building a cushy life for ourselves? Which is more representative of true riches? Which will last longer? A boat, a fancy car and a big house? Or a deep and abiding faith in God, and a life of serving Him? 

Don’t misunderstand, beloved. One can be monetarily rich and still live a life in service to God. But with financial wealth comes great responsibility to use it for the Kingdom of God. When financial wealth becomes your primary motivation, God is no longer in the center of your life. As Jesus said in verse thirteen, “You cannot serve both God and money.” 

Let’s make it a point to see to it that when God calls us to account, we won’t have to be ashamed and afraid like the steward was. Let’s plan wisely for our eternal future.

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 15 NIRV; Ch. KJV

Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here.

When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Download .txt

Steve Webb 0:00
Let’s plan wisely or our eternal future.

Steve Webb 0:10
Here we are together again, this is the Lifespring family Audio Bible and I’m coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. I’m your OG God castors. Steve Webb, how are ya? Well, it’s Saturday. So this must be our day for reading from the Gospels. So our reading today is Luke 15 and 16. After the reading, I’ll have some comments, and I’m calling today’s episode. What’s your plan? The show notes page for today’s episode, is it Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 178. And you can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Let’s begin.

Steve Webb 0:46
Luke chapter 15.

Steve Webb 0:48
The tax collectors and sinners we’re all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were whispering among themselves. They said, This man welcome sinners and eats with them. Then Jesus told them a story. He said, suppose one of you has 100 sheep and loses one of them? Won’t he leave the 99 in the open country? Won’t he go and look for the one lost sheep until he finds it? When he finds it, he will joyfully put it on his shoulders and go home. Then he will call his friends and neighbors together he will say Be joyful with me. I have found my lost sheep. I tell you it will be the same in heaven. There will be great joy when one sinner turns away from sin. Yes, there will be more joy than for 99 godly people who do not need to turn away from their sins. Or suppose a woman has 10 silver coins and loses one. She will light a lamp and sweep the house. She will search carefully until she finds the coin. And when she finds it, she will call her friends and neighbors together. She will say Be joyful with me I found my last coin. I tell you it is the same in heaven. There is joy in heaven over one center who turns away from sin. Jesus continued, There was a man who had two sons. The younger son spoke to his father. He said, Father give me my share of the family property. So the father divided his property between his two sons. Not long after that, the younger son packed up all he had. Then he left for a country far away. There he wasted his money on wild living. He spent everything he had. Then the whole country ran low on food. So the sun didn’t have what he needed. He went to work for someone who lived in that country who sent him to the fields to feed the pigs. The sun wanted to fill his stomach with the food the pigs reading, but no one gave him anything. Then he began to think clearly again. He said, How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, but here I am dying from hunger. I will get up and go back to my father. I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and I have sinned against you. I am no longer fit to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers. So he got up and went to his father. While the sun was still a long way off, his father saw him. He was filled with tender love for his son. He ran to him. He threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer fit to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, quick, Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattest calf and kill it. Let’s have a big dinner and celebrate. This son of mine was dead. And now he is alive again. He was lost and now he is found. So they began to celebrate. The older son was in the field. When he came near the house he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants. He asked him what was going on? Your brother has come home the servant replied, your father is killed the fattest calf.

Steve Webb 4:03
He has done this because your brother is back safe and sound. The older brother became angry, he refused to go in. So his father went out and begged him, but he answered his father, look, all these years I’ve worked like a slave for you. I’ve always obeyed your orders. You never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But this son of yours wasted your money with some prostitutes. Now he comes home and for him you kill the fattest calf, my son, the father said, You’re always with me, everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad this brother of yours was dead. And now he is alive again. He was lost. And now he is found.

Steve Webb 4:49
Luke chapter 16.

Steve Webb 4:52
And he said also unto his disciples, there was a certain rich man which had a steward and the same was accused unto him that he had wasted his goods? And he called him and said unto him, how was it that I hear this if the given account of the stewardship for Thou must be no longer steward, then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? For my Lord taketh away from me the stewardship, I cannot dig, to beg, I am ashamed, I am resolved what to do that when I am put out of the stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. So he called every one of his lords debtors unto him, and said unto the first, how much I was Thal into my Lord. And he said, and 100 measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill and sit down quickly and write 50 Then he said to another, and how much was thou? And he said, and 100 measures of wheat. And he said unto him, Take thy bill and write for score. And the Lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely. For the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light. And I say unto you, make to yourself, friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness, that when you fail, they may receive you unto everlasting habitations. He that is faithful in that which is least his faithful also in much, and He that is unjust, in the least, is unjust also in much if therefore ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches, and if he have not been faithful in that, which is another man’s, who shall give you that which is your own, No servant can serve two masters for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon. And the Pharisees also who recovered is heard all these things, and they derided him. And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men, but God know if your hearts for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God. The law and the prophets were until John, since that time, the kingdom of God is preached, and every man press into it, and it is easier for heaven on earth to pass than one tittle of the law to fail. Whosoever put it away his wife and marry another committeth adultery, and whosoever married her that is put away from her husband committed adultery. There was a certain rich man which was clothed in purple and fine linen in fared sumptuously every day. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate full of sores and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass that the beggar died and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hell, he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and see if Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father, Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that that one I lifetime received thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things, but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And besides all this, between us, and you, there is a great gulf fixed, so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot, neither can they pass to us that would come from vents. Then he said, I pray the therefore Father, that that would send him to my father’s house. For I have five brethren, that he may testify unto them less they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets, let him hear them. And he said, nay, father, Abraham, but if one went under them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded the one rose from the dead.

Steve Webb 9:00
You know, I don’t think I ever remember hearing a sermon based on the parable that Jesus told at the beginning of chapter 16, specifically, verses one through 13. I think one of the reasons I haven’t heard a sermon based on this is because, well, it’s a little bit of a difficult parable. There’s three basic players in the story, the main character is the steward. of second importance is the debtors. And finally, we have the rich man. And it seems that the steward who worked for the rich man as the manager of his possessions or property had wasted the rich man’s goods. We don’t have any details, but we are told that the rich man called the steward to account for how he had handled his responsibilities, and the rich man told him that his services would no longer be required. So the steward, knowing that he needed to make other plans for his future, went to the debtors with a scheme. If he could make friends with him, he at least would be able to have a roof over his head or So he thought, and so he had the debtors rewrite what they owed to the rich man with substantially less than the full amount. In doing this, they were now in debt to the steward, and he could collect on that with favors from them like a place to live. Well, when the rich man found out, guess what he complimented this steward for being so clever in making a new plan for himself. So the lesson in the parable is this, we will all be called to account for what God has given us. How clever are we with the time, the talent and the resources that is entrusted to us? Do we put as much thought and effort into building the kingdom of God as we do to building a cushy life for ourselves, which is more representative of true riches beloved, which will last longer, a boat, a fancy car, and a big house, or a deep and abiding faith in God and a life of serving Him. Now, don’t misunderstand, beloved, one can be monetarily rich and still live a life in service to God. But with financial wealth comes great responsibility to use it for the kingdom of God. When financial wealth becomes your primary motivation, God is no longer in the center of your life. As Jesus said in verse 13, you cannot serve both God and money. Beloved, let’s make it a point to see to it that when God calls us to account, we won’t have to be ashamed and afraid like the steward was, let’s plan wisely for our eternal future. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment at Lifespring media.com/s 12 V. 178. Tomorrow we’ll begin the book of Philippians. We’ll read the first two chapter.

Steve Webb 12:01
On this date in church history, February 22 1857, Charles M. Sheldon was born he was an American congregational, clergyman, social reformer and devotional writer. His religious novel in his steps, written in 1897, was a best seller and eventually sold 23 million copies in his steps introduced the question, What would Jesus do? That’s another book that when I was in the Christian book selling business, we sold a lot of, it’s probably still selling so it’s beyond 23 million copies, I’m quite sure.

Steve Webb 12:44
Prayer requests. I got this text from Del this afternoon. He said I just brought Kathy home from the hospital, the doctor was pleased with the surgery. So far, the shoulder pain is gone but replaced by the pain from the surgical site, which should ease up as it heals. Regardless, the pain is under control. Her new Walker will arrive tomorrow, which is designed for patients who can use only one arm, she was very comfortable using the walker with her physical therapist. Her arm will be in a sling for three weeks as she recuperates at our daughter’s in Riverside. And to you he says thank you for all of your prayers and well wishes. Let’s pray. Our gracious heavenly Father help us to be the very best stewards we can be with what you’ve given us. And thank you for the good report from Dell. And we just ask that you’d speed Kathi feeling. I asked Lord, that You would bless the Lifespring family, be with them. Help them father to feel your presence. pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

Steve Webb 13:47
Guys, this is going to be a short one today because man I am just completely emotionally physically and creatively spent. I’ve had about three really difficult days in a row, nothing, you know, earth shaking or anything, but just stuff that I’ve been putting fires out stuff like that, literally, thankfully. But just stuff that you know, you’re not able to get the things done, you want to get done. You just have to take care of things that come along and demand your attention. So I’m just going to call this a short one tonight. I hope to get a really good night’s rest and somewhat restful day tomorrow, which will be my Saturday. And we’ll go from there. Thank you for hanging in there with me. Thank you for being part of the family. I truly do appreciate you. Comment on the show at Lifespring media.com/s 12 v 178. Email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Please support the show at Lifespring media.com/support. And I will see you on Sunday. May God bless you richly. Thank you for being here. I mean that. My name is Steve Webb. Bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

Experience the book that has restored, reoriented, and renewed millions of people—now thoroughly updated with seven new chapters and dozens of additional stories! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or eager to encounter a fresh edition of the classic text you already love, you’ll not be the same when you finish it. 368 pages, hardcover from B&H.

Transcript

Being Friday,  we’ll read from one of the books of Prophecy. Today we’ll read   Ezekiel 13-18.   After the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “Where Does the Buck Stop?”

Chapter 18 clarifies and even puts to rest the idea that there is such a thing as a generational curse. Some believe that children are sometimes punished for the sins of the parents. The idea stems primarily, I think, from Exodus 20:5:

“You shall not bow down to [idols] or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.”

But listen to verse 20 of our chapter here, chapter 18:

“The soul who sins is the one who will die. The son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the son.

This seems to clearly teach that each person is responsible for their own sin. 

So what’s going on? Is the Bible contradicting itself? When confronting seeming contradictions in the Bible, it is critical to look at context. 

So what is the context in the verse from Exodus? To what is God referring? Let’s read it again. 

“You shall not bow down to [idols] or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me.”

This verse is talking about idolatry. We know that God hates idolatry, don’t we? So does He hate it bad enough that He will punish multiple generations because of the ancestors? No. Remember what I said a few times on yesterday’s episode? God does not change. 

So what is the answer? How do we resolve this conundrum? 

A person, or a generation that practices idolatry is likely to create a culture of this behavior, isn’t it? If I have an altar to a false god in my home, my children are going to be raised to accept that as normal. So when they have a family, it is more than likely that they will have an altar to a false god in their home. And so it goes, from generation to generation. 

Each generation is responsible for their own behavior, but when they are raised in a culture that accepts sin, it’s more likely that they will accept sin.

But it does not have to be this way. I was not raised in a Christian home. My dad was very anti church. He thought it was all just so much hogwash. So it could have been assumed that I would follow in his footsteps in this arena, right? But God, in His infinite mercy, touched my heart and give me the faith to believe in Jesus. There were probably a thousand different things that I was exposed to as I grew up to bring me to the awareness that Jesus is who He said He is, and that I need Him in my life. So I asked Jesus to be my Savior when I was a teenager, and I spent most of the rest of my dad’s life praying for him. And shortly before he died, he finally gave his heart to Jesus. But of course, he had to make that decision for himself. My salvation could not save him, any more than his sins could not condemn me. 

Chapter 18 ends with a confirmation that God is a God of mercy. He wants to forgive sins. He says, “Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. 31Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? 32For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!”

I’m so glad that God made a way for us to escape the consequences of our sins, aren’t you? Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” 

If you have never accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, you can do that now. He offers this gift to you right where you are, in whatever condition you are. He sees you, and no matter what is in your past, He loves you and He died for your sins. And because He was resurrected after three days, He showed that He has the power to forgive your sins. If you want to experience the forgiveness that He can bring, you can do that right now. Just pray this prayer that I’m about to pray. Repeat after me, either quietly to yourself, or out loud. Here we go:

Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I believe that you died so that I could be forgiven. Jesus, right now, I accept the gift of salvation that you offer, and I ask that you would forgive me now. Thank you for loving me so much that you would do this for me. Help me, Lord, to live for You now. Make me the person you want me to be. I pray this in your name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, congratulations. You are now a child of God. You are a new creation in Christ. Maybe you felt something when you prayed that prayer, maybe you didn’t. But the fact is that the forgiveness of God is not dependent on our feelings, it is based solely on God’s promise. Remember that. 

I encourage you to write to me at st***@*************ia.com and let me know you prayed that prayer with me. I would like to help you get started on the right foot as you begin your walk with Jesus. Just drop me a short email.

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 13-15 CEB; Ch. 16-18 NIV

Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here.

When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Download .txt file

Steve Webb 0:00
How do we resolve this conundrum?

Steve Webb 0:09
Hi there this is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California podcasting since 2004. I’m your OG God caster Steve Webb. How are you today? Welcome. Being Friday we’re going to read from one of the books of prophecy. Today we’re going to read Ezekiel 13 through 18. And after the reading, I’ll have some comments. The title of today’s episode is where does the buck stop? Show Notes page for today’s episode is Lifespring media.com/s 12 v 177. My email address is Steve at Lifespring media.com. The reading is a bit long today so let’s get right to it.

Steve Webb 0:48
Ezekiel chapter 13

Steve Webb 0:51
The Lord’s word came to me, human one prophesy to Israel’s prophets who prophesy from their own imaginations. Say hear the Lord’s word. The Lord God proclaims Doom to the foolish prophets who follow their own whims, but see nothing. Israel your profits have been like jackals among ruins. You haven’t gone up into the breech are reinforced the wall of the house of Israel so that it might withstand the battle on the day of the Lord. They saw worthless visions and performed deceptive divinations. Even though the Lord didn’t send them they said, This is what the Lord says and expected their word to stand. Didn’t you see worthless visions? And didn’t you report deceptive destinations and say, This is what the Lord says, even though I didn’t speak. Therefore, the Lord God proclaims, because you spoke worthless things and had false visions. I’m against you. This is what the Lord God says. I will wield my power against the prophets, those seers of nothingness and diviners of lies. They won’t be included in my people’s counsel or recorded in the house of Israel’s official records, or enter Israel’s fertile land, then you will know that I am the Lord. Without a doubt, they lead my people astray, saying peace when there was no peace, and he is building a wall when they were the ones who laid on the plaster, say to those who laid on the plaster that it will fall, when the flooding rains appear, and I said hailstones, it will collapse and the storm winds will break it apart, the wall will certainly fall. What would be said about you, where is your plaster now? Therefore, the Lord God proclaims, in my theory, I will make a storm wind breakout. And in my anger, there will be flooding rains and hailstones and consuming wrath. I will tear down the wall on which you laid plaster, I will raise it to the ground and expose its foundation. When it falls, you will be destroyed with it. And you will know that I am the Lord. I will exhaust my fury on the wall and on those who laid plaster on it. Then I will say to you, where is the wall? And where are those who plastered it those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and envisioned peace when there was no peace? This is what the Lord God says. You human one face the daughters of your people, those women who prophesy from their imaginations, prophesy against them and say, The Lord God proclaims Doom to the women who sew bands on every wrist and make veils for heads of all sizes to entrap human lives. Will you ensnare my peoples lies but preserve your own. When you degrade me to my people for handfuls of barley and breadcrumbs, you mislead My gullible people, and you bring about the death of those who shouldn’t die and keep alive those who shouldn’t live. Therefore, the Lord God proclaims,

Steve Webb 3:43
I am against the bands that you use to trap human lives. I will tear them from your arms and I will set free the lives that you’ve trapped like birds, I will tear off your veils and snatch my people out of your clutches. They will be preyed your clutches no longer then you will know that I am the Lord, you hurt the righteous with slander. I didn’t warn them. And you strengthen the hands of the wicked so that they survived without changing their evil ways. Therefore, you will no longer see empty visions or perform divinations I will rescue my people from your clutches. And you will know that I am the Lord.

Steve Webb 4:20
Ezekiel chapter 14

Steve Webb 4:23
When some of the elders of the house of Israel came to sit in my presence, the Lord’s word came to me, human one, these men decide on their own to set up their idols. So the cause of their downfall is right in front of them. Why should I allow them to ask me anything? Therefore speak to them and tell them the Lord God proclaims. If anyone from the house of Israel decides on his own to set up his idols, and puts the cause of his downfall right in front of him, but then comes to the Prophet, I the Lord will require an answer from him through his many idols. So I’ll seize the hearts of the house of his Israel whose idols have made them all strangers to me, therefore say to the house of Israel, the LORD God proclaims, come back, turn away from your idols and from all your detestable practices turn away, or anyone of the house of Israel or any immigrant in Israel, who becomes estranged from me by deciding on their own to set up their idols and puts the cause of their downfall right in front of them, but then comes to the Prophet to ask me something through him, I the Lord will require an answer, I will confront that one, I will set them up as a sign and an object lesson, and I will cut them off from my people, then you will know that I am the Lord. As for the prophet who was seduced into speaking a word, even though it was I, the Lord who seduced that Prophet, I will use my power against him, and cut him off completely from my people, Israel, the Prophet and the inquirer alike will bear their guilt, so that the house of Israel won’t stray from me again, or make themselves impure with any of their sins, they will be my people and I will be their God. This is what the Lord God says. The Lord’s word came to me, human one, suppose the land sins against me by acting faithless Lee so that I use my power against it, break off its food supply, let famine run rampant, and eliminate both humans and animals. If these three men, Noah, Daniel and Jobe lived there, their lives alone would be saved because they were righteous. This is what the Lord God says, are suppose I allow wild animals to roam through the land, and it becomes so wild that no one can live there, or even travel through it on account of the wild animals. If these three men lived there, it surely as I live proclaims the Lord God, they wouldn’t be able to rescue even their sons or daughters. They alone would be rescued, but the land would become a ruin. Or suppose I bring a sword against that land and command the sword to pass through and eliminate both humans and animals. If these three men lived there, as surely as I live proclaims the Lord God, they wouldn’t be able to rescue even their sons or daughters, they alone would be rescued. Or suppose I send a plague against that land and pour out my fury on it. With great bloodshed, I would eliminate both humans and animals. If Noah Daniel and Jobe lived there is surely as I live proclaims the Lord God, they wouldn’t be able to rescue either sons or daughters, but they would save their lives because they were righteous. The Lord God proclaims how much more if I send all four of these terrible acts of judgment, sword famine, wild animals in plague against Jerusalem to eliminate both humans and animals, yet a few survivors will be left sons and daughters will be brought out to you. When you see their ways and their deeds, you will be consoled for the evil that I inflicted on Jerusalem for all that I brought against it. Seeing their ways in their deeds will bring you some consolation, because then you will understand what I’ve done, and that I didn’t do any of these things without cause. This is what the Lord God says,

Steve Webb 8:15
Ezekiel chapter 15.

Steve Webb 8:18
The Lord’s word came to me, human one, how is the vines wood better than the wood of all the trees in the forest? Can you make anything useful from its wood? Can you make a peg from it and hang objects on it? If not, can it be used as firewood? Firewood consume, it’s two wins, but it’s middle part would only get charged. So is it useful for anything? Look, even when it was hold it was worthless. Now that the fire has consumed it and it is charred, it is even more useless. Therefore, the Lord God proclaims of all the trees in the forest, I have decreed that the vines wood is destined to be consumed by fire. So also have i decreed for those who live in Jerusalem and I have confronted them. They may try to go out from the fire but the fire will consume them. You will know that I am the Lord because I confronted them. I will turn the land into a ruin because they acted faithless Lee proclaims the Lord God.

Steve Webb 9:18
Ezekiel chapter 16.

Steve Webb 9:21
The word of the Lord came to me, Son of man confront Jerusalem with her detestable practices and say, This is what the Sovereign Lord says to Jerusalem, your ancestry in birth were in the land of the Canaanites. Your father was an Amorite and your mother a Hittite. On the day you were born, your cord was not cut, nor were you washed with water to make you clean. Nor were you rubbed with salt or wrapped in cloths. No one looked on you with pity or had compassion enough to do any of these things for you. Rather, you were thrown out into the open field for on the day you were born, you were despised. Then I passed by and saw you Kicking about in your blood. And as you lay there in your blood I said to you live, I made you grow like a plant of the field. You grew and developed and entered puberty your breasts had formed and your hair had grown, yet you were stark naked. Later I passed by and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your naked body. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you declares the Sovereign LORD, and you became mine. I bathed you with water and wash the blood from you and put ointments on you. I closed you with an embroidered dress and put sandals of fine leather on you. I dressed you in fine linen and covered you with costly garments. I adorned you with jewelry, I put bracelets on your arms and a necklace around your neck. And I put a ring on your nose, earrings on your ears and a beautiful crown on your head. So you were adorned with gold and silver. Your clothes were a fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey olive oil and the finest flower. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen and your fame spread among the nations on account of your beauty. Because the splendor I had given you made your beauty perfect declares the Sovereign Lord, but you trusted in your beauty and used your fame to become a prostitute. You lavished Your favors on anyone who passed by and your beauty became his. You took some of your garments to make Gadi high places where you carried on your prostitution. You went to him and he possessed your beauty. You also took the fine jewelry I gave you the jewelry made of my golden silver and you made for yourself male idols and engaged in prostitution with them. And you took your embroidered clothes to put on them and you offered my oil and incense before them. Also the food I provided for you the flour, olive oil and honey I gave you to eat you offered as fragrant incense before them. This is what happened declares the Lord GOD and you took your sons and daughters whom you bore to me and sacrifice them as food to the idols was your prostitution not enough. You slaughtered my children and sacrifice them to the idols in all your detestable practices and your prostitution. You did not remember the days of your youth when you were naked in bear kicking about in your blood. Whoa, whoa to you declares the Sovereign Lord. In addition to all your other wickedness, you built a mound for yourself and made a lofty shrine in every public square. At every street corner you built your lofty shrines and degraded your beauty, spreading your legs with increasing promiscuity to anyone who passed by you engaged in prostitution with the Egyptians, your neighbors with large genitals and aroused my anger with your increasing promiscuity. So I stretched up my hand against you and reduced your territory. I gave you over to the greed of your enemies, the daughters of the Philistines who were shocked by your lewd conduct. You engaged in prostitution with the Assyrians too, because you were insatiable. And even after that, you were still not satisfied. Then You increased your promiscuity to include Babylonia, a land of merchants but even with this, you are not satisfied. I am filled with fury against you declares the Lord when you do all these things acting like a brazen prostitute. When you built your mounds at every street corner and made your lofty shrines in every public square, you are unlike a prostitute because you scorned payment. You adulterous wife, you prefer strangers to your own husband. All prostitutes receive gifts, but you give gifts to all your lovers, bribing them to come to you from everywhere for your illicit favors. So in your prostitution, you are the opposite of others. No one runs after you for your favors, you are the very opposite for you give payment and none is given to you. Therefore you prostitute Hear the Word of the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says. Because you poured out your lust and exposed your naked body in your promiscuity with your lovers. And because of all your detestable idols, and because you gave them your children’s blood, therefore, I am going to gather all your lovers with whom you found pleasure, those who loved as well as those who hated. I will gather them against you from all around and will strip you in front of them and they will see you start naked. I will sentence you to the punishment of women who commit adultery and who shed blood. I will bring on you the Blood Vengeance of my wrath and jealous anger. Then I will deliver you into the hands of your lovers and they will tear down your mounds and destroy your lofty shrines. They will strip you of your clothes and take your fine jewelry and leave you stark naked. They will bring a mob against you who will stone you and hack you to pieces with their swords. They will burn down your houses and inflict punishment on you in the sight of many women. I will put a stop to your prostitution and you will no longer pay your lovers, then my wrath against you will subside, and my jealous anger will turn away from you. I will be calm and no longer angry. Because you did not remember the days of your youth but enraged me with all these things, I will surely bring down on your head what you have done, declares the Sovereign Lord. Did you not add lewdness to all your other detestable practices? Everyone who quotes proverbs will quote this proverb about you. Like mother, like daughter, you are a true daughter of your mother who despised her husband and her children. And you are a true sister of your sisters who despised their husbands and their children. Your mother was a Hittite and your father and Amorite. Your older sister was Sumeria, who lived to the north of you with her daughters. And your younger sister who lived to the south of you with her daughter’s was Saddam, you not only followed their ways and copied their detestable practices, but in all your ways you soon became more de prayed the NE as surely as I live declares the Sovereign Lord, your sister, Saddam and her daughters never did what you and your daughters have done. Now this was the sin of your sister Saddam. She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed, and unconcerned. They did not help the poor and needy. They were haughty and did detestable things before me. Therefore, I did away with them as you have seen Sumeria did not commit half the sins you did. You have done more detestable things than they, and have made your sisters seem righteous by all these things you have done, bear your disgrace, for you have furnished some justification for your sisters, because your sins were more vile than theirs. They appear more righteous than you. So then, be ashamed and bear your disgrace for you have made your sisters appear righteous. However, I will restore the fortunes of Saddam and her daughters and of Sumeria and her daughters and your fortunes along with them, so that you may bear your disgrace and be ashamed of all you have done in giving them comfort. And your sister’s sawed them with her daughters and scenario with her daughters will return to what they had before. And you and your daughters will return to what you were before. You would not even mention your sister Sodom in the day of your pride before your wickedness was uncovered. Even so you are now scorned by the daughters of Edom, and all her neighbors and all the daughters of the Philistines, all those around you who despise you, you will bear the consequences of your lewdness and your detestable practices, declares the Lord. This is what the Sovereign Lord says, I will deal with you as you deserve because you have despised my oath by breaking the covenant. Yet I will remember the covenant I made with you in the days of your youth, and I will establish an everlasting covenant with you, then you will remember your ways and be ashamed when you receive your sisters, both those who are older than you and those who are younger. I will give them to you as daughters, but not on the basis of my covenant with you. So I will establish my covenant with you and you will know that I am the Lord. Then when I make atonement for you for all you have done, you will remember and be ashamed and never again open your mouth because of your humiliation declares the Sovereign Lord.

Steve Webb 18:28
Ezekiel chapter 17.

Steve Webb 18:31
The word of the Lord came to me, Son of man set forth an allegory and tell it to the Israelites is a parable. Say to them, This is what the Sovereign Lord says. A great eagle with powerful wings, long feathers and full plumage of varied colors came to Lebanon. Taking hold of the top of the cedar, he broke off its top most shoot and carried it away to a land of merchants, where he planted it in a city of traders’. He took one of the seedlings of the land and put it in fertile soil. He planted it like a willow by abundant water, and it sprouted and became a low spreading vine. Its branches turned toward him, but its roots remained under it. So it became a vine and produced branches and put out leafy bows. But there was another great eagle with powerful wings in full plumage. The vine now set out its roots toward him from the plot where it was planted and stretched out its branches to him for water. It had been planted in good soil by abundant water so that it would produce branches bear fruit and become a splendid vine. Say to them, This is what the Sovereign Lord says, Will it thrive? Will it not be uprooted and stripped of its fruit so that it withers? All its new growth will wither? It will not take a strong arm or many people to pull it up by the roots. It has been planted but will it thrive? Will it not wither completely when the east wind strikes it wither away in the plot where it grew? Then the word of the Lord came to me say to this room Julius people. Do you not know what these things mean? Say to them, the king of Babylon went to Jerusalem and carried off for King and her nobles, bringing them back with him to Babylon. Then he took a member of the royal family and made a treaty with him putting him under oath. He also carried away the leading men of the land so that the kingdom would be brought low, unable to rise again, surviving only by keeping his treaty. But the king rebelled against Him by sending His envoys to Egypt to get horses at a large army. Will he succeed, will he who does such things escape? Will he break the treaty and yet escape? As surely as I live declares the Sovereign Lord, He shall die in Babylon, in the land of the King who put him on the throne, whose oath he despised, and whose treaty he broke, Pharaoh with his mighty army and great Horde, will be of no help to him and war. When ramps are built and seed works erected to destroy many lives. He despised the oath by breaking the covenant, because he had given his hand in pledge and yet did all these things he shall not escape. Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says, As surely as I live, I will repay him for despising my oath and breaking my covenant. I will spread my net for him, and he will be caught in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon, and execute judgment on him there because he was unfaithful to me. All his choice, troops will fall by the sword, and the survivors will be scattered to the winds, then you will know that I the LORD have spoken. This is what the Sovereign Lord says, I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it. I will break off a tender sprig from its top most shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain, on the mountain heights of Israel, I will plant it, it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it, they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord, bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall.

Steve Webb 22:06
I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish. I the LORD have spoken and I will do it.

Steve Webb 22:13
Ezekiel chapter 18

Steve Webb 22:16
The word of the Lord came to me. What do people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel, the parents eat sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge. As surely as I live declares the Sovereign Lord, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel, for everyone belongs to me, the parent as well as the child both alike belong to me, the one who sins is the one who will die. Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right. He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife or have sexual relations with a woman during her period. He does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for alone. He does not commit robbery but gives us food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked, he does not lend to them at interest or take a profit from them. He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between two parties. He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws, that man is righteous, He will surely live declares the Sovereign Lord. Suppose he has a violent son who sheds blood or does any of these other things, though the father has done none of them. He eats at the mountain shrines, he defiles his neighbor’s wife, he oppresses the poor and needy, he commits robbery, he does not return what he took in pledge, he looks to the idols, he does detestable things, he lends at interest and takes a profit will such a man live, he will not, because he has done all these detestable things, he is to be put to death, his blood will be on his own head. But suppose this son has a son who sees all the sense his father commits, and though he sees them, he does not do such things. He does not eat the mountain shrines or look to the idols of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife. He does not oppress anyone or require a pledge for a loan. He does not commit adultery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked he withholds his hand from mistreating the poor and takes no interest or profit from them. He keeps my laws and follows my decrees. He will not die for his father’s sin, He will surely live, but his father will die for his own sin because He practiced extortion, robbed his brother, and did what was wrong among his people. Yet you ask, why does the son not share the guilt of the Father? Since the son has done what is just and right and has been careful to keep all my decrees He will surely live? The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credit To them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them. But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they’ve committed, and keeps all my decrees and does what is just in right, that person will surely live, they will not die. None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked declares the Sovereign Lord? Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? But if a righteous person turns from the righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die. Yet you say, the way of the Lord is not just here you Israelites is my way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust. If a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin, they will die for it. Because of the sin they have committed, they will die. But if a wicked person turns away from the wickedness they have committed in does what is just and right, they will save their life. Because they consider all the offenses they have committed and turn away from them, that person will surely live they will not die. Yet the Israelites say the way of the Lord is not just are My ways unjust people of Israel, is it not your ways that are unjust, therefore you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways declares the Sovereign Lord, REPENT, turn away from all your offenses, then your sin will not be your downfall. Read yourselves of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die people of Israel, for I take no pleasure in the death of anyone declares the Sovereign Lord, repent and live.

Steve Webb 27:02
Chapter 18 clarifies it even puts to rest the idea that there is such a thing as a generational curse. You see, some people believe that children are sometimes punished for the sins of the parents. The idea stems primarily, I think, from Exodus 20, verse five, which says, You shall not bow down to idols or worship them for I the LORD your God in a jealous God punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me. But listen to verse 20, of our chapter here, chapter 18. The soul who sins is the one who will die, the son will not share the guilt of the father, nor will the father share the guilt of the sun. So this seems to clearly teach that each person is responsible for their own sin. So what’s going on? Is the Bible contradicting itself? Well, it’s good to remember that when confronting seeming contradictions in the Bible, it is critical to look at context. So what is the context in the verse from Exodus? What is God referring to? Let’s read it again. You shall not bow down to idols or worship them for I the LORD your God, I’m a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me. So this verse is talking about idolatry. Of course, we know that God hates idolatry. So does he hate it bad enough that he’ll punish multiple generations because of the ancestors? No. Remember what you’ve heard me say many times, God does not change. So what is the answer? How do we resolve this conundrum? Well, a person or a generation that practices idolatry is likely to create a culture of this behavior, don’t you think? If I have an altar to a false god in my home, my children are probably going to be raised to accept that as normal, right? So when they have a family, it’s more likely that they’ll have an altar to praise a false God in their home. And so it goes from generation to generation. Here in chapter 18, we learned that each generation is responsible for their own behavior. But when they’re raised in a culture that accepts sin, it’s more likely that they will accept sin. But it doesn’t have to be this way. I was not raised in a Christian home. My dad was very anti church. He thought that was all just as just hogwash. So it could have been assumed that I would follow in his footsteps in this arena, right? But God, in his infinite mercy touched my heart and gave me the faith to believe in Jesus. I’m sure there were probably 1000 different things that I was exposed to as I grew up, to bring me to the awareness that Jesus is who he said he is, and that I need him in my life. So I asked Jesus to be my savior when I was a teenager, and I spent most of the rest of my dad’s life praying for him. And as I I told you even recently, shortly before he died, he finally gave his heart to Jesus. But of course, he had to make that decision for himself. My salvation could not save him any more than his sins could condemn me. Well, chapter 18 ends with a confirmation that God is a God of mercy. He wants to forgive sins, he says, Repent, turn away from your offenses, then sin will not be your downfall. rid yourselves of all the offenses you’ve committed, and get a new heart in a new spirit. Why will you die people of Israel, for I take no pleasure in the death of anyone declares the Sovereign Lord, repent and live. I’m so glad that God made a way for us to escape the consequences of our sins, aren’t you? Jesus said, I am the Way the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father, but by me. If you’ve never accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, you can do that now. He offers this gift to you right where you are, in whatever condition you are, he sees you and no matter what’s in your past, he loves you and He died for your sins. And because he was resurrected after three days, He showed that he has the power to forgive your sins. Do you want to know that when you die, you’ll spend eternity in heaven. If you want to experience the forgiveness that He can bring, you can do that now. Just pray this simple prayer that I’m about to pray, repeat after me either quietly to yourself or out loud. Let’s pray. Dear Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner, and I believe that you died so that I could be forgiven. Right now I accept the gift of salvation that you offer. And I ask that you would forgive me now. Thank you for loving me so much that you would do this for me, helped me Lord, to live for you now. Make me the person you want to be. I pray this in Your name. Amen.

Steve Webb 31:55
Now, if you prayed that prayer, congratulations, you’re now a child of God. You’re a new creation in Christ. Maybe you felt something when you prayed that prayer, and maybe you didn’t. But the fact is that the forgiveness of God is not dependent on our feelings. It’s based completely on God’s promise. You have his promise. If you did pray that prayer, please write to me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. And let me know. I’d like to help you get started on the right foot. As you begin your walk with Jesus. Just drop me a short email. I’d love to hear your thoughts and your comments. Comment on today’s show at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 177. Or email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com Reading tomorrow will be Luke chapters 15 and 16

Steve Webb 32:48
Well, I got no boostagrams, I got no boosts I got no streaming sats most of the day. I lost internet connectivity last night shortly after uploading the show for yesterday. I was hoping that it would resolve itself overnight, but no luck. So this morning, I called my ISP to see if they could resolve the problem from their end. And of course they couldn’t. So they had to send a technician out this afternoon at about one o’clock. And he determined that after taking a look at all of their equipment that the problem was not their equipment, but my router. So I had to buy a new router today. Oh joy, that hurt. I didn’t get everything working until about five o’clock. Oh and Shawn have contacted me this morning to let me know he tried to send a booster Graham and but he was notified that it didn’t go through. And of course it couldn’t because of the internet being down it couldn’t get to me, my lightning node was offline. So if you also try to send a boost or stream some SATs to me, that’s why but it is back up and running again. So if you want to retry sending them, the note is ready and willing to take them etc timeful loose boost

Steve Webb 34:05
prayer requests, well, Del called me this morning and let me know that Kathy made it through the night, okay, there were no major complications. Her platelets are kind of low. So we need to pray for that. So let’s keep her in prayer. Our Heavenly Father, thank You for Your love and Your Grace. And thank you for continually working to make us the people you want us to be. You know just how much pressure to apply to shape us. Help us to yield to that pressure, knowing that your will is infinitely better than ours. We pray for Kathy’s recovery, Lord, that it’ll go smoothly and quickly. We pray Lord that you would bring the platelet count up in her blood. Help her with a pain and help her strength to return quickly. And ask Lord that you bless the Lifespring family today. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

Steve Webb 35:00
Thank you for spending time with me today. I appreciate it. It’s good to see you. Comment on the show at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 177. Email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Please help support the show helped me to pay for my new router at Lifespring media.com/support Until tomorrow may God bless you. My name is Steve Wang bye

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Transcript

Episode transcript here.

I like what Solomon said in verse two of chapter seven: Be as careful to follow my teaching as you are to protect your eyes.

I had a very scary experience with my eyesight a few years ago. The lovely lady LeeAnn and I had a rare day off, and I decided to take her on a drive down the coast. Most of you know that we live in southern California, and Pacific Coast Highway is only about an hour’s drive from our home. She loves the beach, and we like to get out of town whenever possible and have lunch or dinner by the water and listen to the seagulls and watch the waves. 

Well, on this particular day we were taking a nice leisurely stroll on the pier in Oceanside, enjoying the warmth of the sun with a gentle breeze on our faces, watching the pelicans dive for fish, when all of a sudden my vision was filled with what seemed like a million tiny red spots in my left eye. They seemed to sort of cascade down from the top of my field of vision and then just sort of drift around in my eye. It scared me. I didn’t know if I was going blind, having a stroke, or what was happening. 

I won’t go into all the details, but as soon as I was able, I went to Urgent Care where, as soon as the doctor on call heard my symptoms, he sent me directly to an ophthalmologist who told me that part of my retina had become detached. He decided that the best thing would be to do laser surgery right away to sort of spot weld the retina to keep further damage from happening. I’m thankful that we caught it when we did. Today I’m left with no vision at all in about 40 percent of the bottom part of the left eye. I still have all of my central vision, but the bottom part of my peripheral vision is gone. 

You’d better believe that I do all I can to protect my eyes now. 

So Solomon’s words really hit home with me. I’ve read this verse many times before, but this is the first time this verse ever really hit close to home. 

Be as careful to follow the teaching found in God’s Word as you are to protect your eyes.

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. GNT

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Steve Webb 0:00
Man, I gotta tell you it scared me to death

Steve Webb 0:09
Hi there. This is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California podcasting since 2004. I’m your OG God casters Steve Webb. This is Thursday. So we’re going to read from one of the books of poetry today we’ll read Proverbs seven. And of course, after the reading, I’ll have some comments I’m calling today’s episode. It’ll put your eye out. The show notes page for today’s episode is Lifespring media.com/s 12 V. 176. Let’s begin.

Steve Webb 0:40
Proverbs chapter seven.

Steve Webb 0:42
My child, remember what I say and never forget what I tell you to do. Do what I say and you will live. be as careful to follow my teaching as you are to protect your eyes. Keep my teaching with you all the time, right it on your heart, treat wisdom as your sister and insight as your closest friend. They will keep you away from other men’s wives from women with seductive words. Once I was looking out the window of my house, and I saw many inexperienced young men, but noticed one foolish fellow in particular, he was walking along the street near the corner where a certain woman lived. He was passing near her house in the evening after it was dark. And then she met him. She was dressed like a prostitute and was making plans. She was a bold and shameless woman who always walked the streets or stood waiting at a corner sometimes in the streets, sometimes in the marketplace. She threw her arms around, the young man kissed him, looked him straight in the eye and said, I made my offerings today and have the need from the sacrifices. So I came out looking for you. I wanted to find you and here you are. I’ve covered my bed with sheets of colored linen from Egypt. I’ve perfumed it with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come on, let’s make love all night long. We’ll be happy in each other’s arms. My husband is in at home. He’s on a long trip. He took plenty of money with him and won’t be back for two weeks. So she tempted him with her charms, and he gave in to her smooth talk. Suddenly, he was going with her like an ox on the way to be slaughtered like a deer prancing into a trap where an arrow would pierce its heart. He was like a bird going into a net. He did not know that his life was in danger. Now then sons, listen to me. Pay attention to what I say. Do not let such a woman when your heart don’t go wandering after her. She has been the ruin of many men and caused the death of too many to count. If you go to her house, you are on the way to the world of the dead. It is a shortcut to death.

Steve Webb 2:44
I like what Solomon said in verse two of chapter seven. He said, be as careful to follow my teaching as you are to protect your eyes. I had a really scary experience with my eyesight a few years ago, a lovely lady Leanna and I had a rare day off and I decided to take her on a drive down the coast. Well as you know, I live here in Southern California and Pacific Coast Highway is only about an hour’s drive from our house. She loves the beach and we like to get out of town whenever possible and have lunch or dinner by the water and listen to the seagulls and watch the waves. Well on this particular day, we were taking a nice leisurely stroll on the pier in Oceanside enjoying the warmth of the sun with a gentle breeze on our faces. Watching the pelicans dive for fish, when all of a sudden my vision was filled with what seemed like a million tiny little red dots in my left eye. They seem to sort of cascade down from the top of my field of vision and then just sort of drift around in my eye. Man, I gotta tell you, it scared me to death. I didn’t know if I was going blind having a stroke or what was happening? Well, I won’t go into all the details. But as soon as I was able, I went to the urgent care where as soon as the doctor on call heard my symptoms, he sent me directly to an ophthalmologist who told me that part of my retina had become detached. And so he decided that the best thing to do would be to do laser surgery right away to sort of spot weld the retina to keep further damage from happening. I’m so thankful that I went in when I did and he saw what was going on and did something about it. Today I’m left with no vision at all in about 40% of the bottom part of the left eye. I still have all my central vision and I’m thankful for that. But the bottom part of my peripheral vision is absolutely just gone. So you’d better believe that I do all that I can to protect my eyes now. So when I read these words from Solomon, it really hit home with me. I read this verse many times before but after this experience with my vision, it really hit close to home. be as careful to follow the teaching found in God’s Word as you are to protect your eyes. I’d love to hear your thoughts as anything like this ever happened to you? Let me know. Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 176. or shoot me an email at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Our reading tomorrow will be Ezekiel chapters 13 through 18.

Steve Webb 5:21
It is time for le boost! Somebody sent me three 500 sat boosts from the podfriend app yesterday morning. Turns out Podfriend does not tell me who the sender is. So if it was you and you care to let me know who you are, and thank you for the boosts. Also, somebody sent me a here’s where I found you email yesterday. And when I went to look for it, to put it in the notes here, I can’t find it. I really hate when that happens. But the email only said, Thank you for your courage. I remember that I just don’t remember the name. But we do know that with that message it was another no agenda producer. So thank you for sending that email. And it’d be awesome if you’d send it again. So I know your name. I got to get a better email client. And speaking of that, does anybody out there have experience with nextcloud? I just ran across it last week. And it looks like a pretty cool platform. Send me an email if you have any experience with it either good or bad. I’m thinking of hosting my own instance of it here to replace Dropbox, Google Drive, my sorry, email client, and some other things. So let me know.

Steve Webb 6:32
On this date in church history, February 24 1902, Gladys Aylward was born. She was an English missionary. And there was an award winning 1958 film called in of the Sixth Happiness, starring Ingrid Bergman that was based on her life and her work among the Chinese. I’ve never seen that film, but I’m gonna have to find it.

Steve Webb 7:02
Prayer requests. I’m recording this on Wednesday afternoon, and after about a three hour surgery, just a little while ago, I got this text from Del. He said, Kathi is out of surgery. And in recovery, she lost a lot of blood. So they put in a drain, and the doctor thinks that’ll solve the problem, but time will tell. He said, I can see her in about an hour, most likely she’ll spend the night and then go home tomorrow, which is today for you. So let’s pray. Our heavenly Father, you are holy, and you’re worthy of our praise. So we offer that to you right now. We do praise you and we worship you. Hallelujah. We thank you for another day to serve you, Lord, help us to make the best of it. And thank you for bringing Kathy through her surgery. We pray that her recovery goes quickly that she has a minimum of discomfort, and that the pain that she’s been having in her arm for so long is a thing of the past now and help Dell as he tends to her at home. And once again, I thank you for each person in the Lifespring family. Bless them today. Lord, I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Steve Webb 8:12
Have you shared the show with anybody lately? Please do and comment on the show at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 176. My email address is Steve at Lifespring media.com. As always, the bills keep coming in. So if you receive any value from this show, please convert that value to a number and send some of it my way at Lifespring media.com/support. And until tomorrow may God bless you richly. Thank you for being here. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow. My name is Steve Webb. Bye bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

Experience the book that has restored, reoriented, and renewed millions of people—now thoroughly updated with seven new chapters and dozens of additional stories! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or eager to encounter a fresh edition of the classic text you already love, you’ll not be the same when you finish it. 368 pages, hardcover from B&H.

Transcript

Since today is Wednesday we’re going to read from the Psalms. Today we’ll read   Psalms 75-77. I’m calling today’s episode “Words of Hope.”

I wrote these comments at the end of 2020, and I think they still apply. In most areas of the world, the pandemic seems to be winding down. But not everywhere. Tyranny seems to be on the rise. War is looming. Crime is on the rise. Economies are in turmoil. Let’s face it…the world is still in upheaval. Let me share my thoughts from 2020. 

Date: December 15, 2020

When we look back at 2020, and I include nearly every person old enough to be aware of his or her surroundings, we will remember the COVID 19 pandemic, and the effect it has had on our lives. We will remember the reports of loss of lives, the lockdowns, the isolation of loved ones, the masks, the ruination of millions of businesses, the loss of jobs, the depletion of savings accounts, the complete upending of hundreds of millions, if not billions of lives. Who would have thought that this could happen, as it has, on a global scale?

When we consider how life has changed for nearly everyone on the planet, we have to ask, “Where is God in all this? Is He aware of what’s happening? Doesn’t He hear our cries for help?”

I think this Psalm fits our time well. 

Verse 1

I cry out to God;

I call to God, and he will hear me.

Beloved, be encouraged. When we call out to God, he *does* hear us. He hears the cries of the righteous, those who are His. And beloved, He is our loving Heavenly Father. 

1 John 3:1 tells us, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!..“ 

And since we are His children, we know that He will not leave us empty handed. Listen to this promise from Matthew 7:11-12: “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” 

Verse 5

I keep thinking about the old days,

the years of long ago.

For us, we don’t have to remember that far back to better times. And it is painful to think that life may not return to what we considered “normal” for a very long time, if ever. Some have said that we have to used to a “new normal”. If you’re anything like me, you don’t want to accept a new normal. I don’t know what’s ahead. But I do know that whatever waits for us, God is there. And He does not change. God. Does. Not. Change. He is still our loving Heavenly Father. Just like He was yesterday. Just like He is today. And just like He is forever.

Verses 6-9

At night I remember my songs.

I think and I ask myself:

“Will the Lord reject us forever?

Will he never be kind to us again?

Is his love gone forever?

Has he stopped speaking for all time?

Has God forgotten mercy?

Is he too angry to pity us?”  Selah

When we are depressed, when we have anxiety, sleep is often elusive. I think that’s one of the reasons for the spikes we’ve read about in drug and alcohol abuse, and obviously – suicide in 2020. 

We lie in bed and we worry. And those of us who are believers might ask ourselves these questions. To be sure, sin is rampant in the world today, and I can’t help but believe that a righteous, holy God must surely be angry at what He sees. And the Bible tells us that judgement is on the way. We know that. We don’t know when, but we know that just as night follows day, judgement is coming. 

But beloved, because God never changes, His promises for those of us who are His do not change. I do not know what life will look like in the near future, but I do know that He will care for us. He will not abandon us. We are His. As Romans 8: 38 tells us, “And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”

Verse 10

Then I say “This is what makes me sad:

For years the power of God Most High was with us.”

Isn’t it just like us to take for granted the things we have? It isn’t until we lose those things that we appreciate them. Do you have a roof over your head? Thank God for it. Do you have food in your belly? Thank God for it. Do you have transportation? Thank God for it. 

We even take the presence of God for granted. We take the blessings of God for granted. Those things I just asked you about? Those are blessings from God. Here in America, we took for granted the fact that we could freely attend church with our brothers and sisters in Christ. That was a blessing from God. And we can say with the psalmist, “For years the power of God Most High was with us.”

And then the rest of the psalm recounts many of the ways that God’s power was manifested on the earth.

Again I say, God does not change. No matter what happens here on earth, God is God. But because of the rebellious lot that is the human race, God allows seasons of drought and seasons of rain. When He puts us through a drought, people become thirsty for Him. Sometimes droughts last a long time. So be it. 

Beloved, it is our calling to stand fast. To cling to His Word, and to share the Good News with a lost and dying world. Not everyone wants to hear. Some never will, and some have just not gotten thirsty enough. That’s tragic for them, but it’s their choice. Nonetheless it is on us to never tire of sharing the Good News which has the power to save men’s (and women’s) souls. 

Beloved, we have the answer. And His name is Jesus. 

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 75 CEV; Ch. 76 ERV; Ch. 77 NCV

Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here.

When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Download .txt file

Steve Webb 0:00
God is there

Steve Webb 0:08
Together again, this is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California and podcasting since 2004. I’m your OG God caster Steve Webb. Since it’s Wednesday we’ll be reading from the songs chapters 75 through 77. Before reading each chapter, I’ll give you a brief introduction. And then after the reading, as always, I’ll have some comments for you. The show notes page for today’s episode, is it Lifespring media.com/s 12 V. 175. And I’ll invite your comments. You can also email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Are you ready? Let’s go.

Steve Webb 0:47
Psalm 75’s title isTo the Chief Musician. Set to Do Not Destroy. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song. for the newer Lifespring family membersc the chief musician is thought by some to be the Lord while others think it’s the director of the musicians. Psalms 57 through 59 also use the tune do not destroy and in addition to being a musician ASAP, was also a prophet in the music he wrote.

Steve Webb 1:16
Psalms chapter 75

Steve Webb 1:18
Our God, we thank you for being so near to us. Everyone celebrates your wonderful deeds. You have set a time to judge with fairness. The earth trembles and the people shake. You alone keep its foundation firm. You tell every bragger Stop bragging and to the wicked you say Don’t boast of your power. Stop bragging quit telling me how great you are. Our Lord and our God. Victory doesn’t come from the east or the west or from the desert. You are the one who judges you can take away power and give it to others. You hold in your hand a cup filled with wine strong and foaming. You will pour out some for every sinful person on this earth and they will have to drink until it is gone. But I will always tell about you the God of Jacob and I will sing your praise our Lord, You will destroy the power of evil people, but you will give strength to those who were good.

Steve Webb 2:16
The title of Psalm 76 is to the chief musician on stringed instruments, a Psalm of asef. A song this is a celebration of one of God’s great victories on behalf of His chosen people. It’s possible that it refers to the defeat of sadaqa rib. And if this is true, then this asef would not be the asef of David in Solomon’s time but one who came later, possibly a descendant.

Steve Webb 2:42
Psalms chapter 76.

Steve Webb 2:45
People in Judah no God, people in Israel respect his name. His temple is in Salem. His house is on Mount Zion. There he shattered the arrows, shields swords and other weapons of war. Sayla. God, you are glorious, coming back from the hills where you defeated your enemies. They thought they were strong, but now they lie dead in the fields. Their bodies are stripped of all they owned. They could not defend themselves. The God of Jacob shouted at them and their army of chariots and horses fell dead. God, you are awesome. No one can stand against you and you’re angry. You stood as judge and announced your decision. You saved the humble people of the land. From heaven you gave the decision, and the whole earth was silent and afraid. Even human anger can bring you honor when you use it to punish your enemies. People, you made promises to the Lord your God. Now give him what you promised. People everywhere fear and respect God and Abel bring gifts to Him. God defeats great leaders. All the kings on earth fear him.

Steve Webb 3:56
Psalm 77 is entitled to the chief musician to Jeduthun A Psalm of Asaph Jeduthun, was a worship leader who was appointed by David. Here’s what Charles Spurgeon had to say about him. The sons of God within were porters, or doorkeepers. According to First Chronicles 1640. To those who serve well make the best of singers and those who occupy the highest posts in the choir must not be ashamed to wait at the post of the doors of the Lord’s house.

Steve Webb 4:27
Psalms chapter 77

Steve Webb 4:29
I cry out to God, I call to God and He will hear me I look for the Lord on the day of trouble. All night long. I reach out my hands but I cannot be comforted.

Steve Webb 4:41
When I remember God, I become upset when I think I become afraid. C’est la.

Steve Webb 4:48
You keep my eyes from closing. I am too upset to say anything. I keep thinking about the old days the years of long ago. At night I remember my songs I think and I ask myself? Will the Lord reject us forever? Will he never be kind to us again? Is his love gone forever? Has he stopped speaking for all time? Has God forgotten mercy? Is he too angry to pity us? Sayla then I say, This is what makes me sad. For years, the power of God Most High was with us. I remember what the Lord did. I remember the miracles you did long ago. I think about all the things you did and consider your deeds. God, Your ways are holy. No, God is as great as our God. You are the God who does miracles. You have shown people your power. By your power, you have saved your people, the descendants of Jacob and Joseph Sayla. God, the waters saw you, they saw you and became afraid. The deep waters shook with fear. The clouds poured down their rain, the sky thundered, your lightning flashed back and forth like arrows. Your thunder sounded in the whirlwind. lightning lit up the world. The earth trembled and shook. You made a way through the sea and paths through the deep waters, but your footprints were not seen. You lead your people like a flock by using Moses and Aaron.

Steve Webb 6:22
Beloved, I’d like to talk about Psalm 77 today. Now I wrote these comments that you’re going to be hearing at the end of 2020. And I think they still apply. In most areas of the world. The pandemic seems to be winding down but not everywhere. Tyranny seems to be on the rise. War is looming. Crime is on the upswing. Economies are in turmoil. Let’s face it, the world is still in upheaval. So let me share my thoughts from 2020.

Steve Webb 6:50
When we look back at 2020, and I include nearly every person old enough to be aware of his or her surroundings, we will remember the COVID 19 pandemic and the effect it’s had on our lives will remember the reports of loss of lives, the lockdowns, the isolation of loved ones, the masks, the ruination of millions of businesses, the loss of jobs, the depletion of savings accounts, the complete up ending of hundreds of millions, if not billions of lives. Who would have thought that this could happen as it has on a global scale? When we consider how life has changed for nearly everyone on the planet, we have to ask, Where is God in all of this? Is he aware of what’s happening? Doesn’t he hear our cries for help? Well, I think this psalm fits our time. Well, in verse one, we read, I cry out to God, I call to God and He will hear me, beloved, be encouraged. When we call out to God, he does hear us, he hears the cries of the righteous, those who are His. And beloved, he is our loving Heavenly Father. First John three one tells us see what great love the Father has lavished on us that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are. And beloved, since we are His children, we know that he will not leave us empty handed. Listen to this promise from Matthew seven verses 11 and 12. Which of you if your son asks for bread, we’ll give him a stone. Or if he asks for a fish, we’ll give him a snake. If you then though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children? How much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who asked him?

Steve Webb 8:36
And then verse five says, I keep thinking about the old days, the years of long ago? Well for us, we don’t have to remember that far back to better times, do we? And it is painful to think that life may not return to what we considered normal for a very long time, if it ever does. Some have said that we have to get used to a new normal. Well, if you’re anything like me, you don’t want to accept a new normal. I don’t know what’s ahead. But I do know that whatever waits for us, God is there and he does not change. God doesn’t change. He’s still our loving Heavenly Father, just like he was yesterday, just like he is today. And just like he is forever. In verses six through nine say at night, I remember my songs I think and I asked myself, will the Lord reject us forever? Will he never be kind to us again? Is his love gone forever? Has he stopped speaking for all time? Has God forgotten mercy? Is he too angry to pity us? Salah. Remember Salah means pause and think about it. Beloved, when we are depressed when we have anxiety sleep is often elusive. I think that’s one of the reasons for the spikes we’ve read about in drug and alcohol abuse and obviously suicide in 2020. We lie in bed and we worry and those of us who are

Steve Webb 10:00
Believers might ask ourselves these questions that David asked to be sure. Sin is rampant in the world today and I can’t help but believe that a righteous Holy God must surely be angry at what he sees. And the Bible tells us that judgment is on the way we know that. We don’t know when but we know that just as night follows day, judgment is coming. But beloved, because God never changes his promises. For those of us who are his don’t change. I don’t know what life will look like in the near future. But I do know that he will care for us. He won’t abandon us where he is, is Romans 838 tells us and I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love, neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today, nor our worries about tomorrow, not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. Verse 10, says, Then I say, This is what makes me sad. For years, the power of God Most High was with us, isn’t a just like us to take for granted the things we have. It isn’t until we lose those things that we appreciate them. Do you have a roof over your head? Thank God for it. Do you have food in your belly? Thank God for that. Do you have transportation? Thank God for it. We even take the presence of God for granted. We take the blessings of God for granted. Those things I just talked to you about. Those are blessings from God. We took for granted the fact that we could freely attend church with our brothers and sisters in Christ. That was a blessing from God. And we can say with the psalmist. For years, the power of God Most High was with us.

Steve Webb 11:42
And then the rest of the psalm recounts many of the ways that God’s power was manifested on the earth. Again, I say God does not change. No matter what happens here on earth, God is God. But because of the rebellious lot that is the human race. God allows seasons of drought, and seasons of rain. And when he puts us through a drought, people become thirsty for him. Sometimes droughts last a long time. So be it. Beloved, it is our calling to stand fast, to cling to his word and to share the good news with a lost and dying world. Not everyone wants to hear, some never will. And some have just not gotten thirsty enough. That’s tragic for them, but it’s their choice. Nonetheless, it is on us to never tire of sharing the good news which has the power to save men’s and women’s souls. Beloved, we have the answer, and his name is Jesus. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 175. Our reading tomorrow will be Proverbs chapter seven, boost.

Steve Webb 13:02
On this date in church history, February 23 1685, George Frederick Handel was born. He of course was the German born English composer of the Messiah first performed in 1742. He also composed the tune for while shepherds watched their flocks by night and Joy to the world the Lord has come.

Steve Webb 13:42
Prayer requests. I’m recording this on Tuesday afternoon. So I don’t have a report for you on Kathi’s surgery, which is supposed to take place today, Wednesday, the 23rd of February. I hope to have news for you tomorrow. Let’s pray. Our Heavenly Father, we thank You that we can still rejoice in you. No matter what happens around us. You are rock and our salvation. Our time on planet Earth is short, evens Earth time is short in light of eternity and knowing that gives a peace that those who don’t know you can’t understand. Help us to rest in that Lord and also give us an urgency to share the good news. I pray, Lord, that You would bless the Lifespring family today. I’m so thankful for each and every person that you brought here. And I pray that they’re encouraged by this podcast and that they’re drawn closer to you. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. Send in your prayer requests and praises at prayer dot Lifespring media.com.

Steve Webb 14:48
Hey, do me a favor, share the show with somebody and comment on the show at Lifespring media.com/s 12 v 175. You can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com And please support the

Steve Webb 15:00
Show at Lifespring media.com/support Until tomorrow may God bless you richly thank you for being here rejoice My name is Steve Webb bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

Experience the book that has restored, reoriented, and renewed millions of people—now thoroughly updated with seven new chapters and dozens of additional stories! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or eager to encounter a fresh edition of the classic text you already love, you’ll not be the same when you finish it. 368 pages, hardcover from B&H.

Transcript

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch.19-20 NLV, Ch. 21-22 CEB

It’s  History Tuesday, and we’ll read 1 Kings 19-22. I’m calling this episode “Hearing From God.”

When we last saw Elijah, God had answered his prayers to rain down fire on the sacrifice in order to show that Baal was a false god. God did that and more, remember?

And here we see Elijah cowering at a threat from Jezebel. Seem strange? Maybe just a bit.

At least we know that Elijah was aware that this great thing that God did in consuming the sacrifice and the water and the dirt was a God thing and not an Elijah thing. He stayed humble and aware of his own humanity. That’s a good thing.

And he didn’t presume on God’s favor, which I happen to think is a good thing, too. We sometimes have the idea that since we are “kids of the King” that we don’t have to be concerned about things…that God will just magically take care of us. We forget what Jesus said to satan when He was in the desert and satan was tempting Him. 

Satan told Jesus to jump from a high spot because God’s angels would surely keep Him from harm. But Jesus told satan that we must not put the Lord to the test.

So Elijah took Jezebel’s threat to heart. 

Remember that earlier, God told Elijah to hide when his life was in danger? So Elijah just naturally assumed that this would be a good thing to do here, as well.

And while Elijah was in the desert, we see that he was greatly discouraged. He even said to God, “Just let me die here.” 

Isn’t that strange, too? You would think that after witnessing God’s great display before the false prophets of Baal, and the celebration of the people of Israel, Elijah would be on cloud nine. But we see a man who is worn out. The running, the hiding, the threats have all weighed on him. And we now know that after a great emotional high, it is natural to fall into a funk shortly thereafter. So there might have been a bit of that in play here, as well.

Regardless, God wasn’t through with Elijah, and he sent an angel to care for him there in the desert. He sent food and water. And after eating two meals, with a time of sleep in between, the food sustains Elijah for forty days as he traveled to Mt. Horeb, the mountain of God.

This was the same mountain where God appeared to Moses and gave Moses the tablets. This is where God first spoke to Moses from the burning bush, and where he actually revealed a bit of himself to Moses.

And God spoke to Elijah here. He wasn’t in the terrible wind. He wasn’t in the earthquake. He wasn’t in the fire. But he was in the sound of gentle blowing…a still, small voice.

When is it that you’re able to hear a gentle, quiet, still, small voice? When you are listening. When *you* are still. 

Do you want to hear the voice of God? Do you really? Are you ready for it? Do you desire it more than anything? Then stop. Be still. Listen. Wait.

If you are really thirsting to hear Him, I believe He will speak to you, as He spoke to Elijah, and as He has spoken to me. 

As Elijah said in today’s reading, and as I echo, “I am not better than my fathers.” You don’t have to be some great prophet. You only have to be willing to humble yourself and desire to know God more. 

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.

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Transcript corrected by Sister Denise

Steve Webb 0:00
The running, the hiding, the threats have all weighed on him.

Steve Webb 0:11
This is the Lifespring! One Year Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, and podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily podcast where we are reading through the entire Bible in a year. And not only that, this is the Lovely Lady LeeAnn’s birthday. Today is History Tuesday, and we’ll read 1 Kings 19 through 22. I’m calling this episode “Hearing From God.” Let’s get started with a word of prayer. Our gracious heavenly Father, how we love you, and we thank you for your Word. Thank you for giving it to us so that we can know you. I pray that as we read today, you would speak to our hearts. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen. All right, let’s begin.

Steve Webb 0:56
1 Kings, chapter 19. Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done. He told her how Elijah had killed with the sword all the men who spoke for Baal. Then Jezebel sent news to Elijah, saying, “So may the gods do to me and even more, if I do not make your life as the life of one of them by this time tomorrow.” Elijah was afraid. He got up and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba of Judah, he left his servant there. But he himself traveled for a day into the desert. He came and sat down under a juniper tree. There he asked that he might die, saying, “It is enough now, O Lord. Take my life. For I am not better than my fathers.” When he lay down and slept under the juniper tree, an angel touched him. The angel said to him, “Get up and eat.” Then Elijah looked and saw by his head a loaf of bread made ready on hot stones, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again. The angel of the Lord came again a second time and touched him, and said, “Get up and eat. Because this traveling is too hard for you.” So he got up and ate and drank. And he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb, the mountain of God. He came to a cave, and stayed there. The word of the Lord came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah said, “I have been very careful to serve the Lord, the God of All. For the people of Israel have turned away from Your agreement. They have torn down Your altars and have killed with the sword the men who speak for You. Only I am left, and they want to kill me.” So the angel said, “Go and stand on the mountain before the Lord.” And the Lord passed by. A strong wind tore through the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord. But the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind the earth shook. But the Lord was not in the shaking of the earth. After the earth shook, a fire came. But the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a sound of gentle blowing. When Elijah heard it, he put his coat over his face, and went out and stood at the opening of the hole. Then a voice came to him and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He said, “I have been very careful to serve the Lord, the God of All. For the people of Israel have turned away from Your agreement. They have torn down Your altars. And they have killed with the sword the men who speak for You. Only I am left, and they want to kill me.” The Lord said to him, “Go, return on your way to the desert of Damascus. When you get there, set apart Hazael to be the king of Syria. Set apart Nimshi’s son Jehu to be the king of Israel. And set apart Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah to speak for God in your place. Jehu will kill the one who gets away from the sword of Hazael. Elisha will kill the one who gets away from the sword of Jehu. But I will leave 7,000 in Israel whose knees have not bowed down in front of Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.” So Elijah left there and found Elisha the son of Shaphat. Elisha was plowing with twenty-four bulls, and was with the last two. Elijah passed by him and threw his coat on him. And he left the bulls and ran after Elijah and said, “Let me kiss my father and mother. Then I will follow you.” And Elijah said to him, “Return. For what have I done to you?” So Elisha returned from following him. He took his two bulls and killed them. Then he boiled their flesh over a fire, burning the wood cross-pieces the bulls used to pull the load. And he gave the meat to the people, and they ate. Then Elisha got up and followed Elijah and served him.

Steve Webb 4:57
1 Kings, chapter 20. Ben-hadad king of Syria gathered all his army together. Thirty-two kings were with him, and horses and war-wagons. And he went up against Samaria in battle. Then he sent men with news to the city of Ahab king of Israel, saying, “This is what Ben-hadad says. ’Your silver and gold are mine. Your most beautiful wives and children are mine also.’” The king of Israel answered, “It is as you say, my lord, O king. I am yours, and all that I have.” Then the men returned and said, “This is what Ben-hadad says. ‘I sent word to you saying, “You must give me your silver and gold and your wives and children.” But I will send my servants to you tomorrow about this time. They will look through your house and the houses of your servants. And they will take away all that is of worth to you.’” Then the king of Israel called all the leaders of the land. He said to them, “Look and see how this man is looking for trouble. He sent to me for my wives and my children, my silver and my gold. And I did not say no to him.” Then all the leaders and all the people said to him, “Do not listen or agree.” So Ahab said to Benhadad’s men, “Tell my lord the king, ‘I will do all that you first asked of your servant, but this I cannot do.’” The men left and returned again with news for him. Ben-hadad sent word to him saying, “May the gods do so to me and more also, if the dust of Samaria will be enough to fill the hands of all the people who follow me.” The king of Israel answered and said, “Tell him, ‘Let not him who dresses in battle-clothes talk with pride like him who takes them off.’” When Ben-hadad heard these words, he was drinking with the kings in the tents. He said to his servants, “Go to your places.” So they went to their place of battle against the city. Then a man who spoke for God came to Ahab king of Israel and said, “This is what the Lord says. ‘Have you seen all these many people? See, I will give them to you today. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” Ahab said, “By whom?” So he told him, “The Lord says, ‘By the young servants of the leaders of the lands you rule.’” Then Ahab said, “Who will start the battle?” And he answered, “You.” Then Ahab called together the young servants of the leaders of the nations, 232 men. And he called together all the people of Israel, 7,000 men.They went out at noon, while Ben-hadad was drinking himself drunk in the tents with the thirty-two kings who helped him. The young servants of the leaders of the lands went out first. Ben-hadad sent men out to get news, and they told him, “Men have come out from Samaria.” Then he said, “If they have come out for peace or for war, take them alive.” So the young servants of the leaders of the lands went out from the city, and the army whi ch followed them. Each one killed his man. The Syrians ran away, and Israel went after them. And Ben-hadad king of Syria got away on a horse with horsemen. The king of Israel went out and destroyed the horses and war-wagons. He killed many of the Syrians. Then the man who spoke for God came to the king of Israel, and said to him, “Go and make yourself strong. Look and see what you have to do. For the first of next year the king of Syria will come to fight against you.” Now the servants of the king of Syria said to him, “Israel’s gods are gods of the mountains. So they were stronger than we. But let us fight against them in the plain, and for sure we will be stronger than they. And do this. Take each of the kings from his place, and put captains in their places. Gather together an army like the army you lost, horse for horse, and war-wagon for war-wagon. Then we will fight against Israel in the plain. For sure we will be stronger than they.” And Ben-hadad listened to them and did so. When the new year came, Benhadad called together the Syrians and went up to Aphek to fight against Israel. The people of Israel were called together and given what they needed, and went to meet them. The people of Israel gathered in front of them like two little flocks of goats. But the Syrians filled the country. Then a man who spoke for God came to the king of Israel and said, “This is what the Lord says. ‘The Syrians have said, “The Lord is a god of the mountains, but He is not a god of the valleys.” So I will give all these many people to you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.’” So they stayed beside each other for seven days. On the seventh day the battle was fought. And the people of Israel killed 100,000 Syrian foot soldiers in one day. But the rest ran away into the city of Aphek. And the wall fell on 27,000 men who were left. Ben-hadad ran away and came to a room in the city. His servants said to him, “Now see, we have heard that the kings of the family of Israel are kings who show kindness. Let us dress in cloth made from hair and put ropes on our heads, and go out to the king of Israel. It might be that he will save your life.” So they dressed in cloth made from hair and put ropes on their heads, and went to the king of Israel. They said to him, “Your servant Ben-hadad says, ‘I beg you, let me live.’” Ahab said, “Is he still alive? He is my brother.” Now the men were watching for something special to happen. They were quick to catch his word, and said, “Yes, your brother Ben-hadad.” Then Ahab said, “Go and bring him.” So Ben-hadad came out to him, and Ahab took him up into the war-wagon. Ben-hadad said to him, “I will return to you the cities which my father took from your father. And you will make streets for yourself in Damascus, as my father made in Samaria.” Ahab said, “I will let you go with this agreement.” So he made an agreement with him and let him go. Now a certain son of the men who spoke for God said to another by the word of the Lord, “Hit me.” But the man would not hit him. Then he said to him, “Because you have not listened to the voice of the Lord, as soon as you have left me, a lion will kill you.” And as soon as he had left him, a lion found him and killed him. Then he found another man and said, “Hit me.” And the man hit him, and hurt him. So the man of God left, and waited for the king by the way. He tied a cloth over his eyes so no one would know him. As the king passed by, he cried to the king and said, “Your servant went out to the battle. A soldier turned and brought a man to me, and said, ‘Keep this man. If he is missing for any reason, you will pay for his life with your own. Or else you must pay a man’s weight in silver.’ But while your servant was doing things here and there, the man got away.” The king of Israel said to him, “So you must be punished. You yourself have decided it.” In a hurry the man took the cloth away from his eyes. And the king of Israel saw that he was one of the men who spoke for God. The man said to him, “This is what the Lord says. ‘You have let the man go whom I had given to be destroyed. So you will pay for his life with your own. And your people will pay for his people.’” So the king of Israel went home sad and angry, and came to Samaria.

Steve Webb 12:34
1 Kings, chapter 21. Now it happened sometime later that Naboth from Jezreel had a vineyard in Jezreel that was next to the palace of King Ahab of Samaria. Ahab ordered Naboth, “Give me your vineyard so it can become my vegetable garden, because it is right next to my palace. In exchange for it, I’ll give you an even better vineyard. Or if you prefer, I’ll pay you the price in silver.” Naboth responded to Ahab, “LORD forbid that I give you my family inheritance!” So Ahab went to his palace, irritated and upset at what Naboth had said to him—because Naboth had said, “I won’t give you my family inheritance!” Ahab lay down on his bed and turned his face away. He wouldn’t eat anything. His wife Jezebel came to him. “Why are you upset and not eating any food?” she asked. He answered her, “I was talking to Naboth. I said, ‘Sell me your vineyard. Or if you prefer, I’ll give you another vineyard for it.’ But he said, ‘I won’t give you my vineyard!’” Then his wife Jezebel said to him, “Aren’t you the one who rules Israel? Get up! Eat some food and cheer up. I’ll get Naboth’s vineyard for you myself.” So she wrote letters in Ahab’s name, putting his seal on them. She sent them to the elders and officials who lived in the same town as Naboth. This is what she wrote in the letters: “Announce a fast and place Naboth at the head of the people. Then bring in two liars in front of him and have them testify as follows: ‘You cursed God and king!’ Then take Naboth outside and stone him so he dies.” The elders and the officials who lived in Naboth’s town did exactly as Jezebel specified in the letters that she had sent. They announced a fast and placed Naboth at the head of the people. Then the two liars came and sat in front of him. They testified against Naboth in front of the people, “Naboth cursed God and king!” So the people took Naboth outside the town and stoned him so that he died. It was then reported to Jezebel, “Naboth was stoned. He’s dead.” As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stoned to death, she said to Ahab, “Get up and take ownership of the vineyard of Naboth, which he had refused to sell to you. Naboth is no longer alive; he’s dead.” When Ahab heard that Naboth had died, he got up and went down to Naboth’s vineyard to take ownership of it. The LORD’s word came to Elijah from Tishbe: Get up and go down to meet Israel’s King Ahab in Samaria. He is in Naboth’s vineyard. He has gone down to take ownership of it. Say the following to him: This is what the LORD says: So, you’ve murdered and are now taking ownership, are you? Then tell him: This is what the LORD says: In the same place where the dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, they will lick up your own blood. Ahab said to Elijah, “So you’ve found me, my old enemy!” “I found you,” Elijah said, “because you’ve enslaved yourself by doing evil in the LORD’s eyes. So I am now bringing evil on you! I will burn until you are consumed, and I will eliminate everyone who urinates on a wall that belongs to Ahab, whether slave or free. I will make your household like that of Jeroboam, Nebat’s son, and like the household of Baasha, Ahijah’s son, because of the way you’ve angered me and because you’ve made Israel sin. As for Jezebel, the LORD says this: Dogs will devour Jezebel in the area of Jezreel. Dogs will eat anyone of Ahab’s family who dies in town, and birds will eat anyone who dies in the country.” ( Truly there has never been anyone like Ahab who sold out by doing evil in the LORD’s eyes—evil that his wife Jezebel led him to do. Ahab’s actions were deplorable. He followed after the worthless idols exactly like the Amorites had done—the very ones the LORD had removed before the Israelites.) When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes and put mourning clothes on his body. He fasted, even slept in mourning clothes, and walked around depressed. The LORD’s word then came to Elijah from Tishbe: Have you seen how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has done so, I won’t bring the evil during his lifetime. Instead, I will bring the evil on his household in the days of his son.

Steve Webb 16:54
1 Kings, chapter 22. For three years there was no war between Aram and the Israelites. In the third year, Judah’s King Jehoshaphat visited Israel’s king. Israel’s king said to his servants, “You know, don’t you, that Ramoth-gilead is ours? But we aren’t doing anything to take it back from the king of Aram.” He said to Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me into battle at Ramoth-gilead?” Jehoshaphat said to Israel’s king, “I am with you, and my troops and my horses are united with yours. But,” Jehoshaphat said to Israel’s king, “first let’s see what the LORD has to say.” So Israel’s king gathered about four hundred prophets, and he asked them, “Should I go to war with Ramoth-gilead or not?” “Attack!” the prophets answered. “The LORD will hand it over to the king.” But Jehoshaphat said, “Isn’t there any other prophet of the Lord whom we could ask?” “There is one other man who could ask the LORD for us,” Israel’s king told Jehoshaphat, “but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good about me, only bad. His name is Micaiah, Imlah’s son.” “The king shouldn’t speak like that!” Jehoshaphat said. So Israel’s king called an officer and ordered, “Bring Micaiah, Imlah’s son, right away.” Now Israel’s king and Judah’s King Jehoshaphat were sitting on their thrones, dressed in their royal robes at the threshing floor beside the entrance to the gate of Samaria. All the prophets were prophesying in front of them. Zedekiah, Chenaanah’s son, made iron horns for himself and said, “This is what the LORD says: With these horns you will gore the Arameans until there’s nothing left of them!” All the other prophets agreed: “Attack Ramoth-gilead and win! The LORD will hand it over to the king!” Meanwhile, the messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, “Listen, the prophets all agree that the king will succeed. You should say the same thing they say and prophesy success.” But Micaiah answered, “As surely as the LORD lives, I will say only what the LORD tells me to say.” When Micaiah arrived, the king asked him, “Micaiah, should we go to war with Ramoth-gilead or not?” “Attack and win!” Micaiah answered. “The LORD will hand it over to the king!” But the king said, “How many times must I demand that you tell me the truth when you speak in the name of the LORD?” Then Micaiah replied, “I saw all Israel scattered on the hills like sheep without a shepherd! And then the LORD said: They have no master. Let them return safely to their own homes.” Then Israel’s king said to Jehoshaphat, “Didn’t I tell you? He never prophesies anything good about me, only bad.” Then Micaiah said, “Listen now to the LORD’s word: I saw the LORD enthroned with all the heavenly forces stationed beside him, at his right and at his left. The LORD said, ‘Who will persuade Ahab so that he attacks Ramoth-gilead and dies there?’ There were many suggestions until one particular spirit approached the LORD and said, ‘I’ll persuade him.’ ‘How?’ the LORD asked. ‘I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets,’ he said. The LORD agreed, ‘You will succeed in persuading him! Go ahead!’ So now, since the LORD has placed a lying spirit in the mouths of every one of these prophets of yours, it is the LORD who has pronounced disaster against you!” Zedekiah, Chenaanah’s son, approached Micaiah and slapped him on the cheek. “Just how did the LORD’s spirit leave me to speak to you?” he asked. Micaiah answered, “You will find out on the day you try to hide in an inner room.” “Arrest him,” ordered Israel’s king, “and turn him over to Amon the city official and to Joash the king’s son. Tell them, ‘The king says: Put this man in prison and feed him minimum rations of bread and water until I return safely.’” “If you ever return safely,” Micaiah replied, “then the LORD wasn’t speaking through me.” Then he added, “Pay attention, every last one of you!” So Israel’s king and Judah’s King Jehoshaphat attacked Ramoth-gilead. Israel’s king said to Jehoshaphat, “I will disguise myself when we go into battle, but you should wear your royal attire.” When Israel’s king had disguised himself, they entered the battle. Meanwhile, Aram’s king had commanded his thirty-two chariot officers, “Don’t bother with anyone big or small. Fight only with Israel’s king.” As soon as the chariot officers saw Jehoshaphat, they assumed that he must be Israel’s king, so they turned to attack him. But Jehoshaphat cried out for help. When the chariot officers realized that he wasn’t Israel’s king, they stopped chasing him. But someone randomly shot an arrow that struck Israel’s king between the joints in his armor. “Turn around and get me out of the battle,” the king told his chariot driver. “I’ve been hit!” While the battle raged all that day, the king stood propped up in the chariot facing the Arameans. But that evening he died after his blood had poured from his wound into the chariot. When the sun set, a shout spread throughout the camp: “Retreat to your towns! Retreat to your land!” Once the king had died, people came from Samaria and buried the king there. They cleaned the chariot at the pool of Samaria. The dogs licked up the king’s blood and the prostitutes bathed in it, just as the LORD had spoken. The rest of Ahab’s deeds and all that he did—including the ivory palace he built and all the towns he constructed—aren’t they written in the official records of Israel’s kings? Ahab lay down with his ancestors. His son Ahaziah succeeded him as king. Jehoshaphat, Asa’s son, became king over Judah in the fourth year of Israel’s King Ahab. Jehoshaphat was 35 years old when he became king, and he ruled for twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah; she was Shilhi’s daughter. Jehoshapat walked in all the ways of his father Asa, not deviating from it. He did the right things in the LORD’s eyes, with the exception that he didn’t remove the shrines. The people continued to sacrifice and offer incense at them. Jehoshaphat made peace with Israel’s king. The rest of Jehoshaphat’s deeds, the great acts he did, and how he fought in battle, aren’t they written in the official records of Judah’s kings? Additionally, Jehoshaphat purged the land of the consecrated workers who remained from the days of Asa. Now Edom had no king; only a deputy was ruler. Jehoshaphat built Tarshish-styled ships to go to Ophir for gold. But the fleet didn’t go because it was wrecked at Ezion-geber. Then Ahaziah, Ahab’s son, said to Jehoshaphat, “Let my sailors go with your sailors on the ships.” But Jehoshaphat didn’t agree to this. Jehoshaphat died and was buried with his ancestors in his ancestor David’s City. His son Jehoram succeeded him as king. In the seventeenth year of Judah’s King Jehoshaphat, Ahaziah, Ahab’s son, became king over Israel in Samaria. He ruled over Israel for two years. He did evil in the LORD’s eyes. He walked in his father’s ways and his mother’s ways—that is, in the ways of Jeroboam, Nebat’s son, who had caused Israel to sin. Ahaziah served Baal and worshipped him. He angered the LORD, Israel’s God, by doing all the same things his father had done.

Steve Webb 24:36
Let’s talk a couple of minutes about 1 Kings 19. When we last saw Elijah, God had answered his prayers to rain down fire on the sacrifice in order to show that Baal was a false god. God did that and more. Remember? And here in chapter 19, we see Elijah cowering at a threat from Jezebel. Does that seem strange? Well, maybe just a bit. At least we know that Elijah was aware that this great thing that God did in consuming the sacrifice and the water and the dirt was a God thing and not an Elijah thing. He stayed humble and aware of his own humanity. And that’s a good thing. And he didn’t presume on God’s favor, which I happen to think is also a good thing. We sometimes have the idea that since we are “Kids of the King” that we don’t have to be concerned about things that God will just magically take care of us. We forget what Jesus said to Satan when he was in the desert and Satan was tempting him. Remember? Satan told Jesus to jump from a high spot because God’s angels would surely keep him from harm. But Jesus told Satan that we must not put the Lord to the test. So Elijah took Jezbel’s threat to heart. Do you remember that earlier God told Elijah to hide when his life was in danger? So Elijah just naturally assumed that this would be a good thing to do here with the Jezebel situation as well. And while Elijah was in the desert, we see that he was greatly discouraged. He even said to God, “Just let me die here.” Isn’t that strange, too? You would think that after witnessing God’s great display before the false prophets of Baal and the celebration of the people of Israel that Elijah would be on cloud nine. But here we see a man who is worn out. The running, the hiding, the threats have all weighed on him. Did you know that after a great emotional high, it’s natural to fall into a funk shortly thereafter? So there might have been a bit of that in play here as well. Well, regardless, God wasn’t through with Elijah, and he sent an angel to care for him there in the desert. He sent food and water. And after eating two meals with a time of sleep in between the food sustains Elijah for forty days as he traveled to Mount Horeb, the mountain of God. This was the same mountain where God appeared to Moses and gave Moses the Tablets. This is where God first spoke to Moses from the burning bush, and where he actually revealed a bit of himself to him. And God spoke to Elijah there. And he wasn’t in the terrible wind. He wasn’t in the earthquake. He wasn’t in the fire. But he was in the sound of gentle blowing, a still small voice. When is it that you’re able to hear a gentle, quiet, still small voice? When you’re listening, when you are still. Do you want to hear the voice of God? Do you really? Are you ready for it? Do you desire it more than anything? Then stop, be still, listen, and wait. If you are really thirsting to hear him, I believe he will speak to you as he spoke to Elijah. And as he’s spoken to me. As Elijah said, in today’s reading, and as I echo, I am not better than my fathers. You don’t have to be some great prophet. You only have to be willing to humble yourself and desire to know God more. Do you have that desire? Do you want to know God more? Ask him. That’s a prayer he’ll always answer. You have comments or questions? Call the Lifespring Family Hotline at +1-951-732-8511, or comment via Boostagram or go to comment.lifespringmedia.com. Tomorrow will be Psalms Wednesday, and we’ll read chapters 75 through 77. And I’m not positive, right now, that I’ll be able to do the Essentials segment tomorrow. As I mentioned at the top of the show there, today is the Lovely Lady LeeAnn’s birthday. I’m going to be taking her to dinner tonight to celebrate and I’ve got a very busy day planned in our family business today. So I don’t know that I’ll have time to put the Essentials segment together in time to publish the show on time. I’ll try, but no promises so just a heads-up.

Steve Webb 29:10
Since this is the birthday of the most important woman in my life, the Lovely Lady LeeAnn, I would like to say here on the show that I am so blessed to be married to a true Proverbs 31 woman. It always embarrasses her when I say that, but it’s true. And since we won’t be reading Proverbs 31 together here on the show until July, let me read a portion of it here if you don’t mind. Verses 10 through 12 says, “An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.” Proverbs goes on another 17 verses describing the type of woman who is a blessing to her husband. And LeeAnn is truly the embodiment of this type of woman. I don’t deserve her, but in his grace, God gave her to me. Is she perfect? Well, maybe not. But she is the perfect woman for me. And I’ll add that without her heart for God, without her support, you would not be listening to me now. There are very, very few wives who would give up the literally thousands of hours that I’ve put into producing the more than 3000 episodes of this and the other Lifespring shows since 2004. She is as invested in this ministry as I am. She loves the Lord. She loves me. And, Beloved, she loves you, too. So, today on her birthday, I honor LeeAnn Webb, my wife, my helper, my love, my friend. If you’d like to wish her a Happy Birthday, I know she would love to hear from you. Her email is la**@*************ia.com. And if you’d like to send her a gift, just go to lifespringmedia.com/support, and be sure to put “Happy Birthday” in the note area. I’ll be sure she gets it. And as long as LeeAnn is the subject of conversation for the moment, I’ll give you an update on her surgery outcome. I’d usually wait for our Wednesday praise report and prayer requests segment but you might be curious. I’ve been taking care of her and despite that, she’s doing great. She’s had very little post-operative discomfort and she’s being a great patient. She’s a trooper. So she is recovering well from Saturday’s elective surgery. As I said, I’ll be taking her to dinner, so, you know, that tells you she’s doing pretty well. Her incisions are already showing signs of healing and she’ll be able to return to work next week as planned. So, thanks for your prayers, and praise the Lord.

Steve Webb 31:47
Boostagram. Well, a row-o-ducks boostagram came in, 2222 sats from, and I’m not sure how to pronounce this… It’s r-y-s-z-a-r-d. @ryszard? Anyway, @ryszard sent this in using the Fountain app as he or she (I’m not even sure with the name, of course, if it’s a male or a female) was listening to the “Leviticus 7-9: God Deserves Our Best” episode. They said, “Love listening every morning. Thank you, Steve, and God bless.” Well, God bless you. And I love knowing that you’re a member of the Lifespring family. Thank you so much for the boostagram.

Steve Webb 32:26
If you have a prayer request or praise, now’s the time to send it in because tomorrow is praise report and prayer request Wednesday. If there’s a need in your life you’d like us to be praying with you about or if God is doing something great in your life, let me know. Call the Lifespring Family Hotline at +1-951-732-8511 or go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com You’ll find a really easy-to-fill-out form there where you can tell me whatever you want me to know. I’ll pray for you in my quiet time and will rejoice with you or pray for you right here on the show, prayer.lifespringmedia.com. And as always, if you want to remain anonymous, just let me know.

Steve Webb 33:11
Thanks to Sister Denise, Michael Haner, Scott Snider, Jason Paschall, today’s show art contributor, and Sister Brittaney. Thanks to you, Beloved, for inviting me to be a part of your day. Until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb. Happy Birthday to LeeAnn. Bye.

Announcer 33:31
Happy Birthday!

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

Transcript

Today we’ll read Leviticus 7-9. After the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “Only the Best.”

In this chapter we read the regulations for the guilt offering, the fellowship offering (also known as the peace offering in some Bible translations) and the priest’s share. And in these regulations, there is the requirement that the fat be burnt as a sacrifice, and must not be eaten.

So what’s the deal with the fat? In our supposedly enlightened and scientific time, where we are told that fat is not healthy to eat, many of us would say, “Of course we wouldn’t eat the fat. That’s just gross.” Well, there is actually a case to be made that some fat is actually healthy to eat, and fat does help certain foods to taste better. But this is not a nutrition show or a cooking show, so I am not going to get into that discussion today.

But this is a show where we look at scripture. How about we look at a few scriptures where fat is referenced?

Prov 28:25 He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the Lord shall be made fat. KJV

Isa 30:23 Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures. KJV

Sounds to me like when fat is mentioned, it’s a good thing! It means prosperous or plentiful.

Here’s another:

In Gen. 45:18 when Pharaoh invites Joseph to bring his family down to Egypt from Canaan, he tells Joseph to tell his brothers, “Bring your father and your households and come to me; I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land.”. The best part of the land is referred to as the fat of the land. 

So when God made the regulations for the offerings, He was requiring the very best part of the animal.

What does that tell us, beloved? We are to honor God with the best that we have to give. That sounds reasonable to me, since He has given us the very best that He had to give when He gave His only begotten Son. 

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 7 NIV; Ch. 8-9 NLV

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When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Download .txt file

Steve Webb 0:00
That’s just gross.

Steve Webb 0:09
This is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. I’m your OG God casters Steve Webb. It’s a Monday. So we’re reading from the law. And we’ll be reading Leviticus seven through nine. After the reading, I will of course, have some comments and I’m calling this episode only the best. If you’d care to leave a comment about the episode, just go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 180. And my email address is Steve at Lifespring media.com. Let’s get started.

Steve Webb 0:43
Leviticus chapter seven.

Steve Webb 0:45
These are the regulations for the guilt offering which is most holy. The guilt offering is to be slaughtered in the place where the burnt offering is slaughtered, and its blood is to be splashed against the sides of the altar. All its fat shall be offered the fat tail and the fat that covers the internal organs, both kidneys with the fat on them near the loins, and the long lobe of the liver which is to be removed with the kidneys, the priest shall burn them on the altar as a food offering presented to the Lord. It is a guilt offering. Any male in a priests family may eat it, but it must be eaten in the sanctuary area, it is most holy. The same law applies to both the sin offering and the guilt offering. They belong to the priest who makes atonement within the priest who offers a burnt offering for anyone may keep its hide for himself. Every grain offering baked in an oven or cooked in a pan or on a griddle belongs to the priest who offers it. And every grain offering whether mixed with olive oil or dry belongs equally to all the sons of Aaron. These are the regulations for the fellowship offering anyone may present to the Lord.

Steve Webb 2:00
If they offer it as an expression of thankfulness. Then along with this thank offering, they are to offer thick loaves made without yeast and with olive oil mixed in thin loaves made without yeast and brushed with oil and thick loaves of the finest flour well needed and with oil mixed in. Along with their fellowship offering of thanksgiving. They are to present an offering with thick loaves of bread made with yeast. They are to bring one of each kind as an offering a contribution to the Lord. It belongs to the priest who splashes the blood of the fellowship offering against the altar. The meat of their fellowship offering of Thanksgiving must be eaten on the day it is offered. They must leave none of it till morning. If however they’re offering is the result of a vow or is the freewill offering, the sacrifice shall be eaten on the day they offer it. But anything leftover may be eaten on the next day. Any meat of the sacrifice leftover till the third day must be burned up. If any meat of the fellowship offering is eaten on the third day, the one who offered it will not be accepted. It will not be reckoned to their credit for it has become impure. The person who eats any of it will be held responsible.

Steve Webb 3:19
Me meet the touches anything ceremonially unclean must not be eaten, it must be burned up. As for other meat, anyone’s ceremonially clean may eat it. But if anyone who is unclean eats any meat of the fellowship offering belonging to the Lord, they must be cut off from their people. Anyone who touches something unclean, whether human uncleanness or an unclean animal, or any unclean creature that moves along the ground, and then eats any of the meat of the fellowship offering belonging to the Lord must be cut off from their people.

Steve Webb 3:56
The Lord said to Moses, Say to the Israelites, do not eat any of the fat of cattle, sheep or goats. The fat of an animal found dead or torn by wild animals may be used for any other purpose, but you must not eat it. Anyone who eats the fat of an animal from which a food offering may be presented to the Lord must be cut off from their people. And wherever you live, you must not eat the blood of any bird or animal. Anyone who eats blood must be cut off from their people. The Lord said to Moses, Say to the Israelites, anyone who brings a fellowship offering to the Lord is to bring part of it as their sacrifice to the Lord with their own hands, they are to present the food offering to the Lord. They are to bring the fat together with the breast and wave the breast before the Lord as a wave offering.

Steve Webb 4:52
The priest shall burn the fat on the altar, but the breast belongs to Aaron and his sons. Your to give the right thigh

Steve Webb 5:00
Have your fellowship offerings to the priest as a contribution. The son of Aaron who offers the blood in the fat of the fellowship offering shall have the right thigh as his share.

Steve Webb 5:12
From the fellowship offerings of the Israelites, I have taken the breast that is waived, and the five that is presented, and have given them to Aaron the priest and his sons as their perpetual share from the Israelites. This is the portion of the food offerings presented to the Lord that were allotted to Aaron and his sons on the day they were presented to serve the Lord as priests. On the day they were anointed. The Lord commanded that the Israelites give this to them as their perpetual share for the generations to come. These then are the regulations for the burnt offering the grain offering the sin offering, the guilt offering, the ordination offering, and the fellowship offering, which the Lord gave Moses at Mount Sinai, in the desert of Sinai. On the day he commanded the Israelites to bring their offerings to the Lord.

Steve Webb 6:03
Leviticus chapter eight.

Steve Webb 6:05
The Lord said to Moses, take Aaron and his sons and the clothing, the oil for Holi, use the bowl for the sin gift, the two rams and the basket of bread without yeast, and gathered together all the people at the door of the meeting tent. So Moses did just as the Lord told him, that people were gathered together at the door of the meeting tent. Moses said to the people, this is what the Lord has said to do.

Steve Webb 6:31
Moses brought Aaron and his sons and wash them with water. He dressed him with the coat, the belt, the long piece of clothing, and the linen vest. He tied the well made robe of the linen vest to keep his clothing in place. Then he put the breast piece on him. And he put the Urim and Thummim, into the breastpiece. He put the headcovering on his head, and on the front of it, he put the gold plate, the Holy Crown, just as the Lord had told Moses, then Moses took the oil for holy use, and poured it on the meeting tent and all that was in it, and made them holy. He put some of it on the altar seven times, he poured this oil on the altar and all its objects and the washing pot and its base to make them holy. And he poured some of the oil for holy use on Aaron’s head to make him holy. Then Moses had Aaron sons come near, and dressed them with coats, belts in head coverings, just as the Lord had told Moses, Moses brought the bull of the sin gift. And Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull of the sin gift. Then Moses killed it. He took some of the blood and put it around on the horns of the altar with his finger to make the altar clean. He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar to make it holy. He took all the fat that was on the inside parts, and the part that was on the liver, and the two kidneys and their fat. And Moses burned him on the altar. But the bull and its skin, its meat and its waste, he burned in the fire away from the tents, just as the Lord had told Moses, Moses brought the ram of the burnt gift. And Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the sheep. Then Moses killed it and put the blood around on the altar. He cut the ran into pieces. And Moses burned to head, the pieces and the fat.

Steve Webb 8:25
After he had washed the inside parts and the legs of water, Moses burn the whole RAM on the altar. It was a burnt gift for a pleasing smell. It was a gift by fire to the Lord, just as the Lord had told Moses. Then Moses brought the ram, the ram for setting them apart. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram, and Moses killed it took some of its blood and put it on the bottom of Aaron’s right here, the thumb of his right hand and the big toe of his right foot. Then he had Aaron sons come near, Moses put some of the blood on the bottom of their right ear, the thumb of their right hand and the big toe of their right foot. Then Moses put the rest of the blood around on the altar. He took the fat, the fat tail, all the fat that was on the inside parts, the part that is on the liver, the two kidneys and their fat and the right thigh. From the basket of bread made without yeast that was before the Lord. He took one loaf without yeast and one loaf of bread mixed with oil and one piece of hard brand. And he put them on the fat parts and the right thigh. He put all these on the hands of Aaron and his sons and waved them for a wave gift before the Lord. Then Moses took these things from their hands and burned them on the altar with a burnt gift. It was a gift to set them apart. It was a pleasing smell, a gift by fire to the Lord. Moses took the breast of the ram also. He gave it his a wave gift before the Lord. It was Moses part of the ram for setting Aaron and his sons apart. Just as the Lord had told Moses,

Steve Webb 10:09
Moses took some of the oil for holy use, and some of the blood that was on the altar. He put it on Aaron and his clothing, and on his sons and their clothing. So Aaron and his clothing and his sons and their clothing were set apart. Then Moses said to Aaron and his sons, boil the meat at the door of the meeting tent. And he did there with the bread which is in the basket that was set apart as an offering. Just as I said, Aaron and his sons will lead it, burn in the fire what is left of the flesh and the bread. Do not go outside the door of the meeting tent for seven days until the time is over for you to be set apart. For it will take seven days to set you apart. The Lord has told us to do what has been done today to take away your sins. Stay day and night at the door of the meeting tent for seven days. Do what the Lord has told you to do so you will not die for this is what I’ve been told. So Aaron and his sons did all that the Lord had told him to do by Moses,

Steve Webb 11:12
Leviticus chapter nine.

Steve Webb 11:14
On the eighth day, Moses called Aaron and his sons and the leaders of Israel, He said to Aaron, take a bull calf for a sin gift and a ram for a burnt gift, both of them perfect, and give them to the Lord. Then say to the people of Israel, take a male goat for a sin gift, and a calf and a lamb, both a year old and perfect for a burnt gift, and a bowl and a ram for peace gifts. Give them to the Lord with a grain gift mixed with oil. For today, the Lord will show Himself to you. So they brought to the front of the meeting tents what Moses had told them, all the people came near and stood before the Lord. Moses said, This is what the Lord has told you to do. And the shining greatness of the Lord will be shown to you. Then Moses said to Aaron, come to the altar and give your sin gift and burn gift to pay for the sins of yourself. And for the people then give the gift for the people to pay for their sins, just as the Lord has said. So Aaron came to the altar and killed the calf of the sin gift, which was for himself, the sons of Aaron gave the blood gift to him. He put his finger in the blood and put some on the horns of the altar. He poured out the rest of the blood at the base of the altar. But he burned on the altar, the fat and the kidneys. And the part that is on the liver from the sin gift just as the Lord had told Moses, He burned the flesh and the skin away from the tents. Then he killed the burnt gift. Aaron’s sons handed the blood to him and he put it around on the altar. They gave the burnt gift to him in pieces with the head and he burned them on the altar. He washed the inside parts and legs and burned them on the altar with the sin gift. Then he gave the peoples gift. He took the goat of the sin gift which was for the people and he killed it and gave it for sin like the first sin gift. He gave the burnt gift. He gave it just the way the law said. Next he gave the grain gift. He filled his hand with some of the grain and burned it on the altar beside the burnt gift of the morning. Then he killed the bowl and the ram the piece gifts which were for the people. Aaron’s sons handed the blood to him and he put it around on the altar. The fat parts from the bowl and ram the fat tail, the fat around the inside parts, the kidneys and the part that is on the liver, and all the fat parts they put on the breasts and they burn the fat parts on the altar. But Aaron gave the breasts and the right thigh is a wave gift before the Lord just as Moses had said.

Steve Webb 13:50
Then Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people and prayed that good would come to them. After giving the sin gift, the burn gift and the peace gifts he came down. Moses and Aaron went into the meeting tent when they came out and prayed that good would come to the people. The Shining greatness of the Lord was shown to all the people. Then fire came from the Lord and burnt up the burnt gift and the fat parts on the altar. When the people saw it, they cried out and bowed down with their faces to the ground.

Steve Webb 14:21
Well, in chapter seven, we read the regulations for the guilt offering the fellowship offering also known as the peace offering in some Bible translations, and we read about the priests share. In these regulations, there is the requirement that the fat be burned as a sacrifice and must not be eaten. So what’s the deal with the fat in our supposedly enlightened in scientific time where we’re told that fat is not healthy to eat? Many of us would say Well of course I wouldn’t eat the fat that’s just gross. Well, there actually is a case to be made that some fat is actually healthy to eat, and fat does help certain foods taste better, doesn’t it? Let’s be honest. It’s good. But this is not a nutrition show or a cooking show. So I’m not going to get into that discussion.

Steve Webb 15:08
But this is a show where we look at Scripture. How about we take a look at a few Scriptures where fat is referenced in Proverbs 2825, we read, He that is of a good heart stirreth up strife, but he that put it this trust in the Lord shall be made fat. That’s interesting, who wants to be fat? And Isaiah 3023 It says, Then he shall give the reign of thy seed, that thou shalt so the ground with all and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat in plenteous. In that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures. Those of course, we’re both from the King James Version. And it sounds to me like When fat is mentioned, it’s a good thing. It means prosperous or plentiful. How about this scripture in Genesis 4518, when Pharaoh invites Joseph to bring his family down to Egypt from Canaan, he tells Joseph to tell his brothers bring your father and your households in come to me, I will give you the best of the land of Egypt, and you will eat the fat of the land. So the best part of the land is referred to as the fat of the land. So when God made the regulations for the offerings, he was requiring the very best part of the animal. So what does that tell us beloved? Well, we are to honor God with the best that we have to give. And to tell you the truth That sounds reasonable to me, since he’s given us the very best that he had to give when he gave his only begotten son. What do you think? Agree? Disagree? grossed out by talk of fat, I’d love to hear what you have to say go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 180. Reading tomorrow will be first Kings 19 to 22.

Steve Webb 17:00
Remember, today is the last day to take advantage of the fountain app gift of 1000 free sats to new users. Download the app from either the Google Play Store or Apple’s App Store. Sign up for a free account. Listen to your favorite podcast and they’ll give you 1000 Free SATs to send to the podcast via booster booster gram. Now tell me this, how often does anybody offer you free money offer ends March 1 22. So jump on it now. Now when you get the fountain app to subscribe to a show, what you do is you open the app, you sign up and then on the bottom of the screen, you’ll tap on podcasts. Then at the top of the next screen, you’ll see a magnifying glass. Tap that. Then you’ll be presented with a search box where you can enter my name Steve Webb doobies. Or you can search Lifespring or the name of any podcast you’re looking for. Then tap on the show that you want to follow or subscribe to. So the question is, why would you want to send SATs? Well, Sats are little itsy bitsy tiny pieces of Bitcoin. As I’m recording this 1000 SATs is worth just under 38 cents. It’s a way of sending value to your favorite podcast. You can stream SATs by telling the app how much you want to send for every minute you listen. And you can send boosts when you hear something you like. The boost is usually a larger amount like 500, or 1000 or more. I’ve actually heard some boosts or booster grams as much as 100,000 SATs or more. By the way, 100,000 SATs is about $37.62 right now. And a booster gram is a boost with a text message attached. It’s a really easy way to send value for value, the streaming part happens without even thinking about it after you set it up. And if you’re listening, it’s sort of assume that you’re finding value in the content right? And then when you send a booster a booster Graham it shows up almost instantly on my computer with a few sound. That’s it. When you do that, I’ll know that you’re listening right then. And how fun is that, of course, you’re always welcome to participate in value for value with a much more conventional donation of dollars, you can make a one time donation or sign up for a weekly, monthly or quarterly sustaining donation. And those are really helpful. To do that just head on over to Lifespring media.com/support. You can use PayPal Venmo, the Cash App and several other ways because as you know, your support is the only way I can keep this show alive. I won’t take on advertisers because that’s the type of censorship since most advertisers won’t support the uncompromising Word of God. Why? Well because they’re afraid of the canceled culture attacking them. Now I’m not afraid of canceled culture because they can’t cancel me as long as I have your support. It’s as simple as that Lifespring media.com/support But however you support the show, whether you sending SATs or booster booster gram or whether you’re using PayPal or Venmo or any of the other ones, I really appreciate it and I thank you and I believe God bless you for it.

Steve Webb 20:07
On this date in church history February 28 1784. Englishman John Wesley charters a movement within Anglicanism, that comes to be known as Methodism. And on this date in church history, February 28 1865. Sir Wilfred T Granville was born. He was an English born medical missionary to Labrador, Newfoundland. He built hospitals and schools and outfitted the very first hospital ship to serve fishermen in the North Sea.

Steve Webb 20:42
Did you get the latest newsletter that Kirsty sent out last Friday? If you did, you saw some pictures of a lovely lady Leanna Nye with the One and Only Rosie Greer from an interview I did with him. He was a member of the LA Rams fearsome foursome, one of the greatest offensive lines in NFL history. As a matter of fact, the term sacking the quarterback originated with those guys. What’d you say you didn’t get the newsletter? Well then go over to news dot Lifespring media.com and sign up there becoming week’s reading schedule is in there. So if you want to read ahead and maybe even do your own study and send me a question ahead of time you can and there’s always a little something extra in there that you don’t get on the podcast. And you can be assured that when you’re on the mailing list for the newsletter, I will never ever sell or share your info. That’s my promise to you. News dot Lifespring media.com

Steve Webb 21:42
Let’s pray. Our Heavenly Father we thank you for giving your very best for us. You gave when we were completely unworthy to receive anything from you. And we still are yet you give us countless blessings every day. And while you are completely deserving of our everything we often just give you scraps. Forgive us Lord, give us hearts that are willing and even enthusiastic to give you our best. I pray now for the Lifespring family Lord bless them right now and give each of us Lord of longing to know you better and a willingness to follow you as you show us how to help you build your kingdom. I pray this in Jesus name, amen.

Steve Webb 22:28
Send your comments in at Lifespring media.com/s 12 V one at email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com and support the show at Lifespring media.com/support. After tomorrow’s show. We’ll be halfway through the Bible until tomorrow. May God bless you richly. Thank you for being here. My name is Steve Webb. Give your best today. Bye

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Transcript

It’s Saturday. So this must be our day for reading from the Gospels. Today we’ll read   Philippians 1-2. After the reading I’ll have some comments. I’m calling today’s episode “Rough Edges.”

Chapter one, verse six is one of my favorite promises. It’s a promise I rely on when I’m not happy with my progress as a Christian. Here it is: “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

I haven’t seen this bumper sticker in a long time, but it used to be pretty commonplace around here: Be patient. God isn’t finished with me yet. 

I don’t know about you, but I’m not a very good example of the perfect Christian. I have what you might call some “rough edges”. It is just me, or do you know anyone else like that? Ok. Good. I’m glad I’m not the only one. 

I think if you ask the Lovely Lady LeeAnn she’d probably tell you that I’m better than I used to be. At least I hope so. What’s that? What about her? Is she getting better than she used to be? No, I can’t say that she is. She’s always been perfect!

And then in verse 9, Paul continues the thought of God continuing His work in us: “And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can approve the things that are superior and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God.” 

Very few people, when they first become believers, have a radical change in their personalities. It does happen, but it’s not the rule. Most of us change over time, as the Holy Spirit works within us to conform us to who God wants us to be. It’s a lifelong process for most of us, I think. I know that He’s been working in me for over 50 years. 

So don’t get discouraged when you fall short of how Scripture tells us we should be. When you fall short of the ideal, when you feel disappointed in yourself for not being the perfect Christian, realize that that reaction is a good thing. It means that you are sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s correcting you. Use that to help you change the decisions you make in the future. It’s a process. “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

I’m so glad God hasn’t given up on me, and that He is constantly chipping away the rough edges. 

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1-2 HCSB

Please remember that this is a listener supported show. Your support of any amount is needed and very much appreciated. Find out how by clicking here.

When you buy through links on this site, we may earn an affiliate commission, and you will earn our gratitude.

Download .txt file

Steve Webb 0:00
She’s always been perfect

Steve Webb 0:09
Hey there this is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California and podcasting since 2004. I am your OG God casters Steve Webb sits it Sunday we’ll be reading from the Epistles we’ll start the book of Philippians by reading chapters one and two, and after the reading, I’ll have some comments. I’m calling this episode rough edges. The show notes page for today’s episode is Lifespring media.com/s 12 v 179. You can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Let’s get started.

Steve Webb 0:43
Philippians chapter one.

Steve Webb 0:45
Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons Grace to you and peace from God our Father, in the Lord Jesus Christ. I give thanks to my god for every remembrance of you, always praying with joy for all of you in my every prayer, because of your partnership in the Gospel from the first day until now, I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to think this way about all of you because I have you in my heart. And you are all partners with me in grace, both in my imprisonment, and in the defense and establishment of the gospel. For God is my witness how deeply I miss all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And I pray this, that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can approve the things that are superior, and can be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory in praise of God.

Steve Webb 1:57
Now, I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually resulted in the advance of the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole Imperial Guard and to everyone else, that my imprisonment is in the cause of Christ. Most of the brothers in the Lord have gained confidence from my imprisonment, and dare even more to speak the message fearlessly. To be sure some preach Christ out of envy and strife, but others out of goodwill. These do so out of love knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. The others proclaim Christ out of rivalry not sincerely, seeking to cause me anxiety in my imprisonment. What does it matter, just that in every way, whether out of false motives are true, Christ is proclaimed. And in this I rejoice, yes, and I will rejoice because I know this will lead to my deliverance through your prayers and help from the Spirit of Jesus Christ. My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death. For me, living is Christ and dying his game. Now if I live on in the flesh, this means fruitful work for me. And I don’t know which one I should choose, I am pressured by both. I have the desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better, but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am persuaded of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that because of me, your confidence may grow in Christ Jesus, when I come to you again, just one thing, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you’re standing firm in one spirit, with one mind, working side by side for the faith that comes from the gospel, not being frightened in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of destruction for them, but of your deliverance, and this is from God, for it has been given to you on Christ behalf, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for him, having the same struggle that you saw that I had. And now here that I have.

Steve Webb 4:18
Philippians chapter two.

Steve Webb 4:20
If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by thinking the same way, having the same love sharing the same feelings, focusing on one goal, Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility, consider others as more important than yourselves. Everyone should look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, who existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God is something to be used for his own advantage. Instead, he emptied himself by assuming the form of a slave taking on the likeness of men. And when he had come as a man in his external form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even to death on a cross. For this reason, God highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow of those who are in heaven and on earth, and under the earth. And every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. So then, my dear friends, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who was working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out his good purpose, do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure children of God who were faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world, hold firmly to the message of life, then I can boast in the day of Christ, that I didn’t run or labor for nothing. But even if I am poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. In the same way, you should also be glad and rejoice with me. Now, I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon. So that I also may be encouraged when I hear news about you. For I have no one else like minded who will genuinely care about your interests, all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know, he has proven character because he has served with me in the gospel ministry, like a son with a father. Therefore, I hope to send him as soon as I see how things go with me. I am convinced in the Lord that I myself will also come quickly. But I considered it necessary to send you a Pafford itis, my brother, co worker and fellow soldier, as well as your messenger and minister to my need, since he has been longing for all of you, and was distressed because you heard that he was sick. Indeed, he was so sick that he nearly died. However, God had mercy on him, and not only on him, but also on me so that I would not have one grief on top of another. For this reason, I’m very eager to send him so that you may rejoice when you see him again, and I may be less anxious. Therefore welcome him in the Lord with all joy and hold men like him in honor, because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up what was lacking in your ministry to me.

Steve Webb 7:43
Let’s talk a little bit about Philippians chapter one, verse six is one of my favorite promises in the Bible. It’s a promise I rely on when I’m not happy with my progress as a Christian. You are it is, Paul said, I am sure of this, that he who started a good work and you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Well, I haven’t seen this bumper sticker in a long time. But it used to be pretty commonplace around here. It said, Be patient. God isn’t finished with me yet. I don’t know about you, but I’m not a very good example of the perfect Christian. Sometimes I have what you might call some rough edges. Is it just me or do you know anyone else like that? Okay, good. I’m glad I’m not the only one. Now, I think that if you ask the lovely lady land, she’ll probably tell you that I’m better than I used to be. least I hope so. What’s that? What about her? Is she getting better than she used to be? No, I can’t say that she is because she’s always been perfect. And then in verse nine, Paul continues the thought of God continuing to work on us, Paul said, and I pray this, that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you can approve the things that are superior and be pure and blameless in the day of Christ, filled with a fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. You see, very few people, when they first become believers have a radical change in their personalities. It does happen, but it’s not the rule by any means. Most of us change over time as the Holy Spirit works within us to conform us to who God wants us to be. I think it’s a lifelong process for almost everybody. I know that he’s been working on me for over 50 years. So don’t get discouraged when you fall short of how Scripture tells us we should be when you fall short of the ideal when you feel disappointed in yourself for not being the perfect Christian. Realize that that reaction is a good thing. It means that you’re sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s correction of you use that to help you change the decisions you make in the future. It is a process I’m sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. I’m so glad he hasn’t given up on me, and that he’s constantly chipping away the rough edges. How are you doing in the process? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 179. Or email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Our reading tomorrow will be Leviticus chapters seven through nine.

Steve Webb 10:37
I got a great night’s sleep last night. It was so much needed. I was exhausted. And do you remember the other day I said I walked two miles and that my goal was to get up to five miles? Well, today I was sort of forced to increase that two miles to three. I locked my keys in my truck when I went to pick up my mail at the local UPS Store three miles away. Yeah. Now I thought well, I could call triple A and they’ll come out and unlock my truck for me. Or I could pull out my phone and open the lift app and get a lift. And then I thought, well, you know what? I can walk it. So that’s what I did. The only problem is most of the way is uphill so that three miles might have been more like four or five. But anyway, I did it and my legs are feeling it. So after a day of recover, I can probably get back to doing three, maybe three and a half miles the next time. So that’s called taking a bad situation and make the best of it right? Well, I just found out about this promotion that the fountain app is doing. They tweeted the other day, we are giving every new fountain user who plays a podcast a welcome gift of 1000 SATs. Why so you can see just how good it feels to send them to podcasts you enjoy. offer ends the first of March 2022. So it’s just a couple of more days. I’m hardly ever on Twitter. And this is how Fountaine does their marketing on Twitter. And I just found out about it from listening to the podcasting 2.0 podcasts the other day. So if you have been thinking that, you know, I really should try that out, go to either the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store and download the fountain podcast app, it’s free and sign up for a new account. And while you’re there, if you’re listening and you get all signed up and you want to send that 1000 SATs my way. I won’t argue with you. Also you probably remember I said that someone sent me a here’s where I found you email it and I lost it. Well today when I was going through my email, detritus, I found it. That email was from Vic Ogburn. So Vic, thank you for sending that email to me. Glad to know where you found me and thank you for your courage and trying out the show from hearing it on the dough agenda podcast. Welcome to the Lifespring family Vic.

Steve Webb 13:07
On this date in church history, February 27 1838, William J. Kirkpatrick was born he was an American Methodist sacred composer. He’s best remembered for composing the melodies to such sacred favorites as he hideth my soul. Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus redeemed how I love to proclaim it and Lord I’m coming home. And also on this date in church history February 27 1847. The Reverend John L. Leonard is commissioned as chaplain of the US Navy. In 1862. He became the first US Navy chaplain to be killed in action when the Confederate ironclad Merrimack sank the union frigate Cumberland of Hampton Roads Virginia. My brother in law, Steve O’Brien, who used to be my pastor also used to be a chaplain in the United States Air Force. I have a lot of respect for chaplains. And sometimes Steve listens. Hey, Steve, if you’re listening, here’s a thumbs up to you. Thank you for your service.

Steve Webb 14:16
Prayer requests, I got a prayer request just a few moments ago, this person wants to remain anonymous, and would like us to pray that God would give them direction. They have talents in many different areas and the talent that they enjoy most using is not being used right now. And they miss it. So let’s pray that God would point this person in the right direction. Let’s pray. Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for continuing the work in us. Thank you for your patience. And thank you for not giving up on us and for rounding off those rough edges. We pray for anonymous Lord, you gave them many talents and I have to believe that you want them to be used so please give anonymous direction and the opportunity to exercise the talents You’ve given them to glorify you. And God, I thank you for bringing the Lifespring family here. Wherever they are, whenever they’re hearing this, I pray that You would bless them, and that they may feel your presence at this very moment. I pray this in Jesus name, amen.

Steve Webb 15:23
You can comment on the show at Lifespring media.com/s 12 v 179. Or you can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Please support the show at Lifespring media.com/support. And if you haven’t gotten one of those new podcasting 2.0 apps, now is the perfect time to get the fountain app at either the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Pick up those 1000 Free SATs and send them to your favorite podcast until tomorrow. May God bless you richly. Thank you for being here. My name is Steve Webb. I’ve had fun today with Yes, I’ll see you next time. Bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

Experience the book that has restored, reoriented, and renewed millions of people—now thoroughly updated with seven new chapters and dozens of additional stories! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or eager to encounter a fresh edition of the classic text you already love, you’ll not be the same when you finish it. 368 pages, hardcover from B&H.

Transcript

Since today is Saturday we’re going to read from one of the Gospels. Right now we are in the book of Luke. We’ll read chapters 13-14. After the reading I’ll have some comments. Stick around, too for our prayer time. I’m calling today’s episode “Once and For All and Over and Over.”

1At that time some people were there who told Jesus that Pilate had killed some people from Galilee while they were worshiping. He mixed their blood with the blood of the animals they were sacrificing to God. 2Jesus answered, “Do you think this happened to them because they were more sinful than all others from Galilee? 3No, I tell you. But unless you change your hearts and lives, you will be destroyed as they were! 4What about those eighteen people who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them? Do you think they were more sinful than all the others who live in Jerusalem? 5No, I tell you. But unless you change your hearts and lives, you will all be destroyed too!”

Luke 13: 1-5 NCV

Let’s break this down, shall we?

Some people told Jesus about a heinous act of Pilate where Galilean worshippers were murdered, and in His reply, Jesus reminded them of the eighteen people who died when the tower of Siloam (sye-LOH-uhm) fell on them. For both of these events, Jesus asked them, “Do you think this happened to them because they were more sinful than all others from Galilee?” 

People sometimes think that good things should happen to “good” people, and bad things happen to “bad” people. Of course, we know from our reading of the book of Job that that is not always how it works, but Jesus used this opportunity to remind them of this truth. 

After He asked the question, He immediately answered, “No, I tell you.”

Listen to this quote from Spurgeon: “It is true, the wicked man sometimes falls dead in the street; but has not the minister fallen dead in the pulpit? It is true that a pleasure-boat, in which men were seeking their own pleasure on the Sunday, has suddenly gone down; but is it not equally true that a ship which contained none but godly men, who were bound upon an excursion to preach the gospel, has gone down too?” 

So He turned the question from “Why did this happen?” to “How does this apply to me?”. He said, “Those Galileans didn’t die because they were worse sinners than all the other Galileans.” In saying this, Jesus was not saying that they were less guilty of sin, either. The fact is, all are guilty. Romans 3:10 says, “There is no one righteous, not one.”

Twice in his statement, Jesus said, “But unless you change your hearts and lives…” Or to look more at the original Greek, Jesus said “…unless you repent…” In the Greek, He mentioned two kinds of repentance. He talked about a “once and for all repentance” in verse 5, and in verse 3 He referred to a “continuing repentance”. Both kinds are necessary. 

When we first accept Jesus as our Savior, we repent once and for all. But as we’ve said so many times before, we are imperfect. We sin. And that’s where the continuing repentance comes in. In that case, we don’t repent because we have lost our salvation, but because we love Him. He said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” So when we sin, we repent. We ask His forgiveness, and we turn from that sin.

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 13 NCV; Ch. 14 CEB

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Kathi Brixey Lifespring! Podcast Interview “Faith Personified”

Del Brixey Lifespring! Podcast Interview  “How To Have Power, Potential, and Passion In Your Marriage”

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Steve Webb 0:00
How does this apply to me?

Steve Webb 0:09
This is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb, it’s good to see you. Welcome. If this is your first time here, I’m glad you found the show. This is a daily podcast and we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. We don’t have listeners here, by the way, we have family if you listen to the show more than once you’re part of the Lifespring family. So make yourself at home. Since today is Saturday, we’re going to read from one of the Gospels right now we’re in the book of Luke will read chapters 13 and 14. And after the reading, I’ll have some comments. Stick around to for our prayer time. The title of today’s episode is once and for all and over and over. The show notes page for today’s episode is Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 171. And that’s where you can comment on the show. And I’ll be mentioning some links during the show today and the show notes pages where those links will be. Okay, let’s get started.

Steve Webb 1:09
Luke chapter 13.

Steve Webb 1:12
At that time, some people were there who told Jesus that Pilate had killed some people from Galilee while they were worshipping. He mix their blood with the blood of the animals they were sacrificing to God. Jesus answered. Do you think this happened to them? Because they were more sinful than all others from Galilee? No, I tell you, but unless you change your hearts and lives, you will be destroyed as they were. What about those 18 people who died when the Tower of Siloam fell on them? Do you think they were more sinful than all the others who live in Jerusalem? No, I tell you, but unless you change your hearts and lives you will all be destroyed to Jesus told this story. A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for some fruit on the tree, but he found none. So the man said to his gardener, I’ve been looking for fruit on this tree for three years. But I never find any cut it down. Why should it waste the ground? But the servant answered, Master let the tree have one more year to produce fruit. Let me dig up the dirt around it and put on some fertilizer. If the tree produces fruit next year, good. But if not, you can cut it down. Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day. A woman was there who for 18 years had an evil spirit in her that made her crippled. Her back was always bent. She could not stand up straight. When Jesus saw her he called her over and said, Woman You are free from your sickness. Jesus put his hands on her and immediately she was able to stand up straight and began praising God. The synagogue leader was angry because Jesus healed on the Sabbath day. He said to the people, there are six days when one has to work so come to be healed on one of those days and not on the Sabbath day. The Lord answered, You hypocrites. Doesn’t each of you untie your work animals and lead them to drink water every day, even on the Sabbath day. This woman that I healed, a daughter of Abraham has been held by Satan for 18 years. Surely it is not wrong for her to be freed from her sickness on a Sabbath day. When Jesus said this, all of those who were criticizing him were ashamed. But the entire crowd rejoiced at all the wonderful things Jesus was doing. Then Jesus said, What is God’s kingdom? Like? What can I compare it with? It is like a mustard seed that a man plants in his garden. The seed grows and becomes a tree, and the wild birds build nests in its branches. Jesus said again, what can I compare God’s kingdom with? It is like yeast that a woman took and hid in a large tub of flour until it made all the dough rise. Jesus was teaching in every town and village as he traveled toward Jerusalem. Someone said to Jesus, Lord will only a few people be saved. Jesus said, try hard to enter through the narrow door because many people will try to enter there, but they will not be able. When the owner of the house gets up and closes the door. You can stand outside and knock on the door and say, Sir, open the door for us. But he will answer I don’t know you are where you come from. Then you will say we ate and drank with you and you taught in the streets of our town. But he will say to you, I don’t know you are where you come from. Go away from me, all you who do evil. You will cry and grind your teeth with pain when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the prophets in God’s kingdom, but you yourselves thrown outside. People will come from the east, west, north and south and we’ll sit down at the table and the kingdom of God. There are those who are last now who will be first in the future. And there are those who are first now who will be last in the future. At that time, some

Steve Webb 5:00
Pharisees came to Jesus and said, Go away from here Herod wants to kill you. Jesus said to them, Go tell that fox Herod today and tomorrow I am forcing demons out and healing people. Then on the third day, I will reach my goal. Yet I must be on my way today and tomorrow and the next day. Surely it cannot be right for a prophet to be killed anywhere except in Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you kill the prophets in stone to death, those who are sent to you. Many times I wanted to gather your people, as the hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let me now your house is left completely empty. I tell you, you will not see me until that time when you will say, God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord.

Steve Webb 5:48
Luke 14.

Steve Webb 5:50
One Sabbath when Jesus went to share a meal in the home of one of the leaders of the Pharisees, they were watching in closely, a man suffering from an abnormal swelling of the body was there. Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees does the law allow healing on the Sabbath or not? But they said nothing. Jesus took hold of the sick man cured him and then let him go. He said to them, suppose your child or ox falls into a ditch on the Sabbath day, wouldn’t you immediately pull it out, but they had no response. When Jesus noticed how the guests sought out the best seats at the table, he told them a parable. When someone invites you to a wedding celebration, don’t take your seat in the place of honor, someone more highly regarded than you could have been invited by your host. The host who invited both of you will come and say to you, give your seat to this other person. Embarrassed, you will take your seat in the least important place. Instead, when you receive an invitation, go and sit in the least important place. When your host approaches you. He will say friend move up here to a better seat. Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. All who lift themselves up will be brought low, and those who make themselves low will be lifted up. Then Jesus said to the person who had invited him when you host a lunch or dinner, don’t invite your friends, your brothers and sisters, your relatives or rich neighbors. If you do, they will invite you in return and that will be your reward. Instead, when you give a banquet, invite the poor, crippled, lame and blind and you will be blessed because they can’t repay you. Instead, you will be repaid when the adjuster resurrected. When one of the dinner guests heard Jesus remarks, he said to Jesus happier those who will feast in God’s kingdom. Jesus replied, A certain man hosted a large dinner and invited many people. When it was time for the dinner to begin. He said his servant to tell the invited guests come the dinner is now ready. One by one, they all began to make excuses. The first one told him, I bought a farm and must go and see it. Please excuse me. Another said, I bought five teams of oxen, and I’m going to check on them. Please excuse me. Another said, I just got married, so I can’t come. When he returned, the servant reported these excuses to his master. The master of the house became angry and said to his servant, go quickly to the city streets, the busy ones in the side streets and bring the poor crippled blind in lane. The servant said, Master, your instructions have been followed and there is still room, the master said to the servant, go to the highways in back alleys and urge people to come in so that my house will be filled. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will taste my dinner. Large crowds were traveling with Jesus. Turning to them, he said, Whoever comes to me and doesn’t hate father and mother, spouse and children, and brothers and sisters. Yes, even one’s own life cannot be my disciple. Whoever doesn’t carry their own cross and follow Me cannot be My disciple. If one of you wanted to build a tower, wouldn’t you first sit down and calculate the cost to determine whether you have enough money to complete it? Otherwise, when you’ve laid the foundation but couldn’t finish the tower, all who see it will begin to belittle you. They will say, here’s the person who began construction and couldn’t complete it. Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down to consider whether his 10,000 soldiers could go up against the 20,000 coming against him. And if he didn’t think he could win, he would send a representative to discuss terms of peace while his enemy was still a long way off. In the same way, none of you who are unwilling to give up all your possessions can be my disciple. Salt is good. But if salt loses its flavor, how will it become salty again?

Steve Webb 9:53
It has no value neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. People throw it away. Whoever has ears to hear should pay attention.

Steve Webb 10:03
In Luke 13, verses one through five we read at that time some people were there who told Jesus that Pilate had killed some people from Galilee while they were worshipping. He mix their blood with a blood of the animals. They were sacrificing to God, Jesus answered. Do you think this happened to them? Because they were more sinful than all the others from Galilee? No, I tell you, but unless you change your hearts and lives, you will be destroyed as they were. What about those 18 people who died when the Tower of Siloam fell on them? Do you think they were more sinful than all the others who live in Jerusalem? No, I tell you, but unless you change your hearts and lives, you will all be destroyed too. Alright, so let’s break this down Shelly. Some people told Jesus about a heinous act of Pilate where Galilee and worshipers were murdered. And in his reply, Jesus reminded them of another time when the Tower of Siloam fell on 18 people and killed them. For both of these events. Jesus asked them, Do you think this happened to them because they were more sinful than the others. People sometimes think that good things should happen to good people and bad things should happen to bad people. Of course, we know from our reading of the book of Job that this is not always how it works. But Jesus used this opportunity to remind them of this truth. So he asked the question twice, do you think they were more sinful? And twice? He answered himself by saying, No, I tell you. Listen to this quote from Spurgeon. It is true, the wicked man sometimes falls dead in the street, but has not the Minister of fallen dead in the pulpit. It is true that a pleasure boat in which men were seeking their own pleasure on the Sunday has suddenly gone down. But is it not equally true that is shipped which contained none but godly men who were bound upon an excursion to preach the gospel has gone down to So Spurgeon was saying bad things do happen to bad people, but bad things happen to good people, too. So Jesus turned the question from Why did this happen to how does this apply to me? He said, those Galileans didn’t die because they were worse sinners than all the other Galileans. And he wasn’t saying that they were less guilty of sin either. The fact is, all are guilty. Romans 310 says, There is no one righteous, not one. And then twice in his statement, Jesus said, but unless you change your hearts and lives, and that’s according to the translation we read today, but to look more at the original Greek, Jesus said, twice, unless you repent, now in saying unless he repent, in the Greek, it’s two kinds of repentance. He talked about a once and for all, repentance in verse five. And in verse three, he referred to a continuing repentance and both kinds of necessary a once and for all repentance and a continuing repentance. You see, when we first accept Jesus as our Savior, we repent once and for all. But as we’ve said, so many times before we are imperfect, we sin, and that’s where the continuing repentance comes in. In that case, we don’t repent because we have lost our salvation. No, but it’s because we love Him. Jesus said, If you love me, you will keep My commandments. So when we sin, we repent. We ask His forgiveness, and then we turn from that sin. That’s what repentance is, we turn from the sin. So what do you think? Leave a comment at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 171. Tomorrow being Sunday, we’ll read from the epistles and we’re in Ephesians. We’ll read chapters four through six.

Steve Webb 14:00
On this date in church history, February 19 1802, Leonard W. Bacon was born. He was an American congregational, clergyman, educator, and editor. He pastored, the First Congregational Church in New Haven, Connecticut for 56 years from 1825 to 1881. And he was a leader in the anti slavery and temperance movements. He also authored the him oh god beneath a guiding hand.

Steve Webb 14:38
prayer requests yesterday Kathy was back at City of Hope for some pre surgery testing. They did some blood tests and an EKG. We don’t have a report back on the blood but she did pass the EKG. So that’s good news. This coming Sunday. She has to go back for a COVID test. The surgery supposed to be next Wednesday. Now for new listeners Kathy and her husband Dell are some of my oldest and dearest friends. Dell is the one who invited me to the church where I accepted the Lord. I’ve known him since we were in junior high school. So we’ve known each other a very long time. And Dell and I met Kathy at that same church probably at the exact same time when we were probably freshmen in high school. They became sweethearts and married right out of high school. She was diagnosed with MS in her mid 20s, then was first diagnosed with cancer probably in her mid 30s or so if I remember right. She said several forms of cancer over the years and right now it’s bone cancer she’s dealing with the surgery next week is to burn out a spot in a right scapula or shoulder blade after which they’ll repair that area with a sort of cement. They did a similar surgery last year on one of our femurs, then Dell had cancer about 25 years ago, but he is has not returned. Kathy has been plagued with ill health sensor first MS diagnosis. So let’s pray that the COVID test that she takes this coming Sunday comes back negative so that the surgery can be done on Wednesday. Let’s pray. Our Heavenly Father, we thank You, Lord for your word, and that you teach us so much from it, we would literally be lost without it. Thank you, Lord, for the Holy Spirit who helps us to understand and who leads us comforts us and gives us the words to say when we tell others about Jesus and so many other things. We pray, Lord, that Kathy’s surgery will be able to happen on Wednesday and that it’ll go smoothly. Help them Lord to get every bit of cancer cleared out of her shoulder blade. And again, I ask that you heal Kathy, heal her I asked in Jesus name of every bit of disease. It’s not beyond your ability, you made her body and you can heal her body. Lord, please do it. And we promise to give you praise. Thank you so much, Lord, for each person listening right now. Each Lifespring family member, bless them today no matter where they are, or when they hear this. For those who need your healing touch. Heal them today. For those with financial pressures provide what they need. For those with marital discord, bring healing and love and peace. For those who are struggling with depression. Give them hope. You Lord, our rock or shield are everything. We can run to you with our needs and know that you can meet them. But above all, we do pray that your will would be done in our lives. We do know that you use the hard times in our lives to strengthen our faith and mold us into the people you want us to be. So I pray that You would give us the grace and the faith to accept your will. You love us more than we can ever hope to comprehend. So I pray that you give us the faith we need to rest in you. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. Send in your prayer request and praise His Beloved, I’ll pray for you in my daily private prayer time and I’ll pray for you on the show.

Steve Webb 18:05
And by the way, I interviewed Kathy in April of 2006. The episode is called Faith personified. If you want to hear one of the sweetest most godly women I’ve ever known, you really ought to listen. I’ll have a link on the show notes page. Also, I interviewed Dell in January of 2008 on the Lifespring show. That episode is called How to have power potential and passion in your marriage. Delon, Kathy had a ministry to couples of that time and the ideas that he shares on that show are timeless. I’ll have a link to that episode on the show notes page as well. The show notes page for this episode is at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 171. You can get those links there and comment on today’s episode. You can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. And please support the show at Lifespring media.com/support. Until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. Thank you for being here. I’ve enjoyed spending time with you today. I don’t take it for granted. My name is Steve Webb. Bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

Experience the book that has restored, reoriented, and renewed millions of people—now thoroughly updated with seven new chapters and dozens of additional stories! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or eager to encounter a fresh edition of the classic text you already love, you’ll not be the same when you finish it. 368 pages, hardcover from B&H.