Lifespring! Media All Shows

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is gospel Saturday, and we’ll begin the last book of the books of the gospels. We’ll read Acts 1-2.  I’ll have some comments after the reading. And of course I’ll have an “On This Date In Church History” segment for you, too. I’m calling today’s episode “Dynamite.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Marek Piwnicki on Unsplash

Comments on Acts 1-2

The Acts of the Apostles, which is the full name of the book of Acts, was written by Luke. At one time, the Gospel of Luke and Acts were considered one book of two volumes, with Acts being the second volume. Acts is a sort of a bridge between the four gospels and the epistles. Without Acts, there would be no record of how Christianity spread from Jerusalem, which is where the Gospel of John ended, to Rome which is where the book of Romans takes place. 

The book of Acts is about the dawning days of the Christian church. How it began. It’s about the empowerment of the seemingly defeated followers of Jesus after His crucifixion and resurrection. 

Jesus knew that his disciples would need encouragement and courage and ability from God to be able to take the message of the Gospel to the world, so just before He ascended to Heaven, He told them stay in Jerusalem until they received the Holy Spirit.

Put yourself in their place. Yes, they had seen and spoken with the resurrected Christ over a period of forty days before his ascension. But they had no knowledge of the Holy Spirit. What was Jesus talking about? How would this happen, and how would they know?

They gathered in an upper room of a house in Jerusalem and spent their time praying. The remaining eleven disciples (remember that Judas Iscariot had been one of the twelve, but he betrayed Jesus and then committed suicide), Jesus’ mother, some other women, and Jesus’ brothers were there, and they waited…for what?

Well, when the Holy Spirit arrived, there was no doubt that His presence was a game-changer. When the day of Pentecost arrived, which was 50 days after Passover, He came into the upper room accompanied by the sound of a strong wind. Note that the text doesn’t say it was a wind. It was the sound of a strong wind. 

And then there were what looked like tongues of fire which came and rested on each one of the people. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they began to speak in languages which they had never spoken before, led by the Holy Spirit.

All of this noise drew a crowd. Some thought that the speakers were drunk, but it was early in the day. Of those that heard, many were from other lands who were not Jews. And they heard what the believers were saying in their own languages.

And then Peter stood up and told those in attendance of the words of the prophet Joel. And he preached his first sermon to them, telling them all about Jesus. And 3,000 new believers were added to the church that day.

What a beginning! What a miraculous event! When the Holy Spirit works through His people, Jesus Christ is glorified and lives are changed. 

Every believer is meant to have this experience of power from the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for this power is dunamis, which is the root of the English word, dynamite, dynamic, dynamo. Every believer is called to share the Good News of the risen Christ, and whether or not you believe in the Pentecostal experience, God calls each of us to be a light to the world with Jesus’ message of hope and salvation. That is your call and mine. Jesus said, “…you will receive power (dunamis) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

Wherever you are, you are called to share the Good News.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1 GNT; Ch. 2 NIRV

Support

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.

Transcript

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00Dynamite. Dynamic. Dynamo.

INTRO S12E269 – 0:10Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, and podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year.

This shows pre-recorded because of my cardiac ablation procedure which took place yesterday. I’m recording this on May 23. And hopefully everything went well on the procedure yesterday, and I’m at home right now recovering nicely.

Okay, on with the show. Today is GOSPEL Saturday, and we’re going to begin the last book of the books of what we call the books of the Gospels. We will read Acts 1 and 2. And by the way, Acts is not always grouped with the Gospels, but with our Bible reading plan this year, we’re including Acts in the Gospels.

I will have some comments for you after the reading and we’ve gotten On This Date In Church History segment. And I think that with all that– Oh, I do need to say the show notes page for today’s episode– yeah, I’m a little bit scatterbrained today. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e269. My email address is st***@*************ia.com. I’d love to hear from you. Let’s get started.

ACTS 1 (GNT) – 1:21Acts, chapter 1. (1) Dear Theophilus:In my first book I wrote about all the things that Jesus did and taught from the time he began his work (2) until the time he was taken up to heaven. Before he was taken up, he gave instructions by the power of the Holy Spirit to the men he had chosen as his apostles. (3) For forty days after his death he appeared to them many times in ways that proved beyond doubt that he was alive. They saw him, and he talked with them about the Kingdom of God. (4) And when they came together, he gave them this order: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift I told you about, the gift my Father promised. (5) John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

(6) When the apostles met together with Jesus, they asked him, “Lord, will you at this time give the Kingdom back to Israel?”

(7) Jesus said to them, “The times and occasions are set by my Father’s own authority, and it is not for you to know when they will be. (8) But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power, and you will be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, in all of Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (9) After saying this, he was taken up to heaven as they watched him, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

(10) They still had their eyes fixed on the sky as he went away, when two men dressed in white suddenly stood beside them (11) and said, “Galileans, why are you standing there looking up at the sky? This Jesus, who was taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way that you saw him go into heaven.”

(12) Then the apostles went back to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, which is about half a mile away from the city. (13) They entered the city and went up to the room where they were staying: Peter, John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Patriot, and Judas son of James. (14) They gathered frequently to pray as a group, together with the women and with Mary the mother of Jesus and with his brothers.

(15) A few days later there was a meeting of the believers, about a hundred and twenty in all, and Peter stood up to speak. (16) “My friends,” he said, “the scripture had to come true in which the Holy Spirit, speaking through David, made a prediction about Judas, who was the guide for those who arrested Jesus. (17) Judas was a member of our group, for he had been chosen to have a part in our work.”

(18) (With the money that Judas got for his evil act he bought a field, where he fell to his death; he burst open and all his insides spilled out. (19) All the people living in Jerusalem heard about it, and so in their own language they call that field Akeldama, which means “Field of Blood.”)

(20) “For it is written in the book of Psalms,‘May his house become empty;may no one live in it.’It is also written,‘May someone else take his place of service.’

(21-22) “So then, someone must join us as a witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. He must be one of the men who were in our group during the whole time that the Lord Jesus traveled about with us, beginning from the time John preached his message of baptism until the day Jesus was taken up from us to heaven.”

(23) So they proposed two men: Joseph, who was called Barsabbas (also known as Justus), and Matthias. (24) Then they prayed, “Lord, you know the thoughts of everyone, so show us which of these two you have chosen (25) to serve as an apostle in the place of Judas, who left to go to the place where he belongs.” (26) Then they drew lots to choose between the two men, and the one chosen was Matthias, who was added to the group of eleven apostles.

ACTS 2 (NIRV) – 4:51Acts, chapter 2. (1) The day of Pentecost came. The believers all gathered in one place. (2) Suddenly a sound came from heaven. It was like a strong wind blowing. It filled the whole house where they were sitting. (3) They saw something that looked like tongues of fire. The flames separated and settled on each of them. (4) All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit. They began to speak in languages they had not known before. The Spirit gave them the ability to do this.

(5) Godly Jews from every country in the world were staying in Jerusalem. (6) A crowd came together when they heard the sound. They were bewildered because they each heard the believers speaking in their own language. (7) The crowd was really amazed. They asked,...

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is prophecy Friday, and we’re going to read the entire book of Obadiah. All one chapter.  I’ll have some comments after the reading. And of course I’ll have an “On This Date In Church History” segment for you, too. I’m calling today’s episode  “Treat Your Brother Well.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Ahmad Qaisieh on Unsplash

Comments on Obadiah

Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament, but that does not take away from its value. It is, after all, the Word of God. 

The name Obadiah means “Worshipper of Yahweh” or “Servant of Yahweh.”

We don’t really know who this Obadiah fellow was, though. There are thirteen Obadiahs in the Old Testament. Some think that he is the Obadiah that was a servant in Ahab’s household as in 1 Kings 18:3. If this is he, then he was the man who hid and fed the prophets spoken about in that chapter. Others think that this Obadiah was a man who lived some time later, at around the same time as Hosea, Joel and Amos. And still others believe that he lived around the time that the Edomites destroyed Jerusalem.

All of the other Old Testament prophets delivered messages either to Israel or Judah. Obadiah was sent only to Edom. 

So who were the Edomites? They were descended from Esau. Esau was the brother of Jacob. Both of them were the sons of Isaac and Rebekah. Esau was sometimes called Edom, which means “red”, so Esau may have had red hair.

In Numbers 20 when Israel was still wandering in the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land, Moses asked for permission to pass through the Edomites’ land, and they were denied. Instead, Edom threatened to attack Israel if they tried to go through.

There were many times in the Old Testament when Edom came against Israel or Judah. Sometimes they were defeated. Other times they were the victors. And they fought alongside the Jews against Rome in 66-70 A.D. In this war, Edom was completely annihilated, fulfilling verses 10 and 18 of Obadiah’s prophecy.

The judgement of God against Edom because of their intense pride and treatment of Israel and Judah (who were descendants of Jacob) over the years.

Obadiah concludes with the words “And the kingdom will be the Lord’s.” These are encouraging words to God’s people, that even when they may suffer at the hands of evil people, He will judge them for their misdeeds. There will be justice.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1 NASB

Support

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.

Transcript

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00There will be justice.

INTRO S12E268 – 0:09Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. Podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster Steve Webb. Welcome. I’m so glad you’re here today. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year.

As you probably know, I usually record the show the day before it’s published. But this show’s a little bit different. This show is different. If you’re listening to this on May 27th, 2022, the publication of the episode, this is the day of my catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, or cardiac ablation for short. So here’s the deal. My plan is to record this show and hopefully the following two episodes in advance. If everything goes according to plan, I’ll be able to go home today, but I don’t know if I’ll feel like producing any shows over the next couple of days. So Monday’s episode will probably be the first almost-live show you get from me.

Alright, on with the show. Today is PROPHECY Friday, and we’re going to read the entire book of Obadiah, all one chapter of it. I’ll have some comments after the reading and of course, I will have an On This Date in Church History segment. The title of today’s episode is “Treat Your Brother Well”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e268. My email address is st***@*************ia.com. And I’m ready to get going. How about you?

OBADIAH 1 (NASB) – 1:37Obadiah, chapter 1.

(1) The vision of Obadiah.Thus says the Lord God concerning Edom–

We have heard a report from the Lord,And an envoy has been sent among the nations saying,“Arise and let us go against her for battle”–(2) “Behold, I will make you small among the nations;You are greatly despised.(3) The arrogance of your heart has deceived you,You who live in the clefts of the rock,In the loftiness of your dwelling place,Who say in your heart,“Who will bring me down to earth?”(4) Though you build high like the eagle,Though you set your nest among the stars,From there I will bring you down,” declares the Lord.(5) “If thieves came to you,If robbers by night–O how you will be ruined!–Would they not steal only until they had enough?If grape gatherers came to you,Would they not leave some gleanings?(6) O how Esau will be ransacked,And his hidden treasures searched out!(7) All the men allied with youWill send you forth to the border,And the men at peace with youWill deceive you and overpower you.They who eat your breadWill set an ambush for you.(There is no understanding in him.)(8) Will I not on that day,” declares the Lord,“Destroy wise men from EdomAnd understanding from the mountain of Esau?(9) Then your mighty men will be dismayed, O Teman,So that everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter.

(10) “Because of violence to your brother Jacob,You will be covered with shame,And you will be cut off forever.(11) On the day that you stood aloof,On the day that strangers carried off his wealth,And foreigners entered his gateAnd cast lots for Jerusalem–You too were as one of them.(12) Do not gloat over your brother’s day,The day of his misfortune.And do not rejoice over the sons of JudahIn the day of their destruction;Yes, do not boastIn the day of their distress.(13) Do not enter the gate of My peopleIn the day of their disaster.Yes, you, do not gloat over their calamityIn the day of their disaster.And do not loot their wealthIn the day of their disaster.(14) Do not stand at the fork of the roadTo cut down their fugitives;And do not imprison their survivorsIn the day of their distress.

(15) “For the day of the Lord draws near on all the nations.As you have done, it will be done to you.Your dealings will return on your own head.(16) Because just as you drank on My holy mountain,All the nations will drink continually.They will drink and swallowAnd become as if they had never existed.(17) But on Mount Zion there will be those who escape,And it will be holy.And the house of Jacob will possess their possessions.(18) Then the house of Jacob will be a fireAnd the house of Joseph a flame;But the house of Esau will be as stubble.And they will set them on fire and consume them,So that there will be no survivor of the house of Esau,”For the Lord has spoken.(19) Then those of the Negev will possess the mountain of Esau,And those of the Shephelah the Philistine plain;Also, possess the territory of Ephraim and the territory of Samaria,And Benjamin will possess Gilead.(20) And the exiles of this host of the sons of Israel,Who are among the Canaanites as far as Zarephath,And the exiles of Jerusalem who are in SepharadWill possess the cities of the Negev.(21) The deliverers will ascend Mount ZionTo judge the mountain of Esau,And the kingdom will be the Lord’s.

COMMENTS – 4:59Well, this probably won’t be surprising to you, but Obadiah is the shortest book in the Old Testament. But that doesn’t take away from its value. It is, after all, the word of God. The name Obadiah means “worshipper of Yahweh” or “servant of Yahweh”. And we don’t really know who this Obadiah fellow was. There are thirteen Obadiahs in the Old Testament. And some think that he is the Obadiah who was the servant in Ahab’s household as in I Kings 18:3. If this is the same guy, then he was the man who hid and fed the prophets spoken about in that chapter. Others think that this Obadiah was a man who lived some time later at around the same time as Hosea, Joel and Amos. And still others believe that he lived around the time that the Edomites destroyed Jerusalem. Now all the other Old Testament prophets delivered messages either to Israel or Judah. Obadiah was sent only to Edom.

So who were the Edomites? Well, they were descended from Esau. You might remember that Esau was the brother of Jacob. And both of them were the sons of Isaac and Rebecca. Esau was sometimes called Edom, which means “red”. So Esau may have been a ginger. He may have had red hair. So what else makes the Edomites notable? Well, in Numbers 20, when Israel was still wandering in the wilderness on the way to the Promised Land, Moses asked for permission to pass through the Edomites land, and they were denied. Instead, Edom threatened to attack Israel if they even tried to go through. And there were many times in the Old Testament when Edom came against either Israel or Judah. You’ll remember that Israel and Judah were the divided nations of what was, at one time, the single nation of Israel. Sometimes the Edomites were defeated, and other times they were the victors. But they did fight along side the Jews against Rome in 66 to 70 AD. And in this war, Edom was completely annihilated, fulfilling verses 10 and 18, of the book of Obadiah. Edom was completely eliminated.

So why was God so against Edom? Well, probably their intense pride was part of it. And verse 10 of Obadiah makes it very clear. It says, “Because of violence to your brother, Jacob, you will be covered with shame, and you will be cut off forever.” So they were a very prideful people, and they came against Israel. The book concludes with the words,...

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is poetry Thursday and we’ll read Proverbs 26-27. I will have an “On This Date In Church History” segment for you, and I have a personal prayer request at the end of the show. I’m calling today’s episode “Friends.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Steve Webb

Comments on Proverbs 26-27

Thoughts on Proverbs 26

I used to listen to political talk radio and watch political TV talk shows. But I got tired of the arguing back and forth. And I noticed that no matter how logical or well-thought-out an argument was (on either side), seldom (if ever) was an opponent persuaded to listen objectively. And often, both sides ended up looking foolish.

So when I read verses 4 and 5 in chapter 26 today, I was reminded how silly it is to argue with a fool. Here are the verses again: 4 Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. 5 Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes.

I like the way the Easy to Read Version renders these two verses: There is no good way to answer fools when they say something stupid. If you answer them, then you, too, will look like a fool. If you don’t answer them, they will think they are smart.

So what are we to do? I guess it depends on the situation. If possible, I think that it is good to avoid the fool altogether. But if that isn’t possible, then don’t engage them in conversation that brings out the foolish in them. 

There are people in my life whom I consider to be foolish. Come on. Let’s be honest here. Most of us have this type of person in our lives that we are forced to have contact with. My way of dealing with these people is to just be polite. We talk about the weather or other mundane things that don’t really matter. I know that if we get into the deep water, nothing but trouble will ensue. If they bring up a subject that I think will go the wrong way, I’ll just smile politely and let them drone on until I can gracefully make an exit. 

Same thing online. I don’t engage in debates there, either. As they say, “Don’t feed the trolls.” 

Thoughts on Proverbs 27

I like that Solomon spent some time giving counsel to his son about the importance of good friends. Like a rare jewel, truly good friends are hard to find. But when you find them, they are much more valuable than jewels. More than bringing fellowship and good times, they can help you through the difficult times. They can help to make you a better person. And sometimes, God can use them to speak His words into your life. I consider myself truly blessed, because I have three such friends in my life. One of them has been a part if my life since I was about 10 years old. His name is Mark. The second I met when we were in junior high school. That’s Del, the husband of Kathi, whom we have prayed for many times on the show. There is no one alive today that I have known longer than these two. The third is a fellow podcaster. We met in 2005, and for a long time we were friends, but not particularly close. But over the last couple years we have had a standing date to talk via video at least two Saturdays a month. And we have really developed a deep friendship. His name is Ron. I treasure all three of these guys. I would do anything for them. And they would do the same for me. I consider myself a very blessed man to have each of them in my life. 

So let’s look a three of these verses that deal with friendship.

Verse six: Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

~A true friend is one who is willing to risk hurting us if it means that we will be better for the correction. An enemy’s kisses are lies. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss.

Verse 9: Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.

~This is sort of a partner to verse six. When a friend offers kind words of advice from a heart of love, it is as pleasant as a good perfume.

Verse 17: As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.

~This is the opposite side of the friendship coin. Verse 9 talked about the kind words of advice being as pleasant as a good perfume. When iron sharpens iron, there is grinding on the wheel, heavy hammers striking the iron, and always, sparks fly. The iron being sharpened goes through a bit of stress, pounding and abrasion. If the iron could feel, there would be pain involved. But the end product is better, and more useful. When a friend sharpens a friend, it can be a difficult process for one or both of them, but in the end, both can be better off.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 26-27 NIV

Support

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.

Transcript

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00There is no good way to answer fools when they say something stupid.

INTRO S12E237 – 0:12Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. Podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. Welcome. I’m so glad to see you today. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Today’s Poetry Thursday, and we’ll read Proverbs 26 and 27. We’ll have an On This Date in Church History segment. And I have a couple of prayer requests at the end of the show, one of them personal. I’m calling today’s episode, “Friends.” You can find the show notes page, if you’d like to make a comment on the show, at lifespringmedia.com/s12e267. And as always, my email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s get started.

PROVERBS 26 (NIV) – 0:55Proverbs 26.

(1)Like snow in summer or rain in harvest,honor is not fitting for a fool.(2)Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,an undeserved curse does not come to rest.(3)A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,and a rod for the backs of fools!(4)Do not answer a fool according to his folly,or you yourself will be just like him.(5)Answer a fool according to his folly,or he will be wise in his own eyes.(6)Sending a message by the hands of a foolis like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.(7)Like the useless legs of one who is lameis a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(8)Like tying a stone in a slingis the giving of honor to a fool.(9)Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s handis a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(10)Like an archer who wounds at randomis one who hires a fool or any passer-by.(11)As a dog returns to its vomit,so fools repeat their folly.(12)Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?There is more hope for a fool than for them.(13)A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road,a fierce lion roaming the streets!”(14)As a door turns on its hinges,so a sluggard turns on his bed.(15)A sluggard buries his hand in the dish;he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.(16)A sluggard is wiser in his own eyesthan seven people who answer discreetly.(17)Like one who grabs a stray dog by the earsis someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.(18)Like a maniac shootingflaming arrows of death(19)is one who deceives their neighborand says, “I was only joking!”(20)Without wood a fire goes out;without a gossip a quarrel dies down.(21)As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.(22)The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;they go down to the inmost parts.(23)Like a coating of silver dross on earthenwareare fervent lips with an evil heart.(24)Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,but in their hearts they harbor deceit.(25)Though their speech is charming, do not believe them,for seven abominations fill their hearts.(26)Their malice may be concealed by deception,but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.(27)Whoever digs a pit will fall into it;if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them.(28)A lying tongue hates those it hurts,and a flattering mouth works ruin.

PROVERBS 27 (NIV) – 3:41Proverbs, chapter 27.

1)Do not boast about tomorrow,for you do not know what a day may bring.(2)Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;an outsider, and not your own lips.(3)Stone is heavy and sand a burden,but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.(4)Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,but who can stand before jealousy?(5)Better is open rebukethan hidden love.(6)Wounds from a friend can be trusted,but an enemy multiplies kisses.(7)One who is full loathes honey from the comb,but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.(8)Like a bird that flees its nestis anyone who flees from home.(9)Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,and the pleasantness of a friendsprings from their heartfelt advice.(10)Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you—better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.(11)Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.(12)The prudent see danger and take refuge,but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.(13)Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.(14)If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning,it will be taken as a curse.(15)A quarrelsome wife is like the drippingof a leaky roof in a rainstorm;(16)restraining her is like restraining the windor grasping oil with the hand.(17)As iron sharpens iron,so one person sharpens another.(18)The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit,and whoever protects their master will be honored.(19)As water reflects the face,so one’s life reflects the heart.(20)Death and Destruction are never satisfied,and neither are human eyes.(21)The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,...

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is Psalms Wednesday, and we’ll read chapters 114-116. I’m calling today’s episode “He Hears My Voice.”

Design and Image: Steve Webb

Introduction to Psalms 114-116

If you heard last week’s Psalms episode, Psalms 11-113, the one titled “I Will”, you might remember that Psalm 113 was the first of a collection of Psalms called the Egyptian Hallel. The others are 114-118. These Psalms were sung as a part of the annual Passover celebration that Jews observed. Psalms 113 and 114 were sung before the Passover meal, and 115-118 were sung after the meal, and it is more than likely that Jesus sang these songs with the disciples at their Passover meal the night of His betrayal. Once again, listen carefully, and try to imagine what must have been going through His mind as He sang these Psalms.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 114 NKJV; Ch. 115-116 NLV

Support

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.

Transcript

Download .txt file.

Steve Webb 0:00Your right hand will hold me fast.

Steve Webb 0:10Together Again, this is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. I’m your OG God cast her Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Today is Psalms Wednesday, and we’ll read chapters 1/14 through 1/16. And today’s episode will be a bit different than normal. I’m going to give you a brief introduction to the Psalms, but no comments afterward. I think the Psalms speak for themselves, given the context that I’ll give you in a moment. And with my medical procedure coming up on Friday, I’m kind of crunched for time. I will still have an on this date in church history segment for you and a time of prayer. The title of today’s episode is he hears my voice. The show notes page is at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 265. And my email address is Steve at Lifespring media.com. Let’s begin.

Steve Webb 1:04If you heard last week’s Psalms episode, Psalms 111 through 113, the one entitled I will You might remember that Psalm 113 was the first of a collection of Psalms called the Egyptian Hillel, the others are 114 through 118. So the total is 113 through 118. The Psalms were sung as a part of the annual Passover celebration. Psalms 113 and 14 were sung before the Passover meal and Psalms 115 through 118 were sung after the meal. And it’s more than likely that Jesus sang the songs with the disciples at their Passover meal the night of his betrayal. Once again, listen carefully, and try to imagine what must have been going through his mind as he sang the Psalms.

Steve Webb 1:50Psalms chapter 114. When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, Judah became his sanctuary and Israel, his dominion. The sea, saw it and fled Jordan and turned back. The mountains skipped like rams, the little hills like lambs. What ails you? Oh, see that you fled? Oh, Jordan, that you turned back? Oh, mountains that you skipped like rams? Oh, little hills like lambs tremble, oh Earth at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool of water, the flint into a fountain of waters.

Steve Webb 2:32Psalms chapter 115. Let honor be given to your name and not to us, oh Lord, not to us, because you are loving and kind and faithful. Why should the nation say where is their God now? But our God is in the heavens. He does whatever he wants to do. Their gods are silver and gold, the work of human hands, they have mouths but they cannot speak. They have eyes but they cannot see. They have ears but they cannot hear. They have noses but they cannot smell. They have hands but they cannot feel they have feet but they cannot walk. They cannot make a sound come out of their mouths. Those who make them and trust them will be like them. Oh Israel, trust in the Lord. He is their help and safe covering all house of Aaron trusted the Lord. He is there help and safe covering you who fear the Lord, trust in the Lord. He is there help and safe covering. The Lord has remembered us and will make good come to us. He will make good come to the house of Israel. He will make good come to the house of Aaron. He will make good come to those who fear the LORD, both the small and the great. May the Lord make your numbers grow both you and your children. May you be given good things by the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth. The heavens belong to the Lord, but he has given the earth to the children of men. The dead do not praise the Lord. Neither do those who go down into the quiet place. But we will give honor and thanks to the Lord now and forever. Praise the Lord.

Steve Webb 4:08Psalm 116. I love the Lord because He hears my voice and my prayers. I will call on him as long as I live because he has turned his ear to me. The strings of death are all around me. And the fear of the grave came upon me. I suffered with trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord. Oh Lord, I beg you saved my life. The Lord is loving and right. Yes, our Lord is full of loving kindness. The Lord takes care of the child like I was brought down and he saved me. Return to your resto my soul for the Lord has been good to you. For you, oh Lord have saved my soul from death, my eyes from tears and my feet from falling. I will walk with the Lord in the land of the living. I believed when I said I am very troubled. I said in my fear of All men are liars. What should I give to the Lord for all the good things he has done for me, I will show him my Thanks for saving me with a gift of wine and praise his name. I will keep my promises to the Lord before all his people. The death of His holy ones is of great worth in the eyes of the Lord, for sure I am your servant, oh Lord, I am your servant, the son of the woman who served you. You have set me free from my chains. I will give a gift of thanks to you and call on the name of the Lord. I will keep my promises to the Lord before all his people in the holy place of the Lord. And in the center of you. Oh Jerusalem, praise the Lord.

Steve Webb 5:54On this date in church history, May 25 1868 Billy Bray of Cornwall passed away. He was the Welsh Methodist preacher who for 43 years had preached built chapels, and taken orphans into his home by the ministry. And on this date in church history 1876, the reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland united with a Free Church of Scotland to form the new Free Church of Scotland.

Steve Webb 6:30Let’s pray. Our Heavenly Father, we praise You for being the God who hears us. You are not far removed from us. You’re always closer than a brother. As David wrote, where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you were there. If I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there, your hand will guide me. Your right hand will hold me fast. Hallelujah. Lord, it is so good to know that you are always there. And because that is true, I’m so glad to know that you’re with a Lifespring family today, Lord, bless them, provide for their needs in love them today. Thank you for this in Jesus name, amen. If you have a prayer request or a praise, go to prayer dot Lifespring media.com

Steve Webb 7:34Comment at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 265. Share the show and email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com Thanks to the awesome team of Kirsty, Sean of San Pedro and Denise. and I’m always thankful for you. Thank you for being here. Thank you for giving me part of your day. Thank you for sharing your time until tomorrow. May God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb. Bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

Please rate or review the show by clicking the heart!

Transcript

The First Lifespring! Family Berean

Supporters who make donations totaling $1000 (or the equivalent value of satoshi) or more will receive the honored title of Berean.

We read of the Bereans in Acts 17:10-15. The key verse for our purposes here is verse 11b, which says, ”The Bereans were eager to hear what Paul and Silas said and studied the Scriptures every day to find out if these things were true.”

Our first Value-for-Value supporter to attain this level is Brother John of Canada. Thank you, Brother John of Canada for your many years of support and encouragement.

Producers

Distinguished Producer

Paul of Seattle

Associate Producer

Kirsty

Podcast Introduction

Today is Tuesday, so we’ll read from History. We’ll read 2 Chronicles 6-10.  I’ll have some comments after the reading. And of course I’ll have an “On This Date In Church History” segment for you, too. I’m calling today’s episode “We Are the Foreigners.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Grant Ritchie on Unsplash

Comments on 2 Chronicles 6-7

In chapter 6, we see that the Temple that King David first thought to build, but which God said he could not build because he had been a man of war, his son Solomon has now completed, as had been promised by God.

And there is a great time of sacrificing and dedication, lasting for seven days.

Can you imagine what a great time this was? How joyous the people must have been! 

And Solomon offered a great prayer of dedication, in which he asked the Lord that if the people ever stray from God, and suffer the consequences brought upon them by God as judgement, if they then rededicate themselves to Him, that He would forgive them. 

In chapter seven, God appeared to Solomon in the night and responded to his prayer. This was the second time that God appeared to him. The first time of course was when He asked Solomon what he wanted, and Solomon asked for wisdom, discernment, and understanding. And God said, ““I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. 13“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place. 16I have chosen and consecrated this temple so that my Name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will always be there.”

Some might say, God made this promise to Solomon at this time about the people of Israel. It doesn’t apply to anyone else. Well, let us look back at Solomon’s prayer of dedication in chapter six, verses 32 and 33, he said, “In the future, foreigners who do not belong to your people Israel will hear of you. They will come from distant lands when they hear of your great name and your strong hand and your powerful arm. And when they pray toward this Temple, 33then hear from heaven where you live, and grant what they ask of you. In this way, all the people of the earth will come to know and fear you, just as your own people Israel do. They, too, will know that this Temple I have built honors your name.”

Beloved, we are the foreigners Solomon was talking about. And in God’s response to Solomon’s prayer, God began with the words, “I have heard your prayer.” God will honor his promise to heal the land of people who humble themselves.

I know I have talked about this promise time and time again on this podcast, but I believe it is important to emphasize it. We know from scripture that David and others repeated God’s promises many, many times. God’s promises must be repeated for our benefit, and though God does not need to be reminded, He never seems to mind when we do remind Him. I think that by repeating His promises to Him, we show that our hearts are sincere.

Yes, God’s promise is for us. And when Jesus was crucified, and the curtain in the Temple was torn from top to bottom, God sent the message that we do not need the Temple to be the place where God hears our prayers or where sacrifices are made. Jesus is our High Priest, and He was the final, lasting sacrifice. 

If we humbly confess our sins, if we turn to Him, He *will* heal our land. We have His promise on that.

Checking In

Check-in time for Steve.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 6-7 WEB; Ch. 8-9 CEV; Ch. 10 NIV

Support

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.

Transcript

Download .txt file.

Steve Webb 0:00We show that our hearts are sincere.

Steve Webb 0:10Coming to you almost live from Riverside, California. This is the Lifespring family Audio Bible and podcasting since 2004. I’m here Oh g god caster Steve Webb, welcome. It’s great to see you today. It’s great to be back. This is a daily show. We’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. I survived it. As promised, I am back with an almost live episode. I’m so glad you’re here in May I say it is good to be back. I’ll have a report for you later in the show. Today’s Tuesday. So we’ll read from history. We’ll read Second Chronicles six through 10. I’ll have some comments after the reading. I’ll have an on this date in church history. As I said, I’ll have a report and we have the very first Lifespring family Berean to talk about today. I’m calling today’s episode, we are the forerunners. The show notes page for today’s episode is at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 272. My email address is Steve at Lifespring medium.com. Let’s get started.

Steve Webb 1:09Second Chronicles chapter six. Then Solomon said, Yahweh has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness, but I have built you a house and home a place for you to dwell in forever. The king turned his face and blessed all the assembly of Israel and all the assembly of Israel stood. He said, bless it be Yahweh, the God of Israel who spoke with his mouth to David my father, and has with his hands fulfilled it saying, since the day that I brought my people out of the land of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house in that my name might be there. And I chose no man to be Prince over my people Israel. But now I have chosen Jerusalem that my name might be there. And I have chosen David to be over my people Israel. Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel. But he always said to David, my father, whereas it was in your heart to build a house for my name, you did well that it was in your heart. Nevertheless, you shall not build a house, but your son who will come out of your body, he shall build the house for my name. Yahweh has performed his word that he spoke for I have risen up in the place of David, my father, and I sit on the throne of Israel as y’all way promised, and have built the house for the name of Yahweh, the God of Israel. There I have set the ark in which is you always covenant which he made with the children of Israel. And he stood before you always altar in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. For Solomon had made a bronze scaffold, five cubits long and five cubits wide in three cubits high, and had set it in the middle of the court. And he stood on it and knelt down on his knees before all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven. And he said, Yahweh, the God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth. You who keep covenant and loving kindness with your servants who walked before you with all their heart, who have kept with your servant, David, my father, that which you promised him? Yes, you spoke with your mouth, and have fulfilled it with your hand as it is today. Now therefore your way the God of Israel, keep with your servant David, my father, that which you have promised him saying, There shall not fail you a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only your children take heed to their way to walk in my law, as you have walked before me. Now therefore your way the God of Israel, let your word be verified which you spoke to your servant David. But Will God indeed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven in the heaven of heavens can’t contain you how much less this house which I have built, yet have respect for the prayer of Your servant and to his supplication, Yahweh, my God, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which your servant prays before you, that your eyes may be open toward this house, day and night, even toward the place where you have said that you would put your name to listen to the prayer which your servant will pray toward this place. Listen to the petitions of Your servant, and have your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Yes, hear from your dwelling place, even from heaven. And when you hear, forgive, if a man sins against his neighbor, and an oath is laid on him to cause him to swear, and he comes in swears before your altar in this house, then hear from heaven, act and judge your servants bringing retribution to the wicked to bring his way on his own head and justifying the righteous to give him according to his righteousness. If your people Israel are struck down before the enemy because they have sinned against you, and they turn again and confess your name, and pray and make supplication before you in this house, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them again to the land which you gave to them and to their fathers, when the sky is shut up, and there is no rain because they have sinned against you,...

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is Monday, so we’ll read from the Law. We’ll read Numbers 25-28  I’ll have some comments after the reading. And of course I’ll have an “On This Date In Church History” segment for you, too. I’m calling today’s episode “One Righteous Man.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Zach Vessels on Unsplash

Comments on Numbers 25

In Numbers 22-24 Balak tried to get Balaam to curse God’s people because was afraid that they were a threat to him because they were so numerous. He wanted to drive them from his land. Balak was sure that if Balaam would curse them, he would be able to defeat them. 

But God told Balaam that these were His people, and he should not curse them. God would not allow it. God protected His chosen people from outside threats.

But here in chapter 25, what happens? Israel brings a curse on themselves *from God* because of their own behavior.

They begin to commit sexual sin with the women of Moab, apparently in the service of their god of fertility, Baal-Peor.

I have often heard the argument that prostitution is a victimless crime, especially if both parties are willing participants. Of course that’s hogwash. But I’m not here to discuss prostitution and the damage it causes. What I do want to say is that God’s judgement on Israel as a result of this sin should tell you everything you need to know about how the God of the universe thinks about it.

God told Moses to  “Arrest all the leaders of the people, and hang them up before the Lord in broad daylight, so that the fierce anger of the Lord may be turned away from Israel.”

So those who had a responsibility to lead the people in righteousness, and who seem to have even participated in this great sin, were to be executed. And later in the chapter, we learn that God sent a plague on the rest of the people. Twenty-four thousand died from the plague, and it was only because Phinehas killed with a javelin one of the Israelites and the Midianite woman he was publicly having sex with at the entrance of the Tabernacle that God stopped the plague. 

Sexual immorality is not something that we should take lightly, beloved.

That’s the lesson that comes through loud and clear.

But there’s another lesson that I mentioned in passing at the beginning of my comments.

God did not allow Israel to be attacked from without. But because of moral and spiritual breakdowns within, they almost came to a terrible end. If it wasn’t for the zeal and indignation of Phinehas, the plague that God unleashed on them might have ended them.

It was the action of one righteous man that stopped the destruction of Israel.

Beloved. Hear me. We cannot stop praying for our nation. Look at what’s happening around us. Look at how far our morals have fallen. Look at the agenda of those who want to prey on our children with their perverse desire to confuse them as to whether they are boys or girls. This is is evil and perverse, completely counter to the clear teaching of scripture. Our nation is falling apart, beloved, in so many ways. Our election system is under attack. We have people in high political office that hate our way of life and the ideals that our nation was founded upon.

America is under attack from enemies within. It has survived attacks from without for over 200 years, but it is in danger of falling because of rampant immorality and hatred of God within.

We must not grow weary in our spiritual warfare, beloved. We must be strong. We must speak out. Some of us need to seek political office. All of us need to stand in the way of evil. With God’s help, we can make a difference. As Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, “3We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. 4We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.”

As Phinehas stopped God’s judgement on Israel, I believe we can stop God’s judgement on America. Perhaps we are in the final moments of time, and Jesus will soon return, but we don’t know that for sure. What we do know is that we are called to be salt and light. We are called to proclaim the name of the Lord. 

Will you stand? Will you speak out? Will you pray?

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 25 NLV, Ch. 26 NET, Ch. 27 HCSB, Ch. 28 GWT

Support

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.

Transcript

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00What happened?

INTRO S12E271 – 0:01The last show before the new shows. Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. Podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. Welcome. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year.

And yes, this show is pre-recorded partly because of my medical procedure which took place last Friday, and mainly because yesterday was the running of the Indianapolis 500. I love that race. So I decided that I take one more day off to watch it instead of producing a show. So this is being recorded on the evening before I check in for my cardiac ablation procedure on Friday, the 27th. Today is May 30 as you’re listening to the show, and I should be back almost-live on tomorrow’s show, Tuesday’s show. I’ll let you know how the procedure went. And you don’t mind if I’m taking an extra day to play hooky, do you? I hope not.

Alright, here we go with the show. Since today is Monday, we’ll read from the Law. We’ll read Numbers 25 to 28. I’ll have some comments after the reading and I’ll have an On This Date In Church History and a prayer at the end. I’m calling today’s episode “One Righteous Man”.

Show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e271. My email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s go.

NUMBERS 25 (NLV) – 1:31Numbers, chapter 25. (1) While Israel stayed at Shittim, the people were not faithful to the Lord and began to have sex with the daughters of Moab. (2) They asked the people of Israel to bring gifts to their gods, and the people ate and bowed down to their gods. (3) So Israel joined themselves to Baal of Peor, and the Lord was angry with Israel. (4) The Lord said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people, kill them, and put their bodies in the bright daylight before the Lord. Then the strong anger of the Lord may turn away from Israel.” (5) So Moses said to the judges of Israel, “Each of you kill his men who have joined themselves to Baal of Peor.”

(6) Then one of the people of Israel came and brought a Midianite woman to his family. Moses and all the people of Israel saw this while they were crying at the door of the meeting tent. (7) When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the religious leader, saw it, he rose up from among the people. He took a spear in his hand (8) and went after the man of Israel into the tent. Then he cut through the bodies of both the man of Israel and the woman. So the very bad disease that spread on the people of Israel was stopped. (9) Those who died because of this bad disease were 24,000.

(10) Then the Lord said to Moses, (11) “Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the religious leader, has turned My anger away from the people of Israel. He was jealous with My jealousy among them, so I did not destroy the people of Israel in My jealousy. (12) So say to them that I make this agreement of peace with Phinehas. (13) It will be an agreement for him and his children after him that they will always be religious leaders, because he was jealous for his God, and did what he was to do to pay for the sin of the people of Israel.”

(14) The name of the man of Israel who was killed with the Midianite woman was Zimri the son of Salu. He was a leader of a father’s house among the Simeonites. (15) The name of the Midianite woman who was killed was Cozbi the daughter of Zur. Zur was the head of the people of a father’s house in Midian.

(16) The Lord said to Moses, (17) “Be angry at the Midianites and fight against them. (18) For they have brought trouble to you with their false ways. They have fooled you and turned you to the wrong way. They have brought you trouble at Peor with Cozbi, the daughter of the leader of Midian, their sister. She was killed on the day the very bad disease came because of Peor.”

NUMBERS 26 (NET) – 4:04Numbers, chapter 26. (1) After the plague the Lord said to Moses and to Eleazar son of Aaron the priest, (2) “Take a census of the whole community of Israelites, from twenty years old and upward, by their clans, everyone who can serve in the army of Israel.” (3) So Moses and Eleazar the priest spoke with them in the plains of Moab, by the Jordan River across from Jericho. They said, (4) “Number the people from twenty years old and upward, just as the Lord commanded Moses and the Israelites who went out from the land of Egypt.”

(5) Reuben was the firstborn of Israel. The Reubenites: from Hanoch, the family of the Hanochites; from Pallu, the family of the Palluites; (6) from Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; from Carmi, the family of the Carmites. (7) These were the families of the Reubenites; and those numbered of them were 43,730. (8) Pallu’s descendant was Eliab. (9) Eliab’s descendants were Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. It was Dathan and Abiram who as leaders of the community rebelled against Moses and Aaron with the followers of Korah when they rebelled against the Lord. (10) The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and Korah at the time that company died, when the fire consumed 250 men. So they became a warning....

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is Epistles Sunday. We’ll begin the book of Hebrews by reading chapters 1-4  I’ll have some comments after the reading. And of course I’ll have an “On This Date In Church History” segment for you, too. I’m calling today’s episode “The Sweet Spot.“

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Steve Webb

Comments on Hebrews 1-4

Thoughts on Hebrews 1 and 2

We do not know the author of the book of Hebrews, but we do know to whom it was written: Christian Jews, and for their benefit (as well as ours), most of chapter one is dedicated to establishing who Jesus is in light of the Old Testament. 

Chapter 2 begins with this sentence: 1 Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.

Whenever I study the Bible and come across the word “therefore”, I ask myself, “What’s the therefore there for?” The word “therefore” is a link between two thoughts. It’s like saying “Because of what I just said, now I’m going to say this.” 

So in this case, the therefore refers to the message of chapter one, namely the truth of who Jesus is. 

Chapter two, verse one could say: “Since Jesus is God, we need to really pay close attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” 

I grew up here in southern California, and I lived within about a half hour’s drive to the beach. When I was in high school I learned how to surf. For some time, I would go surfing almost every day. When you’re surfing, you often spend a lot of time sitting on your board waiting for the next wave. Waves often come in sets, and there could be several minutes between sets. So you’re just sitting on your board, watching for the next set. 

Many times here in southern California, there are currents in the water that flow parallel to the beach. If you were standing on the sand looking out at the water, the current could be from left to right or right to left. 

Now, an interesting thing about these currents is that when you are in the current, you can’t feel it. You are carried along in the current at the exact same speed as the current, so you don’t have a feeling of movement. The only way you know you’re moving is if you look at some sort of landmark on the beach, you’ll see that you are moving in relation to that landmark. Maybe it’s a lifeguard tower, or a towel or big rock.  

Sometimes the current is quite strong. So if you are sitting on your board, you can easily be carried quite far from where you started. It takes no effort at all to find yourself 100 yards or more from where you began. To stay in that “sweet spot” you want to be in when the next set comes through, you have to continually be paddling against the current. It takes effort to stay close to the spot.

Or you’ll drift away.

“1 Therefore we must pay closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”

Beloved, we must put effort into our relationship with Jesus so that we do not drift away. If we ignore the teaching we have received, if we do not continually paddle our spiritual surfboard to fight the current of life that is continually trying to move us away from Him, we will find ourselves far away from where we want to be. Just because you are close to Him today does not guarantee that you will always be in the sweet spot. 

This is as true for a new believer as it is for an old codger like me who has been a believer for over 50 years. The current never goes away. We must continue to paddle that board to stay close to Jesus. 

Thoughts on Hebrews 3

The author, in chapter 3, compares Jesus to Moses. Why would he do that? Because the primary audience for the book is the Hebrew, or Jew, and Moses was their most highly regarded person. The author was explaining how and why Jesus was to be held in even higher regard. 

He does this by making some opening statements in the first six verses, then he refers back to Psalms chapter 95, a book from the OT, or as the Jews know it, the Torah. In doing this, he takes them to familiar ground. Psalm 95 is a warning to the Jews not to harden their hearts toward God as their ancestors did when Moses led them through the desert for 40 years. Because they did that, God did not allow them to enter the Promised Land. He waited until that entire generation passed away before allowing the next generation to receive the promise.

We humans tend to be forgetful, don’t we? When I was a new believer, the first time I attempted to read through the Bible and read about how God delivered the Jews from the Egyptian pharaoh and slavery, how God parted the Red Sea to make an escape route as they were being pursued by Pharaoh and his army, and how they soon turned to worshipping a golden calf when Moses was on the mountain receiving the tablets from the hand of God, I was amazed at how quickly they forgot the Lord. 

“How stupid can these people be,” I thought. “How can they forget the miraculous way that God delivered them? Why would they so quickly turn their backs on God?”

And then God spoke to my heart and said, “You do the same thing.”

And it was true. Being so young in my faith…I had only been a Christian for about five years…I knew there were times that I had forgotten God. I knew that I had already failed Him and decided to do my own thing. Yes, God is faithful, and when I asked forgiveness, He was quick to forgive. And as He gently spoke to my heart about how I was no different than the Jews who forgot Him, I realized that I was no better and no worse than them. I realized that I must make a concerted effort to stay close to Him, to make an effort to remember the times that He did something wonderful, and yes, miraculous for me. 

I wish I could say that since that day I never turned my back on God, but I would be lying. I was about 21 years old then, and I’ll be 68 soon. Over the years between then and now, I’m sorry to say that I have failed Him countless times. I’m not proud of it. Being a bit of a perfectionist, I hate falling short. Like the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 7:19: For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. And then, dropping down to verse 24: 24Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? 25Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! Yes, beloved, over the years I have learned, and I have grown ever more appreciative of His gift of forgiveness. 

He promises in His Word to forgive us, not because we deserve it, but because of what Jesus did for us. As I look back, I am amazed and humbled that God cares for me, but it is only because He sees me through the lens of the sacrifice of Jesus. The Father sees me as blameless. Psalm 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” 

Does God forgive? Oh yes, he does. Praise His name, yes He does! Hallelujah!

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1-4 NET

Support

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.

Transcript

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00Sometimes the current is quite strong.

INTRO S12E270 – 0:10Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. Podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. Welcome. I’m so glad to spend some time with you today. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year.

And this show is pre-recorded because of my medical procedure which took place this past Friday. I’m recording this actually on Thursday afternoon before the procedure on May 26, 2022. As you’re hearing this, I should be home feeling fine. The next almost-live episode should be coming to you on Tuesday when I’ll tell you how things went.

Alright on with the show. Today is Epistles Sunday. We’ll begin the book of Hebrews by reading chapters 1 through 4. I’ll have some comments after the reading. And of course, I’ll have an On This Date in Church History segment. I’m calling today’s episode, “The Sweet Spot”. If you’d like to make a comment on the show, go to the show notes page at lifespringmedia.com/s12e270. My email address is st***@*************ia.com. Now let’s get going.

HEBREWS 1 (NET) – 1:14Hebrews, chapter 1. (1) After God spoke long ago in various portions and in various ways to our ancestors through the prophets, (2) in these last days he has spoken to us in a son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he created the world. (3) The Son is the radiance of his glory and the representation of his essence, and he sustains all things by his powerful word, and so when he had accomplished cleansing for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (4) Thus he became so far better than the angels as he has inherited a name superior to theirs.

(5) For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my son! Today I have fathered you”? And in another place he says, “I will be his father and he will be my son.” (6) But when he again brings his firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all the angels of God worship him!” (7) And he says of the angels, “He makes his angels spirits and his ministers a flame of fire,” (8) but of the Son he says,

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever,and a righteous scepter is the scepter of your kingdom.(9) You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness.So God, your God, has anointed you over your companions with the oil of rejoicing.”

(10) And,

“You founded the earth in the beginning, Lord,and the heavens are the works of your hands.(11) They will perish, but you continue.And they will all grow old like a garment,(12) and like a robe you will fold them upand like a ga

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is gospel Saturday. We’ll finish the book of John by reading chapters 19-21. And next Saturday, we’ll begin reading the last book in what we’re calling the Gospels section of the Bible. The book of Acts. I’ll have an “On This Date In Church History” segment for you, too. And I have another praise to share with you today. I’m calling today’s episode “One Word.“  

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Mehdi-Thomas BOUTDARINE on Unsplash

Comments on John 20

In chapter 19 we read about the crucifixion of Jesus.

In chapter 20 we read about His resurrection.

In chapter 21 we read about some of the appearances of Jesus after the resurrection and before His ascension. 

Needless to say, every event spoken of in these three chapters is worthy of further comment, but there is just one word in these three chapters that gets to me every time I read it. One word. Can you guess what that word is?

Mary.

Here she is, standing at the opening of the tomb that had held Jesus’ broken body, utterly broken hearted that someone has apparently taken him away, and all she wants is for this person who she thinks is a gardener to tell her where they have taken him. She is weeping, and nearly inconsolable. All she can think of is finding her Lord.

How do I know this? Here’s how. In nearly every mention of a person coming in contact with an angel, we are told that the person is terrified. So many times, Scripture reports that the angel says, “Be not afraid.”

But here, Mary sees *two* angels sitting where Jesus’ body had been, and we don’t read anything about Mary being frightened at all. The angels asked Mary why she was crying, and she answers them like she was talking to a normal person. All she can think of is finding her Lord.

And then she turns around to leave, and Jesus is standing there. But she doesn’t recognize him. We aren’t told why. Maybe she couldn’t see clearly because of the tears in her eyes. Maybe she didn’t even look directly at him. Maybe her gaze was directed at the ground. Maybe Jesus’ appearance was altered in some way. Whatever the reason, she did not recognize Him.

So she said to him, ““Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him.”

And that’s when it happened. He said her name. “Mary.” In John 10:27 Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice…” There was something about the way Jesus said her name that made the reality of who this was standing in front of her cause her to cry “Teacher!”, and she either fell on her knees and hugged his legs, or just hugged Him while they were standing. Such a joyful scene! And now the tears were tears of happiness and relief!

Mary. She had heard Him say her name many times before, and no one said it like He did. Once she heard him say her name, there was no doubt. 

Both of my parents have been gone now for several years. But I can still hear what it sounded like when they said my name. I dare say, I will never forget the sound of their voices when they said, “Steven.” I’m guessing you can hear how someone you love says, or said, your name.

I don’t know what Jesus’ physical voice sounds like, but I have felt Him speak to me in that still, small voice. But oh, how I look forward to hearing His voice call my name when I see Him face to face.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 19 NCV, Ch. 20 CEB, Ch. 21 CEV

Support

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.

Transcript

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00And that’s when it happened.

INTRO S12E262 – 0:09Hi there. This is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California. And podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. Welcome. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Today is GOSPEL Saturday, so we’ll finish the book of John by reading chapters 19 through 21. Next Saturday, we’ll begin reading the last book in what we’re calling the Gospels section of the Bible. We’ll begin the book of Acts. Today after reading chapters 19 through 21, I’ll have some comments for you, and there will be an On This Date in Church History segment, and I’ve got another praise to share with you today. I’m calling today’s episode, “One Word”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e262, if you’d like to come in on the show, and my email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s get started.

JOHN 19 (NCV) – 1:03John, chapter 19. (1) Then Pilate ordered that Jesus be taken away and whipped. (2) The soldiers made a crown from some thorny branches and put it on Jesus’ head and put a purple robe around him. (3) Then they came to him many times and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and hit him in the face.

(4) Again Pilate came out and said to them, “Look, I am bringing Jesus out to you. I want you to know that I find nothing against him.” (5) So Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”

(6) When the leading priests and the guards saw Jesus, they shouted, “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

But Pilate answered, “Crucify him yourselves, because I find nothing against him.”

(7) The leaders answered, “We have a law that says he should die, because he said he is the Son of God.”

(8) When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid. (9) He went back inside the palace and asked Jesus, “Where do you come from?” But Jesus did not answer him. (10) Pilate said, “You refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know I have power to set you free and power to have you crucified?”

(11) Jesus answered, “The only power you have over me is the power given to you by God. The man who turned me in to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

(12) After this, Pilate tried to let Jesus go. But some in the crowd cried out, “Anyone who makes himself king is against Caesar. If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar.”

(13) When Pilate heard what they were saying, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at the place called The Stone Pavement. (In the Hebrew language the name is Gabbatha.) (14) It was about noon on Preparation Day of Passover week. Pilate said to the crowd, “Here is your king!”

(15) They shouted, “Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!”Pilate asked them, “Do you want me to crucify your king?”The leading priests answered, “The only king we have is Caesar.”

(16) So Pilate handed Jesus over to them to be crucified.

The soldiers took charge of Jesus. (17) Carrying his own cross, Jesus went out to a place called The Place of the Skull, which in the Hebrew language is called Golgotha. (18) There they crucified Jesus. They also crucified two other men, one on each side, with Jesus in the middle. (19) Pilate wrote a sign and put it on the cross. It read: jesus of nazareth, the king of the jews. (20) The sign was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. Many of the people read the sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city. (21) The leading priests said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews.’ But write, ‘This man said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ’ ”

(22) Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

(23) After the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes and divided them into four parts, with each soldier getting one part. They also took his long shirt, which was all one piece of cloth, woven from top to bottom. (24) So the soldiers said to each other, “We should not tear this into parts. Let’s throw lots to see who will get it.” This happened so that this Scripture would come true:

“They divided my clothes among them,and they threw lots for my clothing.”So the soldiers did this.

(25) Standing near his cross were Jesus’ mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. (26) When Jesus saw his mother and the follower he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, “Dear woman, here is your son.” (27) Then he said to his follower, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, the follower took her to live in his home.

(28) After this, Jesus knew that everything had been done. So that the Scripture would come true, he said, “I am thirsty.” (29) There was a jar full of vinegar there, so the soldiers soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a branch of a hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ mouth. (30) When Jesus tasted the vinegar, he said, “It is finished.” Then he bowed his head and died.

(31) This day was Preparation Day, and the next day was a special Sabbath day. Since the religious leaders did not want the bodies to stay on the cross on the Sabbath day, they asked Pilate to order that the legs of the men be broken and the bodies be taken away. (32) So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man on the cross beside Jesus. Then they broke the legs of the man on the other cross beside Jesus. (33) But when the soldiers came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. (34) But one of the soldiers stuck his spear into Jesus’ side, and at once blood and water came out. (35) (The one who saw this happen is the one who told us this, and whatever he says is true. And he knows that he tells the truth, and he tells it so that you might believe.) (36) These things happened to make the Scriptures come true: “Not one of his bones will be broken.” (37) And another Scripture says, “They will look at the one they stabbed.”

(38) Later, Joseph from Arimathea asked Pilate if he could take the body of Jesus. (Joseph was a secret follower of Jesus, because he was afraid of some of the leaders.) Pilate gave his permission,...

Transcript

Executive Producer

John

Podcast Introduction

Today is prophesy Friday,. We’ll read Amos 5-9. I’ll have a brief introduction before reading each chapter, and after the reading I’ll have some comments. And of course I’ll have an “On This Date In Church History” segment for you, too. I’m calling today’s episode  “God Is Not Hiding.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Maarten van den Heuvel on Unsplash

Comments on Amos

Thoughts on Amos 5

In chapter five, verse four, God tells Israel, “Seek me so you can live!” When we sincerely pursue a relationship with God, we will find Him and have eternal life. In the book of Jeremiah, God said, “If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened for you.” 

God is not hiding. He wants us to know Him, to trust Him, to love Him.

But we must seek him wholeheartedly as He said in Jeremiah. If we hold on to our old ways, He is not pleased. Further on in chapter five, He chastises the Israelites for their phony attempts to serve him while they remain in their sin. In verse 21 He tells them, “I absolutely despise your festivals! I get no pleasure from your religious assemblies!” And dropping down to verse 27 He says, “…I will drive you into exile beyond Damascus.”

Church attendance doesn’t fool God. We can fool those around us. We might even fool ourselves. But if we try to hold on to anything that is not pleasing to Him, He sees through the charade. We should continually take a spiritual inventory. We should ask Him to show us if there is anything in our life that is more important to us than He is, and help us to eliminate whatever it is. He wants to shower blessings on us, but we must be willing to have Him be on the throne in our lives. Him and only Him. 

Thoughts on Amos 9

7“Are you not as the sons of Ethiopia to Me,

O sons of Israel?” declares the Lord.

“Have I not brought up Israel from the land of Egypt,

And the Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir?

Amos 9:7 NASB

People of Ethiopia were thought by Israel to be distant and unimportant. In verse 7 God is saying, “Yes, I brought you out of Egypt, but I also brought he Philistines from Caphtor and the Arameans from Kir. Don’t be proud just because you are Jews.”

In verse 9, a shift begins to take place in the narrative:

9“For behold, I am commanding,

And I will shake the house of Israel among all nations

As grain is shaken in a sieve,

But not a kernel will fall to the ground.

Amos 9:9 NASB

Listen to Charles Spurgeon: “I think I see you, poor believer, tossed about like that wheat, up and down, right and left, in the sieve, and in the air, never resting. Perhaps it is suggested to you, ‘God is very angry with me.’ No, the farmer is not angry with his wheat when he casts it up and down in the sieve, and neither is God angry with you; this you shall see one day when the light shall show that love ruled in all your griefs.” 

This shaking in a sieve is a purification process. God is separating the wheat from the chaff. He is purifying His people.

11“In that day I will raise up the fallen booth of David,

And wall up its breaches;

I will also raise up its ruins

And rebuild it as in the days of old;

12That they may possess the remnant of Edom

And all the nations who are called by My name,”

Declares the Lord who does this.

Amos 9:11-12

Beginning in verse 11, the message is that God will restore the royal line of David. G. Campbell Morgan wrote: “It is now declared that the reason of the divine judgment is not revenge, but the only way in which it is possible to usher in the restored order on which the heart of God is set.”

Has the royal line of David been restored? Yes! Jesus the Messiah is from that line, and He will forever be on the throne!

The gist of these two verses is that God will restore David’s line (which He did in Jesus), and build a new Kingdom which will include not just the Jew, but all who declare the name of the Lord. 

Beloved, God is even now doing a great work, and we look ahead to that day when the troubles here pass away and the Lord brings the new Heaven and the new Earth.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 5-7 NET; Ch. 8-9 NASB

Support

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.

Transcript

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00Seek me so you can live.

INTRO S12E261 – 0:09This is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California. Podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. Welcome. How are you today? This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year and today is PROPHECY Friday, so we’ll read Amos 5 through 9. After the reading, I’ll have some comments for you. And we’ve got an On This Date in Church History segment as well. I’m calling today’s episode, “God Is Not Hiding”. The show notes page for today is lifespringmedia.com/s12e261. My email address is st***@*************ia.com. Now let’s get started.

AMOS 5 (NET) – 0:50Amos, chapter 5.

(1) Listen to this funeral song I am ready to sing about you, family of Israel:(2) “The virgin Israel has fallen down and will not get up again.She is abandoned on her own landwith no one to help her get up.”(3) The sovereign Lord says this:“The city that marches out with a thousand soldiers will have only a hundred left;the town that marches out with a hundred soldiers will have only ten left for the family of Israel.”(4) The Lord says this to the family of Israel:“Seek me so you can live!(5) Do not seek Bethel!Do not visit Gilgal!Do not journey down to Beer Sheba!For the people of Gilgal will certainly be carried into exile;and Bethel will become a place where disaster abounds.”(6) Seek the Lord so you can live!Otherwise he will break out like fire against Joseph’s family;the fire will consumeand no one will be able to quench it and save Bethel.(7) The Israelites turn justice into bitterness;they throw what is fair and right to the ground.(8) (But there is one who made the constellations Pleiades and Orion;he can turn the darkness into morningand daylight into night.He summons the water of the seasand pours it out on the earth’s surface.The Lord is his name!(9) He flashes destruction down upon the strongso that destruction overwhelms the fortified places.)(10) The Israelites hate anyone who arbitrates at the city gate;they despise anyone who speaks honestly.(11) Therefore, because you make the poor pay taxes on their cropsand exact a grain tax from them,you will not live in the houses you built with chiseled stone,nor will you drink the wine from the fine vineyards you planted.(12) Certainly I am aware of your many rebellious actsand your numerous sins.You torment the innocent, you take bribes,and you deny justice to the needy at the city gate.(13) For this reason whoever is smart keeps quiet in such a time,for it is an evil time.(14) Seek good and not evil so you can live!Then the Lord, the God who commands armies, just might be with you,as you claim he is.(15) Hate what is wrong, love what is right!Promote justice at the city gate!Maybe the Lord, the God who commands armies, will have mercy on those who are left from Joseph.(16) Because of Israel’s sins this is what the Lord, the God who commands armies, the sovereign One, says:“In all the squares there will be wailing,in all the streets they will mourn the dead.They will tell the field workers to lamentand the professional mourners to wail.(17) In all the vineyards there will be wailing,for I will pass through your midst,” says the Lord.(18) Woe to those who wish for the day of the Lord!Why do you want the Lord’s day of judgment to come?It will bring darkness, not light.(19) Disaster will be inescapable,as if a man ran from a lion only to meet a bear,then escaped into a house,leaned his hand against the wall,and was bitten by a poisonous snake.(20) Don’t you realize the Lord’s day of judgment will bring darkness, not light –gloomy blackness, not bright light?(21) “I absolutely despise your festivals!I get no pleasure from your religious assemblies!(22) Even if you offer me burnt and grain offerings, I will not be satisfied;I will not look with favor on your peace offerings of fattened calves.(23) Take away from me your noisy songs;I don’t want to hear the music of your stringed instruments.(24) Justice must flow like torrents of water,righteous actions like a stream that never dries up.(25) You did not bring me sacrifices and grain offerings during the forty years you spent in the wilderness, family of Israel.(26) You will pick up your images of Sikkuth, your king,and Kiyyun, your star god, which you made for yourselves,(27) and I will drive you into exile beyond Damascus,” says the Lord.He is called the God who commands armies!

AMOS 6 (NET) – 4:32Amos, chapter 6.

(1) Woe to those who live in ease in Zion,to those who feel secure on Mount Samaria.They think of themselves as the elite class of the best nation.The family of Israel looks to them for leadership.(2) They say to the people:“Journey over to Calneh and look at it!Then go from there to Hamath-Rabbah!Then go down to Gath of the Philistines!Are they superior to our two kingdoms?Is their territory larger than yours?”(3) You refuse to believe a day of disaster will come,but you establish a reign of violence.(4) They lie around on beds decorated with ivory,and sprawl out on their couches.They eat lambs from the flock,and calves from the middle of the pen.(5) They sing to the tune of stringed instruments;like David they invent musical instruments....

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is poetry Thursday, and we’re in Proverbs. We’ll read chapter 25. I’ll have a brief introduction before reading each chapter, and after the reading I’ll have some comments. And of course I’ll have an “On This Date In Church History” segment for you, too. I’m calling today’s episode  “I Will, Part 2.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Andrey Andreyev on Unsplash

Comments on Proverbs 25

Proverbs chapters 25-29 were proverbs of Solomon that were collected under the supervision of King Hezekiah of Judah, about 270 years after Solomon died.

21If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;

if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.

22In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head,

and the Lord will reward you.

Verse 21 is self-explanatory. But what does verse 22 mean?

Commentators over the years do not agree whether heaping coals on the head is a good thing or a bad thing, from the viewpoint of the enemy. It could be referring to a burning conviction that happens when we do something good for the enemy. Or perhaps the thought is of lending a burning coal to him to help light a fire for himself. The motivation, nonetheless is that we make a friend of an enemy, and we will receive a reward from the Lord.

Adam Clarke wrote in one of his commentaries, “Not to consume, but to melt him into kindness…”

Bruce Walke, a respected Old Testament scholar who has written an excellent two volume set of commentaries on the book of Proverbs, said, “Most commentators agree with Augustine and Jerome that the ‘coals of fire’ refers to ‘burning pangs of shame’ which a man will feel when good is returned for evil, his shame producing remorse and contrition.”

Whether the coals on his head is positive or negative, from the point of viewpoint of your enemy, is not the point. His attitude is not your concern; it does not change your responsibility. In this proverb God is telling us that we should be kind to our enemy. And isn’t that what Jesus said in Matthew 5:43-47?

43“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 

This is, of course, not an easy thing to do. At least it isn’t easy for me. But it is what we are called to do. And that is why we have the Holy Spirit. Through Him, we have the ability to love our enemies. The question is, will we? Do you remember yesterday’s episode…”I Will?” Loving our enemies is an act of will. It isn’t based on our emotions. It certainly is not as easy as deciding to praise the Lord, but it can be done.

Remember, to love is an action. It is things that we do. Obviously it helps if we feel good about the person. But even when we don’t we can do loving actions. And who knows, when we do those things, maybe we’ll build bridges.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 25 NIV

Support

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.

Transcript

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00Love is an action.

INTRO S12E260 – 0:09Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. And podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. Welcome. I’m glad you’re here today. I’m glad to be here today. I’m glad we’re together. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Today is POETRY Thursday, and we’re in Proverbs. We’ll read chapter 25. The title of today’s show is “I Will, Part 2”.

The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e260. My email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s begin.

PROVERBS 25 (NIV) – 0:47Proverbs, chapter 25.

(1) These are more proverbs of Solomon, compiled by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:(2) It is the glory of God to conceal a matter;to search out a matter is the glory of kings.(3) As the heavens are high and the earth is deep,so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.(4) Remove the dross from the silver,and a silversmith can produce a vessel;(5) remove wicked officials from the king’s presence,and his throne will be established through righteousness.(6) Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence,and do not claim a place among his great men;(7) it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”than for him to humiliate you before his nobles.What you have seen with your eyes(8) do not bring hastily to court,for what will you do in the endif your neighbor puts you to shame?(9) If you take your neighbor to court,do not betray another’s confidence,(10) or the one who hears it may shame youand the charge against you will stand.(11) Like apples of gold in settings of silveris a ruling rightly given.(12) Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine goldis the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.(13) Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest timeis a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;he refreshes the spirit of his master.(14) Like clouds and wind without rainis one who boasts of gifts never given.(15) Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,and a gentle tongue can break a bone.(16) If you find honey, eat just enough—too much of it, and you will vomit.(17) Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—too much of you, and they will hate you.(18) Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrowis one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.(19) Like a broken tooth or a lame footis reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.(20) Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,or like vinegar poured on a wound,is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.(21) If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat;if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.(22) In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you.(23) Like a north wind that brings unexpected rainis a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.(24) Better to live on a corner of the roofthan share a house with a quarrelsome wife.(25) Like cold water to a weary soulis good news from a distant land.(26) Like a muddied spring or a polluted wellare the righteous who give way to the wicked.(27) It is not good to eat too much honey,nor is it honorable to search out matters that are too deep.(28) Like a city whose walls are broken throughis a person who lacks self-control.

COMMENTS – 3:47Proverbs 25 is a set of Proverbs from 25 to 29 that were collected under the supervision of King Hezekiah of Judah about 270 years after Solomon died.

Let me read for you verses 21 and 22 again. “If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he’s thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head and the Lord will reward you.”

The first part of that verse 21 is self-explanatory. Give your enemy food and give him water. But 22, what does that mean? “In doing this you’ll heap burning coals on his head and the Lord will reward you?”

Well, commentators over the years have not agreed whether heaping coals on the head is a good thing or a bad thing from the viewpoint of the enemy. It could be referring to a burning conviction that happens in the heart of the enemy when we do something good for them. Or maybe the thought is of lending a burning coal to him to help him light a fire for himself. The motivation, nonetheless, is that we make a friend of an enemy and we will receive a reward from the Lord.

Adam Clarke wrote in one of his commentaries, quote, Not to consume but to melt him into kindness, unquote.

Bruce Waltke, a respected Old Testament scholar who’s written an excellent two-volume set of commentaries on the book of Proverbs said, quote, Most commentators agree with Augustine and Jerome, that the ‘coals of fire’ refers to ‘burning pangs of shame’, which a man will feel when good is returned for evil, his shame producing remorse and contrition.

Well, I don’t know. But whether the coals on his head is positive or negative from the viewpoint of your enemy really isn’t the point. His attitude is not your concern. It doesn’t change your responsibility. In this proverb, God is telling us that we should be kind to our enemy. And isn’t that really what Jesus said in Matthew 5:43-47? Here it is:

(43) You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. (44) But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! (45) In that way, you’ll be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. (46) If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much? (47) If you’re kind only to your friends? How are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that?”

Well, this is, of course, not an easy thing to do, at least not for me. Maybe you’re different. But it is what we are called to do. And that’s why we have the Holy Spirit. Because through him, we have the ability to love our enemies. The question is, will we? Do you remember yesterday’s episode, “I Will”? Loving our enemies is an act of will. It isn’t based on our emotions. It certainly is not as easy as deciding to praise the Lord as yesterday’s episode was about, but it can be done.

Remember, love is an action. It’s things that we do. Obviously,...