Thoughts

As we’ve already discussed on a previous episode, this book can be seen as an allegory about the relationship between Jesus as the bridegroom and the church as the bride. Obviously, discussing all the imagery is far beyond the scope of this podcast, but there are some really good commentaries available if you’re interested in digging deeper. It is well worth your time.

I Am My Beloved's

I would like to take a couple minutes to focus on chapter 7 verse 10, where the bride (or beloved as she is referred to in the translation we read from today) exclaims, “I am my beloved’s, and he desires me!”

She says this after he has told her the many ways that he finds her beautiful. It sort of reminds me of when Sally Field won the Oscar for Best Actress in 1985. She said, “You like me! You really like me!” Yes, it’s true. Despite our many flaws, Jesus finds us (the church) beautiful and worthy of His love. Romans 5:8 says “…God demonstrates his own love for us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

It Is Beyond Comprehension

I can’t imagine why, to be honest. What could He possibly find in us that would cause Him to give of Himself so completely? Why would such a holy and perfect God love me (and you) so much that He would give up the glories of Heaven for even an instant, to live amongst us on this tiny, dirty, sin-filled and rebellious speck in the vastness of the universe to ultimately be tortured and nailed to a cross like a common criminal? Why would he choose to take on my sins and yours? Why would he allow Himself to be utterly separated from God the Father because of me? 

The answer is truly beyond my understanding. His Word tells me, and I believe what the word says, that the only reason is because He loves me, and you. But why does He love us? 1 John 4:8 says simply “…because God is love.” Let that sink in. God. Is. Love. God is love. God is. Love. Not God *has* love, but God *is* love. It is His essence. It is who He is. God *is* love. And He loves you. And He loves me. 

 “I am my beloved’s, and he desires me!”

My Response

I don’t know about you, but my response to that kind of love is to reciprocate, to return that love as much as I can in my puny, imperfect, human way. But it thrills me to no end that He sees me as worthy of His attention. And above that, that He is working in me to refine me, to purify me, so that on that day when I see Him face-to-face, I will be the bride He desires.

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 7-8 NET

Support

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

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

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Dennis Groom on Unsplash

Thoughts

What Is Heaven Like?

What is your idea of what Heaven is like? What will we be doing? Of course we have no way of really knowing everything, but the Bible gives us some idea of at least part of what life will be like.

In the book of Revelation, chapter 5, verse 13 John tells us, “Then I heard all creatures in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea saying: ’To the One who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever.”

And in Revelation 7:9-10, “…there was a great number of people, so many that no one could count them. They were from every nation, tribe, people, and language of the earth. They were all standing before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. 10They were shouting in a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Revelation 19:5-8 says, “5Then a voice came from the throne, saying:“Praise our God, all you who serve him and all you who honor him, both small and great!”6Then I heard what sounded like a great many people, like the noise of flooding water, and like the noise of loud thunder. The people were saying:“Hallelujah!Our Lord God, the Almighty, rules.7Let us rejoice and be happyand give God glory,because the wedding of the Lamb has come,and the Lamb’s bride has made herself ready.8Fine linen, bright and clean, was given to her to wear.”

I think we’re going to be spending a great deal of time praising God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Encore!

Have you ever been at a concert where one of your favorite bands or musicians played? What happens at the end of the show? Usually the crowd stands and applauds, right? And they sometimes go on for several minutes until the band comes out to do an encore. Everyone is euphoric at what a good show it’s been.

Now imagine at the end of time as we know it, when everything here is wrapped up, and God has made all things right. He’s wiped every tear, and the enemy has been finally and eternally sent to his final destination, never to bring heartbreak and havoc again. Don’t you think we will all just break out in praise and celebration of the Lamb? Since we will have eternity, it won’t be a problem to spend a thousand years or even ten thousand years singing hallelujahs and rejoicing at what He has done.

Today’s closing chapters of Psalms were just a small warm up for what awaits us when we see God face to face. Holy. Holy. Holy is the Lamb. Hallelujah! Great is He who is the King of kings and Lord of lords!

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 149-150 NCV

Support

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

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

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Malcolm Lightbody on Unsplash

Thoughts

What Is Heaven Like?

What is your idea of what Heaven is like? What will we be doing? Of course we have no way of really knowing everything, but the Bible gives us some idea of at least part of what life will be like.

In the book of Revelation, chapter 5, verse 13 John tells us, “Then I heard all creatures in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea saying: ’To the One who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power forever and ever.”

And in Revelation 7:9-10, “…there was a great number of people, so many that no one could count them. They were from every nation, tribe, people, and language of the earth. They were all standing before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands. 10They were shouting in a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Revelation 19:5-8 says, “5Then a voice came from the throne, saying:“Praise our God, all you who serve him and all you who honor him, both small and great!”6Then I heard what sounded like a great many people, like the noise of flooding water, and like the noise of loud thunder. The people were saying:“Hallelujah!Our Lord God, the Almighty, rules.7Let us rejoice and be happyand give God glory,because the wedding of the Lamb has come,and the Lamb’s bride has made herself ready.8Fine linen, bright and clean, was given to her to wear.”

I think we’re going to be spending a great deal of time praising God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

Encore!

Have you ever been at a concert where one of your favorite bands or musicians played? What happens at the end of the show? Usually the crowd stands and applauds, right? And they sometimes go on for several minutes until the band comes out to do an encore. Everyone is euphoric at what a good show it’s been.

Now imagine at the end of time as we know it, when everything here is wrapped up, and God has made all things right. He’s wiped every tear, and the enemy has been finally and eternally sent to his final destination, never to bring heartbreak and havoc again. Don’t you think we will all just break out in praise and celebration of the Lamb? Since we will have eternity, it won’t be a problem to spend a thousand years or even ten thousand years singing hallelujahs and rejoicing at what He has done.

Today’s closing chapters of Psalms were just a small warm up for what awaits us when we see God face to face. Holy. Holy. Holy is the Lamb. Hallelujah! Great is He who is the King of kings and Lord of lords!

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 149-150 NCV

Support

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

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

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Malcolm Lightbody on Unsplash

Steve Webb here.

Pastor Bennett has asked me to let you know why he hasn’t released a podcast in the past several weeks. As you know, if you’ve been listening to his shows, he and his lovely wife moved from California to West Virginia a couple months ago to be closer to two of their daughters and their families. Well, Pastor and Mrs B have been living with one of their daughters, but they’ve been visiting the other daughter for the last few weeks, where he does not have his recording gear. In addition, Pastor B needs some surgery, and he is waiting for it to be scheduled. He’s in a bit of pain, and it’s difficult for him to get a podcast episode out. We don’t know exactly how long it will be before he’s able to get back into a routine, but I will keep you posted. I’m sure he would very much appreciate your prayers.

In the mean time, I encourage you to check out the other shows that are available here at lifespringmedia.com. I’ll be finishing up my reading through the bible in a year podcast this coming Sunday, but will be resuming production on the How To Pronounce Bible Names podcast in a week or two, after taking a short break from producing a show every day for the past year. But there are other great shows here at Lifespring Media that are what we call evergreen, meaning that they’re good any time, since they’re not based on current events, but instead, the Christian faith. So go have some fun and explore!

Stay subscribed here for Pastor B’s next episode, or for updates on when he will be able to get back to the studio.

Support

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

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

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Malcolm Lightbody on Unsplash

Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents

By Rod Dreher / Sentinel

Aleksandr Solzhenitzyn once noted that people often assume that their democratic government would never submit to totalitarianism---but Dreher says it's happening. Sounding the alarm about the insidious effects of identity politics, surveillance technology, psychological manipulation, and more, he equips contemporary Christian dissidents to see, judge, and act as they fight to resist the erosion of our freedoms. 304 pages, hardcover from Sentinel.

Steve Webb here.

Pastor Bennett has asked me to let you know why he hasn’t released a podcast in the past several weeks. As you know, if you’ve been listening to his shows, he and his lovely wife moved from California to West Virginia a couple months ago to be closer to two of their daughters and their families. Well, Pastor and Mrs B have been living with one of their daughters, but they’ve been visiting the other daughter for the last few weeks, where he does not have his recording gear. In addition, Pastor B needs some surgery, and he is waiting for it to be scheduled. He’s in a bit of pain, and it’s difficult for him to get a podcast episode out. We don’t know exactly how long it will be before he’s able to get back into a routine, but I will keep you posted. I’m sure he would very much appreciate your prayers.

In the mean time, I encourage you to check out the other shows that are available here at lifespringmedia.com. I’ll be finishing up my reading through the bible in a year podcast this coming Sunday, but will be resuming production on the How To Pronounce Bible Names podcast in a week or two, after taking a short break from producing a show every day for the past year. But there are other great shows here at Lifespring Media that are what we call evergreen, meaning that they’re good any time, since they’re not based on current events, but instead, the Christian faith. So go have some fun and explore!

Stay subscribed here for Pastor B’s next episode, or for updates on when he will be able to get back to the studio.

Support

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

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

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Malcolm Lightbody on Unsplash

Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents

By Rod Dreher / Sentinel

Aleksandr Solzhenitzyn once noted that people often assume that their democratic government would never submit to totalitarianism---but Dreher says it's happening. Sounding the alarm about the insidious effects of identity politics, surveillance technology, psychological manipulation, and more, he equips contemporary Christian dissidents to see, judge, and act as they fight to resist the erosion of our freedoms. 304 pages, hardcover from Sentinel.

Thoughts

How Involved Is God?

Do you believe that God orders events in the lives of people to accomplish His plans? There are some people who believe that once God finished His work of creation, He stepped away and let events on earth happen on their own. Seems like a foolish notion to me.

In Esther 6, we have an example of how God orchestrates the events of man for His purposes.

Insomnia

The king is unable to sleep on the very night that Haman is plotting to kill Mordecai, so he does what many of us do. He decides to read a book, hoping that will make him sleepy. Think of it. Ahasuerus is the king of the most powerful kingdom on earth, so he could have done almost anything for a diversion, but he chooses to read a book. He orders that a book of remembrances be brought to him. He had a kingdom of 127 provinces, so I can imagine that this book of remembrances had several volumes, can't you? But the person who was tasked with bringing the book brought the volume that included the account of how Mordecai saved the king from assassination. And the servant opened the book to the very page with that record. What are the odds? Well, with God, the odds are 100%. Without God, who knows? There had to have been many remembrances in the book, but on this specific night, this specific page was opened. 

Do you believe that God orders events in the lives of people to accomplish His plans? Of course He does.

Has God ever intervened in your life like this? Can you remember a time where the course of your life was changed by a seemingly random event?

A Story From My Life

Let me tell you about a time this happened to me.

It happened in 2004. It was a Saturday in September, I think. I turned on the radio to listen to a talk show about technology. It was normally a call-in type show where people would ask the host for help with their tech devices. But when I turned on the radio, the host was interviewing a guy, and the guy was telling the host about new thing he had invented where radio-type shows could be automatically downloaded to people's computers. And better still, every time a new show was created, the new episodes would just show up on their computers. And then, they could transfer the new shows to their portable mp3 player and listened to whenever they wanted. This idea sounded pretty interesting to me, having been in radio in the late 70s and early 80s. 

Of course, this new invention was podcasting. The interviewer was Leo Laporte and the interviewee was Adam Curry.

The Setup

Just a week or so before I heard this interview, I had asked God what more I could do to serve Him. I was already the tech guy at my church and putting a lot of time into that, but I wanted to do more for God since He had been so very good to me and had blessed me with a wonderful wife, great kids, a business that paid the bills and a home. I just wanted to be available to do whatever God had for me. I prayed and asked God what more I could do, and His answer was a very clear, almost audible, "Proclaim my name."

Phase One

So, was it just a random event when I heard Adam Curry telling Leo Laporte about podcasting? I don't think so. God prompted me to turn on the radio at just the right time, and on November 13, 2004 I uploaded the world's first Christian podcast to my church's website. Within days I received emails from around the world telling me stories of how God was using my podcast to bring them to Jesus. God was using my little podcast in miraculous ways. 

But Wait, There's More

Thoughts

How Involved Is God?

Do you believe that God orders events in the lives of people to accomplish His plans? There are some people who believe that once God finished His work of creation, He stepped away and let events on earth happen on their own. Seems like a foolish notion to me.

In Esther 6, we have an example of how God orchestrates the events of man for His purposes.

Insomnia

The king is unable to sleep on the very night that Haman is plotting to kill Mordecai, so he does what many of us do. He decides to read a book, hoping that will make him sleepy. Think of it. Ahasuerus is the king of the most powerful kingdom on earth, so he could have done almost anything for a diversion, but he chooses to read a book. He orders that a book of remembrances be brought to him. He had a kingdom of 127 provinces, so I can imagine that this book of remembrances had several volumes, can't you? But the person who was tasked with bringing the book brought the volume that included the account of how Mordecai saved the king from assassination. And the servant opened the book to the very page with that record. What are the odds? Well, with God, the odds are 100%. Without God, who knows? There had to have been many remembrances in the book, but on this specific night, this specific page was opened. 

Do you believe that God orders events in the lives of people to accomplish His plans? Of course He does.

Has God ever intervened in your life like this? Can you remember a time where the course of your life was changed by a seemingly random event?

A Story From My Life

Let me tell you about a time this happened to me.

It happened in 2004. It was a Saturday in September, I think. I turned on the radio to listen to a talk show about technology. It was normally a call-in type show where people would ask the host for help with their tech devices. But when I turned on the radio, the host was interviewing a guy, and the guy was telling the host about new thing he had invented where radio-type shows could be automatically downloaded to people's computers. And better still, every time a new show was created, the new episodes would just show up on their computers. And then, they could transfer the new shows to their portable mp3 player and listened to whenever they wanted. This idea sounded pretty interesting to me, having been in radio in the late 70s and early 80s. 

Of course, this new invention was podcasting. The interviewer was Leo Laporte and the interviewee was Adam Curry.

The Setup

Just a week or so before I heard this interview, I had asked God what more I could do to serve Him. I was already the tech guy at my church and putting a lot of time into that, but I wanted to do more for God since He had been so very good to me and had blessed me with a wonderful wife, great kids, a business that paid the bills and a home. I just wanted to be available to do whatever God had for me. I prayed and asked God what more I could do, and His answer was a very clear, almost audible, "Proclaim my name."

Phase One

So, was it just a random event when I heard Adam Curry telling Leo Laporte about podcasting? I don't think so. God prompted me to turn on the radio at just the right time, and on November 13, 2004 I uploaded the world's first Christian podcast to my church's website. Within days I received emails from around the world telling me stories of how God was using my podcast to bring them to Jesus. God was using my little podcast in miraculous ways. 

But Wait, There's More

Thoughts

Moses

Imagine the bittersweet thrill that it must have been for Moses to have God show him a view of the Promised Land from the top of Mount Nebo! It had to be disappointing not to get to go, but God had already told him, because of his disobedience at Kadesh as told in Numbers chapter 20, so he must have been somewhat used to the idea. But the thrill of actually seeing the land with his own eyes had to have been very satisfying.

The View From Mt. Nebo

Joshua

I’m going to talk a little about Joshua chapter 1 here, too because I think this point is important.

If you're Joshua, imagine the prospect of trying to fill Moses' shoes! I can only think that he must have been feeling a mixture of fear, inadequacy, excitement, and a host of other emotions. I'm pretty sure that's why God spoke to him and said, "Be strong and courageous! Don’t tremble or be terrified, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

How cool is it that God gave him that reassurance! I don't know about you, but if God gave me that sort of message, it would really help to give me a peace about whatever situation I was in. Oh. But of course God has done just that, hasn't He? The Bible is filled with God's promises to us. John 14:27 gives us these words from Jesus, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." And the apostle Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 3:16 says,

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you."

God Has Proven Himself To Me

And I can tell you from my own life that knowing God is there for me greatly helped my family and I last year when my middle son, Steven, nearly died. During those first few hours in the hospital while he was in surgery and then in the recovery room, LeeAnn and I cried out to God. And knowing He was there to hear us, knowing that whatever happened He was there for us, gave us a calm in the midst of the storm. 

God is faithful. Always.

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 32-33 CEB, Ch. 34 GWT

Support

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

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

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Richard Lee on Unsplash

Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents

By Rod Dreher / Sentinel

Aleksandr Solzhenitzyn once noted that people often assume that their democratic government would never submit to totalitarianism---but Dreher says it's happening.

Thoughts

Moses

Imagine the bittersweet thrill that it must have been for Moses to have God show him a view of the Promised Land from the top of Mount Nebo! It had to be disappointing not to get to go, but God had already told him, because of his disobedience at Kadesh as told in Numbers chapter 20, so he must have been somewhat used to the idea. But the thrill of actually seeing the land with his own eyes had to have been very satisfying.

The View From Mt. Nebo

Joshua

I’m going to talk a little about Joshua chapter 1 here, too because I think this point is important.

If you're Joshua, imagine the prospect of trying to fill Moses' shoes! I can only think that he must have been feeling a mixture of fear, inadequacy, excitement, and a host of other emotions. I'm pretty sure that's why God spoke to him and said, "Be strong and courageous! Don’t tremble or be terrified, because the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

How cool is it that God gave him that reassurance! I don't know about you, but if God gave me that sort of message, it would really help to give me a peace about whatever situation I was in. Oh. But of course God has done just that, hasn't He? The Bible is filled with God's promises to us. John 14:27 gives us these words from Jesus, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." And the apostle Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 3:16 says,

"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you."

God Has Proven Himself To Me

And I can tell you from my own life that knowing God is there for me greatly helped my family and I last year when my middle son, Steven, nearly died. During those first few hours in the hospital while he was in surgery and then in the recovery room, LeeAnn and I cried out to God. And knowing He was there to hear us, knowing that whatever happened He was there for us, gave us a calm in the midst of the storm. 

God is faithful. Always.

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 32-33 CEB, Ch. 34 GWT

Support

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

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

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Richard Lee on Unsplash

Live Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian Dissidents

By Rod Dreher / Sentinel

Aleksandr Solzhenitzyn once noted that people often assume that their democratic government would never submit to totalitarianism---but Dreher says it's happening.

Thoughts

Current As Today's News

It’s amazing, isn’t it, how a letter written more than 2,000 years ago sounds so current?

We Are Under Attack

Jude talks about the importance of standing up for the faith. Never has it more important to do that than it is today, when Christianity is under attack as it has not been in many years, and never, I believe as it has been here in the United States. I’ve heard it said that Christianity is always only one generation away from extinction. If we don’t stand up, if we don’t share our faith with the next generation, there will be no one to share the Good News of a Risen Savior.

We Have A Mission

But of course we know that God has promised to always have a remnant in each generation, so that won’t happen. But that does not take away our responsibility to heed what Jesus said just before he ascended into Heaven.

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. So you must go and make disciples of all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And you can be sure that I am always with you, to the very end.Matthew 28:18-20 NIRV

This is the great commission. This is the job he gave to each of us. He didn’t say to do this when it is easy, or convenient, or politically correct. There was no opportunity given for a way out of doing everything we can to accomplish the job. We must do what Jesus said.

Guard Against False Teaching

And Jude spoke, as others did, about false teachers. But here, Jude talked about those who abuse God’s grace and excuse sexual sin. Doesn’t that sound familiar? Today they say, “How could a loving God condemn me for who I love? This is the way He made me.” Which addresses the point Jude made about how they “do what comes naturally to them”.

Listen, it might “come naturally” to me to have multiple women. But that is not God’s plan, and I chose to follow God’s teaching about marriage and I am joyously faithful to one wife.

Remain

Jude encourages the believers to remain in God’s love. To pray with the leading of the Holy Spirit and to live lives that please God, and praise Him for who He is, and praise Jesus Christ our Lord.

Jude’s message was written to the early church, the church of today, and the church of tomorrow without a doubt.

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 1 NIRV

Support

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

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

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Todd Cravens on Unsplash