Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 12-15 NIV; Ch. 16 NLV

Podcast Introduction

This is Prophecy Friday, and we’ll read Jeremiah 12-16. I’ll I’m calling this episode ˆGod Can Take It.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Marek Piwnicki on Unsplash

Comments on Jeremiah 15

Have you ever done something that you know must have disappointed the Lord? Have you ever gotten angry at God and cried out, “It just isn’t fair! YOU aren’t fair, God!” 

How do you think God reacts to us when we do that?

Here in chapter 15, Jeremiah was complaining about how he had been mistreated by the people. They didn’t like his message, and they took it out on him. And Jeremiah said, in essence, “Hey God. I have served you and done what you said. I have loved you and I have loved your Word. I’ve lived right and kept my nose clean. So why am I going through all this junk? Why is my pain without end? You, God, have misled me! I cannot rely on you!”

How’s that for a tantrum? Have you ever thrown a tantrum like that at God? 

So let’s look at God’s response. 

Look at chapter 15, verses 19-21. God says, “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me; if you utter worthy, not worthless, words, you will be my spokesman. Let this people turn to you, but you must not turn to them. I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you,” declares the Lord. “I will save you from the hands of the wicked and deliver you from the grasp of the cruel.”

Notice that God doesn’t respond in kind. He doesn’t respond with frustration or anger. He just says, “Jeremiah, if you apologize for this little episode, we’re good. I’ll keep using you as my spokesman, and I guarantee that no harm will come to you because I will save you from the wicked.”

So God can take it when we have a lapse in faith and blow up at Him. He knows how it feels to be human, and how our emotions can get the best of us sometimes. Remember, He is our loving, perfect Father. He doesn’t hold grudges, but He does expect a certain amount of respect and reverence when we come to our senses.

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Transcript

Download .txt file.

Transcript corrected by Sister Denise

Jeremiah 12-16: God Can Take It (LSOYB S13E104)

[TEASER - 0:00]Why am I going through all this junk?

[INTRO S13E104 - 0:10]Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring One Year Bible, formerly the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, and podcasting since 2004, I'm your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily podcast where we'll read through the entire Bible in a year. And this is Prophecy Friday. We'll read Jeremiah 12 through 16. I'm calling the episode "God Can Take It."

Before we read, Let's pray.

Our heavenly Father, we are so thankful for your Word. And we thank you that you reveal your character to us through your Word. I pray that as we read today, you would open our eyes, open our minds and teach us. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

All right, Beloved, are you ready? Let's go.

[JEREMIAH 12 (NIV) - 0:56]Jeremiah, chapter 12.

(1) You are always righteous, Lord,when I bring a case before you.Yet I would speak to you about your justice:Why does the way of the wicked prosper?Why do all the faithless live at ease?(2) You have planted them, and they have taken root;they grow and bear fruit.You are always on their lipsbut far from their hearts.(3) Yet you know me, Lord;you see me and test my thoughts about you.Drag them off like sheep to be butchered!Set them apart for the day of slaughter!

Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 29-30 NLT

Associate Producer

Howie

Podcast Introduction

This is Poetry Thursday, and we’ll read Job 29-30. I’ll I’m calling this episode ˆGloomy Gus.”

Design: Scott Snider | Photo: Patrick Fore on Unsplash

Comments on Job 29-30

Doesn’t you heart just really go out to Job? My goodness. The poor guy remembers what life was like before his afflictions came, and He speaks of the horrible physical, emotional and spiritual pain he is in. How could anybody not feel bad for him?

Speaking of his pain. I’ve never experienced anything near the physical pain that Job suffered, but I have gone through a few excruciating episodes. I have a back that every once in a while decides to lay me out. The pain can be so bad that I need help to stand up. 

And I’ve had bouts of kidney stones. Oh my goodness. Talk about excruciating. The first time it happened to me, I didn’t know what was going on. I thought I was dying. I went to the ER and of course they knew right away what was going on, and they gave me a shot of morphine. 

Now, I’m not a drug user, so you’d think that morphine would have an effect on me, right? Nope. It did nothing to ease my pain. So they gave me another hit. After a few minutes, the pain went from a ten to maybe a seven. But they weren’t going to give me any more morphine.

And a few years ago I broke my ankle and tore some ligaments in my knee in a motorcycle accident. I was laid up for more than three months, and it took much longer than that to regain my mobility.

I tell you all this to say that when I’m in really bad pain, my personality has a tendency to shift just a bit. Instead of the nice guy that you’ve come to know and love here on the show, I can get…shall we say…snippy. And my normally sunshiny disposition changes to gloom. I’m sure I’m going to die at any moment. 

I’m a terrible patient. 

So given what Job was experiencing, I don’t think we can really hold against him the accusations he made against God in the 30th chapter. Job said God had become cruel toward him, that He used his power to persecute him, and so forth. Of course we know that the attacks on Job came from Satan, and even Job (when he was in his right mind) knew that God was his redeemer. But Job had come to the end of his rope. 

I get it. He was, after all, just a man.

Over the next few chapters we’ll hear from Elihu, the last of Job’s friends that came to visit him. And then it’ll be God’s turn. What God says to Job is one of my favorite parts of the Bible.

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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

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Transcript corrected by Sister Denise

Job 29-30: Gloomy Gus (LSOYB S13E103)

[TEASER - 0:00]I just feel like I'm gonna die at any moment

[INTRO S13E103 - 0:10]Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring One Year Bible, formerly the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, and podcasting since 2004, I'm your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily podcast where we are reading through the entire Bible in a year and it's Poetry Thursday. We will read Job 29 and 30. I'm calling the episode “Gloomy Gus.”

Before we read, let's pray.

Our heavenly Father, as we read today, please show us what you want us to learn from the life of Job. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Okay, let's begin.

[JOB 29 (NLT) - 0:48]Job, chapter 29.

(1) Job continued speaking:

(2) “I long for the years gone bywhen God took care of me,(3) when he lit up the way before meand I walked safely through the darkness.(4) When I was in my prime,God’s friendship was felt in my home.(5) The Almighty was still with me,

Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 42 ERV; Ch. 43 NKJV; Ch. 44 CEV

Podcast Introduction

This is Psalms Wednesday, and we’ll read Chapters 42-44. I’ll I’m calling this episode ˆAre You Thirsty?”

Design: SWS and Steve Webb | Photo: Aaron Burden on Unsplash

Comments on Psalms 42-44

Introduction to Psalm 42

This is the first psalm of Book Two of Psalms. There are certainly differences between books one and two. One difference is the Hebrew word for God. Commentator James Montgomery Boice wrote, “According to Franz Delitsch, in book one the name Jehovah occurs 272 times and Elohim only 15. But in book two, Elohim occurs 164 times and Jehovah only 30 times.”  

In Book One, David is the author of all but four of the 41 psalms, with those four having no attributions. In Book Two, which contains 31 chapters, David wrote eighteen, Asaph and Solomon each wrote one, the sons of Korah authored seven or eight, and three have no attribution.

The title of Psalm 42 is “To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation of the sons of Korah”. Who were the sons of Korah?

They were Levites from the tribe of Kohath, and according to 1 Chronicles 20:19 they “…stood up to praise the LORD God of Israel with voices loud and high...” in the temple, so it appears that they were part of what we might call the worship band.

Introduction to Psalm 43

This psalm has no title, and there is no indication of who the writer is. G. Campbell Morgan wrote, “This psalm is either a part of the previous one or is closely connected with it.” As a matter of fact, many ancient Hebrew manuscripts have Psalms 42 and 43 combined into just one psalm. 

Introduction to Psalm 44

This psalm's title is "To the Chief Musician. A Contemplation Of the sons of Korah."

The writers speak of a time of defeat for the nation, and they ask God to deliver them, to rescue them. We don't know the specific time it was written.

Thoughts on Psalms 42

More years ago than I care to remember, I was an apprentice carpenter. The first job I was on was building condominiums in Palm Desert, California. Palm Desert is next door to Palm Springs. So as you might think from the name of the town, Palm Desert is indeed in the  Southern California desert. And as luck would have it, this project was in the summer. I looked up the temperatures in July and August 1978, the year I had this job. Most every day the temperature reached 110 degrees. We would begin our day’s work at 5 am, if memory serves, when the temperature was only about 85, but once the sun came up, the mercury would quickly rise.

Verse 1 and 2 in the NLT more accurately captures the author’s meaning than our translation today, the ERV. It says, “As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God. 2I thirst for God, the living God.”

This verse is inextricably tied in my mind to my time as a carpenter’s apprentice in Palm Desert. I know what it’s like to long for fresh, cold water. 

And there have been times in my life where I felt that, spiritually, I was in a desert. Separated from God. Of course, when I feel a disconnect from God, it’s my fault, because God doesn’t change….He certainly didn’t go anywhere. If someone drifted away, I’m the drifter. But God is faithful. He lets me do what I do. And as a good Father, He lets me feel the consequences of my wandering ways. And without fail, I begin to thirst, I begin to long for His presence again. 

I recently told you about, and asked you to pray for my son who has declared that he is now an atheist. The fervent and ongoing prayers of LeeAnn and I for him are that he would experience this same longing for God that the authors of this psalm wrote about, and that I myself have experienced. A deer is driven by thirst to that cool stream of water. My prayer is that my son will be driven to the refreshing arms of a loving God.

Is there anyone in your life like this?

Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 21-22 GNT, Ch. 23-25 NIRV

Podcast Introduction

This is History Tuesday, and we’ll read 1 Samuel 21-25.. I’m calling this episode ˆWaiting For the Right Time.”

Design: SWS and Steve Webb | Photo: Juli Kosolapova on Unsplash

Comments on 1 Samuel 23 and 24

In chapter 23, we saw that Saul was still after David, and he almost had him, but God intervened with the report of the Philistines attacking the land.

And then in chapter 24, we saw that David had the perfect opportunity to take Saul out, but David spared Saul’s life because Saul was still God's anointed king.

David had been anointed to *become* the king of Israel. God chose him, but He had not chosen to remove Saul just yet. 

God’s timing is rarely our timing. Remember His promise to Abram that He would make him a great nation. Abraham waited twenty-five years for the birth of his first son. David knew that it was not his place to rush God. He knew that when God made a promise, He would fulfill it in His time.

In our age of nearly instant gratification, we are not very good at waiting. We want it NOW. But waiting can be a good thing. Maybe we’re not ready to receive the thing we want. Maybe it isn’t something that we should have. If it *is* for us to have, maybe God is testing our faith. 

There is a phrase that we see in the Bible. Have you heard it? “In the fullness of time”. In the fullness of time. So many things in our lives depend on the fullness of time. A child comes in the fullness of time. A new job comes in the fullness of time. My children moved out of the shelter of our home in the fullness of time. 

None of these things could be, or should be rushed. God knows what the perfect time is. And He knows what the perfect time is for you.

Are you waiting for something? Are you impatient for that thing to happen? It will, in the fullness of time. Wait on God. Go about your life, serving Him, loving Him, following Him. In the fullness of time, God will bring it to you.

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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.

Transcript corrected by Sister Denise

1 Samuel 21-25: Waiting For the Right Time (LSOYB S13E101)

[TEASER - 0:00]We are not very good at waiting, are we?

[INTRO S13E101 - 0:09]Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring One Year Bible, formerly the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. More about that in a minute. And podcasting since 2004, I'm your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. I haven't gone anywhere. This is a daily podcast where yes, we will read through the entire Bible in one year. This is History Tuesday, and we'll read 1 Samuel 21 through 25. I'm calling the episode “Waiting for the Right Time.”

This is episode 101 of the season and I've made an executive decision. Yes, I'm changing the name of the show. Why? Well, I did it so that when people search for a one-year-Bible podcast, of which there are many, this show will be included in the results, I would have thought that with well over 2000 episodes of the show still available at lifespringmedia.com, the Lifespring Family Audio Bible would be high on a search result. How foolish of me. This show doesn't even show up because "one year" is not in the show title. And as you know, if you don't show up in a search, practically you don't exist.

Nothing else is gonna change about the show. And we are still family. The Lifespring family is incredibly important to me. It's just that when people are looking for a read-the-Bible-through-in-a-year podcast, I'd like them to be able to find us. What do you think? If you have any thoughts or comments, I'd love to hear from you.

Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 5-6 NIV; Ch. 7 LEB

Podcast Introduction

This is the Law Monday, and we’ll read Exodus 5-8 . I’m calling this episode “Do You Believe In Magic?”

Design: SWS | Photo: Esteban Castle on Unsplash

Comments on Exodus 7 & 8

Ever since I was about six years old, I have been a fan of magic tricks. The first time I remember seeing a magic trick was when I was with my parents somewhere, and an old guy on the street showed me a quarter in his hand, put the quarter in the pocket of his trousers, and then pulled the quarter out from the bottom of his pocket, right through the material of his pants, without making a hole. From that moment on, I have been fascinated with “magic”.

I remember there used to be a mail order catalog from a guy named Vick Lawston, out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. I used to look through that catalog cover-to-cover, wishing I could order all of these tricks to amaze and astound my friends. I actually did order a few of them. 

And then when I was a little older, on a trip to Disneyland, I discovered that there were two magic shops in the park! One on Main Street, and one in Sleeping Beauty’s castle. That was my favorite one. I bought several tricks there over the years. 

I loved watching magicians on stage. I remember seeing several big names perform, in person. Harry Blackstone, Jr. David Copperfield, and others. 

It’s amazing how, if you suspend disbelief, the tricks they do can seem real. But once you know how the tricks are done, the magic is over. It’s just fun to watch their craftsmanship.

But sometimes, even though I know how many of the tricks are done, every once in a while I will see a trick that defies explanation. There seems to be no way to explain how this illusion could be done.

In chapters 7 and 8 today, we read that the Egyptian sorcerers were able to duplicate the miracles that God did through Moses and Aaron. How could they do that?

Scholars differ in their answers. Can you guess what their answers are? There are basically two possibilities. The first possibility is that they actually did miracles, and the second possibility is that they faked them…they did magic tricks, or illusions.

Let’s quickly tackle the second possibility. The first miracle was turning the staff into a snake. Some have said that this could have been some sort of snake charming trick, where the snake was somehow trained to appear to be a rigid staff, and then relax and just do what snakes do. Turning the water to blood could just be done with dye. And the plague of frogs might just be explained by asking, “If there were frogs everywhere, how would they know that now there were more frogs everywhere?”

Perhaps.

Now let’s look at the first possibility. The sorcerers really did miracles. Is that possible? Can people really do miracles? Miracles that aren’t from God?

What does scripture say? 

Well, Satan is called the father of lies in John 8:44. And we are told in 2 Corinthians 11:14 that he can make himself appear as an angel of light. 

2 Thessalonians 2:9 says that the Antichrist “will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders”, and that he will do it through the power of Satan. Jesus says in Matthew 24:24 that in the end times, false prophets will “appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive”.

So, it is actually possible that the Egyptian sorcerers did to miracles, as they were enabled by Satan. But we must also understand that even though the enemy is powerful, his power is limited. There are things that he cannot do. What limits him? God does. Just as we read in the book of Job, God limited Satan in what he could do to Job. 

Perhaps God allowed the miracles to be performed by the Egyptian sorcerers for the hardening of Pharaoh’s heart. But remember, when the miracle of the gnats happened, the sorcerers were not able to duplicate it.

Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 13 CEB; Ch. 14 HCSB

Podcast Introduction

This is Epistles Sunday. We’ll read 1 Corinthians 13-14 . I’m calling this episode “This Is Love.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Rémi Walle on Unsplash

Comments on 1 Corinthians 13

In the 13th chapter, which is often called the “Love Chapter”, Paul continues addressing the church in regards to division and gifts. What he tells them is that it doesn’t matter what gift you have, if you don’t have love. If there is love, you won’t have the problem fighting over who has what gift or which gift is better. And to make it clear, he delineates what love looks like. Love is not that mushy feeling of butterflies in your stomach you got with your first high school crush. Love is much more than that, and Paul is very specific about what it is. I hesitate to even begin to boil it down into just a few words, because his description is so dead on, but I’ll do it anyway. Love is not about what makes me feel good. Love is about what I can do for the benefit of the object of my love. Even when it’s difficult, or when that other person is unloveable. Love keeps going. 

Beloved, we don’t see much love in the world today, do we? We are living in turbulent times. What we do see a lot of is hate, I'm sorry to say. 

If we want peace, if we want love, we are not going to get it by arguing or confronting. We need to pray for changed hearts. How are hearts changed? Only by the Spirit of God. But He uses people to bring His message to people, planting seeds so that the Holy Spirit can cause them to grow and bear fruit. Paul said in Romans 10:17 “So then, faith comes by hearing, and hearing (comes) through the Word of God.” 

Hearts are changed one at a time. I was saved as a teenager. I can point to a church service I was in when I publicly declared my faith, but I had really made the decision much earlier. It was from dozens and dozens of conversations with my friend Del Brixey, who invited me to that church. From listening to our pastor’s messages. From attending a Christian kindergarten. From seeing faith in Christ lived out in so many people, and on and on. My faith was built a little at a time from hearing the Word of God in many different ways.  

Beloved, we should be praying each and every day, asking God to show us how we can love our neighbor. How we can share the message of hope, love and Good News. Because until we do that, hearts will not be changed. The world needs God now, more than ever.

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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.

Transcript corrected by Sister Denise

1 Corinthians 13-14: This Is Love (LSFAB S13E099)

[TEASER - 0:00]Hearts are changed one at a time.

[INTRO S13E099 - 0:10]It's a Sunday edition of the Lifespring Family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California. Podcasting since 2004, I'm your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is a daily podcast and we're reading through the entire Bible in a year. Can you believe it? Well, you should. This is the 13th season. I'm glad to have you along. Since this is Sunday, we'll read from the Epistles. And our specific reading today is 1 Corinthians 13 through 14. Also being Sunday we'll have a time of prayer and praises.

But before we read, let's pray.

Our loving gracious heavenly Father, we thank you so much for the chapters that we're about to read, for the description of love you gave to the Apostle Paul to teach us what love is. Teach us as we pray, Lord. I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

All right, let's get to it.

[1 CORINTHIANS 13 (CEB) - 1:00]1 Corinthians, chapter 13.

(1) If I speak in tongues of human beings and of...

Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 7 WEB; Ch. 8 NLV

Associate Producer

Anonymous, Michael Haner

Podcast Introduction

This is Prophecy Friday. We’ll read Mark 7-8. I’m calling the episode “Bad Advice.”

Design: SWS | Photo: Alicia Quan on Unsplash

Comments on Mark 7

Have you ever heard the advice: “Follow your heart”, or when pondering a difficult decision, have you been asked, “What does your heart say?”. You probably have. 

How does that jive with scripture? Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

What did Jesus say about the heart?

Today in Mark chapter 7, verses 14 through 23, Jesus talked about what it is that defiles a person. Jesus was speaking to the crowd here, and what He said here was new information

He said, “…there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man.”

Most of the people in the crowd were Jews, and you can be sure that some who were listening were Jewish leaders, well versed in the Law. And from a very young age, these people were taught that there were certain things that would defile them if touched, among them: a dead body, certain skin diseases, bodily fluids, unclean foods. 

In this instance, Jesus is talking about eating foods that some would consider unclean. And He says that what you eat does not make you unclean, or defiled. He says that what comes out of a person is what defiles him. 

Later, when Jesus and the disciples were away from the crowd, they asked Him to explain. He said that food doesn’t go into the heart, but into the stomach and then is eliminated. It’s what comes out of the heart that makes a person defiled, because that’s were evil thoughts, murder, sensuality, envy, pride and all sorts of evil things come from.

That’s why Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”

The thoughts and ideas we entertain can either help us conform to Jesus or to the world. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” 

What are your thoughts centered on? What comes from your heart?

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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.

Transcript corrected by Sister Denise

Mark 7-8: Bad Advice (LSFAB S13E098)

[TEASER - 0:00]What does your heart say?

[INTRO S13E098 - 0:09]Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, and coming to you since 2004, I'm your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is a daily podcast where we'll read through the entire Bible in a year. Today is Gospel Saturday. We'll read Mark 7 and 8. I'm calling the episode "Bad Advice."

Before we read, let's pray.

Our heavenly Father, Lord, we ask you to bless this time around your Word as we read today. We pray this in Jesus' name, amen.

Okay, let's begin.

[MARK 7 (WEB) - 0:41]Mark, chapter 7.

(1) Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered together to him, having come from Jerusalem. (2) Now when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with defiled, that is unwashed, hands, they found fault. (3) (For the Pharisees and all the Jews don’t eat unless they wash their hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the elders. (4) They don’t eat when they come from the marketplace unless they bathe themselves, and there are many other things which they have received to hold to: washings of cups, pitchers, bronze vessels, and couches.) (5) The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why don’t your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders,

Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 7-9 NIRV; Ch. 10-11 NIV

Associate Producer

Lifespring! Family Berean, Brother Paul of Seattle

Podcast Introduction

Prophecy Friday. We’ll read Jeremiah 7-11. I’m calling the episode “Reason To Boast.”

Design: SWS | Photo: Laurice Manaligod on Unsplash

Comments on Jeremiah 9

We read today a lot of God telling Jeremiah of the judgement He was going to bring on Israel because of their rebellion, didn’t we? God listed so many reasons He was angry with them. He said, I told your ancestors, whom I brought out of Egypt, that all they needed to do was follow my commands, and I will be your God, and you will live in a land flowing with milk and honey. But if you do not follow me, I will cast you out of the land and you will lose everything. And most of the chapters elaborated on this basic theme, right?

But did you notice what God said in the ninth chapter? Starting at verse 23, 23The Lord says, “Do not let wise people brag about how wise they are. Do not let strong people boast about how strong they are. Do not let rich people brag about how rich they are. “24But here is what the one who brags should boast about. They should brag that they have the understanding to know me. I want them to know that I am the Lord. No matter what I do on earth, I am always kind, fair and right. And I take delight in this,” announces the Lord.”

This is what delights the Lord, not judgement. He does not bring wrath and judgement because He delights in it. He does it because He must. He is a God of Righteousness and Holiness. If He let rebellion and cruelty and the rest go unpunished, He would be no better than the worst human that ever existed. He would not be God.

But our God does delight in those who seek Him, who follow Him. Who desire to know Him. I'm so glad that He is not a God who hides who He is. He has shown through all of human history that He wants to be known, and He even sent His only begotten Son to show us who He is, and how much He wants us to spend eternity with Him.

That is a God whom I find easy to love. How about you?

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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.

Transcript corrected by Sister Denise

Jeremiah 7-11: Reason To Boast (LSFAB S13E097)

[TEASER - 0:00]He would not be God.

[INTRO S13E097 - 0:09]You found it! The Lifespring Family Audio Bible, coming to you from Riverside, California. Podcasting since 2004, I'm your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily podcast where we're reading through the entire Bible in a year. Today is Prophecy Friday and our reading will be Jeremiah 7 through 11. I'm calling the episode "Reason to Boast."

Before we read, let's pray.

Our gracious heavenly Father, we thank you for your Word. And we asked you to bless us and teach us as we read. I pray this in Jesus' name, Amen.

All right, let's begin.

[JEREMIAH 7 (NIRV) - 0:43]Jeremiah, chapter 7.

(1) A message came to me from the Lord. He said,

(2) "Stand at the gate of my house. Announce my message to the people there. Say,

" 'Listen to the LORD's message, all of you people of Judah. You always come through these gates to worship the Lord.(3) The God of Israel is speaking to you. He is the LORD who rules over all. He says, "Change the way you live and act. Then I will let you live in this place.(4) " ' "Do not trust in lies. Do not say, 'This is the temple of the Lord! This is the temple of the Lord! This is the temple of the Lord!'(5) " ' "You must really change the way you live and act. Treat each other fairly.(6) Do not treat outsiders or widows badly in this place.

Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 27-28 NET

Podcast Introduction

Poetry Thursday. We’ll read Job 27 and 28. I’m calling the episode “Standing Firm.”

Design: SWS | Photo: Martino Pietropoli on Unsplash

Comments on Job 27 and 28

In these two chapters Job begins quite a long soliloquy in response to what he has heard from his friends. It continues for five chapters, and he makes some excellent points. 

As Job begins, in essence he says that no matter what, his friends’ accusations against him will not wear him down. As long as he lives, he will maintain that he has been a man of integrity.

Have you ever been in an argument or debate with someone who just won’t give it up, and you finally just say, “Fine! Have it your way!” just to get them to let it go? Job is not prepared to do that in this case, because the argument is over his integrity. One’s integrity is worth defending, especially if the people attacking it are people who matter to you. 

The last thing Job wants is to be thought of as unrighteous. In this translation, the word used is godless, but in the King James it is hypocrite, and Job considers this to be the worst condition a person could be in. And of course it was the religious hypocrites that Jesus spoke most loudly against. 

It should be said that at this point, Job is seen as taking the upper hand with his friends. He is now taking the role as an instructor, and he is telling them how it is, instead of defending himself.

And so he tells them that he agrees with their point that the ungodly will be judged by God, and all their supposed gains will evaporate and their sins against others will not stand. But he tells them that God’s judgement is not always immediate, that it can take time for their consequences to come down on them.

And so the time that we see between when the unrighteous do their evil deeds and when the consequences come is really no time at all in God’s perspective. We don’t perceive time like He does. One thing is sure; sin always has consequences. God is just, and He will make things right.

I’m so glad that this is true, because the world has seen an awful lot of ugliness. But the victims of that evil will be made whole. We are told in Revelation 21:4 that God “will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain.”

That is a promise that every believer can rely on. Throughout history, God has proven Himself faithful. He always delivers, he never fails. And this promise is made to those who put their trust in Him. It’s a part of the gift that is offered to anyone who makes the choice to take a new direction in their life,  instead of the direction that inevitably leads away from God and toward the consequences of wrong choices and living for one’s self instead of the One who offers life. 

We all make wrong choices, but we don’t have to face the consequences if we decide to accept God’s gift that is made available through Jesus, who lived His entire life without making one wrong choice. When we accept that gift, the Bible says that the perfection of Jesus is credited to us. It’s a gift. We don’t earn it, we can only just receive it. And it is offered to every person, not just the “good” person, or the “bad” person. Not just the educated person or the uneducated person. Not just the rich or not just the poor. It is offered to all. Because every one of us needs it, if we want to see God. Jesus came that none would perish, but that all would have eternal life.

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Transcript

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Transcript corrected by Sister Denise

Transcript

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 39 NKJV; Ch. 40 ESV; Ch. 41 NCV

Podcast Introduction

Today is Psalms Wednesday. We’ll read chapters 39-41. I’m calling the episode “Rejoice and Be Glad.” Of course I will have an intro before reading each chapter, as we usually do with the Psalms. And it’s Wednesday. So we will have a time of prayer. We have some praises and some prayer requests. 

Design: SWS | Photo: Emily Lewandowski on Unsplash

Comments on Psalms 39-41

Introduction to Psalm 39

The title of this psalm is "To the Chief Musician. To Jeduthun. A Psalm of David."

It is thought by some that the Chief Musician is God. Others believe that it could be a leader of choirs when David wrote this. Perhaps Heman the singer, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 6:33, or Asaph, mentioned in 1 Chronicles 16:5-7.

Jeduthun was one of the musicians appointed by David to lead the public worship of Israel. We read his name in 1 Chronicles 16:41 and 1 Chronicles 25:1-3.

This psalm, as the title makes clear, was written by King David, but we do not know at what point in his life. 

Introduction to Psalm 40

The title is To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

Again, we do not know for sure when David wrote this, but G. Campbell Morgan guessed that, "In this case the reason for the song in all probability was that of the deliverance of David from all the long experience of outlawry and suffering; and the fact that he had been brought to his coronation.”

Introduction to Psalm 41

The title is To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.

Of this psalm Alexander Maclaren wrote: “The central mass of this psalm describes the singer as suffering from two evils: sickness and treacherous friends.”

Comments on Psalm 39

Verse 7 says, “And now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You."

When, like David, we understand the frailty and how fleeting is our life, where else can we put our hope but in the Eternal God? How foolish we would be, but than to place ourselves in His strong, loving, merciful care?

Comments on Psalm 40

7Then I said, “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me:

8 I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart.”

Oh beloved, may this be written of you in His book!

16But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!”

When we consider the great works of God, especially how He saved us, how can we not proclaim again and again, "GREAT is the Lord!" 

Comments on Psalm 41

In this psalm David moves from writing about the blessings that will come to the person who is mindful of the poor and weak, to asking God for mercy when he has sinned, deliverance from those who tell lies about him and wish him dead, the anguish he feels because of the betrayal of those he trusted, and then another plea for God's mercy, and finally an offering of praise to the God of Israel. 

David poured out his heart in this psalm, didn't he? This seems to be a time when he was very sick physically and spiritually. He said to the Lord, "Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You."

Sin, beloved, is not just something that sits in solitude. It isn't just a vague idea or a nebulous, general breaking of a meaningless, random rule. It is an act of rebellion against the God of the universe. David realized that, and because of his sin, he knew that his soul needed the healing touch of a merciful God. 

David lived about 1,000 years before Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Yet he believed that God would forgive the repentant heart. He made no excuses, no defense, no flowery language. Just a simple, truthful admission of guilt before a Holy God.

This was one reason that he is called "A man after God's own heart." 

The last verse, the offering of praise is thought by many scholars to be not only the end of this psalm,