Lifespring! Media All Shows

What does Colossians 1:11 mean? Paul talks about being strengthened with God's power and glorious might—but what he says that power is for might surprise us.

In this episode of Verses We Missed, we explore why God's power doesn't always look like immediate healing, deliverance, or victory. Sometimes the race keeps going, the prayer remains unanswered, and we can't see the wall. What does God's strength look like then? Browse more episodes at Recent Episodes.

When You Can't See the Wall

Colossians 1:11 (ESV)

Colossians 1:11 (ESV)

"being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;"

Those are big words: all power and his glorious might. We might expect Paul to be talking about miracles, dramatic victories, or obstacles disappearing.

Instead, he talks about endurance and patience.

Why would God's glorious power be needed for something as ordinary-sounding as endurance? And why does Paul add those especially challenging words, "with joy"?

You can read Colossians 1:11 in context at ESV.org.

When God's Power Doesn't Look Powerful

We love victory stories. We love answered prayers, healing, provision, and deliverance—and we should celebrate when God does those things.

But what about the story that isn't finished yet?

What about the prayer you've prayed for years? What about the difficulty that is still there when you wake up tomorrow morning?

Colossians 1:11 points us toward a kind of divine strength we can easily overlook.

When You Can't See the Wall

When I was younger, I was a competitive swimmer, and my best event was the 400-yard freestyle. It was an endurance race, and endurance didn't magically appear on race day.

But there was one advantage I had in the pool that we often don't have in life's hardest circumstances: I knew exactly where the finish line was.

Sometimes in life, you can't see the wall.

In this episode, I share why that old swimming experience has given me a new way to think about Colossians 1:11—and about friends of mine who have been praying for healing for years without receiving the answer they've hoped for.

Should We Pray for Deliverance or Endurance?

Of course we should pray for healing and deliverance. But Paul's prayer in Colossians gives us another way to pray when the answer hasn't come.

Maybe we've become so focused on asking God to demonstrate His power by removing the trial that we've overlooked another way His power can be at work while we're still in it.

That's the part of Colossians 1:11 I don't want us to miss.

For more background on the setting, themes, and structure of Paul's letter, see BibleProject's guide to the book of Colossians.

Related Scriptures

Colossians 1:9-14 — The larger context of Paul's prayer and the source of the believer's joy and thanksgiving.

James 1:2-4 — The testing of faith and the development of steadfastness.

Romans 5:3-5 — Suffering, endurance, character, and hope.

Podcast Chapters

00:00 When the Victory Hasn't Come

00:56 Welcome to Verses We Missed

01:33 Strengthened for Endurance

03:39 What Swimming Taught Me About Endurance

05:14 When You Can't See the Wall

06:58 Another Way to Pray

08:54 Endurance, Patience, and Joy

11:53 Strength for One More Stroke

13:48 Prayer

15:38 Value for Value

16:44 Keep Swimming

Support the Show

Verses We Missed is a value-for-value podcast. If this episode encouraged you, consider returning value in whatever way God puts on your heart—by praying for the ministry, sharing this episode with someone who needs encouragement, contributing your time or talent, or supporting Lifespring! Media financially.

Learn more at https://lifespringmedia.com/support/.

More from Lifespring! Media

If you enjoy digging deeper into God's Word, you might also enjoy these other podcasts from Steve Webb:

Lifespring! One Year Bible Rewind — Journey through the Bible with readings, commentary, and practical application.

Lifespring! In Touch With God’s Character — Explore the names and character of God revealed in Scripture.

Lifespring! — Bible teaching, Christian encouragement, interviews, and conversations about following Christ.

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is History Tuesday. We’ll read Ezra chapters 1-5. I’m calling today’s episode “Unlikely Allies.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Yan Laurichesse on Unsplash

Comments on Ezra 1-5

Introduction to Ezra

The previous book, 2 Chronicles ended with the fall of Jerusalem. All the articles from the temple removed by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar, and the temple itself was set ablaze. The walls of the city were torn down. The people were taken into what would be a 70 year captivity, as was prophesied by the prophet Jeremiah.

Ezra 1 

And now as Ezra opens, the 70 years have come and gone. God has judged Babylon as Jeremiah also prophesied. It has been wiped out. And God moves on the heart King Cyrus of Persia, who is ruler of the land that once belonged to Nebuchadnezzar, and Cyrus decreed that the Jewish exiles may return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple. And notice that this happens in Cyrus’ first year as king. God’s judgement of 70 years of exile is over, and He sees to it that they are set free.

Having been in bondage all this time, the people are poor, so Cyrus volunteers to pay for the rebuilding of the temple out of his own resources, and he returns all of the temple articles to them. 

Missing from the list of returned items is the altar of incense, the table of showbread, the bronze altar, the golden lampstand and the ark of the covenant. These were probably lost, destroyed or stolen when the temple was destroyed by the Babylonians.

Ezra 3

Once the people got to Jerusalem and settled into their towns, the first thing they did was build the altar on the exact same spot that the original altar had been. Even before beginning construction on the temple, they built the altar. I believe they did this because of their desire to be obedient to the Lord. They wanted to resume the burnt offerings for the atonement of sin, and the morning and evening burnt offerings that were required according to the Law. They wanted God’s blessing on the entire project, and to neglect this would not be a good beginning. Commentator Alexander Maclaren said, “There cannot be a temple without an altar, but there may be an altar without a temple. God meets men at the place of sacrifice, even though there be no house for His name.”

Later in the chapter when the construction begins, the old men who had seen the previous temple, before it was destroyed, wept when the foundation was laid. Listen to Adam Clarkes words, “They saw that the glory had departed from Israel; in their circumstances it was impossible to build such a house as the first temple was; and had this been even possible, still it would have been greatly inferior, because it wanted the ark of the covenant, the heavenly fire, the mercy-seat, the heavenly manna, Aaron’s rod that budded, the divine shechinah, the spirit of prophecy and most probably the Urim and Thummim.” 

But those who were younger and had never seen the first temple rejoiced because this was an important accomplishment in the restoration of the temple, and the worship that would happen here.

Ezra 4

The enemies of Judah and Benjamin requested to join in the building of the temple saying, “Let us build with you, for we, like you, seek your God…” The fact is, no they didn’t seek the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. They also worshipped other gods, so that precluded them from truly seeking the true God. God forbids the worship of other Gods. You can’t worship Him and false gods. 

Wisely, Zerubbabel and the heads of fathers’ households turned them down flat. 

Which is what we should do, beloved when we are called to do a work for the Lord, and a non-believer wants to join in. It would be like going on a missionary trip and inviting a Buddhist or a Muslim or a Scientologist to join in the work. Or in choosing a marriage partner, a believer should not date, let alone marry an unbeliever. It’s called being unequally yoked, and we invite heartache if we ignore God’s Word in this. 

After they were rejected, they decided that if they couldn’t sabotage the work from within, they would attack it from without. They went to king Ahasuerus and made accusations against the people of Judah, trying to get him to stop the work. Later they went to Artaxerxes with similar charges, and he stopped the project in its tracks. For 15 years, no work was done.

Ezra 5

You will probably remember that we read the book of Haggai a couple weeks ago, and just last Friday we read the first seven chapters of Zechariah. Both of these prophets spoke to the people about resuming the work on the temple, which they did. But the governor of the region and some of his men asked them under what authority they were working on the project. As a bureaucrat, he was probably just making sure the building permits were pulled and so forth, because he allowed them to continue until he could confirm that it was okay. This was the hand of God, in my opinion. He could have put a stop to the construction, but he did not.

He wrote a letter to Darius the king, giving an unbiased report on what was happening. And he suggested to  Darius that he check to see if King Cyrus of Babylon had truly given a decree that the work be done, and if he (Darius) would allow it to be completed.

Beloved, sometimes God moves on the most unlikely people in accomplishing His will! 

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1-2 HCSB; Ch. 3-4 NASB; Ch. 5 NLT

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 0:00The Ark of the Covenant.

Steve Webb 0:09Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring family Audio Bible and podcasting since 2004. I’m your OG God casters Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. How are you today? It’s history Tuesday, and we’re going to read as read chapters one through five. I’ll have a brief introduction to the book before we begin reading. I’m calling today’s episode, unlikely allies. The show notes page for today’s episode is at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 321. My email address is Steve at Lifespring media.com. Are you ready? Let’s get started.

Steve Webb 0:46Introduction to Ezra, the previous book, which we completed last week, Second Chronicles ended with a fall of Jerusalem. All the articles from the temple were removed by the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar and the temple itself was set ablaze. The walls of the city were torn down, and the people were taken into what would be a 70 year captivity as was prophesied by the prophet Jeremiah.

Steve Webb 1:11Ezra chapter one. In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia, the word of the Lord spoken through Jeremiah was fulfilled. The Lord put it into the mind of King Cyrus to issue a proclamation throughout his entire kingdom. And to put it in writing. This is what King Cyrus of Persia says, the Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and has appointed me to build him a house at Jerusalem in Judah, whoever is among his people, may his God be with him. And may He go to Jerusalem and Judah, and build the house of the Lord, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem, lead every survivor wherever he lives be assisted by the men of that region, with silver, gold, goods and livestock, along with a free will offering for the house of God in Jerusalem. So the family leaders of Judah and Benjamin along with the priests and Levites, everyone God had motivated, prepared to go up and rebuild the Lord’s house in Jerusalem. All their neighbors supported them with silver articles, gold goods, livestock and valuables in addition to all that was given as a free will offering. King Cyrus also brought out the articles of the Lord’s house that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from Jerusalem and had placed in the house of his gods. King Cyrus of Persia had them brought out under the supervision of Mithra DAF the treasurer, who counted them out to sheshe basil, the prince of Judah. This was the inventory 30 Gold basins 1000 Silver basins 29 Silver knives, 30 gold bowls, 410 Various silver bowls, and 1000 other articles. The gold and silver articles totaled 5400 Sheshe. Basil brought all of them when the exiles went up from Babylon to Jerusalem.

Steve Webb 3:06Ezra chapter two. These now are the people of the province who came from those captive exiles, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had deported to Babylon. They returned to Jerusalem and Judah each to his own town. They came with Zerubbabel Jeshua Nehemiah, Surya, Rhea Laya. Mordecai, Bill Shan, Ms. Parr, big vi Reham and bayyinah the number of the Israelite men included pay rushes descendants 2172 shefa Tyus descendants 372 A was descendants 775 pay half Moabs descendants Jeshua was in Job’s descendants 2812 Elans descendants 1254 Zattoo is descendants 945 Zack eyes descendants 760 bein eyes descendants 642 B beis descendants 623 as GADS descendants 1222 at an item’s descendants 666 Big vice descendants 2056 Aiden’s descendants 454 address descendants of Hezekiah 98 Besides descendants 323 Joris descendants 112 Haitians descendants 223 gibberish descendants 95 Bethlehem people 123 netofa is men 56 Anna thoughts Min 128 Asthma vets people 40 To carry out their EMS go fires and be Roth’s people 743 ranges in Gibbes people 621 MC muscles Min 122 Bethells and AIS Min 223 nibbles people 52 mag vicious people 156 The other Elans ppl 1254 harems people 320 Lodz, Hades and Ono’s people 725 Jericho is people 345 Sanae is people 3630 The priests included Judea as descendants of the house of Joshua 973 immerse descendants 1050 To pass her as descendants 1247

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is Monday so we’ll read from the Law. We’re still in Deuteronomy, the last book we’ll read from the Law, and our chapters tomorrow will be 13-15. I do have an on this date in church history for you. I’m calling today’s episode “What’s In It For You?”  

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Comments on Deuteronomy 15

Have you ever heard someone make a statement like, “You should give, without any expectation of receiving anything in return”? In general, I agree with that statement as it relates to our attitude toward people. We should not give with the expectation of receiving something back from them. If we do, great. But don’t give with the motivation of getting something back from them. 

Do you agree with that? It seems like a good way to avoid being disappointed if they don’t reciprocate, doesn’t it? And if we only give to those who have the ability to give back to us, we probably won’t be giving to people who really *need* the help. So there’s that.

But in Deuteronomy 15, the people were told to be generous to those in need because God would bless them for it. So it seems to me that it is alright for us to be generous with the expectation that there will be a blessing for us from God.

And of course, this is not the only place that this principle is spoken of in the Bible. In Luke 6:38, Jesus says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” To tell you the truth, I would much rather receive a blessing from God than from man!

One more thing. Because God has made it clear that He will bless us when we give, I don’t think it’s bad that we expect a blessing. But we need to remember that we cannot manipulate God. He will never be beholden to us. We can’t *obligate* Him. This promise of His does not give us license to say, “Okay, God. I gave a thousand dollars to such-and-such, so You have to give it back to me.” I doesn’t work that way, in my opinion. God blesses us in ways we might not see until we see Him in Heaven. Yes, sometimes He does bless us materially, but not always. He might bless us with good health, or the friendship of someone, or keeping something we own from breaking. The possibilities are endless. And sometimes it might just be the satisfaction of knowing we did something good for someone. 

The point I’m trying to make here is this: Don’t be mercenary in your giving. Give cheerfully and generously out of the goodness of your heart. And as a plus, I believe that is when God is most generous in returning a blessing.

Also in Deuteronomy 15, God spoke about slaves. These days the subject of slavery is triggering for some people. I’ve spoken about it a few times here on the show, so I won’t address it today, If you would like to listen to that show, here it is: https://lifespringmedia.com/family-bible/lsfab0077-1-corinthians-7-8/

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 13 CEB; Ch. 14 CEV; Ch. 15 GNT

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 can’t manipulate God.

INTRO S12E320 – 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 are reading through the entire Bible in a year. Today’s Monday, so we’ll read from one of the books of the Law. We’re in Deuteronomy which is the last book we’ll read from the Law. And our chapters today are 13th through 15th. I’m calling today’s episode, “What’s In It For You?”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e320. My email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s begin.

DEUTERONOMY 13 (CEB) – 0:46Deuteronomy, chapter 13. (1) Now if a prophet or a dream interpreter appears among you and performs a sign or wonder for you, (2) and the sign or wonder that was spoken actually occurs; if he says: “Come on! We should follow other gods”—ones you haven’t experienced—“and we should worship them,” (3) you must not listen to that prophet’s or dream interpreter’s words, because the LORD your God is testing you to see if you love the LORD your God with all your mind and all your being. (4) You must follow the LORD your God alone! Revere him! Follow his commandments! Obey his voice! Worship him! Cling to him—no other! (5) That prophet or dream interpreter must be executed because he encouraged you to turn away from the LORD your God who brought you out of Egypt, who redeemed you from the house of slavery; they tried to lead you away from the path the LORD your God commanded you to take. Remove such evil from your community!

(6) Similarly, if one of your relatives—even one of your own siblings—or your own son or daughter or your dear spouse or best friend entices you secretly, if someone like that says: “Come on! We should follow and worship other gods”—ones that neither you nor your ancestors have experienced, (7) gods from all the neighboring peoples, whether nearby or far away, from one end of the earth to the other— (8) don’t give in to them! Don’t obey them! Don’t have any mercy on them! Don’t have compassion on them and don’t protect them! (9) Instead, you must execute them. Your own hand must be against them from the beginning of the execution; the hand of all the people will be involved at the end. (10) Stone them until they are dead because they desired to lead you away from the LORD your God, the one who brought you out of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. (11) All Israel will hear about this and be afraid. They won’t do that sort of evil thing among you again.

(12) Or if you hear about one of your towns the LORD your God is giving you to inhabit, that (13) certain wicked people have gone out from your community and they’ve led the citizens of their town astray by saying: “Come on! We should follow and worship other gods”—ones you haven’t experienced before; (14) at that point you must look into this situation very carefully to see if it’s true. And if it’s definitely true that this detestable thing was done in your community, (15) you must completely strike down the inhabitants of that city with the sword. Place it and all that is in it under the ban. Put its animals to the sword. (16) Gather all the plunder into the middle of the town’s square. Then burn the city and all of its plunder as an entirely burned offering to the LORD your God. It must remain a heap of rubble forever. It must not be rebuilt. (17) Don’t hold on to any of the banned items—this will ensure that the LORD turns from his great anger and is compassionate to you, showing you mercy and multiplying you just like he swore to your ancestors. (18) You must definitely obey the LORD your God’s voice, keeping all his commandments that I am giving you right now, by doing what is right in the LORD your God’s eyes!

DEUTERONOMY 14 (CEV) – 3:50Deuteronomy, chapter 14. (1) People of Israel, you are the Lord’s children, so when you mourn for the dead, you must not cut yourselves or shave your forehead. (2) Out of all the nations on this earth, the Lord your God chose you to be his own. You belong to the Lord, so don’t behave like those who worship other gods.

(3) Don’t eat any disgusting animals.

(4-5) You may eat the meat of cattle, sheep, and goats; wild sheep and goats; and gazelles, antelopes, and all kinds of deer. (6) It is all right to eat meat from any animals that have divided hoofs and also chew the cud.

(7) But don’t eat camels, rabbits, and rock badgers. These animals chew the cud but do not have divided hoofs. You must treat them as unclean. (8) And don’t eat pork, since pigs have divided hoofs, but they do not chew their cud. Don’t even touch a dead pig!

(9) You can eat any fish that has fins and scales. But there are other creatures that live in the water, (10) and if they do not have fins and scales, you must not eat them. Treat them as unclean.

(11) You can eat any clean bird. (12-18) But don’t eat the meat of any of the following birds: eagles, vultures, falcons, kites, ravens, ostriches, owls, sea gulls, hawks, pelicans, ospreys, cormorants, storks, herons, and hoopoes. You must not eat bats. (19) Swarming insects are unclean, so don’t eat them. (20) However, you are allowed to eat certain kinds of winged insects.

(21) You belong to the Lord your God, so if you happen to find a dead animal, don’t eat its meat. You may give it to foreigners who live in your town or sell it to foreigners who are visiting your town.

Don’t boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.

(22) People of Israel, every year you must set aside ten percent of your grain harvest. (23) Also set aside ten percent of your wine and olive oil, and the first-born of every cow, sheep, and goat. Take these to the place where the Lord chooses to be worshiped, and eat them there. This will teach you to always respect the Lord your God.

(24) But suppose you can’t carry that ten percent of your harvest to the place where the Lord chooses to be worshiped. If you live too far away, or if the Lord gives you a big harvest, (25) then sell this part and take the money there instead. (26) When you and your family arrive, spend the money on food for a big celebration. Buy cattle, sheep, goats, wine, beer, and if there are any other kinds of food that you want, buy those too. (27) And since people of the Levi tribe won’t own any land for growing crops, remember to ask the Levites to celebrate with you.

(28) Every third year,...

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is Epistles Sunday, and our reading is 1 Peter 4-5. I’m calling today’s episode “Perspective.”  

Design and Photo: Steve Webb

Comments on 1 Peter 5

In today’s comments I’d like to address chapter 5, verses 1 through 6.

Peter tells the older members to be shepherds to God’s flock from a sincere desire and not for money, and do so by providing a good example, not by lording it over them. And then he tells the younger folks that they should be willing to submit to the older people. He wraps up this section by saying that they should all be very humble with each other.

These verses grabbed my attention because I have been involved in the church since I was in my teens. So I’ve been one of the younger crowd, and now I’m definitely one of the older crowd. I’ve been on both sides. 

You know, it’s funny how we move through life. (We’re taking a side trip here. I’ll get back to 1 Peter in a moment.) Right now, my newest granddaughter, Penny…have I told you about her? LOL…right now, pretty much any room she’s in, any crowd she’s in, she’s the youngest person in the room. Of course she doesn’t know that, but she is. So as we move through life, we go from being the youngest person in the room, to being the average age of the population, and in most rooms you’re in, many of the people are generally your age, to being an older person like I am, and in many cases…more every year…I’m the oldest person in the room. It’s kind of a funny feeling. And to go from being the youngest person in your family, including extended family, to being the oldest, as I am for the Webb branch of the family, is kind of a humbling thing. Back now to first Peter. 

When I was young, there was no doubt that the elders were in charge. Church was pretty much entrenched in the way things were done. But I gave my heart to the Lord right around the time that the Jesus Freak movement was born in the late 60s, early 70s, and a lot of changes began to happen. I guess in some part of the world, like Australia, Jesus Freak is a derogatory term. Here, it was not generally meant that way. It just meant someone who was a bit of a hippy and loved Jesus. That was me.

But now, somehow we have come to a point in today’s culture where the older people in many churches no longer have a voice. If you’re older than 35 or 40, you might as well just find a seat.

Well, having been a young person right there when things began to change, and now being one of the elders, I’m currently much closer to 70 than 60, I have the benefit of perspective that the younger folks don’t have. It’s something that is impossible for young people to have. They can’t. 

Several years ago, I attempted to hike to the top of Mt. Whitney, the highest peak in the continental U.S. I came up short, but that’s another story. What I want to talk about now is that the view from the trailhead…the beginning of the trail that led to the top…was extremely limited. Being in the forest, it was beautiful, but the trees limited the view. You couldn’t see very far at all. 

But after being on the trial for a couple of hours, you gained some altitude and there were places where you could look out over the beautiful Owens Valley. You could see for miles. 

After having been on the trail for several hours, you were above tree line. There was nothing to block your view and you could see even further because you were so much higher.

That’s how it is with elders versus youngsters. The young people think that they know it all, but they’re really just starting out on the trail. They don’t know that there is so much more, because they’ve never seen it.

There is a reason that the Holy Spirit, through Peter, calls the elders to shepherd the flock. They’re further along and higher on the trail. He doesn’t call them because they’re better, but because they’ve got the benefit of perspective. The younger folks should humbly accept that with age comes perspective, and hopefully wisdom. And the elders should humbly teach and lead the younger believers.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 4-5 NCV

Lifespring! HymnStories Links

HS20: Lifespring! HymnStories “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”

HS55: Lifespring! HymnStories “Jesus Shall Reign”

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 – 0:00It’s impossible for them to have.

INTRO S12E319 – 0:10One more time, as the man said, coming to you from Riverside, California this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, and podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Today is Epistle Sunday. We’ll read 1 Peter 4 and 5. I’m calling today’s episode, “Perspective”. The show notes page for today is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e319. And my email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s begin.

1 PETER 4 (NCV) – 0:411 Peter, chapter 4. (1) Since Christ suffered while he was in his body, strengthen yourselves with the same way of thinking Christ had. The person who has suffered in the body is finished with sin. (2) Strengthen yourselves so that you will live here on earth doing what God wants, not the evil things people want. (3) In the past you wasted too much time doing what nonbelievers enjoy. You were guilty of sexual sins, evil desires, drunkenness, wild and drunken parties, and hateful idol worship. (4) Nonbelievers think it is strange that you do not do the many wild and wasteful things they do, so they insult you. (5) But they will have to explain this to God, who is ready to judge the living and the dead. (6) For this reason the Good News was preached to those who are now dead. Even though they were judged like all people, the Good News was preached to them so they could live in the spirit as God lives.

(7) The time is near when all things will end. So think clearly and control yourselves so you will be ready to pray. (8) Most importantly, love each other deeply, because love will cause people to forgive each other for many sins. (9) Open your homes to each other, without complaining. (10) Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of grace. (11) Anyone who speaks should speak words from God. Anyone who serves should serve with the strength God gives so that in everything God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Power and glory belong to him forever and ever. Amen.

(12) My friends, do not be surprised at the terrible trouble which now comes to test you. Do not think that something strange is happening to you. (13) But be happy that you are sharing in Christ’s sufferings so that you will be happy and full of joy when Christ comes again in glory. (14) When people insult you because you follow Christ, you are blessed, because the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God, is with you. (15) Do not suffer for murder, theft, or any other crime, nor because you trouble other people. (16) But if you suffer because you are a Christian, do not be ashamed. Praise God because you wear that name. (17) It is time for judgment to begin with God’s family. And if that judging begins with us, what will happen to those people who do not obey the Good News of God?

(18) “If it is very hard for a good person to be saved,the wicked person and the sinner will surely be lost!”

(19) So those who suffer as God wants should trust their souls to the faithful Creator as they continue to do what is right.

1 PETER 5 (NCV) – 3:121 Peter, chapter 5. (1) Now I have something to say to the elders in your group. I also am an elder. I have seen Christ’s sufferings, and I will share in the glory that will be shown to us. I beg you to (2) shepherd God’s flock, for whom you are responsible. Watch over them because you want to, not because you are forced. That is how God wants it. Do it because you are happy to serve, not because you want money. (3) Do not be like a ruler over people you are responsible for, but be good examples to them. (4) Then when Christ, the Chief Shepherd, comes, you will get a glorious crown that will never lose its beauty.

(5) In the same way, younger people should be willing to be under older people. And all of you should be very humble with each other.

“God is against the proud,but he gives grace to the humble.”

(6) Be humble under God’s powerful hand so he will lift you up when the right time comes. (7) Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you.

(8) Control yourselves and be careful! The devil, your enemy, goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat. (9) Refuse to give in to him, by standing strong in your faith. You know that your Christian family all over the world is having the same kinds of suffering.

(10) And after you suffer for a short time, God, who gives all grace, will make everything right. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling. He called you to share in his glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever. (11) All power is his forever and ever. Amen.

(12) I wrote this short letter with the help of Silas, who I know is a faithful brother in Christ. I wrote to encourage you and to tell you that this is the true grace of God. Stand strong in that grace.

(13) The church in Babylon, who was chosen like you, sends you greetings. Mark, my son in Christ, also greets you. (14) Give each other a kiss of Christian love when you meet.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

COMMENTS – 5:14In today’s comments, I’d like to address chapter 5, verses 1 through 6.

Peter tells the older members to be shepherds to God’s flock from a sinc

Transcript

Distinguished Producer

Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Paul of Seattle.

Podcast Introduction

Today is Gospel Saturday and we’ll read Acts 13-14. I’m calling today’s episode “How To React To Rejection.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Lital Levy on Unsplash

Comments on Acts 13

We see the beginning of Paul’s first missionary journey in chapter 13. It’s important to note that Paul and Barnabas did not begin this journey based on their own ideas. They were called by the Holy Spirit to this work. And then, the church at Antioch fasted, prayed, laid hands on them and sent them on their way.

Everything was done according to the leading of the Lord.

And yet, they did not have success in every place. Far from it, in fact. But notice what they did in verse 51, after they were run out of Antioch of Pisidia. “So they shook the dust from their feet as a sign of rejection and went to the town of Iconium.” In shaking the dust off their feet, they were saying they didn’t want to take anything of that city with them. They didn’t take the rejection of the people of the city personally, and they didn’t doubt God’s call on them. They just moved along to the next town. 

Too often, beloved, when we feel called to do something for the Lord, we begin with stars in our eyes. We think that if God has called us, then we will have nothing but success. And when resistance comes, or when we experience what we interpret as failure, we withdraw from the work, thinking that we must have misinterpreted God’s call, because if He was in it, we would have success. 

To be sure, maybe we did misinterpret the call. Often times, we do get excited about something and think that our enthusiasm is from God, when actually it’s just our own emotions. That discussion is for another day.

The takeaway here, beloved, is that even when we are doing God’s will, or perhaps I should say, especially when we are doing God’s will, we should expect resistance. Why? Because the enemy does not want the cause of Christ to advance. We are in a spiritual battle when we are laboring for the Lord. But we are not in the battle alone. If God has called us, He is with us. And if He is with us, if He is on our side, if He is for us, who can be against us? In other words, it doesn’t matter if we have opposition, because God’s purposes will always prevail. Sure, there may be skirmishes, but those are the times when we should rejoice, because it is then that we have confirmation that we are on the right track.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 13 NIV; Ch. 14 NLT

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’re on the right track.

INTRO S12E311 – 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. Thanks for joining me today. Thanks for inviting me into your life. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year and it’s Gospel Saturday and we gonna read Acts 13 and 14. I’m calling today’s episode, “How to React to Rejection”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e311. If you want to email me, send it to st***@*************ia.com. Let’s begin.

ACTS 13 (NIV) – 0:44Acts, chapter 13. (1) Now in the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. (2) While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” (3) So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

(4) The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. (5) When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.

(6) They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, (7) who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. (8) But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. (9) Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, (10) “You are a child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord? (11) Now the hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun.”

Immediately mist and darkness came over him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. (12) When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

(13) From Paphos, Paul and his companions sailed to Perga in Pamphylia, where John left them to return to Jerusalem. (14) From Perga they went on to Pisidian Antioch. On the Sabbath they entered the synagogue and sat down. (15) After the reading from the Law and the Prophets, the leaders of the synagogue sent word to them, saying, “Brothers, if you have a word of exhortation for the people, please speak.”

(16) Standing up, Paul motioned with his hand and said: “Fellow Israelites and you Gentiles who worship God, listen to me! (17) The God of the people of Israel chose our ancestors; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt; with mighty power he led them out of that country; (18) for about forty years he endured their conduct in the wilderness; (19) and he overthrew seven nations in Canaan, giving their land to his people as their inheritance. (20) All this took about 450 years.

“After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. (21) Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, who ruled forty years. (22) After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’

(23) “From this man’s descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. (24) Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. (25) As John was completing his work, he said: ‘Who do you suppose I am? I am not the one you are looking for. But there is one coming after me whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.’

(26) “Fellow children of Abraham and you God-fearing Gentiles, it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. (27) The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. (28) Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. (29) When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. (30) But God raised him from the dead, (31) and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people.

(32) “We tell you the good news: What God promised our ancestors (33) he has fulfilled for us, their children, by raising up Jesus. As it is written in the second Psalm:

“‘You are my son;today I have become your father.’

(34) God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said,

“‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’

(35) So it is also stated elsewhere:

“‘ You will not let your holy one see decay.’

(36) “Now when David had served God’s purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his ancestors and his body decayed. (37) But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay.

(38) “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. (39) Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. (40) Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you:

(41) “‘Look, you scoffers,wonder and perish,for I am going to do something in your daysthat you would never believe,even if someone told you.’”

(42) As Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue, the people invited them to speak further about these things on the next Sabbath. (43) When the congregation was dismissed, many of the Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who talked with them and urged them to continue in the grace of God.

(44) On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. (45) When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.

(46) Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. (47) For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

(48) When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

(49) The word of the Lord spread through the whole reg

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is Prophecy Friday. Haggai. I’m calling today’s episode “The Desire of All Nations.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: NASA on Unsplash

Comments on Haggai

There were twelve Minor Prophets. The first nine prophesied before Judah was taken to Babylon in captivity, or pre-exile. Haggai is the first of the remaining three Minor Prophets who came after the seventy year exile.

Cyrus King of Persia allowed the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem in 538 B.C., after seventy years of captivity. Two years later, in 536 B.C., construction to rebuild the Temple was begun, but the work stopped just two years later, in 534 B.C. For fourteen years, the Temple was completely neglected. They had a foundation, but that was all.

And then, in 520 B.C., the Lord told Haggai to speak to the people about their neglect of the Temple. They had excuses for not continuing to rebuild the Temple, but they seemed to have no problems building homes for themselves. 

To their credit, Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and Joshua, the high priest and the people listened to the word of the Lord through Haggai, and they restarted construction. And in chapter two of Haggai, the Lord encouraged the people. He told them to “…be strong and work, for I am with you. According to the word that I have covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!”

And then, verses 6-9 were very special. Let me share them with you again:

6“For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts. 8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts. 9 ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

Why are these special verses? The phrase “the Desire of All Nations” is a prophesy of the coming Messiah. Most certainly, the nations do not know that Jesus is the Desire of All Nations, but listen to what the great preacher, Charles Spurgeon said about this passage: “He is the one, the true Reformer, the true rectifier of all wrong, and in this respect the desire of all nations. Oh! if the world could gather up all her right desire; if she could condense in one cry all her wild wishes; if all true lovers of mankind could condense their theories and extract the true wine of wisdom from them; it would just come to this, we want an Incarnate God, and you have got the Incarnate God! Oh! Nations, but ye know it not! Ye, in the dark, are groping after him, and know not that he is there.” 

And beloved, given the condition of the world today, listen and see how much more true these words of Spurgeon sound: “Brethren, I may add, Christ is certainly the desire of all nations in this respect, that we desire him for all nations. Oh! That the world were encompassed in his gospel! Would God the sacred fire would run along the ground, that the little handful of corn on the top of the mountains would soon make its fruit to shake like Lebanon. Oh! When will it come, when will it come that all the nations shall know him? Let us pray for it: let us labor for it.”

And in verse nine, we read, “‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts.” The latter temple being Jesus Himself. Remember when He said in John 2:19, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” He was talking about Himself, of course.

Verse nine ends with, “‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.” In John 14:27, Jesus said, “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.”

Yes beloved, we truly do have the only answer for the strife that is rampant in the world today. We must redouble our efforts to share the Gospel, because only Jesus will bring peace to the hearts and minds of the lost. Let us not grow weary of the work, as the Jews did in their effort to rebuild the Temple. Let us not be discouraged by a culture that does not want to hear the name of Jesus. They don’t know it, but He is the answer they are looking for. God has us here for a reason, beloved. We are to be salt and light for a lost and dying world. We cannot allow fear of being cancelled to cause us to put our light under a bushel basket. We must raise the light up high enough to chase the darkness away from even the hidden places. “Fear not,” says the Lord, “for I am with you.”

Today’s Bible Translation

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

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 – 0:00They don’t know it, but he is the answer they’re looking for.

INTRO S12E310 – 0:10And here we are together again coming to you from Riverside, California. This is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, and podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Today’s Prophecy Friday. We’re going to read the book of Haggai. I’m calling today’s episode, “The Desire of All Nations”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e310. And my email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s begin.

HAGGAI 1 (NKJV) – 0:46Haggai, chapter 1. (1) In the second year of King Darius, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying, (2) “Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: ‘This people says, “The time has not come, the time that the Lord’s house should be built.”’”

(3) Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, (4) “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?” (5) Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways!

(6) “You have sown much, and bring in little;You eat, but do not have enough;You drink, but you are not filled with drink;You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm;And he who earns wages,Earns wages to put into a bag with holes.”

(7) Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Consider your ways! (8) Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,” says the Lord. (9) “You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says the Lord of hosts. “Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house. (10) Therefore the heavens above you withhold the dew, and the earth withholds its fruit. (11) For I called for a drought on the land and the mountains, on the grain and the new wine and the oil, on whatever the ground brings forth, on men and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”

(12) Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him; and the people feared the presence of the Lord. (13) Then Haggai, the Lord’s messenger, spoke the Lord’s message to the people, saying, “I am with you, says the Lord.” (14) So the Lord stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and worked on the house of the Lord of hosts, their God, (15) on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius.

HAGGAI 2 (NKJV) – 3:03Haggai, chapter 2. (1) In the seventh month, on the twenty-first of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying: (2) “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying: (3) ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing? (4) Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ says the Lord; ‘and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,’ says the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ says the Lord of hosts. (5) ‘According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’

(6) “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; (7) and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts. (8) ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts. (9) ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

(10) On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, (11) “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Now, ask the priests concerning the law, saying, (12) “If one carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with the edge he touches bread or stew, wine or oil, or any food, will it become holy?” ’ ”

Then the priests answered and said, “No.”

(13) And Haggai said,...

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is  Poetry Thursday. Ecclesiastes 5-6. I’m calling today’s episode “Your Life Has Meaning”   

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Kimia Zarifi on Unsplash

Comments on Ecclesiastes 5-6

Solomon begins chapter 5 with good advice. When coming to the house of God, it’s better to listen than to run your head (as my dad would say). Actually, that’s good advice in most situations, don’t you think? You can’t learn much when you’re talking. But when coming before the Lord, listening will always be more beneficial than speaking.

And then Solomon went on to say that money will never buy happiness. In fact, the more money you have, the more worries you have, according to Solomon. He said, the best thing is to eat, drink and enjoy the work you have. 

At this point, Solomon, in all his wisdom, is forgetting something very important. He’s looking at life from a very limited viewpoint. He’s looking at life almost as one who has no relationship with God. When you leave God out of the equation, it’s very easy to have a fatalistic view of the world. We’ll get into this in more detail when we get to chapter 8. But for now, I’ll just say that the deeper your relationship with God, the more meaning you find in life. There is a reason you’re here, if you are His. He has a purpose for your life. You matter. 

One of the saddest things in scripture, in my opinion, is in chapter 6, verses 3-6. “3You may live a long time and have a hundred children. But a child born dead is better off than you, unless you enjoy life and have a decent burial. 4-5That child will never live to see the sun or to have a name, and it will go straight to the world of darkness. But it will still find more rest than you, 6even if you live two thousand years and don’t enjoy life. As you know, we all end up in the same place.”

Isn’t that pathetic? “A child born dead is better off than you, unless you enjoy life and have a decent burial.” Reminds me of Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. ((((Insert clip))))

I told you as we began this book that it’s important to hang in there until the end. We’ll have three more visits to Ecclesiastes. We’re halfway through. It does get better. 

But before I sign off today, let me again encourage you with the thought that in Christ, life is full of meaning. If you’re looking for meaning outside of Him, you’re looking in all the wrong places, as the song says. If you want to have eternal meaning, it is only in Jesus. 

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 5 ERV; Ch. 6 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 – 0:00Why are you always running your head?

INTRO S12E309 – 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. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Today’s Poetry Thursday and we’re going to read Ecclesiastes 5 and 6. I’m calling today’s episode, “Your Life Has Meaning”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e309. And my email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s begin.

ECCLESIASTES 5 (ERV) – 0:42Ecclesiastes, chapter 5. (1) Be very careful when you go to worship God. It is better to listen to God than to give sacrifices like fools. Fools often do bad things, and they don’t even know it. (2) Be careful when you make promises to God. Be careful about what you say to him. Don’t let your feelings cause you to speak too soon. God is in heaven, and you are on the earth. So you need to say only a few things to him. This saying is true:

(3) Bad dreams come from too many worries,and too many words come from the mouth of a fool.

(4) If you make a promise to God, keep your promise. Don’t be slow to do what you promised. God is not happy with fools. Give God what you promised to give him. (5) It is better to promise nothing than to promise something and not be able to do it. (6) So don’t let your words cause you to sin. Don’t say to the priest, “I didn’t mean what I said.” If you do this, God might become angry with your words and destroy everything you have worked for. (7) You should not let your useless dreams and bragging bring you trouble. You should respect God.

(8) In some country you will see poor people who are forced to work very hard. You will see that this is not fair to them. It is against their rights. But don’t be surprised! The ruler who forces them to work has another ruler who forces him. And there is still another ruler who forces both of these rulers. (9) Even the king is a slave—his country owns him.

(10) Those who love money will never be satisfied with the money they have. Those who love wealth will not be satisfied when they get more and more. This is also senseless.

(11) The more wealth people have, the more “friends” they have to help spend it. So the rich really gain nothing. They can only look at their wealth.

(12) Those who work hard all day come home and sleep in peace. It is not important if they have little or much to eat. But the rich worry about their wealth and are not able to sleep.

(13) There is a very sad thing that I have seen happen in this life. People save their money for the future. (14) Then something bad happens and they lose everything. So they have nothing to give to their children.

(15) People come into the world with nothing. And when they die, they leave with nothing. They might work hard to get things, but they cannot take anything with them when they die. (16) It is very sad that people leave the world just as they came. So what does a person gain from “trying to catch the wind”? (17) They only get days that are filled with sadness and sorrow. In the end, they are troubled, sick, and angry.

(18) I have seen what is best for people to do on earth: They should eat, drink, and enjoy the work they have during their short time here. God has given them these few days, and that is all they have.

(19) If God gives some people wealth, property, and the power to enjoy those things, they should enjoy them. They should accept the things they have and enjoy their work—that is a gift from God. (20) People don’t have many years to live, so they must remember these things all their life. God will keep them busy with the work they love to do.

ECCLESIASTES 6 (CEV) – 4:04Ecclesiastes, chapter 6. (1) There is something else terribly unfair, and it troubles everyone on earth. (2) God may give you everything you want—money, property, and wealth. Then God doesn’t let you enjoy it, and someone you don’t even know gets it all. That’s senseless and terribly unfair!

(3) You may live a long time and have a hundred children. But a child born dead is better off than you, unless you enjoy life and have a decent burial. (4-5) That child will never live to see the sun or to have a name, and it will go straight to the world of darkness. But it will still find more rest than you, (6) even if you live two thousand years and don’t enjoy life. As you know, we all end up in the same place.

(7) We struggle just to have enough to eat, but we are never satisfied. (8) We may be sensible, yet we are no better off than a fool. And if we are poor, it still doesn’t do us any good to try to live right. (9) It’s better to enjoy what we have than to always want something else, because that makes no more sense than chasing the wind.

(10) Everything that happens was decided long ago. We humans know what we are like, and we can’t argue with God, because he is too strong for us. (11) The more we talk, the less sense we make, so what good does it do to talk? (12) Life is short and meaningless, and it fades away like a shadow. Who knows what is best for us? Who knows what will happen after we are gone?

COMMENTS – 5:33Solomon began chapter 5 with good advice. When coming to the house of God, it’s better to listen than to talk. Or as my dad used to say, “It’s better to listen than to run your head. Why are you always running your head?” Actually, Solomon’s advice was good advice in most situations, don’t you think? You can’t learn much when you’re talking. But when coming before the Lord, listening will always be more beneficial than speaking.

And then Solomon went on to say that money will never buy happiness. In fact, the more money you have, the more worries you have, according to Solomon. He said the best thing is to eat, drink, and enjoy the work you have.

Well, at this point, Solomon, in all his wisdom, is forgetting something very important. He’s looking at life almost as one who has no relationship with God. And when you leave God out of the equation, it’s very easy to have a fatalistic view of the world. We’ll get into this in more detail when we get to chapter 8, but for now, I’ll just say that the deeper your relationship with God, the more meaning you find in life. There’s a reason you’re here, if you’re his. He has a purpose for your life. You matter.

And one of the saddest things in Scripture, in my opinion, is in chapter 6, verses 3 through 6. Here they are:

(3) You may live a long time and have a hundred children. But a child born dead is better off than you, unless you enjoy life and have a decent burial. (4-5) That child will never live to see the sun or to have a name, and it will go straight to the world of darkness. But it will still find more rest than you, (6) even if you live two thousand years and don’t enjoy life. As you know, we all end up in the same place.”

My goodness isn’t that pathetic. A child born dead is better off than you unless you enjoy life and have a decent burial....

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is Psalms Wednesday. We’ll read chapters 128-130. I do have an on this date in church history for you. I’m calling today’s episode “It’s More Than Happy.”  

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Roy Javier on Unsplash

Comments on Psalm 128

Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!

Psalm 128:1 ESV

I don’t think we’ve ever really talked much about what it is to be blessed. “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!” What does that actually mean? I mean, that’s a pretty inclusive statement, right? “Blessed is everyone…” 

You’ve probably heard that “blessed” means “happy.” But just in my own experience, I can tell you that I have not been, nor am I always now “happy.” The human experience is never one of continual happiness. Is it? All of us have times of trial, tragedy and heartbreak. Whether or not we fear the Lord and walk in His ways. Look at Job! He feared the Lord and walked in His ways. I can’t think of any point in the first 41 chapters out of 42 that we can say, “Yes, Job should be happy now.”

So to be blessed must mean more than “happy.” But wait. Maybe we need to look at the definition of “happy.” 

* The Cambridge Dictionary: feeling, showing, or causing pleasure or satisfaction:

* Merriam-Webster: favored by luck or fortune; enjoying or characterized by well-being and contentment; GLAD, PLEASED

* Dictionary.com: delighted, pleased, or glad, as over a particular thing; to feel joy; be glad; rejoice.

So to be happy is more than just a light, giddy, feeling that comes as a result of some sort of event. A recent event in my life that made me happy was the birth of my latest grandchild. When Penny was born, I was happy that she and her mom was healthy and doing well. It makes me happy when a ls fam member sends an email or comments on the show notes page. 

But life is not just about those moments, is it? We all have times of loss, illness, disappointments. And in those times, happiness flees. 

But this verse says, “Blessed IS…” 

IS conveys the meaning of a *constancy*. An enduring state. When God appeared to Moses in the burning bush, Moses said to God, ““Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me, ‘What is his name?’ Then what shall I tell them?”, God said, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you’” AM is a form of the word IS. In a very simplified way, God was saying that no matter when or where, He is there. 

“Blessed IS…”

So how can we be blessed no matter when or where? 

The Greek word *makarios” is translated as “blessed”. It means fortunate, happy, enlarged or lengthy. And it is used in connection to the kind of happiness that comes when we receive favor from God. So *makarios” can mean “favored.” In Luke 1 we are told that Mary, the mother of Jesus was “blessed among women.” She was favored by God.

Jesus used the word “blessed” many times in the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 5:3-11 ESV

These are not things that usually bring happiness, are they? What Jesus was describing was something much deeper. It was a spiritual state of well-being and even prosperity…a deep, joy-filled contentment that cannot be shaken by outward circumstances, because God is with us through them, and He blesses us in those times.

“Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!” When we are walking with God, when we honor Him for who He is in all circumstances, He favors us with a fully satisfied soul. David wrote in Psalm 63:1-5,

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. So I have looked upon you in the sanctuary, beholding your power and glory. Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you. So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.”

Psalm 63:1-5 ESV

Oh beloved, to walk with God and receive this kind a blessing is so much more than happiness! No matter our circumstance, to have a fully satisfied soul in the peaks *and* valleys of life is something that is worth more than gold. To know that God’s favor rests on you brings a joy and a peace and a contentment that cannot be taken away. 

I pray that you know this blessing, beloved. 

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 128-130 ESV

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 – 0:00Yeah, he should be happy right now.

INTRO S12E308 – 0:10Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. 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. Today is Psalms Wednesday. We’ll read Psalms 128 through 130. I’ll have a brief introduction before each Psalm and then I’ll have some comments after the reading, and I’m calling today’s episode, “It’s More Than Happy”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e308. And my email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s begin.

INTRO TO PSALM 128 – 0:47Psalm 128 is one of the fifteen Songs of Ascent which were sung by those who were making the journey to Jerusalem during one of the three feasts: Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles.

PSALM 128 (ESV) – 1:00Psalms, chapter 128.

(1) Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord,who walks in his ways!(2) You shall eat the fruit of the labor of your hands;you shall be blessed, and it shall be well with you.(3) Your wife will be like a fruitful vinewithin your house;your children will be like olive shootsaround your table.(4) Behold, thus shall the man be blessedwho fears the Lord.(5) The Lord bless you from Zion!May you see the prosperity of Jerusalemall the days of your life!(6) May you see your children’s children!Peace be upon Israel!

INTRO TO PSALM 129 – 1:36Psalm 129 is another Song of Ascent and commentator Derek Kidner wrote of this one, “Whereas most nations tend to look back on what they’ve achieved, Israel reflects here on what she has survived. It could be a disheartening exercise, for Zion still has its ill-wishers. But the singers take courage from the past, facing God with gratitude and their enemies with defiance.”

PSALM 129 (ESV) – 2:03Psalms, chapter 129.

(1) “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth”—let Israel now say—(2) “Greatly have they afflicted me from my youth,yet they have not prevailed against me.(3) The plowers plowed upon my back;they made long their furrows.”(4) The Lord is righteous;he has cut the cords of the wicked.(5) May all who hate Zionbe put to shame and turned backward!(6) Let them be like the grass on the housetops,which withers before it grows up,(7) with which the reaper does not fill his handnor the binder of sheaves his arms,(8) nor do those who pass by say,“The blessing of the Lord be upon you!We bless you in the name of the Lord!”

INTRO TO PSALM 130 – 2:46Psalm 130 is also another Song of Ascent. And this one begins with a remembrance of God’s rescue from the darkness of guilt, and then it rises a step at a time to a place of encouraging a trust in God. This is one of the seven penitential songs, the others being Psalm 6, 32, 38, 51, 102 and 143. These are psalms that speak of sin and the assurance of forgiveness. James Montgomery Boice wrote of this one,

“On the afternoon of that same day, which his heart was strangely warmed, and he truly trusted in Jesus for salvation, John Wesley attended a Vespers service at St. Paul’s Cathedral. In the course of which Psalm 130 was sung as an anthem. Wesley was greatly moved by the anthem and it became one of the means God used to open his heart to the gospel of salvation.”

PSALM 130 (ESV) – 3:41Psalms, chapter 130.

(1) Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord!(2) O Lord, hear my voice!Let your ears be attentiveto the voice of my pleas for mercy!(3) If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,O Lord, who could stand?(4) But with you there is forgiveness,that you may be feared.(5) I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,and in his word I hope;(6) my soul waits for the Lordmore than watchmen for the morning,more than watchmen for the morning.(7) O Israel, hope in the Lord!For with the Lord there is steadfast love,and with him is plentiful redemption.(8) And he will redeem Israelfrom all his iniquities.

COMMENTS – 4:26Well, Beloved, let’s talk for a bit about Psalm 128. Verse 1 says, “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways!” You know, I don’t think I’ve ever really talked much about what it is to be blessed. The verse said, “Blessed is everyone who fears the Lord, who walks in his ways.” Well, what does that actually mean? I mean, that’s a pretty inclusive statement,...

Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is History Tuesday and we’ll red 2 Chronicles 33-36, which will complete the book. I’m calling today’s episode “The Forgiven King.”

Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Jeremy Perkins on Unsplash

Comments on 2 Chronicles 33

Manasseh was a very evil king who ruled for fifty-five years. This tells us that just because something lasts a long time does not mean that God’s blessing is on it. 

The chapter very clearly outlines the sins of Manasseh, and the judgement that he and the nation suffered because of their sins. 

I want to focus for a brief moment on what happened as a result of God’s judgement. 

First, notice that God gave a warning to Manasseh that if he did not repent and correct his evil doings, there would be a steep price to pay. God did not have to warn him. He had already said many times throughout the history of the nation what blessings there would be if they followed God’s statutes and commandments, and what curses would be theirs if they did not. But in God’s mercy, He gave Manasseh one last chance. Of course true to his character, and the character of the people, God was ignored.

So God allowed the king of Assyria to defeat them, and Manasseh was taken into captivity, where he suffered greatly.

Now here is the interesting part. Manasseh finally repented. And he did so wholeheartedly. God knows the hearts of men, and God saw that Manasseh was truly sincere in his repentance. 

So what did God do? He brought Manasseh back into Jerusalem, and He restored him. And Manasseh set about making things right by rebuilding that which needed rebuilding, and tearing down that which needed to be torn down.

Beloved, this is a marvelous account of God’s mercy, and how the forgiven one should act upon receiving God’s mercy. When God forgives, He forgives. But that doesn’t mean that the forgiven should not do all he or she can to make restitution. It isn’t required, it isn’t a condition of forgiveness, but making restitution is an evidence of a changed heart. 

We should not take God’s mercy for granted. Too often, God brings us to the realization that we have done wrong; sometimes by suffering His judgement, sometimes by being caught or some other way. And in our realization, we ask for God’s forgiveness, which we should do. It is good to seek His forgiveness when we fail Him. But then our life does not show any change. If we have wronged someone, we don’t make amends. 

Beloved, we should not cheapen God’s grace by making light of it. Grace comes to us at a very high price. Jesus shed His blood for it. It is not an inconsequential thing. We don’t deserve it. We don’t earn it. We can’t repay it. But we can honor it and show by our actions that we are sorry for what we did to need it. 

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 33 NIV; Ch. 34-35 ESV; Ch. 36 NLT

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 he did so wholeheartedly.

INTRO S12E314 – 0:09Coming to you almost live 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 and, yes, this is almost live. This episode was pre-recorded as will be tomorrow and Thursday shows. The Lovely Lady LeeAnn and I are visiting our newest granddaughter and her parents in Orlando. Be back in the studio on Thursday to record this Friday’s show. So yeah, this is going to be a short trip. Today is History Tuesday, and we’ll read 2 Chronicles 33 through 36, which will complete that book. I’m calling today’s episode, “The Forgiven King”. Today’s show notes page is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e314. My email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s begin.

2 CHRONICLES 33 (NIV) – 1:032 Chronicles, chapter 33. (1) Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. (2) He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. (3) He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah had demolished; he also erected altars to the Baals and made Asherah poles. He bowed down to all the starry hosts and worshiped them. (4) He built altars in the temple of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “My Name will remain in Jerusalem forever.” (5) In both courts of the temple of the Lord, he built altars to all the starry hosts. (6) He sacrificed his children in the fire in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, practiced divination and witchcraft, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger.

(7) He took the image he had made and put it in God’s temple, of which God had said to David and to his son Solomon, “In this temple and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, I will put my Name forever. (8) I will not again make the feet of the Israelites leave the land I assigned to your ancestors, if only they will be careful to do everything I commanded them concerning all the laws, decrees and regulations given through Moses.” (9) But Manasseh led Judah and the people of Jerusalem astray, so that they did more evil than the nations the Lord had destroyed before the Israelites.

(10) The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention. (11) So the Lord brought against them the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon. (12) In his distress he sought the favor of the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the Lord of his ancestors. (13) And when he prayed to him, the Lord was moved by his entreaty and listened to his plea; so he brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord is God.

(14) Afterward he rebuilt the outer wall of the City of David, west of the Gihon spring in the valley, as far as the entrance of the Fish Gate and encircling the hill of Ophel; he also made it much higher. He stationed military commanders in all the fortified cities in Judah.

(15) He got rid of the foreign gods and removed the image from the temple of the Lord, as well as all the altars he had built on the temple hill and in Jerusalem; and he threw them out of the city. (16) Then he restored the altar of the Lord and sacrificed fellowship offerings and thank offerings on it, and told Judah to serve the Lord, the God of Israel. (17) The people, however, continued to sacrifice at the high places, but only to the Lord their God.

(18) The other events of Manasseh’s reign, including his prayer to his God and the words the seers spoke to him in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel, are written in the annals of the kings of Israel. (19) His prayer and how God was moved by his entreaty, as well as all his sins and unfaithfulness, and the sites where he built high places and set up Asherah poles and idols before he humbled himself—all these are written in the records of the seers. (20) Manasseh rested with his ancestors and was buried in his palace. And Amon his son succeeded him as king.

(21) Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem two years. (22) He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as his father Manasseh had done. Amon worshiped and offered sacrifices to all the idols Manasseh had made. (23) But unlike his father Manasseh, he did not humble himself before the Lord; Amon increased his guilt.

(24) Amon’s officials conspired against him and assassinated him in his palace. (25) Then the people of the land killed all who had plotted against King Amon, and they made Josiah his son king in his place.

2 CHRONICLES 34 (ESV) – 5:012 Chronicles, chapter 34. (1) Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. (2) And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father; and he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. (3) For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of David his father, and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, and the carved and the metal images. (4) And they chopped down the altars of the Baals in his presence, and he cut down the incense altars that stood above them. And he broke in pieces the Asherim and the carved and the metal images, and he made dust of them and scattered it over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. (5) He also burned the bones of the priests on their altars and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. (6) And in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, and as far as Naphtali, in their ruins all around, (7) he broke down the altars and beat the Asherim and the images into powder and cut down all the incense altars throughout all the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem.

(8) Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had cleansed the land and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz, the recorder, to repair the house of the Lord his God. (9) They came to Hilkiah the high priest and gave him the money that had been brought into the house of God, which the Levites, the keepers of the threshold, had collected from Manasseh and Ephraim and from all the remnant of Israel and from all Judah and Benjamin and from the inhabitants of Jerusalem. (10) And they gave it to the workmen who were working in the house of the Lord....