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,

Distinguished Producer

Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Paul of Seattle

Podcast Introduction

Today is Gospel Saturday Acts 15-16. I’m calling today’s episode “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.” 

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Comments on Acts 15

I’m always struck by the last scene in chapter 15. It’s in verses 36 through 41.

Paul suggested to Barnabas that they go and see how well the followers were doing in the cities they had visited and preached in. Barnabas said, “Hey, let’s take my cousin, John Mark along with us.” Paul said, “Yeah, no. When things got tough in Pamphylia, he wimped out on us and took off. I don’t trust him.”

This caused an argument between Barnabas and Paul. And according to the language in the original language, this wasn’t a calm disagreement. Have you ever seen a baseball team manager arguing nose-to-nose with an umpire? Red faced, voice raised, hands on hips? Maybe you’ve even seen a manager kick dirt on the ump? 

That seems to be the kind of argument Barnabas and Paul had. The word used for argument in our text can be literally translated as paroxysm. I had to look that one up. The definition of paroxysm is: a sudden attack or violent expression of a particular emotion or activity. Some synonyms are spasm, attack, fit, burst, outburst, eruption, explosion.

These guys really got into it!

And they split up. Barnabas took Mark and went to Cyprus. Paul and Silas went to Syria and Cilicia.

What do we learn from this? Is it a good thing to have knock down, drag out fights with our brothers and sisters in Christ? Of course not. Jesus said, “(The world) will know you are mine by your love for one another.” In this instance, Paul and Barnabas struck out. They blew it. And I’ll bet that they both regretted it.

And there is some evidence that I’m right on this, because we read in Colossians that Paul referred to Mark as “my fellow worker” and he vouched for him to the Colossian church. And then near the end of his life he asked Timothy to bring Mark with him.

Barnabas, who’s name means “Son of encouragement”, and who is referred to as a “good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith”, spent time with Mark discipling him. 

How effective was Barnabas’ time with Mark? Sounds to me like it was very effective. Mark wrote what we know today as the Gospel According to Mark. 

The Bible does not sugar coat the humanity of the men and women we find it its pages. We see how God powerfully uses them despite their failings.

What do we learn from the violent argument between Barnabas and Paul? That God’s grace is sufficient. If our heart is right, if we truly desire to follow God, when our flesh gets in the way, He will take a disaster and turn it around for His glory.

That doesn’t mean that the next time you have a disagreement with a brother or sister you have license to punch them in the nose, though.

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 15 CEV; Ch. 16 ERV

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Podcast Introduction

Today is Prophecy Friday. We’ll read the first seven chapters of Zechariah. I’m calling today’s episode “The Lord Remembers.”  

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Comments on Zechariah 1-7

Zechariah and Haggai were contemporaries. Both were called by God after the 70 year exile. Zechariah's prophecy came two months after Haggai's first prophecy. Where the prophecies of Haggai had primarily to do with the Temple, Zechariah's were about the people. The language of Zechariah's messages were very similar to that of the book of Revelation, with symbolism, types, and visions.

Zechariah, which means "The Lord Remembers",  is a common name in the Old Testament, and we do not know much about the author of this prophetic book. We do know from the book of Ezra that he was the son of Iddo.

In chapter one, God's message to the people is, "Return to me, and I will return to you."

Were you able to see Zechariah’s reference to Jesus in these chapters? 

1)

In chapter 1, verse 11, He is the man who stood among the myrtle trees.

2)

In chapter two, he is the man with a measuring line in his hand. Here, Jesus is going to measure the physical size of Jerusalem, because many are going to be added to the city because those who have been spread abroad like the four winds of heaven are being called back. Because of this, Jerusalem will increase. 

Then a second angel comes to Jesus and tells Him to tell Zechariah that Jerusalem will be like a city without walls because of the multitude of the population of people and livestock. But the people are not to be afraid of having no walls, because God will be their protector, like a wall of fire around them, and His glory will be in their midst.

Beloved, this is a vision of what is to be. God is not just calling the Jews, but anyone who will put their trust in His Son. In verse 11 of chapter two, the Lord says, “Many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you.”

This chapter is a call to all of us to rejoice in God’s plan and His promises.

3)

In chapter 3, Jesus is referred to as the Branch.

4)

We read again of the Branch in chapter 6. There, He is referred to as the Branch, who will build the Temple of the Lord. What temple did Jesus build? The Church. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit, according to Paul in 1 Corinthians 6:19.

And then in chapter 7, the Lord, through Zechariah, said that His people ignored Him, so He ignored them and scattered them among the nations.

There are several times in these chapters we read references to the Messiah. Remember, Jesus is the second person of the Trinity. He is the I AM. He has always been, and He will always be. He was at the creation, and He has always been active in the affairs of man. For Zechariah, or any of the prophets to have seen Him in visions is not surprising.

I am looking forward to the day when I will see Him face to face. How about you?

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 1-5 NKJV; Ch. 6-7 NIV

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Podcast Introduction

Today is Poetry Thursday. Ecclesiastes 7-8. I’m calling today’s episode “Trust.”

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Comments on Ecclesiastes 7-8

I think that what we can take from Solomon’s teaching here in Ecclesiastes is that wisdom, money, power and everything else that man strives for does not bring happiness or understanding or peace. Solomon had it all. But at the end of his life he realized that what God does is far beyond man’s understanding. 

Notice that not once has he accused God of being unjust or unfair. He has said that some of the things he has seen are unfair, but he chalks that up to just what happens in this life. And he admits in the last two verses of today’s reading that we just cannot understand it.

Some things we just need to leave in the hands of God. Our human heart doesn’t easily find that conclusion to be very satisfying, but if you don’t want to drive yourself crazy trying to figure out what is impossible for our puny, finite minds to grasp, then you really do have to come to grips with that reality. 

We need to trust that God truly does love us. And He does. We need to trust that God truly is holy. And He is. We need to trust that God is just. And He is. We need to trust that on the last day, God will set everything right. And He will. 

Today's Bible Translation

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

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Transcript Correction: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister DenisePodcasting 2.0 Chapters: Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Sean of San Pedro and Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Michael HanerShow Art: Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Scott Snider and Lifespring Family Berean Jason PaschallNewsletter Publisher: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Brittaney

Podcast Introduction

Today is Psalms Wednesday. We’ll read chapters 131-133. I’m calling today’s episode “No Room For Pride.”

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Comments on Psalm 131

Psalm 131 is David's song in which he declares that pride has no place in his heart.

For someone with as many accomplishments as David had, it can be very difficult not to harbor pride or arrogance. We know from Scripture that David had at least one bout with pride, when he got into trouble with Bathsheba. To be sure, lust was a big part of his sin, but pride was at the root of his fall. He thought that he could get away with his sin with Bathsheba and the subsequent sin of the murder of her husband. But the cascading consequences of the first sin reverberated for many years. 

David learned the hard way that pride will inevitably wreak havoc on one's life, and in this psalm he says that he has learned that it is much better to be content with God, and the blessings He brings to a contrite heart. 

Oh, beloved. Would that we would learn this lesson early in life, instead of spending wasted years in pursuit of glory, riches and power. A heart in pursuit of a vital, dynamic, deep relationship with God will always result in a life infinitely more fulfilled. It will be a life that leaves an eternal legacy. 

But even if we learn the lesson later in life, as David did, we know from this psalm that our heart can find peace with God, despite earlier failures. Coming to Christ, admitting that we need the forgiveness that only He can bring, is but the first step in laying down our pride. From that point on, He begins the work of making us a new person, the person He created us to be. 

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 131-133 ESV

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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.”

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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

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This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising equals censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring One Year Bible Rewind, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and donate here: SUPPORT.

The Team

Transcript Correction: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister DenisePodcasting 2.0 Chapters: Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Sean of San Pedro and Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Michael HanerShow Art: Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Scott Snider and Lifespring Family Berean Jason PaschallNewsletter Publisher: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Brittaney

Podcast Introduction

Today is Monday so we’ll read from the Law. Deuteronomy 10-12  I have a special, by request On This Date In Church History for you, and an audio comment from a friend, in response to a prayer request. I’m calling today’s episode “What’s It Take?”  

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Comments on Deuteronomy 10

12“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13to keep the commandments and statutes of the Lord, which I am commanding you today for your good?

Deuteronomy 10:12-13 ESV

These are the actions that God requires of His people.

1. To fear the Lord your God

2. To walk in all His ways

3. To love Him

4. To serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul

5. To keep the commandments and statues of the Lord

BONUS: These are all given FOR OUR GOOD.

1. To fear the Lord your God

This is not the kind of fear that makes us tremble with fright. This is an awe inspired respect that causes us to want to please Him. As He invites us into His presence, we are aware of His infinite power, holiness and righteousness. But the fact remains that He has, indeed, invited us. So we realize that He wants us to be with Him. And then we realize the price He paid so that we could be in His presence...Jesus, the second person of the Trinity, died for our sins and was resurrected, defeating death. And the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, came to live inside of us when we accepted Jesus, an unimaginable privilege. All of this helps us to realize how very much God loves us. 1 John 4:18 tells us that "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment." We need not fear God if we have placed our faith in Jesus, not the type of fear that means "afraid".

2. To walk in all His ways

In His Word, God has given instructions for how we should live. He expects and requires us to follow these instructions. Much of the time, our inclination is to follow our own desires, which are diametrically opposed to God's ways. In spite of our desires, He requires that we choose His way. If we insist on walking in our own ways, how can we say that we are His? When I married the Lovely Lady LeeAnn, I made a vow to be faithful to her, and walk in the ways of matrimony. If I insist on continuing to live as if I were a single man, how could I say that I was truly her husband? I may have said the words, but my heart and my mind was not changed. In a similar way, when I accepted Christ, I began a new relationship with Him and asked Him to be the Lord of my life. My life must reflect that relationship, just as my life must reflect the marriage relationship I have with LeeAnn.

3. To love Him

God requires that we make a conscious decision to love Him. This kind of love is not based on an emotional or romantic whim, but a reasoned response to the love and mercy He has shown toward us. Love is more than a feeling. Love is a decision. I decided to love the Lovely Lady LeeAnn, forsaking all others. Through good times and hard times, in sickness and in health, I promised to love her. That's a picture of how we are to love God. Sometimes life is sweet, sometimes life is hard. But I choose to love God in all circumstances.

4. To serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul

Because we love Him, because of the fact that all that we are and all that we have is because of God's goodness and love, He requires us to serve Him with our whole being. All that we do should be done as if it were a service to Him. Without Him, I am nothing. My very breath is a gift from God. I owe literally everything to Him. It is my honor to serve Him. It is an obligation, but one that I take on willingly and without reservation. How could I not?

5.

Podcast Introduction

Today is Epistles Sunday. 1 Peter 1-3. I’m calling today’s episode “Not My Will.” 

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Comments on 1 Peter 1 and 2

In chapter 1,  Peter called the people to holy living. He told them not to slip back into their old ways of living to satisfy their own desires. “…their own desires…”

And then in chapter 2 when talking to slaves he said that they should submit to their masters with all respect. Not just when the master is kind, but when he is cruel.

And then dropping down again a few verses, Peter says, “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering…”

The common thread here is that we are not to put our own desires or our own rights above all else. We are to remember that we are slaves of God, and put His desires and His agenda ahead of ours. 

Let me complete the thought, “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.”

When Peter says this, he does so as he remembers that horrible night and early morning when Jesus did suffer for me and for you. Peter was an eye witness to the horrible ordeal Jesus suffered. Jesus could have, at any time, called down a legion of angles to wipe out those who were beating him. He could have released Himself from the pain and the chains that held him. He could have insisted on His rights as the Sovereign of All that is!

But He didn’t. He suffered so that we could be saved from the wages of our sins. And we must follow His example. If God puts us in a position of suffering, then we must prayerfully submit to His will, knowing that He loves us and trusting that His will is right. 

Since I know how much He loves me, I do trust Him. And any suffering I have gone through in my life truly has brought me closer to Him. It is worth it.

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 1-2 NLT; Ch. 3 NCV

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This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising equals censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring One Year Bible Rewind, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and donate here: SUPPORT.

The Team

Transcript Correction: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister DenisePodcasting 2.0 Chapters: Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Sean of San Pedro and Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Michael HanerShow Art: Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Scott Snider and Lifespring Family Berean Jason PaschallNewsletter Publisher: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Brittaney

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."

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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

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This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising equals censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring One Year Bible Rewind, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and donate here: SUPPORT.

The Team

Transcript Correction: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister DenisePodcasting 2.0 Chapters: Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Sean of San Pedro and Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Michael HanerShow Art: Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Scott Snider and Lifespring Family Berean Jason PaschallNewsletter Publisher: Lifespring Family Berean, Sister Brittaney

Podcast Introduction

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

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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 ...