Lifespring! One Year Bible

Transcript

Today is Monday. We’ll read Deuteronomy 16-19.  I’m calling today’s episode “You Consulted A What?”  

One thing that comes through very clearly in this chapter of Deuteronomy is that dabbling in the occult is something that God will hates. That means playing with horoscopes, Tarot cards, numerology, Ouiji boards, or trying to contact the dead through seances or anything else. Some people consider this type of thing “just having fun”. But when you read this chapter of Deuteronomy, you see that God does not see it that way. 

There is a world that we do not see. The apostle Paul said in Ephesians 6:12 that “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Beloved, the enemy of our souls and his demons really are out to destroy us. There is a spiritual battle, and the occult is one method they use to gain footholds in people’s lives. So the further you can stay away from these things, the better. 

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 16 NIRV; Ch. 17 HCSB; Ch. 18 NASB; Ch. 19 ERV

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.

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00
Just having fun.

INTRO S12E327 – 0:09
This is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California. Podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. How’s your day going? Today’s Monday and we’re going to read Deuteronomy 16 through 19. I’m calling today’s episode, “You Consulted A What?” The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e327. And my email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s get started.

DEUTERONOMY 16 (NIRV) – 0:41
Deuteronomy, chapter 16. (1) Celebrate the Passover Feast of the Lord your God in the month of Aviv. In that month he brought you out of Egypt at night. (2) Sacrifice an animal from your flock or herd. It is the Passover sacrifice in honor of the Lord your God. Sacrifice it at the special place the Lord will choose. He will put his Name there. (3) Don’t eat the animal along with bread that is made with yeast. Instead, for seven days eat bread that is made without yeast. It’s the bread that reminds you of how much you suffered. Remember that you left Egypt in a hurry. Remember it all the days of your life. Don’t forget the day you left Egypt. (4) Don’t keep any yeast anywhere in your land for seven days. Don’t let any of the meat you sacrifice on the evening of the first day be left over until the next morning.

(5) You must not sacrifice the Passover animal in any town the Lord your God is giving you. (6) Sacrifice it only in the special place he will choose for his Name. Sacrifice it there in the evening when the sun goes down. Do it on the same day every year. Be sure it’s the day you left Egypt. (7) Cook it and eat it. Do it at the place the Lord your God will choose. Then in the morning return to your tents. (8) For six days eat bread that is made without yeast. On the seventh day come together for a service in honor of the Lord your God. Don’t do any work.

(9) Count off seven weeks from the time you begin to cut your grain in the field. (10) Then celebrate the Feast of Weeks in honor of the Lord your God. Give anything you choose to give as an offering. Do it in keeping with the blessings the Lord has given you. (11) Be filled with joy in the sight of the Lord your God. Be joyful at the special place he will choose for his Name. You, your children, and your male and female servants should be joyful. So should the Levites who are living in your towns. So should the outsiders and widows who are living among you. And so should the children whose fathers have died. (12) Remember that you were slaves in Egypt. Be careful to obey the rules I’m giving you.

(13) Gather the grain from your threshing floors. Take the fresh wine from your winepresses. Then celebrate the Feast of Booths for seven days. (14) Be filled with joy at your feast. You, your children, and your male and female servants should be joyful. So should the Levites, the outsiders, and the widows who are living in your towns. And so should the children whose fathers have died. (15) For seven days celebrate the feast in honor of the Lord your God. Do it at the place he will choose. The Lord will bless you when you gather all of your crops. He’ll bless you in everything you do. And you will be full of joy. (16) All your men must appear in front of the Lord your God at the holy tent. They must go to the place he will choose. They must do it three times a year. They must go there to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Booths. No man should appear in front of the Lord without bringing something with him. (17) Each of you must bring a gift. Do it in keeping with the way the Lord your God has blessed you.

(18) Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes. Do it in every town the Lord your God is giving you. They must judge the people fairly. (19) Do what is right. Treat everyone the same. Don’t take money from people who want special favors. It makes those who are wise close their eyes to the truth. It twists the words of those who do what is right. (20) Follow only what is right. If you do, you will live. You will take over the land the Lord your God is giving you.

(21) Don’t set up a wooden pole that is used to worship the goddess Asherah. Don’t set it up beside the altar you build to worship the Lord your God. (22) Don’t set up a sacred stone to honor another god. The Lord your God hates Asherah poles and sacred stones.

DEUTERONOMY 17 (HCSB) – 4:33
Deuteronomy, chapter 17. (1) “You must not sacrifice to the Lord your God an ox or sheep with a defect or any serious flaw, for that is detestable to the Lord your God.

(2) “If a man or woman among you in one of your towns that the Lord your God will give you is discovered doing evil in the sight of the Lord your God and violating His covenant (3) and has gone to worship other gods by bowing down to the sun, moon, or all the stars in the sky — which I have forbidden — (4) and if you are told or hear about it, you must investigate it thoroughly. If the report turns out to be true that this detestable thing has happened in Israel, (5) you must bring out to your gates that man or woman who has done this evil thing and stone them to death. (6) The one condemned to die is to be executed on the testimony of two or three witnesses. No one is to be executed on the testimony of a single witness. (7) The witnesses’ hands are to be the first in putting him to death, and after that, the hands of all the people. You must purge the evil from you.

(8) “If a case is too difficult for you — concerning bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults — cases disputed at your gates, you must go up to the place the Lord your God chooses. (9) You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Ask, and they will give you a verdict in the case. (10) You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place the Lord chooses. Be careful to do exactly as they instruct you. (11) You must abide by the instruction they give you and the verdict they announce to you. Do not turn to the right or the left from the decision they declare to you. (12) The person who acts arrogantly, refusing to listen either to the priest who stands there serving the Lord your God or to the judge, must die. You must purge the evil from Israel. (13) Then all the people will hear about it, be afraid, and no longer behave arrogantly.

(14) “When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, take possession of it, live in it, and say, ‘I will set a king over me like all the nations around me,’ (15) you are to appoint over you the king the Lord your God chooses. Appoint a king from your brothers. You are not to set a foreigner over you, or one who is not of your people. (16) However, he must not acquire many horses for himself or send the people back to Egypt to acquire many horses, for the Lord has told you, ‘You are never to go back that way again.’ (17) He must not acquire many wives for himself so that his heart won’t go astray. He must not acquire very large amounts of silver and gold for himself. (18) When he is seated on his royal throne, he is to write a copy of this instruction for himself on a scroll in the presence of the Levitical priests. (19) It is to remain with him, and he is to read from it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to observe all the words of this instruction, and to do these statutes. (20) Then his heart will not be exalted above his countrymen, he will not turn from this command to the right or the left, and he and his sons will continue ruling many years over Israel.

DEUTERONOMY 18 (NASB) – 7:35
Deuteronomy, chapter 18. (1) “The Levitical priests, the whole tribe of Levi, shall have no portion or inheritance with Israel; they shall eat the Lord’s offerings by fire and His portion. (2) They shall have no inheritance among their countrymen; the Lord is their inheritance, as He promised them.

(3) “Now this shall be the priests’ due from the people, from those who offer a sacrifice, either an ox or a sheep, of which they shall give to the priest the shoulder and the two cheeks and the stomach. (4) You shall give him the first fruits of your grain, your new wine, and your oil, and the first shearing of your sheep. (5) For the Lord your God has chosen him and his sons from all your tribes, to stand and serve in the name of the Lord forever.

(6) “Now if a Levite comes from any of your towns throughout Israel where he resides, and comes whenever he desires to the place which the Lord chooses, (7) then he shall serve in the name of the Lord his God, like all his fellow Levites who stand there before the Lord. (8) They shall eat equal portions, except what they receive from the sale of their fathers’ estates.

(9) “When you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the detestable things of those nations. (10) There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who practices witchcraft, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, (11) or one who casts a spell, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls upon the dead. (12) For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord; and because of these detestable things the Lord your God will drive them out before you. (13) You shall be blameless before the Lord your God. (14) For those nations, which you shall dispossess, listen to those who practice witchcraft and to diviners, but as for you, the Lord your God has not allowed you to do so.

(15) “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your countrymen, you shall listen to him. (16) This is according to all that you asked of the Lord your God in Horeb on the day of the assembly, saying, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the Lord my God, let me not see this great fire anymore, or I will die.’ (17) The Lord said to me, ‘They have spoken well. (18) I will raise up a prophet from among their countrymen like you, and I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him. (19) It shall come about that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I Myself will require it of him. (20) But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die.’ (21) You may say in your heart, ‘How will we know the word which the Lord has not spoken?’ (22) When a prophet speaks in the name of the Lord, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the Lord has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

DEUTERONOMY 19 (ERV) – 10:28
Deuteronomy, chapter 19. (1) “The Lord your God is giving you land that belongs to other nations. The Lord your God will destroy those nations. You will live where these people lived. You will take their cities and their houses. When that happens, (2-3) you must divide the land that the Lord your God is giving you. Divide it into three parts and choose a city in the middle of each part that can be a place of safety. You must also build good roads to these cities. Then whoever kills another person may run to the closest city of safety.

(4) “This is the rule for someone who kills another person and runs to one of these three cities for safety: It must be someone who killed another person accidentally, not out of hatred. (5) Here is an example: A man goes into the forest with another person to cut wood. The man swings his ax to cut down a tree, but the head of the ax separates from the handle. The ax head hits the other person and kills him. The man who swung the ax may then run to one of these three cities and be safe. (6) But if the city is too far away, he might not be able to run there fast enough. A close relative of the person he killed might run after him and catch him before he reaches the city. The relative might kill the man in anger, even though he did not deserve to die because he did not mean to harm anyone. (7) That is why I commanded you to choose three special cities.

(8) “The Lord your God promised your fathers that he would make your land larger. He will give you all the land that he promised to give to your ancestors. (9) He will do this if you completely obey his commands that I give you today—if you love the Lord your God and always live the way he wants. Then, when he gives you more land, you should choose three more cities for safety. They should be added to the first three cities. (10) Then innocent people will not be killed in the land that the Lord your God is giving you. And you will not be guilty for any such deaths.

(11) “But suppose there is a man who hates his neighbor. That man might hide and wait to kill the person he hates. If he kills that person and runs to one of these cities of safety, (12) the elders in his hometown must send someone to get him and take him away from the city of safety. These leaders must hand him over to the close relative. He is a murderer and he must die. (13) Don’t feel sorry for him. He is guilty of killing an innocent person, and you must remove that guilt from Israel. Then everything will go well with you.

(14) “You must not move the stones that mark your neighbor’s property. People put them there in the past to mark each person’s property. These stones mark the land that the Lord your God gave you.

(15) “If someone is accused of doing something against the law, one witness is not enough to prove that the person is guilty. There must be two or three witnesses to prove that the person really did wrong.

(16) “A witness might try to hurt another person by lying and saying that this person did wrong. (17) If that happens, both of them must go to the Lord’s special house and be judged by the priests and judges who are on duty at that time. (18) When the judges carefully ask their questions, they might find that the witness lied against the other person. If the witnesses tell lies, (19) you must punish them with the same punishment the other person would have received. In this way you will remove this evil from your group. (20) Other people will hear about this and be afraid, and people will not do evil things like that again.

(21) “Don’t feel sorry about punishing someone who does wrong. If a life is taken, a life must be paid for it. The rule is an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a hand for a hand, a foot for a foot—the punishment must equal the crime.

COMMENTS – 14:11
Well one thing that’s very clear in chapter 18 of Deuteronomy is that messing around with the occult is something that God hates. That means consulting horoscopes, tarot cards, numerology, Ouija boards or trying to contact the dead through seances or anything else. Some people consider this as just harmless diversion, just having fun. But when you read this chapter of Deuteronomy, you see that God doesn’t see it that way at all.

You see, Beloved, there is a world that we don’t see. The apostle Paul said in Ephesians 6:12 that quote, “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places,” unquote. Beloved, The enemy of our souls and his demons really are out to destroy us. There is a spiritual battle and the occult is one method they use to gain footholds in people’s lives. So the further you stay away from these things, the better.

What do you think? You think I’m right? You think I’m wrong? You think it’s just fun? Let me know, lifespringmedia.com/s12e327. Tomorrow is History Tuesday and we’re going to finish the book of Ezra. We’ll read chapters 6 through 10.

Boost.

BRYAN DUNCAN’S NEW PODCAST – 15:54
I mentioned to you the other day that I was helping a friend of mine get his own podcast started. Do you remember that? Well, we still have some work to do in terms of some back-office type stuff, but I can now announce that Brian Duncan’s podcast called Nutshell Sermons is now available on your favorite podcast app or at nutshellsermons.com. He’s already got several episodes available and most of them are less than two minutes long. The tagline of the show is “Insights from your friend on the back row”. It’s not a music show. As he puts it, it’s spiritual insights in two minutes and includes nutshell sermons, personal opinions, sarcastic humor and prayers you won’t hear in church. I guarantee that. So for some pithy comments from a very creative mind, check out Nutshell Sermons and as they say, hit that subscribe or follow button. And by the way if you want to check out his Twitter he’s @lunaticfriend2, that’s numeral 2, @lunaticfriend2.

BRYAN DUNCAN SINGS – 16:51
…only for good. I know it’s gonna take some time to see. I know how you gotta freely turn to me. I know the space that I’m creating. I know the time that I will spend waiting. And I am the One who loves your every day. I’m the One who lets you throw your heart away. I’m making plans that aren’t fading. And I’m choosing you, and not trading. And I know the plans, the plans that I have for you are only for good. Only for good. Only for good. And I bring you hope…

CLOSING PRAYER – 17:51
Let’s pray, shall we? Our heavenly Father, you are the Alpha and Omega, the creator of all that is. Our desire, Lord is to follow you and you alone. We love you and we worship you with all of our heart, soul and mind. There is no other. Hallelujah. We praise you. Hold us close Lord and help us to hear the Holy Spirit as He teaches us. I pray this in Jesus name, amen.

OUTRO S12E327 – 18:23
Comment on the show at lifespringmedia.com/s12e327. Or send me an email at st***@*************ia.com. Thanks to the team: Kirsty, Sean of San Pedro and Denise, and thanks to the Lifespring family members who are streaming sats and boosting. You know who you are. And I appreciate you. God bless you. Thanks for letting me join you today. If you’d like to support the show, I would very much appreciate it. Go to lifespringmedia.com/support.

Until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb.

Bye.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Corrected by Denise

Transcript

Today is Epistles Sunday. We’ll read the book of 2 Peter. I’m calling today’s episode “How To Identify A Counterfeit.”  

I’d like to just briefly touch on a couple of points made by Peter.

First, the topic of false teachers. They were a problem in Old Testament times, they were a problem in the early church, and they are a problem today. 

False teachers are usually students of the human mind and human weaknesses, and they know what people like to hear. Their motivation is often for money, sometimes for power, and never for the benefit of the listener. Some false teachers have small followings, some have millions.

How do you know if someone is a false teacher? A counterfeit? It’s not really that hard. You need to know what Scripture says. When you know the real thing well, counterfeits are easy to detect. This podcast is a good start in knowing the Bible, but it is no substitute for your actually applying yourself to deep, disciplined study on your own. Having a Bible teaching pastor is important, being a part of a good Bible study group is important, having trusted and godly friends is important. But nothing is more important that you actually getting to know the Word of God intimately yourself. As you study, pray and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom. That is a prayer that is always answered. And the more you study, the more you will begin to understand, and the easier it will be to identify false teachers.

And then the next point I’d like to discuss is the second coming of Jesus.

I recently had a discussion with someone who said, “Yeah, right. Christians have been saying Jesus was coming back since the church began. They say, ‘Look at the signs,’ but nothing is any different today than it was then.” 

Doesn’t that sound just like chapter 3, verse 4 from our reading today? Here it is again: They will say, “Jesus promised to come again. Where is he? Our fathers have died, but the world continues the way it has been since it was made.”

Peter was talking about what it would be like in the last days. He said they would laugh at you, and they would make that statement. But Peter reminds us that the world is different. It hasn’t always been the way it is now. He says, “But they do not want to remember what happened long ago. By the word of God heaven was made, and the earth was made from water and with water. 6Then the world was flooded and destroyed with water. 7And that same word of God is keeping heaven and earth that we now have in order to be destroyed by fire.”

Beloved, Jesus is coming. I don’t know when, but I personally think it will be very, very soon.

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 1-3 NCV

The episode on Amazing Grace

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.

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00
Never for the benefit of the listener.

INTRO S123326 – 0:10
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. How are you? Today’s Epistle Sunday, and we’re going to read the book of 2 Peter. I’m calling today’s episode, “How to Identify a Counterfeit”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e326. And my email address is st***@*************ia.com. Are you ready? Let’s go.

2 PETER 1 (NCV) – 0:45
2 Peter, chapter 1. (1) From Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ.

To you who have received a faith as valuable as ours, because our God and Savior Jesus Christ does what is right.

(2) Grace and peace be given to you more and more, because you truly know God and Jesus our Lord.

(3) Jesus has the power of God, by which he has given us everything we need to live and to serve God. We have these things because we know him. Jesus called us by his glory and goodness. (4) Through these he gave us the very great and precious promises. With these gifts you can share in God’s nature, and the world will not ruin you with its evil desires.

(5) Because you have these blessings, do your best to add these things to your lives: to your faith, add goodness; and to your goodness, add knowledge; (6) and to your knowledge, add self-control; and to your self-control, add patience; and to your patience, add service for God; (7) and to your service for God, add kindness for your brothers and sisters in Christ; and to this kindness, add love. (8) If all these things are in you and are growing, they will help you to be useful and productive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (9) But anyone who does not have these things cannot see clearly. He is blind and has forgotten that he was made clean from these past sins.

(10) My brothers and sisters, try hard to be certain that you really are called and chosen by God. If you do all these things, you will never fall. (11) And you will be given a very great welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

(12) You know these things, and you are very strong in the truth, but I will always help you remember them. (13) I think it is right for me to help you remember as long as I am in this body. (14) I know I must soon leave this body, as our Lord Jesus Christ has shown me. (15) I will try my best so that you may be able to remember these things even after I am gone.

(16) When we told you about the powerful coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were not telling just clever stories that someone invented. But we saw the greatness of Jesus with our own eyes. (17) Jesus heard the voice of God, the Greatest Glory, when he received honor and glory from God the Father. The voice said, “This is my Son, whom I love, and I am very pleased with him.” (18) We heard that voice from heaven while we were with Jesus on the holy mountain.

(19) This makes us more sure about the message the prophets gave. It is good for you to follow closely what they said as you would follow a light shining in a dark place, until the day begins and the morning star rises in your hearts. (20) Most of all, you must understand this: No prophecy in the Scriptures ever comes from the prophet’s own interpretation. (21) No prophecy ever came from what a person wanted to say, but people led by the Holy Spirit spoke words from God.

2 PETER 2 (NCV) – 3:38
2 Peter, chapter 2. (1) There used to be false prophets among God’s people, just as you will have some false teachers in your group. They will secretly teach things that are wrong—teachings that will cause people to be lost. They will even refuse to accept the Master, Jesus, who bought their freedom. So they will bring quick ruin on themselves. (2) Many will follow their evil ways and say evil things about the way of truth. (3) Those false teachers only want your money, so they will use you by telling you lies. Their judgment spoken against them long ago is still coming, and their ruin is certain.

(4) When angels sinned, God did not let them go free without punishment. He sent them to hell and put them in caves of darkness where they are being held for judgment. (5) And God punished the world long ago when he brought a flood to the world that was full of people who were against him. But God saved Noah, who preached about being right with God, and seven other people with him. (6) And God also destroyed the evil cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them until they were ashes. He made those cities an example of what will happen to those who are against God. (7) But he saved Lot from those cities. Lot, a good man, was troubled because of the filthy lives of evil people. (8) (Lot was a good man, but because he lived with evil people every day, his good heart was hurt by the evil things he saw and heard.) (9) So the Lord knows how to save those who serve him when troubles come. He will hold evil people and punish them, while waiting for the Judgment Day. (10) That punishment is especially for those who live by doing the evil things their sinful selves want and who hate authority.

These false teachers are bold and do anything they want. They are not afraid to speak against the angels. (11) But even the angels, who are much stronger and more powerful than false teachers, do not accuse them with insults before the Lord. (12) But these people speak against things they do not understand. They are like animals that act without thinking, animals born to be caught and killed. And, like animals, these false teachers will be destroyed. (13) They have caused many people to suffer, so they themselves will suffer. That is their pay for what they have done. They take pleasure in openly doing evil, so they are like dirty spots and stains among you. They delight in deceiving you while eating meals with you. (14) Every time they look at a woman they want her, and their desire for sin is never satisfied. They lead weak people into the trap of sin, and they have taught their hearts to be greedy. God will punish them! (15) These false teachers left the right road and lost their way, following the way Balaam went. Balaam was the son of Beor, who loved being paid for doing wrong. (16) But a donkey, which cannot talk, told Balaam he was sinning. It spoke with a man’s voice and stopped the prophet’s crazy thinking.

(17) Those false teachers are like springs without water and clouds blown by a storm. A place in the blackest darkness has been kept for them. (18) They brag with words that mean nothing. By their evil desires they lead people into the trap of sin—people who are just beginning to escape from others who live in error. (19) They promise them freedom, but they themselves are not free. They are slaves of things that will be destroyed. For people are slaves of anything that controls them. (20) They were made free from the evil in the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But if they return to evil things and those things control them, then it is worse for them than it was before. (21) Yes, it would be better for them to have never known the right way than to know it and to turn away from the holy teaching that was given to them. (22) What they did is like this true saying: “A dog goes back to what it has thrown up,” and, “After a pig is washed, it goes back and rolls in the mud.”

3 PETER (NCV) – 7:26
2 Peter, chapter 3. (1) My friends, this is the second letter I have written you to help your honest minds remember. (2) I want you to think about the words the holy prophets spoke in the past, and remember the command our Lord and Savior gave us through your apostles. (3) It is most important for you to understand what will happen in the last days. People will laugh at you. They will live doing the evil things they want to do. (4) They will say, “Jesus promised to come again. Where is he? Our fathers have died, but the world continues the way it has been since it was made.” (5) But they do not want to remember what happened long ago. By the word of God heaven was made, and the earth was made from water and with water. (6) Then the world was flooded and destroyed with water. (7) And that same word of God is keeping heaven and earth that we now have in order to be destroyed by fire. They are being kept for the Judgment Day and the destruction of all who are against God.

(8) But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: To the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day. (9) The Lord is not slow in doing what he promised—the way some people understand slowness. But God is being patient with you. He does not want anyone to be lost, but he wants all people to change their hearts and lives.

(10) But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The skies will disappear with a loud noise. Everything in them will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be exposed. (11) In that way everything will be destroyed. So what kind of people should you be? You should live holy lives and serve God, (12) as you wait for and look forward to the coming of the day of God. When that day comes, the skies will be destroyed with fire, and everything in them will melt with heat. (13) But God made a promise to us, and we are waiting for a new heaven and a new earth where goodness lives.

(14) Dear friends, since you are waiting for this to happen, do your best to be without sin and without fault. Try to be at peace with God. (15) Remember that we are saved because our Lord is patient. Our dear brother Paul told you the same thing when he wrote to you with the wisdom that God gave him. (16) He writes about this in all his letters. Some things in Paul’s letters are hard to understand, and people who are ignorant and weak in the faith explain these things falsely. They also falsely explain the other Scriptures, but they are destroying themselves by doing this.

(17) Dear friends, since you already know about this, be careful. Do not let those evil people lead you away by the wrong they do. Be careful so you will not fall from your strong faith. (18) But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Glory be to him now and forever! Amen.

COMMENTS – 10:14
Today I’d like to just briefly touch on a couple of points made by Peter.

First the topic of false teachers. They were a problem in the Old Testament times, they were a problem in the early church, and they’re a problem today.

False teachers are usually students of the human mind and human weaknesses, and they know what people like to hear. Their motivation is often for money, sometimes for power, and never for the benefit of the listener. Some false teachers have small followings. Some have millions.

So how do you know if someone is a false teacher? A counterfeit? Well, thankfully, it’s not really all that hard. You need to know what Scripture says, When you know the real thing well, counterfeits are easy to detect. You don’t really need to study what the false teachers teach. All you need to study is the Real, you study the Word of God. This podcast is a good start in knowing the Bible, but it’s no substitute for you’re actually applying yourself to deep, disciplined study on your own. Having a Bible-teaching pastor is important. Being part of a good Bible study group is important. Having trusted and godly friends is important. But nothing is more important than you actually getting to know the Word of God intimately yourself. As you study, I suggest you pray and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance and wisdom. That is a prayer that is always answered. And the more you study, the more you’ll begin to understand, and the easier it will be to identify false teachers.

And then the next point I’d like to discuss is the Second Coming of Jesus.

One thing you’ll often hear when having discussions with people about the Second Coming is somebody will say, “Yeah, right. Christians have been saying Jesus was coming back since the church began. They say, ‘Look at the signs’, but nothing is really any different today than it was then,” they’ll say.

Well, doesn’t that just sound like chapter 3, verse 4 from our reading today? Here it is, again: “They will say, ‘Jesus promised to come again. Where is he? Our fathers have died, but the world continues the way it has been since it was made.’”

So remember, Peter was talking about what it would be like in the last days. He said they’d laugh at you, and then they would make that statement. But Peter reminds us that the world is different. It hasn’t always been the way it is, now. He says, “But they do not want to remember what happened long ago. By the word of God heaven was made, and the earth was made from water and with water. (6) Then the world was flooded and destroyed with water. (7) And that same word of God is keeping heaven and earth that we now have in order to be destroyed by fire. They are being kept for the Judgment Day and the destruction of all who are against God.” Beloved, Jesus is coming. Now, I don’t know when, but I personally think it’ll be very, very soon.

What do you think? Let me know. Go to lifespringmedia.com/s12e326. Tomorrow’s Monday. We’ll read Deuteronomy 16 through 19.

Boost!

ON THIS DATE IN CHURCH HISTORY – 13:25
On this date in church history, July 24, 1725, John Newton was born. He was an Anglican clergyman and hymn writer. Master of a slave ship for 10 years before his conversion to Christianity in 1747, he later studied for Anglican ordination, and was appointed curate at Olney in 1764. There he became a friend of poet William Cowper, and together they published “Olney Hymns” in 1779, which included such well known hymns by Newton as “Amazing Grace” and “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken”.

It probably won’t surprise you to know that I did an episode of Lifespring HymnStories about “Amazing Grace”. If you’d like to listen to it, I’ll have a link on the show notes page.

CLOSING PRAYER – 14:23
Let’s pray. Our heavenly Father, we thank you for teaching us from your Word about what is true. As we read and as we study, we pray that you would embed your truth into our hearts and our minds. Keep us from being deceived, Lord, and help us to help others who have been led astray.

I thank you for the Lifespring family and I ask that you bless them today. And I pray this in Jesus name, amen.

If you have a prayer request or to praise go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com.

OUTRO S12E326 – 14:58
Comment on the show at lifespringmedia.com/s12e326, And send me an email at st***@*************ia.com. Thanks to the team: Kirsty, Sean of San Pedro and Denise.

And thank you very much for inviting me into your day today. If you’re glad the show is here, please help support the show. Go to lifespringmedia.com/support. Take a look around, see what’s there, pray about it and then do as the Lord leads.

Until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb.

Bye.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Corrected by Denise

Transcript

Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Paul of Seattle

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

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.

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

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.

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00
Yeah, no, I don’t think so.

INTRO S12E318 – 0:09
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 Gospel Saturday. We’ll read Acts 15 and 16. And I’m calling today’s episode “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do”. Gotta have some fun, right? The show notes page for today’s episode, is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e318. If you’d like to send me an email, I’d love to get it. Send it to st***@*************ia.com. Let’s begin.

ACTS 15 (CEV) – 0:45
Acts. chapter 15. (1) Some people came from Judea and started teaching the Lord’s followers that they could not be saved, unless they were circumcised as Moses had taught. (2) This caused trouble, and Paul and Barnabas argued with them about this teaching. So it was decided to send Paul and Barnabas and a few others to Jerusalem to discuss this problem with the apostles and the church leaders.

(3) The men who were sent by the church went through Phoenicia and Samaria, telling how the Gentiles had turned to God. This news made the Lord’s followers very happy. (4) When the men arrived in Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church, including the apostles and the leaders. They told them everything God had helped them do. (5) But some Pharisees had become followers of the Lord. They stood up and said, “Gentiles who have faith in the Lord must be circumcised and told to obey the Law of Moses.”

(6) The apostles and church leaders met to discuss this problem about Gentiles. (7) They had talked it over for a long time, when Peter got up and said:

My friends, you know that God decided long ago to let me be the one from your group to preach the good news to the Gentiles. God did this so they would hear and obey him. (8) He knows what is in everyone’s heart. And he showed he had chosen the Gentiles, when he gave them the Holy Spirit, just as he had given his Spirit to us. (9) God treated them in the same way that he treated us. They put their faith in him, and he made their hearts pure.

(10) Now why are you trying to make God angry by placing a heavy burden on these followers? This burden was too heavy for us or our ancestors. (11) But we believe that we will be saved by the gift of undeserved grace from our Lord Jesus Christ, just as the Gentiles are.

(12) Everyone kept quiet and listened as Barnabas and Paul told how God had given them the power to work a lot of miracles and wonders for the Gentiles.

(13) After they had finished speaking, James said:

My friends, listen to me! (14) Simon Peter has told how God first came to the Gentiles and made some of them his own people. (15) This agrees with what the prophets wrote,

(16) “I, the Lord, will return
and rebuild
David’s fallen house.
I will build it from its ruins
and set it up again.
(17) Then other nations
will turn to me
and be my chosen ones.
I, the Lord, say this.
(18) I promised it long ago.”

(19) And so, my friends, I don’t think we should place burdens on the Gentiles who are turning to God. (20) We should simply write and tell them not to eat anything that has been offered to idols. They should be told not to eat the meat of any animal that has been strangled or that still has blood in it. They must also not commit any terrible sexual sins.

(21) We must remember that the Law of Moses has been preached in city after city for many years, and every Sabbath it is read in our synagogues.

(22) The apostles, the leaders, and all the church members decided to send some men to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas. They chose Silas and Judas Barsabbas, who were two leaders of the Lord’s followers. (23) They wrote a letter that said:

We apostles and leaders send friendly greetings to all of you Gentiles who are followers of the Lord in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia.

(24) We have heard that some people from here have terribly upset you by what they said. But we did not send them! (25) So we met together and decided to choose some men and to send them to you along with our good friends Barnabas and Paul. (26) These men have risked their lives for our Lord Jesus Christ. (27) We are also sending Judas and Silas, who will tell you in person the same things that we are writing.

(28) The Holy Spirit has shown us that we should not place any extra burden on you. (29) But you should not eat anything offered to idols. You should not eat any meat that still has the blood in it or any meat of any animal that has been strangled. You must also not commit any terrible sexual sins. If you follow these instructions, you will do well.

We send our best wishes.

(30) The four men left Jerusalem and went to Antioch. Then they called the church members together and gave them the letter. (31) When the letter was read, everyone was pleased and greatly encouraged. (32) Judas and Silas were prophets, and they spoke a long time, encouraging and helping the Lord’s followers.

(33) The men from Jerusalem stayed on in Antioch for a while. And when they left to return to the ones who had sent them, the followers wished them well. (34-35) But Paul and Barnabas stayed on in Antioch, where they and many others taught and preached about the Lord.

(36) Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit the Lord’s followers in the cities where we preached his message. Then we will know how they are doing.” (37) Barnabas wanted to take along John, whose other name was Mark. (38) But Paul did not want to, because Mark had left them in Pamphylia and had stopped working with them.

(39) Paul and Barnabas argued, then each of them went his own way. Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus, (40) but Paul took Silas and left after the followers had placed them in God’s care. (41) They traveled through Syria and Cilicia, encouraging the churches.

ACTS 16 (ERV) – 5:45
Acts, chapter 16. (1) Paul went to the city of Derbe and then to Lystra, where a follower of Jesus named Timothy lived. Timothy’s mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek. (2) The believers in the cities of Lystra and Iconium had only good things to say about him. (3) Paul wanted Timothy to travel with him, but all the Jews living in that area knew that his father was a Greek. So Paul circumcised Timothy to please the Jews.

(4) Then Paul and those with him traveled through other cities. They gave the believers the rules and decisions from the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. They told them to obey these rules. (5) So the churches were becoming stronger in their faith, and the number of believers was growing every day.

(6) Paul and those with him went through the areas of Phrygia and Galatia because the Holy Spirit did not allow them to tell the Good News in the province of Asia. (7) When they reached the border of Mysia, they tried to go on into Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus did not let them go there. (8) So they passed by Mysia and went to the city of Troas.

(9) That night Paul saw a vision. In it, a man from Macedonia came to Paul. The man stood there and begged, “Come across to Macedonia and help us.” (10) After Paul had seen the vision, we immediately prepared to leave for Macedonia. We understood that God had called us to tell the Good News to those people.

(11) We left Troas in a ship and sailed to the island of Samothrace. The next day we sailed to the city of Neapolis. (12) Then we went to Philippi, a Roman colony and the leading city in that part of Macedonia. We stayed there for a few days.

(13) On the Sabbath day we went out the city gate to the river. There we thought we might find a special place for prayer. Some women had gathered there, so we sat down and talked with them. (14) There was a woman there named Lydia from the city of Thyatira. Her job was selling purple cloth. She was a worshiper of the true God. Lydia was listening to Paul, and the Lord opened her heart to accept what Paul was saying. (15) She and all the people living in her house were baptized. Then she invited us into her home. She said, “If you think I am a true believer in the Lord Jesus, come stay in my house.” She persuaded us to stay with her.

(16) One day we were going to the place for prayer, and a servant girl met us. She had a spirit in her that gave her the power to tell what would happen in the future. By doing this she earned a lot of money for the men who owned her. (17) She started following Paul and the rest of us around. She kept shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God! They are telling you how you can be saved!” (18) She continued doing this for many days. This bothered Paul, so he turned and said to the spirit, “By the power of Jesus Christ, I command you to come out of her!” Immediately, the spirit came out.

(19) When the men who owned the servant girl saw this, they realized that they could no longer use her to make money. So they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them to the public square to meet with the authorities. (20) They brought Paul and Silas before the Roman officials and said, “These men are Jews, and they are making trouble in our city. (21) They are telling people to do things that are not right for us Romans to do.”

(22) The whole crowd turned against Paul and Silas. The officials tore the clothes off both men and ordered that they be beaten with rods. (23) They were beaten severely and thrown into jail. The officials told the jailer, “Guard them very carefully!” (24) When the jailer heard this special order, he put Paul and Silas far inside the jail and bound their feet between large blocks of wood.

(25) About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing songs to God. The other prisoners were listening to them. (26) Suddenly there was an earthquake so strong that it shook the foundation of the jail. All the doors of the jail opened, and the chains on all the prisoners fell off. (27) The jailer woke up and saw that the jail doors were open. He thought that the prisoners had already escaped, so he got his sword and was ready to kill himself.

(28) But Paul shouted, “Don’t hurt yourself! We are all here!”

(29) The jailer told someone to bring a light. Then he ran inside and, shaking with fear, fell down in front of Paul and Silas. (30) Then he brought them outside and said, “Men, what must I do to be saved?”

(31) They said to him, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved—you and all who live in your house.” (32) So Paul and Silas told the message of the Lord to the jailer and all the people who lived in his house. (33) It was late at night, but the jailer took Paul and Silas and washed their wounds. Then the jailer and all his people were baptized. (34) After this the jailer took Paul and Silas home and gave them some food. All the people were very happy because they now believed in God.

(35) The next morning the Roman officials sent some soldiers to tell the jailer, “Let these men go free.”

(36) The jailer said to Paul, “The officials have sent these soldiers to let you go free. You can leave now. Go in peace.”

(37) But Paul said to the soldiers, “Those officials did not prove that we did anything wrong, but they beat us in public and put us in jail. And we are Roman citizens. Now they want us to go away quietly. No, they must come here themselves and lead us out!”

(38) The soldiers told the officials what Paul said. When they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were afraid. (39) So they came and told them they were sorry. They led them out of the jail and asked them to leave the city. (40) But when Paul and Silas came out of the jail, they went to Lydia’s house. They saw some of the believers there and encouraged them. Then they left.

COMMENTS – 11:21
You know, 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 that they’d visited and preached in and Barnabas said, “Hey, let’s take my cousin John Mark along with us.” And Paul said, “Yeah, no. I don’t think so. When things got tough in Pamphylia, he wimped out on us and took off. I don’t trust him.”

Well, this caused an argument between Barnabas and Saul. And according to the original Greek, this was not just 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 the manager kick dirt on the ump?

Well, that seems to be the kind of argument Barnabas and Paul had. The Greek used for argument in our text today can be literally translated as “paroxysm”. And well, I had to look that one up the first time I read it, and it means a sudden attack or a violent expression of a particular emotion or activity. Some synonyms are spasm, attack, fit, burst, outburst, eruption, explosion.

I mean, these guys really got into it!

It’s funny. We don’t really think of our Bible heroes having these kinds of paroxysms, do we?. But anyway, what happened was they split up. Barnabas took Mark and went to Cyprus and Paul and Silas went to Syria and Cilicia.

So what do we learn from this? Is it a good thing to have knockdown, drag-out fights with our brothers and sisters in Christ? Well, not generally speaking, no, it’s not. Jesus said, “The world will know your mind by the love you have for one another.” Well, in this instance, Paul and Barnabas struck out, if we want to continue the baseball parallel. They blew it. And I think that later on, 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 in the Colossian church. And then near the end of his life, he asked Timothy to bring Mark with him.

We do know that Barnabas, whose name means Son of Encouragement, and who is referred to as a good man full of the Holy Spirit in faith, spent time with Mark discipling him and it sounds to me like Barnabas’ time with Mark was effective.

Why do I say that? Well, how about the fact that Mark wrote the Gospel According to Mark. The Bible doesn’t sugarcoat the humanity of the men and women we find in its pages. We’ve seen that as we read through the Bible this year, right? We see how God powerfully uses these people 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, God will take a disaster and turn it around for His glory.

Now, that doesn’t mean that the next time you have a disagreement with a brother or sister you have license to punch him in the nose, though, so don’t do that.

What do you think? Let me know. Go to the show notes page at lifespringmedia.com/s12e318. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page and share your thoughts. Tomorrow is Epistle Sunday and we’ll read 1 Peter 4 and 5 which will finish that book.

Boost!

DISTINGUISHED PRODUCER SHOUT-OUT – 14:46
Our Distinguished Producer today is Brother Paul of Seattle whose weekly $22.22 cent donation came in. Row o’ ducks. Thank you, Brother Paul for that row o’ ducks.

ON THIS DATE IN CHURCH HISTORY – 15:09
On this date in church history, July 16, 1937, in Eastern Germany near Weimar, the Nazis opened a concentration camp at Buchenwald. Over the next eight years before the camp was liberated by US soldiers in April of 1945 nearly 57,000 prisoners would die at Buchenwald.

And on this date in church history, July 16, 1944, German Lutheran theologian and Nazi martyr, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, observed in a letter from prison, “One has to live for some time in a community to understand how Christ is formed in it.” And he was referring to Galatians 4:19, which says, “My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you.”

CLOSING PRAYER – 16:02
Let’s pray. Our heavenly Father, how we love you, Lord, You have given us blessings that we do not deserve, including other believers who have become our brothers and sisters. Most of the time, that’s a wonderful and enjoyable blessing. But sometimes like Paul and Mark, we have disagreements. Help us, Lord, to work through those times in a way that honors you, Lord. And help us even to appreciate the differences we sometimes have. You didn’t make us out of one mold. You made us with differences. Help us to work within those differences, when we agree that our ultimate goal is the same, to bring glory to you and to bring people to Jesus. I thank You, Lord, for bringing us together here in the Lifespring family. I pray that You would bless my brothers and sisters, I pray this in Jesus name, amen.

If you have a prayer request or a praise, go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com.

OUTRO S12E318 – 17:01
Comment on the show at lifespringmedia.com/s12e318. Send an email to me at st***@*************ia.com. Thanks to the team: Kirsty, Sean of San Pedro and Denise. And thanks to brother Paul of Seattle for helping to produce this show with his Distinguished Producership.

And, Beloved, thanks to you for inviting me into your life today. Support the show at lifespringmedia.com/support.

And until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb.

Bye.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Corrected by Denise

Transcript

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

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? 

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

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.

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

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?

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

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.

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00
Return to me and I will return to you.

INTRO S12E317 – 0:10
Well, hey there, hi there, ho there. Welcome! 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. And yes, I’m back in the studios of Lifespring Media HQ. I’ll tell you a little bit about the trip later in the show. Today is Prophecy Friday. We’ll read the first seven chapters of Zechariah. I do have an On This Date in Church History for you and I’m calling today’s episode, “The Lord Remembers”. Today’s show notes page is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e317. Take note of that, you might need it later. My email address is st***@*************ia.com. I think it’s time we get started. Let’s go.

ZECHARIAH 1 (NKJV) – 0:58
Zechariah, chapter 1. (1) In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, (2) “The Lord has been very angry with your fathers. (3) Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. (4) “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.” ’ But they did not hear nor heed Me,” says the Lord.

(5) “Your fathers, where are they?
And the prophets, do they live forever?
(6) Yet surely My words and My statutes,
Which I commanded My servants the prophets,
Did they not overtake your fathers?
“So they returned and said:

‘Just as the Lord of hosts determined to do to us,
According to our ways and according to our deeds,
So He has dealt with us.’”’”

(7) On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet: (8) I saw by night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white. (9) Then I said, “My lord, what are these?” So the angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what they are.”

(10) And the man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, “These are the ones whom the Lord has sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth.”

(11) So they answered the Angel of the Lord, who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, “We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth is resting quietly.”

(12) Then the Angel of the Lord answered and said, “O Lord of hosts, how long will You not have mercy on Jerusalem and on the cities of Judah, against which You were angry these seventy years?”
(13) And the Lord answered the angel who talked to me, with good and comforting words. (14) So the angel who spoke with me said to me, “Proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts:

“I am zealous for Jerusalem
And for Zion with great zeal.
(15) I am exceedingly angry with the nations at ease;
For I was a little angry,
And they helped—but with evil intent.”

(16) ‘Therefore thus says the Lord:

“I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy;
My house shall be built in it,” says the Lord of hosts,
“And a surveyor’s line shall be stretched out over Jerusalem.” ’

(17) “Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts:
“My cities shall again spread out through prosperity;
The Lord will again comfort Zion,
And will again choose Jerusalem.” ’ ”

(18) Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were four horns. (19) And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these?”

So he answered me, “These are the horns that have scattered Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem.”

(20) Then the Lord showed me four craftsmen. (21) And I said, “What are these coming to do?”

So he said, “These are the horns that scattered Judah, so that no one could lift up his head; but the craftsmen are coming to terrify them, to cast out the horns of the nations that lifted up their horn against the land of Judah to scatter it.”

ZECHARIAH 2 (NKJV) – 4:10
Zechariah, chapter 2. (1) Then I raised my eyes and looked, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand. (2) So I said, “Where are you going?”

And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.”

(3) And there was the angel who talked with me, going out; and another angel was coming out to meet him, (4) who said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying: ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it. (5) For I,’ says the Lord, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”

(6) “Up, up! Flee from the land of the north,” says the Lord; “for I have spread you abroad like the four winds of heaven,” says the Lord. (7) “Up, Zion! Escape, you who dwell with the daughter of Babylon.”

(8) For thus says the Lord of hosts: “He sent Me after glory, to the nations which plunder you; for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. (9) For surely I will shake My hand against them, and they shall become spoil for their servants. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent Me.

(10) “Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,” says the Lord. (11) “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. (12) And the Lord will take possession of Judah as His inheritance in the Holy Land, and will again choose Jerusalem. (13) Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for He is aroused from His holy habitation!”

ZECHARIAH 3 (NKJV) – 5:49
Zechariah, chapter 3. (1) Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to oppose him. (2) And the Lord said to Satan, “The Lord rebuke you, Satan! The Lord who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is this not a brand plucked from the fire?”

(3) Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and was standing before the Angel.

(4) Then He answered and spoke to those who stood before Him, saying, “Take away the filthy garments from him.” And to him He said, “See, I have removed your iniquity from you, and I will clothe you with rich robes.”

(5) And I said, “Let them put a clean turban on his head.”

So they put a clean turban on his head, and they put the clothes on him. And the Angel of the Lord stood by.

(6) Then the Angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, (7) “Thus says the Lord of hosts:
‘If you will walk in My ways,
And if you will keep My command,
Then you shall also judge My house,
And likewise have charge of My courts;
I will give you places to walk
Among these who stand here.

(8) ‘Hear, O Joshua, the high priest,
You and your companions who sit before you,
For they are a wondrous sign;
For behold, I am bringing forth My Servant the BRANCH.
(9) For behold, the stone
That I have laid before Joshua:

Upon the stone are seven eyes.
Behold, I will engrave its inscription,’
Says the Lord of hosts,
‘And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day.
(10) In that day,’ says the Lord of hosts,
‘Everyone will invite his neighbor
Under his vine and under his fig tree.’ ”

ZECHARIAH 4 (NKJV) – 7:30
Zechariah, chapter 4. (1) Now the angel who talked with me came back and wakened me, as a man who is wakened out of his sleep. (2) And he said to me, “What do you see?”

So I said, “I am looking, and there is a lampstand of solid gold with a bowl on top of it, and on the stand seven lamps with seven pipes to the seven lamps. (3) Two olive trees are by it, one at the right of the bowl and the other at its left.” (4) So I answered and spoke to the angel who talked with me, saying, “What are these, my lord?”

(5) Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?”
And I said, “No, my lord.”
(6) So he answered and said to me:

“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:
‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
Says the Lord of hosts.
(7) ‘Who are you, O great mountain?
Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!
And he shall bring forth the capstone
With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ”
(8) Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying:

(9) “The hands of Zerubbabel
Have laid the foundation of this temple;
His hands shall also finish it.
Then you will know
That the Lord of hosts has sent Me to you.
(10) For who has despised the day of small things?
For these seven rejoice to see
The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
They are the eyes of the Lord,
Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”

(11) Then I answered and said to him, “What are these two olive trees—at the right of the lampstand and at its left?” (12) And I further answered and said to him, “What are these two olive branches that drip into the receptacles of the two gold pipes from which the golden oil drains?”

(13) Then he answered me and said, “Do you not know what these are?”
And I said, “No, my lord.”

(14) So he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.”

ZECHARIAH 5 (NKJV) – 9:20
Zechariah, chapter 5. (1) Then I turned and raised my eyes, and saw there a flying scroll.

(2) And he said to me, “What do you see?”

So I answered, “I see a flying scroll. Its length is twenty cubits and its width ten cubits.”

(3) Then he said to me, “This is the curse that goes out over the face of the whole earth: ‘Every thief shall be expelled,’ according to this side of the scroll; and, ‘Every perjurer shall be expelled,’ according to that side of it.”

(4) “I will send out the curse,” says the Lord of hosts;
“It shall enter the house of the thief
And the house of the one who swears falsely by My name.
It shall remain in the midst of his house
And consume it, with its timber and stones.”

(5) Then the angel who talked with me came out and said to me, “Lift your eyes now, and see what this is that goes forth.”

(6) So I asked, “What is it?” And he said, “It is a basket that is going forth.”

He also said, “This is their resemblance throughout the earth: (7) Here is a lead disc lifted up, and this is a woman sitting inside the basket”; (8) then he said, “This is Wickedness!” And he thrust her down into the basket, and threw the lead cover over its mouth. (9) Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were two women, coming with the wind in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven

(10) So I said to the angel who talked with me, “Where are they carrying the basket?”

(11) And he said to me, “To build a house for it in the land of Shinar; when it is ready, the basket will be set there on its base.”

ZECHARIAH 6 (NIV) – 10:53
Zechariah, chapter 6. (1) I looked up again, and there before me were four chariots coming out from between two mountains—mountains of bronze. (2) The first chariot had red horses, the second black, (3) the third white, and the fourth dappled—all of them powerful. (4) I asked the angel who was speaking to me, “What are these, my lord?”

(5) The angel answered me, “These are the four spirits of heaven, going out from standing in the presence of the Lord of the whole world. (6) The one with the black horses is going toward the north country, the one with the white horses toward the west, and the one with the dappled horses toward the south.”

(7) When the powerful horses went out, they were straining to go throughout the earth. And he said, “Go throughout the earth!” So they went throughout the earth.

(8) Then he called to me, “Look, those going toward the north country have given my Spirit rest in the land of the north.”

(9) The word of the Lord came to me: (10) “Take silver and gold from the exiles Heldai, Tobijah and Jedaiah, who have arrived from Babylon. Go the same day to the house of Josiah son of Zephaniah. (11) Take the silver and gold and make a crown, and set it on the head of the high priest, Joshua son of Jozadak. (12) Tell him this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Here is the man whose name is the Branch, and he will branch out from his place and build the temple of the Lord. (13) It is he who will build the temple of the Lord, and he will be clothed with majesty and will sit and rule on his throne. And he will be a priest on his throne. And there will be harmony between the two.’ (14) The crown will be given to Heldai, Tobijah, Jedaiah and Hen son of Zephaniah as a memorial in the temple of the Lord. (15) Those who are far away will come and help to build the temple of the Lord, and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. This will happen if you diligently obey the Lord your God.”

ZECHARIAH 7 (NIV) – 12:48
Zechariah, chapter 7. (1) In the fourth year of King Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah on the fourth day of the ninth month, the month of Kislev. (2) The people of Bethel had sent Sharezer and Regem-Melek, together with their men, to entreat the Lord (3) by asking the priests of the house of the Lord Almighty and the prophets, “Should I mourn and fast in the fifth month, as I have done for so many years?”

(4) Then the word of the Lord Almighty came to me: (5) “Ask all the people of the land and the priests, ‘When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months for the past seventy years, was it really for me that you fasted? (6) And when you were eating and drinking, were you not just feasting for yourselves? (7) Are these not the words the Lord proclaimed through the earlier prophets when Jerusalem and its surrounding towns were at rest and prosperous, and the Negev and the western foothills were settled?’”

(8) And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: (9) “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. (10) Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’

(11) “But they refused to pay attention; stubbornly they turned their backs and covered their ears. (12) They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the Lord Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the Lord Almighty was very angry.

(13) “‘When I called, they did not listen; so when they called, I would not listen,’ says the Lord Almighty. (14) ‘I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations, where they were strangers. The land they left behind them was so desolate that no one traveled through it. This is how they made the pleasant land desolate.’”

COMMENTS – 14:34
Did you know that Zechariah and Haggai were contemporaries? Well they were. Both were called by God after the Seventy Year Exile. Zechariah’s prophecy came two months after Haggai’s first prophecy. And where the prophecies of Haggai were primarily to do with the temple, Zechariah’s were about the people. And the language of Zechariah’s messages were very similar to that of the book of Revelation with symbolism, types and visions.

Now, Zechariah, which means “the Lord remembers”, is a common name in the Old Testament. And we don’t know much about the author of this prophetic book. We do know from the book of Ezra that he was the son of Iddo.

Now in chapter 1, God’s message to the people is: “Return to me, and I will return to you.”

Did you happen to see Zechariah’s references to Jesus in these chapters?

In chapter 1, verse 11, he’s the man who stood among the myrtle trees.

In chapter 2, he’s 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. So 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 should not 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 Jesus. In verse 11 of chapter 2, 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.

And then in chapter 3, Jesus is referred to as the Branch.

And then we read again of the Branch in chapter 6. There he’s referred to as the Branch who will build the temple of the Lord. Let me ask you, what temple did Jesus build? He built the church. How’s that? Well, 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 that we read references to the Messiah. Remember, Jesus as the second person of the Trinity 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 actually any of the prophets, to have seen Jesus in visions is really not surprising when you look at it like that, right? Now, I myself am looking forward to the day when I’ll see him face to face.

How about you? Have you got anything to say about these seven chapters. If you do go to lifespringmedia.com/s12e317. And tomorrow is Gospel Saturday, so we’ll read Acts 15 and 16.

Boost!

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER SHOUT-OUT – 18:05
Well, Roderick came in this past Monday with his monthly $50 donation, but I didn’t announce it on the show because I already recorded Monday show on Sunday afternoon. So this is the first chance I’ve had to acknowledge and thank Roderick for his $50 monthly donation, making him today’s Executive Producer. Thank you, Roderick, I appreciate you so much, and may God bless you richly.

TRIP TO FLORIDA – 18:32
Well, let me tell you a little bit about the trip. This has been a long day. I’m recording this on Thursday afternoon, July 14, 2022. The Lovely Lady LeeAnn and I woke up this morning at two o’clock in Clermont, Florida, which is in the outskirts of Orlando. We woke up at two o’clock because we had a 5:55 flight out of Orlando International. We had to turn in the rental car, get checked in, find our way to the gate, all that stuff and Orlando’s a fairly big airport. So we wanted to have plenty of time. We got there in time and we got on the plane. It was a good flight. We had about a 90-minute layover at Dallas-Fort Worth airport. And then we landed at Ontario International at about 11:30 this morning, California time.

We took Frontier Airlines to Florida and then we flew back on American Airlines. And, oh my goodness, flying Frontier was like taking a covered wagon compared to flying American. The Frontier seats were from the frontier days. They were very uncomfortable. They didn’t lean back at all. They were just rigid seats and the seat cushion, if you could even call it a cushion, was just really some sort of a thin–I don’t know what it was. But I have to tell you that after a four-and-a-half hour flight–which our flight to Florida was nonstop, so it was just four and a half hours sitting in that seat and that was very unpleasant. And the seat width was very sparse.

So flying back, even though we were in coach, the seats felt luxurious in comparison to Frontier’s seats. Plus American had free in-flight movies, if you had your phone or tablet on you, and, of course, most everybody does these days. They had wi-fi on the plane that you could sign in to, and it didn’t connect to the internet. It was just the wi-fi on the plane. They had all of the movies and you could also listen to Apple Music, if you wanted to do that. If you weren’t already signed up for Apple Music, they’d give you a free trial period and after which, you know, they’d have the $9.99 a month charge–would begin.

I didn’t listen to Apple Music, but I did watch a documentary on Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys called “Long Promised Road”. It was really well done especially if you’re a Beach Boys fan, like I’ve been since I was eight years old. I’m so much of a fan that I’ve seen the Beach Boys in person eight times, seven times when it was the original Beach Boys. And then once a few years back when it was the Mike Love version of The Beach Boys, which–I mean it was it was okay, but it wasn’t The Beach Boys. But that aside, I highly recommend, if you’re a Beach Boys fan, take a look at the movie, “Long Promised Road”. As a matter of fact, Brian Wilson and his wife, Marilyn, are executive producers on the film. So it’s not anything that’s sensationalized. It really tells the story of Brian Wilson.

Last night, Wednesday night, in Florida we had a really, really great thunderstorm. Here in California, we don’t get them very often, so I love a good thunderstorm. Wednesday afternoon, there were a few summer showers. And then later on as it–as evening came around, we saw some flashes of lightning off in the distance, and before you knew it, the storm was here. It was on us, and it stayed around for, well, two or three hours, maybe longer. It was, it was really great.

On Wednesday afternoon, my son Tim and I sat outside in their sort of gazebo that they built. And we had about a two or three hour conversation over some cold beverages. It was hot out there, and, of course, humid. That was probably 95 or so degrees, something like that. It was really hot. But we talked about life and his new baby girl and we talked about God and just a whole myriad of things. It was a great father-son time. LeeAnn and Tim’s wife, Val, stayed inside where it was cool and they had their time.

So you’re probably wondering about Penelope, our new granddaughter, the reason we went to Florida for a two-day visit. I mean, all that way for just two days? Really? Yeah, really. It was worth it to hold her and to love her. She’s such a sweetie. I mean, she’s only a month old. There, there really isn’t a lot that she does besides eat and sleep and need diaper changes. But it was just so great to meet her and to hold her and to hug her and to love her and just hear her coo as she slept in my arms. It was just beautiful. I’m gonna have some pictures on today’s show notes page at lifespringmedia.com/s12e317. And then I’ll probably put in a few more pictures in next week’s newsletter, so be sure you’re signed up at news.lifespringmedia.com.

To sum up the trip, I’d have to say that grandma and grandpa are in love with our newest grandchild. We love all five of our grandkids, of course, and we pray for each one of them and their moms and dads. It’s a big deal to me because I was raised as an only child until I was almost 10, so I came from a small family. And to see our family grow like it has is a completely new experience for me. I’ve got three sons and now three daughters-in-law and now five grandkids. This is just something I never even considered. I never, never even dreamed about having, what is approaching, now, a big family, so it’s wonderful! Now, LeeAnn comes from a family of five kids. She was number four, so she has only ever known a big family. But I’m loving it and God is so good and we are so very thankful. And thank you for being so patient with the pre-recorded shows.

ON THIS DATE IN CHURCH HISTORY – 24:24
How about in on this date in church history? On this date in church history, July 15, 1802, Scottish-born colonial printer Robert Aitken died. It was his presses who produced the first American edition of the King James version of the New Testament, making it the first English Bible printed in America. So Robert Aitken definitely deserves a place in church history.

PRAYER REQUESTS – 24:57
Prayer requests. This came in from Anonymous on Wednesday. Anonymous, I’ve been praying for you and these requests since you sent it in. As you know, this was my first opportunity to get it up on the show. This is Anonymous’ prayer request: For Magdalena’s soul to be free from worry, fear and concern, and Gianna to have health and happiness. And for Cordelia to be free from pain and suffering. Anonymous says “Dear God, give these women a healing cup from Jesus for them, and set them free from loneliness. Help them Oh God, and we pray for grief and healing relationships.”

CLOSING PRAYER – 25:34
So, Beloved, let’s pray. Our Heavenly Father, we are so thankful that you remember. You remember the promises you make and you remember us and how much we need you. Father, help us to remember how much we need you. Knowing you and the love you have for us brings a peace to our hearts that is unshakable. As long as we remember to remember. We ask, God, that you would hold us close to you.

And we pray for these women that Anonymous wrote in about. We do pray for Magdalena, to be free from worry, fear and concern, and Gianna to have health and happiness, and Cordelia to be free from pain and suffering. And we agree with Anonymous, God, please give these women a healing cup from Jesus and set them free from loneliness. We pray for their grief and we pray God that you would heal relationships. Lord, you are our healer, and we ask that you would bring healing to these women now. I thank you for Anonymous and her thoughtfulness in sending in these prayer requests. And I pray God that you would bless each one.

I thank you, Lord, for the Lifespring family and I pray God that you would bless them today. I pray this in Jesus name, amen.

OUTRO S12E317 – 26:48
Comment on the show at lifespringmedia.com/s12e317. Email me at st***@*************ia.com. Thanks to Kirsty, Sean of San Pedro and Denise. They had to do some extra work for me before I went on this trip. Denise did show notes and Sean of San Pedro did chapters. They always do a yeoman’s job and I really want to lift them up here and give them the props that they deserve.

Kirsty, how’s the family doing with the COVID? Let me know. I’ve been praying for you.

While I was gone, the people that are using the Podcasting 2.0 compliant apps continued to stream their sats and send boosts and I thank you guys for it, guys in the general sense. Maybe some of you are women. But I thank you. I thank you for your faithfulness.

And I thank you, Beloved, for inviting me into your life today. And I pray that God will bless you.

Support the show at lifespringmedia.com/support. And until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb.

Bye.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Corrected by Denise

Transcript

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

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. 

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

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STEVE WEBB – 0:00
Not once has he accused God of being unjust or unfair.

INTRO S12E316 – 0:11
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. This episode is pre-recorded. I don’t know what I was thinking yesterday when I said I’d be back in time to produce this show for you at the regular time, but I should be back to do tomorrow’s show, Lord willing. Today is Poetry Thursday. We’ll read Ecclesiastes 7 and 8. I’m calling today’s episode, “Trust”. The show notes page for today is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e316. And my email address has not changed. It’s st***@*************ia.com. Send me an email. Let’s get started.

ECCLESIASTES 7 (CEV) – 0:54
Ecclesiastes, chapter 7.

(1) A good reputation
at the time of death
is better than loving care
at the time of birth.
(2) It’s better to go to a funeral
than to attend a feast;
funerals remind us
that we all must die.
(3) Choose sorrow over laughter
because a sad face
may hide a happy heart.
(4) A sensible person mourns,
but fools always laugh.
(5) Correction from someone wise
is better by far
than praise from fools.
(6) Foolish laughter is stupid.
It sounds like thorns
crackling in a fire.
(7) Corruption makes fools
of sensible people,
and bribes can ruin you.
(8) Something completed is better
than something just begun;
patience is better
than too much pride.
(9) Only fools get angry quickly
and hold a grudge.
(10) It isn’t wise to ask,
“Why is everything worse
than it used to be?”
(11) Having wisdom is better
than an inheritance.
(12) Wisdom will protect you
just like money;
knowledge with good sense
will lead you to life.
(13) Think of what God has done!
If God makes something crooked,
can you make it straight?
(14) When times are good,
you should be cheerful;
when times are bad,
think about what it means.
God makes them both
to keep us from knowing
what will happen next.

(15) I have seen everything during this senseless life of mine. I have seen good citizens die for doing the right thing, while criminals live and prosper. (16) So don’t destroy yourself by being too good or acting too smart! (17) Don’t die before your time by being too evil or acting like a fool. (18) Keep to the middle of the road. You can do this if you truly respect God.

(19) Wisdom will make you stronger than the ten most powerful leaders in your city.

(20) No one in this world always does right.

(21) Don’t listen to everything that everyone says, or you might hear your servant cursing you. (22) Haven’t you cursed many others?

(23) I told myself that I would be smart and try to understand all this, but it was too much for me. (24) The truth is beyond us. It’s far too deep. (25) So I decided to learn everything I could and become wise enough to discover what life is all about. At the same time, I wanted to understand why it’s stupid and senseless to be an evil fool.

(26) Here is what I discovered: A bad woman is worse than death. She is a trap, reaching out with body and soul to catch you. But if you obey God, you can escape. If you don’t obey, you are done for. (27) With all my wisdom I have tried to find out how everything fits together, (28) but so far I have not been able to. I do know there is one good man in a thousand, but never have I found a good woman. (29) I did learn one thing: We were completely honest when God created us, but now we have twisted minds.

ECCLESIASTER 8 (CEV) – 3:49
Ecclesiastes, chapter 8.

(1) Who is smart enough
to explain everything?
Wisdom makes you cheerful
and gives you a smile.

(2) If you promised God that you would be loyal to the king, I advise you to keep that promise. (3) Don’t quickly oppose the king or argue when he has already made up his mind. (4) The king’s word is law. No one can ask him, “Why are you doing this?” (5) If you obey the king, you will stay out of trouble. So be wise and learn what to do and when to do it. (6) Life is hard, but there is a time and a place for everything, (7) though no one can tell the future. (8) We cannot control the wind or determine the day of our death. There is no escape in time of war, and no one can hide behind evil. (9) I noticed all this and thought seriously about what goes on in the world. Why does one person have the power to hurt another?

(10) I saw the wicked buried with honor, but God’s people had to leave the holy city and were forgotten. None of this makes sense. (11) When we see criminals commit crime after crime without being punished, it makes us want to start a life of crime. (12) They commit hundreds of crimes and live a long time, in spite of the saying:

Everyone who lives right
and respects God
will prosper,
(13) but no one who sins
and rejects God
will prosper or live very long.

(14) There is something else that doesn’t make sense to me. Good citizens are treated as criminals, while criminals are honored as though they were good citizens. (15) So I think we should get as much out of life as we possibly can. There is nothing better than to enjoy our food and drink and have a good time. Then we can make it through this troublesome life that God has given us here on earth.

(16) Day and night I went without sleep, trying to understand what goes on in this world. (17) I saw everything God does, and I realized no one can really understand what happens. We may be very wise, but no matter how much we try or how much we claim to know, we cannot understand it all.

COMMENTS – 5:53
Well, Beloved, 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.

Now, 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 just come to grips with that reality. We can’t understand the things that God does. 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.

What are your thoughts? Is it hard for you to just “Let go and let God”, as they say. Let me know. Go to lifespringmedia.com/s12e316. And tell me what you think. Tomorrow is Prophecy Friday. We will read the first seven chapters of Zechariah.

Boost!

ON THIS DATE IN CHURCH HISTORY – 7:46
On this date in church history, July 14, 1768, Scottish evangelist James A. Haldane, who founded the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel at Home in 1797, was born. Happy birthday, James.

And on this date in church history, July 14, 1892, the Baptist Young People’s Union holds its first annual National Convention in Detroit, Michigan.

CLOSING PRAYER – 8:19
Let’s pray. Our Heavenly Father, help us to trust in You. Help us to rest in you. Hold us close to you, Lord, You are our shelter, our rock, our provider. We need you more than we need life itself.

And we praise You and we worship You. Lord, I ask that You would bless the Lifespring family today and I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

If you have a prayer request or a praise, please go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com.

And I said this yesterday, but today I mean it. If all goes according to plan, I’ll be back in time to produce tomorrow’s show. So go ahead and send in your prayer request or praise if you want me to share it on the show, prayer.lifespringmedia.com.

OUTRO S12E316 – 9:09
Comment on the show at lifespringmedia.com/s12e316. Do you find it hard to rest in God? Do you find it hard to trust that you will make things right? Tell me lifespringmedia.com/s12e316. Or send me an email at st***@*************ia.com.

Kirsty, Sean of San Pedro and Denise, I thank you for your service and for your donation of time and talent.

Beloved, thank you for inviting me into your life, today, and being patient with me being out of town. Support the show, if you would, please at lifespringmedia.com/support.

And until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb.

Bye.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Corrected by Denise

Transcript

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

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. 

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

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.

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STEVE WEBB – 0:00
It can be very difficult not to harbor pride or arrogance.

INTRO S12E315 – 0:11
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 and this episode is pre-recorded, but I should be back for tomorrow’s show, Lord willing. Today is Psalms Wednesday. We’ll read chapters 131 through 133, and, of course, I’ll have an introduction before each chapter. And then at the end of the reading, I’ve got a few comments for you. I’m calling today’s episode, “No Room for Pride”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e315. My email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s get going.

INTRO TO PSALM 131 – 0:52
Psalm 131 is also one of the Songs of Ascent and this is one of David’s. Commentators think it may have been written when David was being hunted by King Saul or after David’s wife, Michal, accused him of vulgar, undignified behavior when he danced in celebration, when the Ark of the Covenant was returned to Jerusalem. In this Psalm, David denies any pride or ambition. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “It is one of the shortest Psalms to read, but one of the longest to learn. It speaks of a young child but it contains the experience of a man in Christ.”

PSALM 131 (ESV) – 1:27
Psalms, chapter 131.

(1) O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
(2) But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.
(3) O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore.

INTRO TO PSALM 132 – 1:56
Psalm 132 was also a Song of Ascent, and even though no author is attributed in the title, a case for Solomon is the author can be made. James Montgomery Boice wrote, “Since Psalm 132, verses 8 through 10 are quoted in 2 Chronicles 6:41 and 42 as part of Solomon’s prayer at the dedication of the temple. This psalm probably dates from Solomon’s reign, even though the title does not identify it as Solomon’s Psalm.”

PSALM 132 (ESV) – 2:24
Psalms, chapter 132.

(1) Remember, O Lord, in David’s favor,
all the hardships he endured,
(2) how he swore to the Lord
and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob,
(3) “I will not enter my house
or get into my bed,
(4) I will not give sleep to my eyes
or slumber to my eyelids,
(5) until I find a place for the Lord,
a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

(6) Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah;
we found it in the fields of Jaar.
(7) “Let us go to his dwelling place;
let us worship at his footstool!”

(8) Arise, O Lord, and go to your resting place,
you and the ark of your might.
(9) Let your priests be clothed with righteousness,
and let your saints shout for joy.
(10) For the sake of your servant David,
do not turn away the face of your anointed one.

(11) The Lord swore to David a sure oath
from which he will not turn back:
“One of the sons of your body
I will set on your throne.
(12) If your sons keep my covenant
and my testimonies that I shall teach them,
their sons also forever
shall sit on your throne.”

(13) For the Lord has chosen Zion;
he has desired it for his dwelling place:
(14) “This is my resting place forever;
here I will dwell, for I have desired it.
(15) I will abundantly bless her provisions;
I will satisfy her poor with bread.
(16) Her priests I will clothe with salvation,
and her saints will shout for joy.
(17) There I will make a horn to sprout for David;
I have prepared a lamp for my anointed.
(18) His enemies I will clothe with shame,
but on him his crown will shine.”

INTRO TO PSALM 133 – 4:01
The title of Psalm 133 is A Song of Ascents of David, and this is the last of the series of fifteen to be written by him. We don’t know the time or event of the writing, but perhaps it was when all of the tribes were once again reunited under David’s rule. Boice wrote, “It could date from the crowning of David at Hebron when the leaders of the nation were, for a time at least, of one heart in mind. See 2 Samuel 5:1 and 1 Chronicles 12:38 through 40.”

PSALM 133 (ESV) – 4:32
Psalms, chapter 133.

(1) Behold, how good and pleasant it is
when brothers dwell in unity!
(2) It is like the precious oil on the head,
running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
running down on the collar of his robes!
(3) It is like the dew of Hermon,
which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
life forevermore.

COMMENTS – 4:58
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. And 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, 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 learned 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. And from that point on, he begins the work of making us a new person, the person he created us to be.

What are your thoughts? Let me know at lifespringmedia.com/s12e315. Tomorrow is Poetry Thursday. We’ll read Ecclesiastes 7 and 8.

Boost.

ON THIS DATE IN CHURCH HISTORY – 6:51
On this date in church history, July 13, 1727, Count Nicholas Zinzendorf organized the Bohemian Protestant refugees on his land into the Moravian community of Unitas Fratrum, or United Brethren.

CLOSING PRAYER – 7:14
Let’s pray, shall we? Our heavenly Father, Lord, like David, we ask that you give us a deep and lasting desire to be close to you, to follow you, to desire a true relationship with you. Show us how to prioritize time with you and make it our most important time of the day. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

Well, Beloved, if all goes according to plan, I’ll be back in time to produce tomorrow’s show for you. So go ahead and send in your prayer request or praise, if you want me to share it on the show. Go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com.

OUTRO S12E315 – 7:53
If you have a comment on today’s show, give it to me at lifespringmedia.com/s12e315. Send me an email at st***@*************ia.com. Kirsty, Sean of San Pedro and Denise, thank you for all you do.

And thank you, Beloved, for inviting me into your life today. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Support the show please at lifespringmedia.com/support.

And until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb.

Bye.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Corrected by Denise

Transcript

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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! 

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

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.

Download .txt file.

Steve Webb 0:00
The Ark of the Covenant.

Steve Webb 0:09
Coming 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 0:46
Introduction 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 1:11
Ezra 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 3:06
Ezra 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 and harems descendants 1017. The Levites included Joshua’s in CAD meals descendants from Hoda via his descendants 74. The singers included asef descendants 128 the gatekeepers descendants included Shalem is descendants aiders descendants, Tillman’s descendants Arabs descendants, a Titus descendants show by his descendants in all 139 The temple servants included zei his descendants, as soon as descendants Tabby off his descendants. Here Ross’s descendants, saya has descendants Payton’s descendants, libidinous descendants Agabus descendants, Arabs descendants, hey Gabs descendants, shall mais descendants Hayden’s descendants, giggles descendants, gay horrors descendants. Re is descendants reasons descendants, Nikolas descendants gasm is descendants as his descendants. Percy is descendants besides descendants, as his descendants be UEMS descendants nephew Simms descendants backbox descendants of PUFAs descendants are hers descendants Batlas descendants Mohite is descendants harshest descendants BArkas descendants sister is descendants deemas descendants, desires descendants and typhus descendants. The descendants of Solomon’s servants included so ties descendants a sofa rats descendants peruta is descendants. J Ellis descendants dark ons descendants. giggles descendants shefa tie as descendants, hackles descendants. Papworth has a BAMs descendants, and a mais descendants, all the temple servants and the descendants of Solomon servants 392. The following are those who came from Camila, tell Harsha carob, Aiden and Emer but were unable to prove that their families and ancestries were Israelite delay is descendants to by his descendants Nikolas descendants 652. And from the descendants of the priests, the descendants of obeya, the descendants of hack eyes, the descendants of Barzillai, who had taken away from the daughters of Barzilay, the gilliat Eight and was called by their name. These searched for their entries in the genealogical records, but they could not be found, so they were disqualified from the priesthood. The governor ordered them not to eat the most holy things until there was a priest who could consult the Urim and Thummim. The whole combined assembly numbered 42,360, not including their 7337 male and female slaves, and their 200 male and female singers. They had 736 horses, 245 mules, 435 camels, and 6720 donkeys. After they arrived at the Lord’s house in Jerusalem, some of the family leaders gave freewill offerings for the house of God in order to have it rebuilt on its original site. Based on what they could give, they gave 61,000 gold coins, 6250 Pounds of silver, and 100 priestly garments to the Treasury for the project. The priests Levites singers, gatekeepers temple servants, and some of the people settled in their towns, and the rest of Israel settled in their towns,

Steve Webb 9:31
Ezra chapter three. Now, when the seventh month came, and the sons of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem. Then Joshua, the son of Joseph Adak, and his brothers, the priests and Zerubbabel, the son of Shri AlTi. All and his brothers arose and built the altar of the God of Israel to offer bird offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses, the man of God. So they set up the altar on its foundation for they were terrified because of the people was of the lands and they offered burnt offerings on it to the Lord burnt offerings morning and evening. They celebrated the Feast of Booths as it is written and offered the fixed number of burnt offerings daily according to the ordinance as each day required. And afterward there was a continual burnt offering also for the new moons and for all the fixed festivals of the Lord that were consecrated and from everyone who offered a freewill offering to the Lord. From the first day of the seventh month, they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, but the foundation of the temple of the Lord had not been laid. Then they gave money to the Masons and carpenters, and food, drink and oil to the Sidonians and to the Tyrians to bring cedar wood from Lebanon to the sea at Joppa, according to the permission they had from Cyrus king of Persia. Now in the second year of they’re coming to the house of God of Jerusalem in the second month Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua, the son of Joseph Adak, and the rest of their brothers, the priests and the Levites. And all who came from the captivity to Jerusalem began the work and appointed the Levites from 20 years and older to oversee the work of the house of the Lord. Then Joshua with his sons and brothers stood united with cadmium and his sons, the sons of Judah, and the sons of henna dad with their sons and brothers, the Levites to oversee the workmen in the temple of God. Now, when the builders had laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets and the Levites the sons of ASAP with symbols to praise the Lord according to the directions of King David of Israel. They sang, praising and giving thanks to the Lord saying, For He is good for his loving kindness is upon Israel forever. All the people shouted with a great shout when they praise the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. Yet many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers households, the old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, while many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the shot of joy, from the sound of the weeping of the people, for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the sound was heard far away.

Steve Webb 12:18
Ezra chapter four. Now, when the enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the people of the exile we’re building a temple to the Lord God of Israel, they approached Zerubbabel in the heads of fathers households, and said to them, let us build with you for we like you seek your God, and we have been sacrificing to him since the days of ease our hadn’t king of Assyria, who brought us up here. But Zerubbabel and Jeshua, and the rest of the heads of fathers households of Israel said to them, you have nothing in common with us in building a house to our God, but we ourselves will together build to the Lord God of Israel is King Cyrus, the king of Persia has commanded us. Then the people of the land discouraged the people of Judah, and frightened them from the building, and hired counselors against them to frustrate their counsel all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. Now in the reign of a has us in the beginning of his reign, they wrote an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. And in the days of Artaxerxes, Bish Lam Mithra death, Tabby L and the rest of his colleagues wrote to Artaxerxes king of Persia, and the text of the letter was written in Aramaic, and translated from Aramaic Reham, the commander in Shem Shai, the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to King Artaxerxes as follows Reem, the commander in Shem, Shai, the scribe and the rest of their colleagues, the judges and the lesser governors, the officials, the secretaries, the men of Erec, the Babylonians, the men of Susa, that is the Elamites and the rest of the nations which the great and honorable Osnap are deported and settled in the city of Samaria, and in the rest of the region beyond the Euphrates River. Now, this is the copy of the letter which they sent to him to King Artaxerxes Your servants the men in the region beyond the Euphrates River. And now let it be known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us at Jerusalem, they are rebuilding the rebellious and evil city and are finishing the walls and repairing the foundations. Now, let it be known to the king that if that city is rebuilt, and the walls are finished, they will not pay tribute custom or tall and it will damage the revenue of the kings. Now because we are in the service of the palace, it it is not fitting for us to see the Kings dishonor. Therefore, we have sent and informed the king so that a search may be made and the record books of your father’s and you will discover in the record books and learn that the city is a rebellious city and damaging to kings and provinces and that they have incited revolt. built within it in past days, therefore that city was laid waste. We informed the king that if the city is rebuilt and the walls finished, as a result, you will have no possession in the province beyond the river. Then the king said an answer to rehome, the commander to shim Shai the scribe, and to the rest of their colleagues who live in Samaria and in the rest of the provinces beyond the river. Peace. And now the document which you sent to us has been translated in read before me, a decree has been issued by me at a search has been made. And it has been discovered that the city has risen up against the kings in past days, that rebellion and revolt had been perpetrated in it, that mighty kings have ruled over Jerusalem governing all the provinces beyond the river, and that tribute, custom and toll were paid to them. So, now issue a decree to make these men stop work, that this city may not be rebuilt until a decree is issued by me. Beware of being negligent in carrying out this matter, why should damage increase to the detriment of the kings. Then as soon as the copy of King Artaxerxes document was read before Reham and Jim Shai, the scribe in their colleagues, they went in haste to Jerusalem to the Jews, and stopped them by force of arms. Then work on the house of God in Jerusalem ceased, and it was stopped until the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Steve Webb 16:29
Ezra chapter five. At that time, the prophet Haggai and Zechariah, son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem. They prophesied in the name of the God of Israel, who was over them Zerubbabel, son of Shri LTO and Jeshua, son of Jehovah DAC responded by starting again to rebuild the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the prophets of God were with them and help them but tachiai governor of the province west of the Euphrates River, and she thought our boss and I and their colleagues soon arrived in Jerusalem and asked, Who gave you permission to rebuild this temple and restore this structure. They also asked for the names of all the men working on the temple, but because their God was watching over them, the leaders of the Jews were not prevented from building until a report was sent to Darius and he returned his decision. This is a copy of the letter that tat and I the governor sheath our boss and I and the other officials of the province west of the Euphrates River sent to Darius to King Darius greetings, the king should know that we went to the construction side of the temple of the great God and the province of Judah. It is being rebuilt with specially prepared stones and timbers being laid in its walls. The work is going forward with great energy and success. We asked the leaders who gave you permission to rebuild this temple and restore this structure. And we demanded their names so that we could tell you who the leaders were, this was their answer. We are the servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are rebuilding the temple that was built here many years ago by a great king of Israel. But because our ancestors angered the God of heaven, He abandoned them to King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, who destroyed this temple and exiled the people to Babylonia. However, King Cyrus of Babylon during the first year of his reign, issued a decree that the temple of God should be rebuilt. King Cyrus returned the gold and silver cups that Nebuchadnezzar had taken from the temple of God in Jerusalem, and had placed in the temple of Babylon. These cups were taken from that temple and presented to a man named Shesh Bazar, whom King Cyrus appointed as governor of Judah, the king instructed him to return the cubs to their place in Jerusalem, and to rebuild the temple of God, they’re on its original site. So this sheshe bas are came and laid the foundations of the temple of God in Jerusalem. The people have been working on it ever since, though it is not yet completed. Therefore, if it pleases the king, we request that a search be made in the royal archives of Babylon to discover whether King Cyrus ever issued a decree to Rebuild God’s temple in Jerusalem, and then let the King send us his decision in this matter.

Steve Webb 19:19
I’ve got comments on Ezra 1, 3, 4 and 5 today. As the book opens, the 70 years have come and gone and God has judged Babylon as Jeremiah also prophesied, it’s been wiped out. And God moves on the heart of King Cyrus of Persia, who was 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’s first year is king. God’s judgment of his people with 70 years of exile is over. And he sees to it that they’re set free. Now having been involved Did y’all this time that 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. But in the list that we read in chapter two of the items that were returned, did you notice some missing things? How about the altar of incense? The table of showbread, the bronze altar, the Golden Lampstand and the Ark of the Covenant? Where’d they go? Well, we don’t know for sure, but they were probably lost, destroyed or stolen when the temple was destroyed by the Babylonians 70 years earlier. Now, in chapter three, once the people got to Jerusalem and settled into their towns, the first thing they did was what? They built an altar on the exact same spot that the original altar had been. Even before beginning construction on the temple, they built the altar. Why didn’t they start with building the temple? Well, I believe they did this because of their desire to be obedient to the Lord. They wanted to resume the bird offerings for the atonement of sin in the morning in the 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 McClaren 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’ll be no house for his name. And then 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. Why did they weep? Well listen to what Adam Clarke said. 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 Shekinah, the Spirit of Prophecy, and most probably the earthworm and the thumb. Well, while the old men cried, the ones that 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 there. In chapter four, 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. Well, 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 designee you can’t worship Him and false gods. Well, wisely Zerubbabel in the heads of fathers households, turned them down flat, which is what we should do. Beloved, when we’re 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 shouldn’t date, let alone marry an unbeliever. It’s called being unequally yoked. Well, after the enemies of Judah and Benjamin were rejected, they decided that if they couldn’t sabotage the work from within, they would attack it from without, so they went to King has you Eros and made accusations against the people of Judah trying to get a hazard worse to stop the work. And later, they went to art a Xerxes with similar charges, and he stopped the project in its tracks. For 15 years, no work was done. And then in chapter five, you’ll probably remember that we read the book of Haggai, a couple of 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, and the people did. But then the governor of the region and some of his men asked them under what authority they were working on the project and as a bureaucrat, I think he was probably just making sure that building permits were pulled and so forth, because he allowed them to continue until he could confirm that it was okay. Beloved, I believe this was the hand of God. He very easily could have put a stop to the construction, but he didn’t. He wrote a letter to Darius the king giving an unbiased report on what was going on. And he suggested to Darius that he checked to see if King Cyrus of Babylon had truly given a decree that his work could be done as the people had told him, and he wanted to know if Darius would allow it to be completed. But as I said he allowed the work to continue. Next week we’ll find out what King Darius decided. What do you think he’s gonna say? Beloved, sometimes God moves on the most unlikely people in accomplishing His Will designee one thing you cannot do is put God in a box and I’m so thankful for that. You have a comment on my comments. Let me know. Go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 321. And tomorrow was Psalms Wednesday we’ll read chapters 134 through 136 Boost.

Steve Webb 25:22
On this date in church history, July 19 1913, the very first victorious life conference convened in Oxford, Pennsylvania, inspired by the Keswick conferences held in England beginning in 1875. And the Northfield conferences in the United States beginning in 1880. The victorious life conference promoted the belief that a Christian can gain immediate freedom from the power of every known sin. I remember one time I was having a conversation with the wife of a pastor, and I happen to say that I’m just a sinner saved by grace. And she said, Oh, no, no, no, no, no, no. She said, we have victory over sin. And I understand what she’s saying. And I’m sure that it’s what the victorious life conference was saying. Yes, as Paul said, we are no longer slaves to sin. But Paul, of all people said, That which I do not want to do, I do the things that I want to do, I don’t do so. You know, if Paul didn’t have victory over sin, I’m not so sure that I have any hope about having complete victory over every sin. I am a sinner saved by grace. If you have a thought on that, go on over to the show notes page and let me know.

Steve Webb 26:47
Prayer requests, I got a follow up email from Ann of Phoenix. She said, if you get a chance, we need prayers for continued healing and career direction for how he now and for God to provide in the meantime, and we’ll certainly pray for that, shall we pray? Our heavenly Father, you are worthy of honor and praise and worship, your holy, you’re righteous, and you are just, you’re the same yesterday, today and forever. And as the song says, What a mighty God we serve. Amen. And amen to that. Lord, you are mighty, but you’re also tender and merciful. And oh, how we need you. Without your mercy. We are lost and without hope. But you are a God of mercy. So we are secure. As Paul said, nothing can separate us from your love. We thank you for that assurance, Lord, Father, right now I lift up how he and and to you. We pray, Lord for continued healing, that how he would regain 100% of what he lost during his bout with COVID and that you would strengthen him. Lead him Lord to the job you have in mind for him. You’ve said Seek the kingdom of God above all else and live righteously and he will give you everything you need. So Lord, how he and N need to pay the bills. Lead them Lord and show how he the job you have picked out for him. I pray this in Jesus name, amen. If you have a prayer request or a praise, go to prayer dot Lifespring media.com.

Steve Webb 28:25
I welcome your comments. Go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 321. Email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Thank you to the sad streamers. And I forgot to mention that this morning. I got a booster grant from Sean of San Pedro. And he said it’s for episode 321. That’s this episode you’re listening to now. So I guess it’s just out of faith. Sean thought I was going to do such a good job. He sent me a booster gram of 4321 SATs. SEAN Thank you, my brother, and all of you who stream those sets. I thank you. Thank you to the team Kirsty shot of San Pedro and Denise and thank you for allowing me to be part of your day. It is a privilege. It is a joy, and I don’t take it for granted. If you find value in the show, please do support it over at Lifespring media.com/support. And until tomorrow may God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb. Bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

Transcript

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?”  

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/

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

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.

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STEVE WEBB – 0:00
We can’t manipulate God.

INTRO S12E320 – 0:10
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 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) – 0:46
Deuteronomy, 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) – 3:50
Deuteronomy, 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, instead of using the ten percent of your harvest for a big celebration, bring it into town and put it in a community storehouse. (29) The Levites have no land of their own, so you must give them food from the storehouse. You must also give food to the poor who live in your town, including orphans, widows, and foreigners. If they have enough to eat, then the Lord your God will be pleased and make you successful in everything you do.

DEUTERONOMY 15 (GNT) – 6:55
Deuteronomy, chapter 15. (1) “At the end of every seventh year you are to cancel the debts of those who owe you money. (2) This is how it is to be done. Each of you who has lent money to any Israelite is to cancel the debt; you must not try to collect the money; the Lord himself has declared the debt canceled. (3) You may collect what a foreigner owes you, but you must not collect what any of your own people owe you.

(4) “The Lord your God will bless you in the land that he is giving you. Not one of your people will be poor (5) if you obey him and carefully observe everything that I command you today. (6) The Lord will bless you, as he has promised. You will lend money to many nations, but you will not have to borrow from any; you will have control over many nations, but no nation will have control over you.

(7) “If in any of the towns in the land that the Lord your God is giving you there are Israelites in need, then do not be selfish and refuse to help them. (8) Instead, be generous and lend them as much as they need. (9) Do not refuse to lend them something, just because the year when debts are canceled is near. Do not let such an evil thought enter your mind. If you refuse to make the loan, they will cry out to the Lord against you, and you will be held guilty. (10) Give to them freely and unselfishly, and the Lord will bless you in everything you do. (11) There will always be some Israelites who are poor and in need, and so I command you to be generous to them.

(12) “If any Israelites, male or female, sell themselves to you as slaves, you are to release them after they have served you for six years. When the seventh year comes, you must let them go free. (13) When you set them free, do not send them away empty-handed. (14) Give to them generously from what the Lord has blessed you with—sheep, grain, and wine. (15) Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the Lord your God set you free; that is why I am now giving you this command.

(16) “But your slave may not want to leave; he may love you and your family and be content to stay. (17) Then take him to the door of your house and there pierce his ear; he will then be your slave for life. Treat your female slave in the same way. (18) Do not be resentful when you set slaves free; after all, they have served you for six years at half the cost of hired servants. Do this, and the Lord your God will bless you in all that you do.

(19) “Set aside for the Lord your God all the first-born males of your cattle and sheep; don’t use any of these cattle for work and don’t shear any of these sheep. (20) Each year you and your family are to eat them in the Lord’s presence at the one place of worship. (21) But if there is anything wrong with the animals, if they are crippled or blind or have any other serious defect, you must not sacrifice them to the Lord your God. (22) You may eat such animals at home. All of you, whether ritually clean or unclean, may eat them, just as you eat deer or antelope. (23) But do not use their blood for food; instead, you must pour it out on the ground like water.

COMMENTS – 9:50
Have you ever heard someone make a statement like, “You should give without any expectation of receiving anything in return”? I’m sure you probably have. And, in general, I agree with that statement as it relates to our attitude toward people. We shouldn’t give with the expectation of receiving something back from them. If we do get something back, great, but we don’t give with the motivation of getting something back.

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 something back to us, we probably won’t be giving to people who really need the help. So there’s that.

But in Deuteronomy 15, today, the people were told to be generous to those in need, because God would bless them for it. So doesn’t it seem to you it does to me anyway, that it’s okay 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, for example, 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.” Well, to tell you the truth, I would much rather receive a blessing from God than from man. How about you?

Then here’s something else. 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 from him, but we need to remember that we can’t manipulate God. He will never be beholden to us. We can’t obligate him. This promise of His that we’ve been talking about does not give us license to say, “Okay, God, I gave $1,000 to such and such. So you have to give $1,000 back to me.” Well, it doesn’t work that way, in my opinion. God blesses us in ways that we might not see until we see Him in heaven. Sure, sometimes he does bless his 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 that we did something good for somebody.

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

Now, one more thing, in Deuteronomy 15, here, God spoke about slaves. Well, these days, the subject of slavery is triggering for some people. And I’ve spoken about it a few times here on the show, so I won’t address it today. But I will have a link to one of the shows I did on the show notes page at lifespringmedia.com/s12e320. If you haven’t heard what I have to say about slavery, if you think that God condones slavery, or if you’re just curious to see what I had to say, go to the show notes page, find that link and listen to that show.

But what do you think about what I said today? Go to the show notes page at lifespringmedia.com/s12e320, and let me know. Tomorrow is History Tuesday, and we’ll read the first five chapters of Ezra.

Boost.

ON THIS DATE IN CHURCH HISTORY – 13:01
On this date in church history, July 18, the year 64. Roman Emperor Nero blamed Christians for an extensive fire that destroyed most of the city of Rome. His accusation brought about the first great wave of persecution on the church.

And on this date in church history, July 18, 1681, Georg Neumark died. He was a German educator, hymnist and composer. Twice during his life he lost everything he owned, once to robbers and once to fire. He wrote the hymn, “If Thou But Suffer God To Guide Thee”.

PRAISE REPORT – 13:57
Well today, I have a praise, but it’s also more. And it came in back on July 1, but my email system put it in the spam folder, so I didn’t see it until just a couple of days ago. If you’ve been a Lifespring Family member for a while, you probably remember that Sean of San Pedro asked for prayer for his father-in-law, Howie. Howie was in the hospital with COVID, and for some time, it looked like he wasn’t going to make it. Well after several months Howie did recover enough to go home but he needed physical therapy and, praise the Lord, he’s doing very well now. Well, Howie’s wife is Ann. She’s written short notes a few times and has also generously donated to the show and since Sean has a jingle, I thought it appropriate that Ann of Phoenix [Phoenix jingle plays] have that jingle. They live in Phoenix.

So here’s what Ann wrote: “Dear Steve, when I was growing up, I didn’t realize the importance of, and the power of, prayer. When people said that they would pray for us I never understood and I thought prayers were just empty words. However, when I grew up and learned more about God’s word, I came to the understanding that prayer is such a wonderful, beautiful gift we give each other. This update is a long time coming. But I wanted to say thank you to you and the Lifespring family for all of your prayers for Howie. We also had prayer warriors from our previous ministry and friends praying for him as well as family. One prayer is all we need. But hundreds of prayers helped fill a large void that we will forever be grateful for. It was by God’s grace, Howie made it through and is still with us. We had nurses and doctors telling us they were so happy to see him alive because others in his condition didn’t make it and it gave them hope. They were all so amazing, like God handpicked them for this time.

We’ve been through a lot in our lives together. One of our daughters was gone for a few years, and it was by the grace of God, she’s still alive. Another one of our daughters was hospitalized with pneumonia and asthma a s a baby. And again, God’s grace got us through. It was tough. But God has blessed us with three amazing daughters and sons-in-law and three grandsons and one on the way.”

And just an aside, that one on the way is coming to Sean of San Pedro and his wife, Brittaney.

Back to Ann here, “When Howie went into the hospital and was there for 71 days, I panicked. I honestly don’t know why, because we have literally seen God perform miracles over and over again. However, as I look back, I see God was all over his time there. I felt his presence, also, but not knowing what his plan was going to be was really hard.”

Stopping again. Ann I can really relate to that. Because when our son Steven was in the hospital, we didn’t know if he was going to make it either. And we put our life in his hands, but at the same time, it was like, what is it going to be Lord, we trust you, if you want to take him, okay, but we’d rather not lose him. So Ann, I understand that.

She continues here. “I think I panicked because I never thought about life without him. His brother passed away from COVID and other health issues just a year prior. And we were all shocked and saddened. But it was by God’s grace that Howie is still with us. And we believe God has a purpose for the rest of his life. I often wonder if Howie’s brother fulfilled his purpose.”

I’ll stop again here. Ann I know I’m probably not telling you anything you don’t know here, but our life is in God’s hands. And I don’t think he’ll allow us to be taken away until his purpose is fulfilled. That could be a really long discussion. But I just don’t think God allows us to check into heaven early or late. God has His timing, we just have to trust that.

Getting back to Ann here. She said, “We don’t deserve his grace any more than our neighbor. But we are forever grateful.” And that’s true. None of us deserves his grace. Ann says, “Prayer to our Father in heaven, in the name of Jesus of Nazareth, is what kept us going. We are not eloquent prayer warriors, but we pray from our hearts, all choppy and messed up. And we know that God hears us all always. We don’t get what we want. But we do get what we need. It is very challenging to go through tough times and remain in peace. But that is our human side.

“Maybe God allowed us to go through this so I could understand residual trauma and what the girls who were trafficked, and our ministry helped, were still living with us. Maybe God helped show my husband more joy in life. Maybe when we’re strong again, we will start a support group for those going through COVID. God will reveal to us one day. But for now, I wanted to say thank you for sharing God’s Word through your podcast. It gave me comfort and peace when I was alone at night crying, or driving in the car to go see him at the hospital in the early mornings, and again, when I headed home at night. Your podcast gives me peace again. And I wait until the end so I can hear the prayers you so eloquently pray.”

Haha. I never thought of myself as being an eloquent pray-er. You’re very kind, Ann, thank you.

She says, “May God bring you and your family even closer to Him. May He put a hedge of protection around you all. May He give you all peace and comfort. And may He provide financially and physically so you can continue to live out his great commission to love God with all of your heart and bring others to do the same. With warmest blessings to you and your family, Signed Ann and Howie.”

Well, Ann, oh my goodness, thank you so much for that email. Thank you for sharing how God has been faithful. And thank you for your very, very kind words. God bless you.

And, Beloved, this is why we pray together here on the show. So I thank you for joining your heart with mine as we pray, which we’ll do right now.

CLOSING PRAYER – 19:35
Our heavenly, Father, how very good you are to us, Lord. How you lavish blessings on your children. You are so good to us and so faithful to your promise. And we are so undeserving, as Ann said. Yet because of Your grace and your love, because of Jesus sacrifice and the faith you gave us to invite him to be our Lord and Savior, you’ve made us heirs with him. That’s something that’s beyond comprehension, Lord, and we thank you now, and throughout all of eternity. Hallelujah. We praise you, Lord. And Lord, help us to have generous hearts show us how to give in a way that is pleasing to you. And Father again, I ask that you bless Howie and Ann and show them what’s next for them as they seek your will. You healed Howie because you have a plan for them. I know that. I believe it. And I pray God that you would reveal the next step to them. I thank You, Lord, for the Lifespring family. And I ask that you bless them in a special way. And I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.

If you have a prayer request or a praise, let us know go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com.

OUTRO S12E320 – 20:46
If you’ve got a comment on today’s show, go to lifespringmedia.com/s12e320. Email me at st***@*************ia.com, and I will certainly try to respond to you faster than I did today to Ann. I have to check that spam folder multiple times a day, and I hate that but sometimes I’ll find it nugget in there. Anyway, thanks to the team: Kirsty Sean of San Pedro and Denise. I thank God for you every day.

And thanks to the Lifespring family sat streamers. You know who you are, even if I don’t, I just want you to know I appreciate you very much. Beloved, what a privilege it’s been being part of your day today. Thank you. And are you glad the show is here? Are you getting something out of it then please help to support it lifespringmedia.com/support. It’s all about value-for-value. If you get value from the show, send some of that value back.

Now, until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb.

Bye.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Corrected by Denise

Transcript

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

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.

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

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

HS55: Lifespring! HymnStories “Jesus Shall Reign”

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.

Download .txt file.

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

INTRO S12E319 – 0:10
One 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) – 0:41
1 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) – 3:12
1 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 – 5:14
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 to 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. And he wraps up this section by saying that they should all be very humble with each other.

These verses grabbed my attention, because I’ve been involved in the church since I was in my teens. So I’ve been a member 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, by the way, I’ll get back to 1 Peter in a moment. Right now, my newest granddaughter, Penny – have I told you about her? Well, anyway, right now, pretty much any room she’s in, 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. And then we move to being an older person like I am. And in many cases, more so every year, I’m the oldest person in the room. I have to say it’s kind of a funny feeling. And to go from being the youngest person in your family, which I used to be, of course, including extended family to being the oldest as I am for the Webb branch of the family. It’s kind of a humbling thing.

Back to 1 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. And by the way, I guess in some parts of the world like Australia – Hi Kirsty! – “Jesus Freak” is a derogatory term. Here, it’s not generally meant that way. So don’t take offense at that, here in the U.S. to be a Jesus Freak just meant that you were somebody who was a bit of a hippie and loved Jesus. And that was me.

But now today, somehow, we’ve come to a point in today’s culture where the older people in many churches no longer have a voice, they’re not in charge. If you’re older than 35, or 40, it just might as well find a seat.

It’s the younger people that have kind of taken control. Well, having been a young person right there when things began to change. And now being one of the elders in terms of age – I’m currently much closer to 70 than to 60 – I have the benefit of perspective that the younger folks just don’t have, it’s impossible for them to have. They can’t have the kind of perspective that an older person has.

Now several years ago, I attempted to hike to the top of Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the continental United States. I didn’t make it all the way. But that’s another story. But what I want to talk about now is that the view from the trailhead, the beginning of the trail that led to the top – well, that view was extremely limited, because being in the forest, the trees limited the view. You couldn’t see very far at all. But once you got on the trail, and you were hiking for a couple of hours or so you gained some altitude. And there were places where you could look out over the beautiful Owens Valley between the trees. You began to gain some perspective, and you could see for miles.

And then 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.

Well, 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’s so much more to see because they’ve never seen it.

There’s 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. And the younger folks should humbly accept that with age comes perspective, and hopefully, not guaranteed, but hopefully wisdom. And then of course, the elders should humbly teach and lead the younger believers.

What do you think? Let me know go to lifespringmedia.com/s12e319. Tomorrow’s Monday, so we’ll read from the Law. We’re still in Deuteronomy, the last book we’ll read from the Law and the chapters will be 13 through 15.

BOOST! – 9:52
And now, as the French say, it is time for le boost.

ON THIS DATE IN CHURCH HISTORY – 10:09
On this date in church history, July 17, 1505, in Germany, 21-year-old Martin Luther entered the Erfurt Monastery of the Augustinian Eremites. I never knew this about Martin Luther but after having survived a lightning strike, he vowed to become a monk. And he took his vows in 1506 and was ordained a priest in 1507.

And then on this date in church history, July 17, 1674, Isaac Watts was born. He was an English nonconformist clergyman and pioneer hymn writer. He’s regarded as the father of English hymnody. And he wrote more than 750 songs, including “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross”, “We’re Marching to Zion”, “Alas, And Did My Savior Bleed” and, you might have heard of this one, “Joy to the World”. On my show Lifespring HymnStories, I’d featured a couple of Isaac Watts hymns. If you’d like to listen to those, I’ll have the links on the show notes page at lifespringmedia.com/s12e319.

CLOSING PRAYER – 11:17
Let’s pray. Our Heavenly Father, we thank you again for giving us your word. We thank you for revealing yourself to us, and for helping us through the Holy Spirit to understand what it is you want us to do. We thank you for bringing believers together as a body, as a family. Your Word tells us that we need each other and that you’ve given different people different gifts, so that in the body, they work together with each one having a purpose. We thank you for that, Lord. And I ask that you would help us to humbly work together no matter our age, our background, our education, our skin color, or any other differences we might have. What matters is that you have called us into your family and when we have faith in Jesus, you actually adopt us into your family. What a marvelous gift of grace that is, Lord. Hallelujah. I asked for your blessing today on each one of us. Lead us. Guide us. Direct us. Thank you for bringing us together here at the Lifespring family. I pray this in Jesus name, amen.

If you have a prayer request or a praise, go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com. Share it on the show.

OUTRO S12E319 – 12:30
If you’d like to comment on today’s show, please do at lifespringmedia.com/s12e319. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page. You’ll see a box where you can put your thoughts. Send me an email at st***@*************ia.com. And thanks to the team: Kirsty, Sean of San Pedro and Denise.

And, hey, thank you for making me a part of your day. Let’s do it again tomorrow. Are you glad the show is here? Are you getting something out of it? Well then put something back into it. Support the show at lifespringmedia.com/support.

Until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb.

Bye.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Corrected by Denise

Transcript

Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Paul of Seattle.

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

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.

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

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.

Download .txt file.

STEVE WEBB – 0:00
We’re on the right track.

INTRO S12E311 – 0:09
Coming 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) – 0:44
Acts, 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 days
that 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 region. (50) But the Jewish leaders incited the God-fearing women of high standing and the leading men of the city. They stirred up persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their region. (51) So they shook the dust off their feet as a warning to them and went to Iconium. (52) And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

ACT 14 (NLT) – 7:18
Acts, chapter 14. (1) The same thing happened in Iconium. Paul and Barnabas went to the Jewish synagogue and preached with such power that a great number of both Jews and Greeks became believers. (2) Some of the Jews, however, spurned God’s message and poisoned the minds of the Gentiles against Paul and Barnabas. (3) But the apostles stayed there a long time, preaching boldly about the grace of the Lord. And the Lord proved their message was true by giving them power to do miraculous signs and wonders. (4) But the people of the town were divided in their opinion about them. Some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles.

(5) Then a mob of Gentiles and Jews, along with their leaders, decided to attack and stone them. (6) When the apostles learned of it, they fled to the region of Lycaonia—to the towns of Lystra and Derbe and the surrounding area. (7) And there they preached the Good News.

(8) While they were at Lystra, Paul and Barnabas came upon a man with crippled feet. He had been that way from birth, so he had never walked. He was sitting (9) and listening as Paul preached. Looking straight at him, Paul realized he had faith to be healed. (10) So Paul called to him in a loud voice, “Stand up!” And the man jumped to his feet and started walking.

(11) When the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in their local dialect, “These men are gods in human form!” (12) They decided that Barnabas was the Greek god Zeus and that Paul was Hermes, since he was the chief speaker. (13) Now the temple of Zeus was located just outside the town. So the priest of the temple and the crowd brought bulls and wreaths of flowers to the town gates, and they prepared to offer sacrifices to the apostles.

(14) But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard what was happening, they tore their clothing in dismay and ran out among the people, shouting, (15) “Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. (16) In the past he permitted all the nations to go their own ways, (17) but he never left them without evidence of himself and his goodness. For instance, he sends you rain and good crops and gives you food and joyful hearts.” (18) But even with these words, Paul and Barnabas could scarcely restrain the people from sacrificing to them.

(19) Then some Jews arrived from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowds to their side. They stoned Paul and dragged him out of town, thinking he was dead. (20) But as the believers gathered around him, he got up and went back into the town. The next day he left with Barnabas for Derbe.

(21) After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, (22) where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. (23) Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. (24) Then they traveled back through Pisidia to Pamphylia. (25) They preached the word in Perga, then went down to Attalia.

(26) Finally, they returned by ship to Antioch of Syria, where their journey had begun. The believers there had entrusted them to the grace of God to do the work they had now completed. (27) Upon arriving in Antioch, they called the church together and reported everything God had done through them and how he had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles, too. (28) And they stayed there with the believers for a long time.

COMMENTS – 10:49
Well, Beloved, we see the beginning of Paul’s first missionary journey in chapter 13. And it’s important to note that Paul and Barnabas didn’t 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 didn’t 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. Scripture says, “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 that they didn’t want to take anything of that city with them. And they didn’t take the rejection personally. And they didn’t doubt God’s call on them. They just moved along to the next town.

Beloved, too often 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’ll 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.

Well, sometimes yes, that’s true. We do misinterpret the call. Oftentimes, we just get excited about something. And we think that that enthusiasm is from God, but actually, it’s just our own emotions. Well, 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’re doing God’s will, we should expect resistance, because the enemy doesn’t want the cause of Christ to advance. We are in a spiritual battle when we’re laboring for the Lord. But the thing to keep in mind is, we are not in the battle alone. If God has called us, he is with us. And if he’s with us, if he’s on our side, if he’s 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’re on the right track.

You have a comment? What do you think? Let me know at lifespringmedia.com/s12e311. Tomorrow is Epistle Sunday, and we’re going to read I Peter 1 through 3.

BOOST! – 13:19
And now, as the French say, it is time for le boost.

VALUE-FOR-VALUE – 13:29
Lifespring Family Berean brother Paul of Seattle comes in today as our Distinguished Producer with his weekly $22.22 donation. Thank you, Brother Paul, I appreciate you. God bless you.

And you know, the value-for-value model is what helps keep the Lifespring Family Audio Bible going. There are no advertisers, but bills still need to be paid. And there are three ways you can help: time, talent or treasure. Yeah, we’re getting close to the end of the season. August 30 will be our last reading. That’s just 53 days away. But that’s still 53 more days that I need your support, if you’re receiving value from the show. And if you’re not receiving value, I’m kind of curious as to why you’re here. So with 53 days left, we’ve got our eyes on the finish line, but I’m asking you to help the show to finish strong and not just stumble over the line. Let’s make the final 53 days a sprint to the finish, okay?

If it’s been a while since you donated, or if you haven’t donated yet, please pray about sending a gift. The amount’s up to you as always, ask yourself how much the show has meant to you this year. This show’s number 311. There will be a total of 364 episodes. Well, if you’ve been listening all season long, you must be getting some value from the show, right? What’s that value? 10 cents an episode? 50 cents? $1 an episode? $2? $10? It’s different for everybody and that’s okay, that’s good. But whatever your amount is, all I ask is that you pray about it. See what the Lord leads you to do. Then go to lifespringmedia.com/support and donate there. I’ll thank you and I think the Lord will bless you.

ON THIS DATE ON CHURCH HISTORY – 15:19
On this date on church history, July 9, the year 381–we’re going way back–the man who would become the first Patriarch of Constantinople, a man by the name of Nestorius was born. He was deposed for heresy by the Council of Ephesus in 431, for teaching that Jesus had two natures and two persons rather than two natures in one person. So I guess he believed that there were two Jesus’s. Yeah, I’d call that heretical.

And then, on July 9, 1962, 250 Protestant and Orthodox delegates from 81 countries attended the first World Institute on Christian education in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

PRAYER REQUESTS – 16:09
Prayer requests. You might remember that yesterday we prayed for Kirsty’s husband, Seth, and her daughter, Eliza, who have COVID. Well, just after I uploaded the show yesterday, I got another email from her saying that, now, she and her son Ezra are having symptoms, too. Well, Kirsty, I’m sorry to hear about that. You’re on the prayer list.

And Anonymous in Orlando sent in a prayer request. They said, “My feet are hurting, stiff, daily abuse through the many years of working. I also have arthritis, and I still have to work.” And just as an aside, Anonymous, I’ll be in your neck of the woods this week, in just a few days, when the Lovely Lady LeeAnn and I visit our new granddaughter. We’ll only be there for a couple of days. But maybe next time we can meet up for a cup of coffee or something. Wouldn’t that be fun?

CLOSING PRAYER – 16:54
All right, let’s pray. Our heavenly Father, we love you, Lord, and we thank you for your steadfast, faithful love and patience with us. We thank You for Your Word. And the example we read today of Paul and Barnabas when the people of Pisidia didn’t receive the message of the gospel. Help us Lord to understand that it’s the Holy Spirit’s work to change hearts and minds. It’s not ours. Our job is just to give the message. After that it’s up to the hearer and you. Lord, we understand this intellectually, but help us to understand it in our hearts, too, so that we don’t get discouraged when people don’t accept the message of the gospel when we give it to them. Some sow the grain, others water it and others harvest. That you involve us in your work at all is a blessing, so we thank you for whatever role you do give us.

I pray for Kirsty and her family, now, that this round of COVID would quickly be over and done with in their home and I pray that the symptoms would be mild and that it would be a fast recovery for all four of them.

And Lord for Anonymous in Orlando, I pray that you would bring healing and relief to their feet, Lord. Chronic pain can be so discouraging. And I pray that you would just touch those feet now and even give a fresh lightness to their step. And for the arthritis, I know that it can show up in many places in the body. So I pray that you would bring relief there as well, and even healing. You are the great physician and we know that there’s nothing that you cannot do. And you tell us Lord that we have not because we ask not. So I’m asking in Jesus name that you would heal Anonymous in Orlando right now. We believe that you can do it. But above all, we ask that Your will be done, and we will give you praise for it. I pray this in Jesus name, amen.

Beloved, if you have a prayer request or if you have a praise that you’d like to share with the Lifespring family, please go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com. I’ll pray for you in my private prayer time and we’ll pray together on the show, prayer.lifespringmedia.com.

OUTRO S12E311 – 18:59
If you have a comment on the show, go to lifespringmedia.com/s12e311. Or send me an email at st***@*************ia.com. Kirsty, Sean of San Pedro and Denise work behind the scenes. Kirsty doing the newsletter, Sean of San Pedro doing the chapters. And if you don’t have a Podcasting 2.0 enabled podcast app, go get one at newpodcastapps.com, Then you can see Sean’s work, and also you’ll be able to see Denise’s work because she does the transcripts and transcripts show up on most of the Podcasting 2.0 podcast apps. Thanks to those of you who stream sats and send boosts. You guys are awesome. And thanks to those of you who send in weekly or monthly donations. And for those of you that have sent gifts at other times, I appreciate each one of you and I pray that God will bless you. You truly are a blessing to me. I’m so thankful for each one of you. And I thank every single one of you that are listening to my voice right now. You are part of the Lifespring family and I’m so glad you’re here. I’m so glad you’ve made this show a part of your life. Support the show if you receive value from it at lifespringmedia.com/support.

And until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb.

Bye.

Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Corrected by Denise