Lifespring! One Year Bible Rewind

Transcript

Today we will read 1 Thessalonians 4-5. I’ll have comments on both chapters after the reading, and I’m calling today’s episode “How To Prepare.”

Today in my comments, I’m going to explain a bit of how I do my Bible studies, and how you can enrich your reading of the Bible, and I’ll do it in the context of today’s reading. Sound good?

Most of us who are serious about Bible study know that reading from more that one translation is a good thing, especially if we’re going to be teaching or preaching. Today’s reading is an excellent example of why this is a good idea.

The translation we read from today is the Good News Translation. Chapter 4, verses 4 and 5 in the GNT reads like this: “Each of you should know how to live with your wife in a holy and honorable way, 5not with a lustful desire, like the heathen who do not know God.”

As I read that, it seemed just a little “off” to me. Not that there’s anything wrong with living “with your wife in a holy and honorable way”, but tying this thought with “not with a lustful desire, like the heathen” just didn’t sit right with me, because sexual desire between a husband and wife is a gift from God.  I decided that I should look at how other translations rendered this passage.

Here are some examples of verse 4:

The English Standard Version says: that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor,

The NIV says: that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,

And for good measure, the KJV says: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;

So the ESV and the NIV agree on the translation the “body”. But as you heard, the KJV said “possess his vessel”. None of the three referred to the “wife”.

So I read this verse in several other translations: the NASB, Young’s Literal Translation, the Holman Christian Standard Bible, New Living Translation. All of them agreed on the “body”. 

The God’s Word translation, and Contemporary English Version used “wife” in one way or another.

So what to do? How should this verse be properly translated? We need to go to the original language. Thankfully, we don’t need to take a complete course in Greek, which is the language used in the New Testament. The first thing I do is consult what is called an Interlinear New Testament. 

An interlinear NT has the complete text of the NT, with the Greek words appearing either directly above or below the English words, so you can see which exact Greek word is used. That’s the first step.

The next step, if you don’t know Greek, is to use either a Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance or Young’s Analytical Concordance. Today, I used Young’s. Both Young’s and Strong’s use the KJV, so I looked up the word “vessel”. 

I found that there are two Greek words used in the NT that are translated into the English word “vessel”. One of them is used only twice, in the book of Matthew. In this case, the word means “vessel, or utensil”. The other Greek word is used eighteen times and it means “vessel, utensil or instrument”, and this is the word in our reading today. 

In my opinion, the thought that Paul wanted to convey to us is this: our bodies are the vessel or instrument that contains our souls, and we should not allow our vessels to be controlled by lust, as do those who do not know God.

There is no mention of husbands or wives in the original language, and I therefor do not think that it should be included in the text of the verse. Now, in the defense of the translations that do include it, the argument can be made that Paul implied the thought of husbands and or wives, because sexual desire is only proper in the context of marriage. Since he was teaching against what the KJV refers to as fornication, or what we would today call sexual immorality, he would be saying that sexual desire should only be for your husband or your wife. 

So now you know a bit of how I study the Bible. Having several translations of the Bible is a good thing, but as you read them, it is important to take into consideration that some are more faithful to the original language, and others are less concerned with word-for-word accuracy, and emphasize more of an idea-for-idea approach to Bible translation. When we compare different translations to each other, and then use tools like the Strong’s or Young’s concordances and an interlinear Bible, combined with prayer and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, I believe we can reach a more complete understanding of the Scripture. 

Verses 13-18 deal with the return of Jesus. These verses tell us that at His return, the believers who have died will be resurrected. And then those who are believers and are alive will be gathered up, or caught up along with the ones who have just been resurrected to meet the Lord in the air. This event is often called “the rapture.” Where do we get that term? The Latin Vulgate translated the phrase “caught up” as rapturus, from which we get the word rapture.

This event will happen. Paul said, “What we are teaching you now is the Lord’s teaching…” In saying this, Paul was emphasizing that this is not his idea, but it came directly from Jesus. Bible commentator Adam Clarke wrote: “In no place does the apostle speak more confidently and positively of his inspiration than here; and we should prepare ourselves to receive some momentous and interesting truth.”

So there really should be no doubt on the part of the believer that this is something that will happen at some time in the future. 

I believe that it is important to reiterate what Jesus said in Matthew 24:36: “However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself.  Only the Father knows.” NLT

Paul told the Thessalonians that “…the Day of the Lord will come as a thief comes at night.” in verse 2. 

A thief does not make an announcement letting his victims know when he will arrive. In the same way, we do not know when Jesus will return. But like the prudent home owner who prepares for the thief, we must also be prepared.

Paul continued in verse 3: “When people say, ‘Everything is quiet and safe,’ then suddenly destruction will hit them!”

For those who are unprepared, for the unbeliever, this day will be a sad one, indeed. 

There was also a clue in this statement as to the conditions in the world when Jesus returns. “When people say, ‘Everything is quiet and safe,’ then suddenly destruction will hit them!” 

So when the rapture happens, it will come when there is quiet and safety in the world. 

But in Matthew 24, Jesus tells the disciples what signs to look for before His return. He talks about the “abomination of desolation” from the book of Daniel…the destruction of the Temple. Some people believe this happened in AD 70, others believe the Temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem, and that is where the abomination of desolation will take place. We do not have time on the show to get into the debate, and as I have said I’m pretty dogmatic about not being dogmatic when it comes to end times prophecy. What we can know for sure is that Jesus talked about a terrible time coming prior to His return.

So what do we do with “quiet and safe”, with the turmoil Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24? 

It seems to me that the rapture will occur before the Tribulation begins. But others believe it will happen halfway through the Tribulation. Still others think it will be at the end of the Tribulation. There are lots of plausible arguments for each theory, and many books have been written by people who have spent lots of time poring over the scriptures. I read several of them back in the 80s, but since then I have not read any others. I think that it is more important just to know that Jesus will return, and that we must be ready. How do we get ready? We have to know that we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ. That’s it. Jesus has to be our Lord and Savior. 

So really, preparing for His return is no different than preparing for eternity. Each of us, if He does not come back first, will die. Nobody gets outta here alive. So what happens when we die? If we have placed our faith in Jesus, we will go to Heaven. 

Preparing for His return is no more than living our lives in such a way that pleases God. We are here on planet Earth to glorify Him. We are to share the Good News of a Risen Savior. We are to be salt and light. We are to make disciples. 

We are not, in anticipation of His coming, to withdraw from the world and just wait. That would be a terrible waste of time, talent and treasure, as in Jesus’ parable in Luke 19:11-27. And the Lord would not be pleased.

Are you prepared? Have you placed your faith in Jesus? Do you know that you will go to Heaven when you die, or that you will meet Jesus in the air if the rapture happens? You don’t have to wonder if you’ll make it. It isn’t about being good enough. There’s no such thing. All of us have sinned. We need the forgiveness that only Jesus can provide. He died on a cross, taking my sins and yours on Himself. And then on the third day, he rose from the grave, proving that He is God. And over the next 50 days, before He ascended into Heaven, He was seen by more than 500 people. (1 Corinthians 15:6) 

Do you want to be sure that you’re ready? Let Him know. Invite Him in. Pray with me. “Lord Jesus. I know that I am a sinner, and I am sorry. Please forgive me. I turn from my sins now, and I ask that from this point on, you be my Lord. Help me to live for you. Amen.”

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

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Steve Webb 0:00
This event is often called the rapture

Steve Webb 0:09
Hello there, this is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. I’m your OG God Gaster. Steve Webb, welcome. What’s new? How are ya? This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Today, we’re gonna read First Thessalonians, four and five. I’ll have comments on both chapters, actually quite a few comments, and I’m calling today’s episode, How To prepare the shownotes page for today’s episode is at Lifespring media.com/s 12. E to 14, you can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Well, you ready? Let’s go.

Steve Webb 0:48
First Thessalonians chapter four. Finally, our friends, you learn from us how you should live in order to please God. This is of course the way you have been living. And now we beg and urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to do even more. For you know the instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. God wants you to be wholly and completely free from sexual immorality. Each of you should know how to live with your wife in a holy and honorable way. Not with a lustful desire like the heathen who do not know God in this manner, then none of you should do wrong to other Christians or take advantage of them. We have told you this before. And we strongly warned you that the Lord will punish those who do that. God did not call us to live in a morality but in holiness. So then whoever rejects this teaching is not rejecting a human being but God who gives you His Holy Spirit. There is no need to write you about love for each other, you yourselves have been taught by God, how you should love one another. And you have in fact behaved like this toward all the believers in all of Macedonia. So we beg you, our friends, to do even more, make it your aim to live a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to earn your own living just as we told you before. In this way, you will win the respect of those who are not believers. And you will not have to depend on anyone for what you need. Our friends, we want you to know the truth about those who have died, so that you will not be sad, as are those who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again. And so we believe that God will take back with Jesus, those who have died believing in Him. What we are teaching you now is the Lord’s teaching. we who are alive on the day of the Lord comes will not go ahead of those who have died, there will be the shout of command, the archangels voice, the sound of God’s trumpet, and the Lord Himself who will come down from heaven. Those who have died believing in Christ will rise to life first, then we who are living at that time will be gathered up along with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. So then encourage one another with these words.

Steve Webb 3:04
First Thessalonians chapter five. There is no need to write you friends about the times and occasions when these things will happen. For you, yourself know very well that the day of the Lord will come as a thief comes at night. When people say everything is quiet and safe, then suddenly destruction will hit them. It will come as suddenly as the pains that come upon a woman in labor and people will not escape. But you friends are not in the darkness and the day should not take you by surprise like a thief. All of your people who belong to the light, who belong to the day, we do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then we should not be sleeping like the others. We should be awake and sober. It is at night when people sleep. It is at night when they get drunk. But we belong to the day and we should be sober. We must wear faith in love as a breastplate and our hope of salvation as a helmet. God did not choose us to suffer his anger, but to possess salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us in order that we might live together with him whether we are alive or dead when he comes. And so encourage one another and help one another just as you are now doing. We beg you our friends to pay proper respect to those who work among you who guide and instruct you in the Christian life. Treat them with the greatest respect and love because of the work they do. Be at peace among yourselves. We urge you, our friends to warn the idol encourage the timid, help the weak. Be patient with everyone. See that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but at all times. Make it your aim to do good to one another and to all people. Be joyful always pray at all

Steve Webb 4:51
times. Be thankful in all circumstances. This is what God wants from you in your life in union with Christ Jesus. Do not respect Train the Holy Spirit. Do not despise inspired messages. Put all things to the test, keep what is good, and avoid every kind of evil. May the God who gives us peace make you holy in every way, and keep your whole being spirit, soul and body, free from every fault at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you will do it because he is faithful. Pray also for us friends, greet all the believers with a kiss of peace. I urge you by the authority of the Lord, to read this letter to all the believers, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Steve Webb 5:40
All right, well, today in this first section of my comments, I’m going to explain a little bit about how I do my Bible study. We’re talking about chapter four here. And in doing this, I hope I can help you enrich your reading of the Bible. And so let’s get started. Now, most of us who are serious about Bible study, know that reading for more than one translation is a good thing, especially if you’re going to be teaching or preaching. Well, today’s reading is an excellent example of why it’s a good idea to have more than one translation. The translation we read from today is the Good News Translation. And in that chapter four, verses four and five says, Each of you should know how to live with your wife in a holy and honorable way, not with a lustful desire, like the heathen who do not know God. Well, as I read that, it seemed just kind of off to me. Not that there’s anything wrong with living with your wife in a holy and honorable way. But tying this thought to, not with a lustful desire, like the heathen just really didn’t sit right with me because sexual desire between a husband and a wife is a gift from God. So I decided that I should look at how other translations rendered this passage. And here are some examples of verse for the English Standard Version says that each one of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor. The NIV says that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable. And then for good measure, the King James says that every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification, and honor. So the English Standard and the NIV agree on the translation of body, but as you heard, the King James said, possess his vessel. And none of these three referred to the wife. So I read this verse in several other translations, the New American Standard Young’s Literal translation, the Holman, Christian Standard Bible, the New Living Translation, and all of them agreed on the body, and the God’s word translation and contemporary English version used wife in one way or another. So what do we do? How should this verse properly be translated, we need to go to the original language. And thankfully, we don’t need to take a complete course in Greek, which is the language used in the New Testament. To find out, the first thing I do is consult what is called an interlinear New Testament, an interlinear New Testament has the complete text of the New Testament, with the Greek words appearing either directly above or directly below the English words, so you can see which exact Greek word is used. That’s the first step. The next step, if you don’t know Greek, is to use either a Strong’s exhaustive concordance or a Young’s analytical concordance. When I did this study, I used the Young’s both Young’s and Strong’s use the King James. So I looked up the word vessel, I didn’t look up body, I looked up vessel because that’s the word that we want to look at. And I found out that there are two Greek words used in the New Testament that are translated into the English word vessel. One of these words is used only twice in the book of Matthew. And in this case, the word means vessel or utensil. The other Greek word is used 18 times in the New Testament, and it means vessel utensil or instrument, and this is the word in our reading today. Now, in my opinion, the thought that Paul wanted to convey to us is this. Our bodies are the vessel or instrument that contains our souls. And we should not allow our vessels to be controlled by lust, as do those who don’t know God. There is no mention of husbands or wives in the original language, and I therefore don’t think that it should be included in the text of the verse. Now, in the defense of the translations that do include it. The argument can be made that Paul implied the thought of husbands and or wives because sexual desire is only proper in the context of marriage. And since he was teaching against what the King James refers to as fornication, In this section of the Bible, or what we today would call sexual immorality, he would be saying that sexual desire should only be for your husband or your wife. And so now you know a little bit about how I study the Bible. Having several translations of the Bible is a good thing. But as you read them, it’s important to take into consideration that some are more faithful to the original language, and others are less concerned with word for word accuracy, and they emphasize more of an idea for IDEA approach to Bible translation. When we compare different translations to each other, and then use tools like the Strong’s, or the Young’s concordances, and an interlinear Bible combined with prayer and the Holy Spirit’s guidance, I believe that we can reach a more complete understanding of the Scripture. And it really does add a whole lot to your understanding and your enjoyment of Bible study. Now, let’s take a look at verses 13 through 18. Here in chapter four, these verses deal with the return of Jesus. These verses tell us that at His return, the believers who have died will be resurrected. And then those who are believers and are alive will be gathered up or caught up along with the ones who have just been resurrected to meet the Lord in the air. This event is often called the rapture. Well, where do we get that term? We didn’t see the word rapture in that chapter, right? Well, the Latin Vulgate, translated the phrase caught up as Rapp tourists, which is where we get the word rapture. Now, I know it sounds like a fantastic event. It sounds like it could be a fairy tale. But listen, this event will happen. Paul said, what we are teaching you now is the Lord’s teaching. So in saying this, Paul was emphasizing that this is not his idea, but it came directly from Jesus. Bible commentator Adam Clarke wrote this. In no place does the apostle speak more confidently and positively of his inspiration than here in we should prepare ourselves to receive some momentous and interesting truth. So there really should be no doubt on the part of the believer that this is something this rapture, this catching up, is something that will happen at some time in the future. Well, that brings us to chapter five. And I believe that it’s important to reiterate what Jesus said in Matthew 2436. He said, however, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen. Not even the angels in heaven, or the sun himself, only the Father knows. I think whenever we study in Times prophecy that we need to remember that I’ve talked a lot about that recently. So I won’t expand on that thought anymore at this point. So here in verse two, in chapter five, Paul told the Thessalonians, that the day of the Lord will come as a thief comes at night. Now a thief does not make an announcement letting his victims know when he’ll arrive, right? In the same way, we don’t know when Jesus will return. But like the prudent homeowner who prepares for the thief, we must also be prepared. And then Paul continued at verse three. When people say everything is quiet and safe, then suddenly destruction will hit them. So for those who are unprepared for the unbeliever, this day will be a sad one. Indeed, destruction will hit them. Yeah, it’ll be too late at that point for them. Now, listen, there was also a clue in this statement as to the conditions in the world when Jesus returns. Again, Paul said, when people say everything is quiet and safe, then suddenly destruction will hit them. So when the rapture happens, it’ll come when there is quiet in safety in the world. But in Matthew 24, the disciples asked Jesus when they’ll know that his return is coming. And he told the disciples what signs to look for. He talks about the abomination of desolation from the book of Daniel, the destruction of the temple. Now, some people believe that this happened in AD 70. Others believe the temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem at some time in the future, and that this is where the abomination of desolation will take place. Now, we don’t have time on the show to get into that debate. And as I’ve said, I’m pretty dogmatic about not being dogmatic when it comes to end times prophecy. But what we can know for sure, is that Jesus talked about a terrible time coming prior to his return. So then what do we do with the quiet and safe that Paul talked about here before the rapture, and with the turmoil that Jesus spoke of in Matthew 24? Well, it seems to me that the rapture is going to occur before the tribulation begins.

Steve Webb 14:51
But let me hurry to say that others believe it’ll happen halfway through the tribulation, and still others think that it’ll be at the end of the tribulation. There are lots of plausible arguments for each theory. And many books have been written by people who have spent lots of time poring over the scriptures. I read several of them back in the 80s. But since then I’ve not read any others, I think it’s more important, just to know that Jesus will return and it we must be ready. Well, how do we get ready? Good question. It’s an important question. Here’s the answer. We have to know that we have placed our faith in Jesus Christ. That’s it. Jesus has to be our Lord and Savior. Really, preparing for his return is no different than preparing for eternity. Each of us if Jesus doesn’t come back first, we’ll die. No, but he gets out of here alive. So what happens when we die? Well, if we’ve placed our faith in Jesus will go to heaven. So preparing for his return is no more than living our lives in such a way that pleases God. First, we accept Jesus as our Savior. And then we want to live in such a way that we glorify God. We’re here on planet Earth, to do just that, to glorify God, we’re to share the good news of a risen Savior. We’re to be salt and light, as Jesus said, we are to make disciples, as he said, In the Great Commission, just before He ascended into heaven, we are not in anticipation of is coming to withdraw from the world and just wait, that would be a terrible waste of time, talent and treasure, as in Jesus parable in Luke 19, verses 11 through 27. In the Lord would not be pleased. If you don’t know what that parable is. Look it up Luke 19, verses 11 through 27. So my question is this. Are you prepared? Have you placed your faith in Jesus? Do you know that you’ll go to heaven when you die? Or that you’ll meet Jesus in the air if the rapture happens? Listen, this is important. You don’t have to wonder if you’ll make it. It isn’t about being good enough. You can’t get good enough. There’s no such thing. All of us have sinned. We need the forgiveness that only Jesus can provide. He died on a cross taking my sins, and yours on himself. And then on the third day, he rose from the grave proving that He is God. And then over the next 50 days before He ascended into heaven, he was seen by more than 500 people. Don’t believe me, check first Corinthians 1516. Do you want to be sure that you’re ready? Let him know. Invite him in. Pray this prayer. Lord Jesus, I know that I’m a sinner. And I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I turn from my sins now. And I ask that from this point on, you would be my Lord. Help me, Lord, to live for you. Amen. If you prayed that prayer, and you meant those words, you have begun a brand new life. Congratulations. Second Corinthians 517 says, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come. And whether you felt anything or not, you have God’s promise. We don’t live by emotions, but by the word of God. And His Word says that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive. Now, if you prayed that prayer, I would love to send you a special edition of the New Testament called the new believers Bible. It has hundreds of notes written in it to help new believers get a good foundation, and it’s free. I’m not charging you for it. I just want to send it to you. Send me an email to let me know you’ve prayed that prayer, and then let me know where to mail it. And it’s yours. My email address is Steve at Lifespring media.com. It’s my gift to you. I won’t put you on a list. I won’t sell or share your info. I just want to send you this gift. And God bless you. Welcome to the family of God. You have comments on what I said today. I’d love to hear him. Go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 v 214. Scroll to the bottom of the page and let me know. And tomorrow we’re going to read Leviticus 22 through 24 Boost. Lester Graber doubled his monthly donation he sent in $20 via Zell Thank you very much, Lester. God bless you, my

Steve Webb 19:23
brother. Thank you for your consistent monthly support. I appreciate you so much. And then yesterday I mentioned a comment that I got from John front using the the fountain comments application in that John mentioned the iron sharpens iron radio podcast with Chris ARNs in the March 18 episode with guest Gary Damar. While I’ve listened to that episode, John and I agree it is a good discussion. On the podcast they talked about Gog and Magog and whether biblical prophecy is referring to Russia as being a player in the in times and then they also had a more general discussion of How through the centuries people have read prophetical scriptures from the perspective of their own times. And that is something that yes, people do. And that’s why I’ve taken the stance that I don’t get dogmatic on any of this stuff. But if you do have two hours, it is a worthwhile listen in. John, thanks again for the recommendation.

Steve Webb 20:25
Are you on the mailing list for the newsletter? If you are you saw me as a hippie. Yeah, a real hippie. If you’re not on the mailing list, then there are more pictures to come in newsletters to COMM And all you have to do is go over to news dot Lifespring media.com. And sign up. I’m not going to sell your information, I don’t share the email, your email address with anybody is just something that is kind of fun. And on the newsletter, also, we have the reading schedule for the upcoming week. So what you can do is you can read ahead, and if there are questions that you have on anything that you’ve read, email them to me and I’ll see if I can answer your questions on the show when I get to that day’s reading news dot Lifespring media.com. And Kirsty thank you so much for keeping up with that. God bless you, my sister, I appreciate you.

Steve Webb 21:26
prayer requests. Referring back to yesterday’s show again, on yesterday’s show, Sean of San Pedro made the announcement with his associate producer donation that he and his wife Brittany are expecting their first child, and I forgot to pray for them on the show. So today, we have to rectify my absent mindedness. Let’s pray. Our heavenly Father, Lord, we thank you so much for Your Word. We thank you most of all, for your Holy Spirit who opens our eyes. But we also thank you for the tools that you’ve given us to help us understand. We do want to know you better. And we do look forward to seeing you face to face. And thank you so much for blessing Shawn and Brittany with this new little life that you’re forming even now, we pray, Lord, that the pregnancy will be trouble free and that this baby will be healthy and strong. And most of all that he or she will grow to love you and that they will live for you and bring glory to your name. Lord, we ask that you protect this little one, and helps Shawn and Brittany to treasure every moment as he or she grows, give them wisdom in May their household be a place of love and joy, where you are at the center of their family. I asked God today that you would bless the Lifespring family. As we think about the things we read today. Help us to live in such a way that you will be pleased with us. And that we will be salt and light. Help us to reflect you and may others see you in us. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. If you’ve got a prayer request or a praise, go to prayer dot Lifespring media.com and fill out that quick little form there. It’ll be sent to me. I’ll pray for you in my own private prayer time and we’ll pray together on the show prayer dot Lifespring media.com.

Steve Webb 23:19
Please do share the show. If you believe that what we’re doing here is important then let people know about it. Comment on the show at Lifespring media comm slash s 12 e 214. Email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. And please help to support the show at Lifespring media.com/support. If you’re happy to see a new episode in your podcast app every day, then don’t you think it’s time to help support it? The amount is up to you. I don’t know how much value you get from the show. But go to Lifespring media.com/support. Take a look at it and then pray about it and then do as the Lord leads. That’s all I asked. And until tomorrow may God bless you richly. Thank you so much for being here. My name is Steve Webb. Bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

Transcript

Today our reading is Luke 23-24. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you, and I’m calling today’s episode “Open My Eyes.”

As we close the book of Luke, a couple of passages stood out to me.

Historically, most Christians have believed that Scripture is literally God’s Word. Orthodox, traditional  Christians believe that the Scriptures are, and I use this word with its literal meaning, God-breathed, as 2 Timothy 3:16 says. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God (lit. ‘breathed out by God’), and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, 1thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

And so it stands to reason that unless God opens the Scripture to us, the natural, human, secular mind is not going to grasp its meaning. 

But don’t take my word for it. Here in chapter 24, we read in verse 45, “And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.”

We have another example in Acts 16:14. “Now a certain woman named Lydia heard us. She was a seller of purple from the city of  Thyatira, who worshiped God.  The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.”

So that’s why I sometimes ask God to give us understanding in our prayer time together. Sure, each of us has some level of intelligence, and we have some understanding of the English language. But Scripture is more than words. It is of the Spirit, and unless the Spirit opens it to us, we will not comprehend its greatest meanings.

I believe that is why some people can read the Bible and not be moved. Unless God has quickened their heart, it’s just words on a page. Beloved, those of us who have a relationship with the Author of the Bible, are in a very real sense, reading a completely different Book than is the non-believer.

But just as Jesus had to open the eyes of His disciples that had been with Him for those three years of His ministry, I believe He must open our eyes each time we open the Bible. We can’t rely on yesterday’s supply. We should ask for a fresh and new portion of the Holy Spirit every day. Living Water is moving water, rushing water. It is not stagnant. And neither is the Holy Spirit.

The second thing that I’d like to comment on is the closing three verses of Luke.

Luke 24:50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them. 51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

Why do you suppose Jesus chose this as His way to leave them for the last time? 

Luke does not make it plain here, but Acts 1:3 tells us that Jesus left them 40 days after His resurrection. What do you suppose He was doing during those 40 days? I think He was reinforcing the truth of the resurrection, and getting them ready for this moment. 

And at the end of those 40 days, when the time was right, He led His disciples out of Jerusalem as far as Bethany, which was a little less than two miles. (Aside: what was that last walk like? They might not have even known that this would be their last moments with Jesus. But He certainly did. What did He think about? What was his mood? Did He take time with each one of them as they walked? Curious minds want to know.)   And He ascended into Heaven. Had He merely disappeared, as He had done at other times (think of His time with the disciples when He broke bread with them, opened their eyes as to who He was, and then vanished), they might have thought that He would be back in the same manner. But this unforgettable event, His ascension, was for them to see that He was indeed leaving. Here in Luke’s gospel, Jesus had just told them of the Father’s promise, that they would be given “power from on high.” He wanted them looking for the fulfillment of that Promise, not looking for Him to appear again to them right away.

In addition, it truly showed that He was God. Who else could defy the laws of nature like this, but God Himself? This exit was literally “one for the Book”. You can feel their excitement with the final words of the book, “And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, 53and were continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen”

And amen. He ascended into Heaven that day, and now we look into the heavens with oh so much anticipation of His return. Hallelujah!

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 23 GWT; Ch. 24 NKJV

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Steve Webb 0:00
What do you think that last walk was like?

Steve Webb 0:10
Here we are, again, it’s the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California and podcasting since 2004. I am your OG God caster Steve Webb, how are you today? It’s great to see you. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Yesterday was a long show today to balance that out, it’ll be much shorter today. Our reading is Luke 23, and 24, which will close the Gospel of Luke, I’ve got some thoughts to share with you after the reading, and I’m calling today’s episode, open my eyes. If you’d like to come in on today’s show, you can do that at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 206. You can email me also at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Let’s begin.

Steve Webb 0:55
Luke chapter 23. Then the entire assembly stood up and took Him to Pilate. They began to accuse Jesus by saying, we found that he stirs up trouble among our people. He keeps them from paying taxes to the emperor. And he says that He is Christ, a king. Pilate asked him, Are you the king of the Jews? Yes, I am. Jesus answered. Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, I can’t find this man guilty of any crime. The priests and the crowd became more forceful. They said, He stirs up the people throughout Judea with his teachings. He started in Galilee and is come here. When Pilate heard that he asked if the man was from Galilee. When Pilate found out that he was He sent Jesus to Herot, Herod ruled Galilee and was in Jerusalem at that time. Herod was very pleased to see Jesus. For a long time he had wanted to see him. He had heard about Jesus and hoped to see him perform some kind of miracle. Herod asked Jesus many questions, but Jesus would Natsu him. Meanwhile, the chief priests and the experts in Moses teachings, stood there and shouted their accusations against Jesus. Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and made fun of him. They put a colorful robe on him and sent Him back to Pilate. So Herod and Pilate became friends that day, they had been enemies before this. Then Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people. He told them, You brought me this man, as someone who turns the people against the government. I’ve questioned him in front of you, and haven’t found this man guilty of the crimes of which you accuse him. Neither could hear it. So he sent this man back to us. This man hasn’t done anything to deserve the death penalty. So I’m going to have him wept and set free. The whole crowd then shouted, take him away, Free Barabbas forests Barabbas had been thrown into prison for his involvement in a riot that had taken place in the city and for murder. But because Pilate wanted to free Jesus, he spoke to the people again, they began yelling, Crucify Him, Crucify Him. A third time pilots spoke to them. He asked why, what is he done wrong? I haven’t found this man deserving of the death penalty. So I’m going to have Him whipped and set free. But the crowd pressured pilot, they shouted that Jesus had to be crucified. And they finally one pilot decided to give into their demand. He freed Barabbas, who had been put in prison for rioting and murdering, because that’s what they wanted, but he let them do what they wanted to Jesus. As the soldiers led Jesus away, they grabbed a man named Simon who was from the city of Sai Rini. Simon was coming into Jerusalem, they laid the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large crowd followed Jesus, the women in the crowd cried and sang funeral songs for him. Jesus turned to them and said, You Women of Jerusalem, don’t cry for me. Rather cry for yourselves and your children. The time is coming when people will say bless it are the women who couldn’t get pregnant, who couldn’t give birth, and who couldn’t nurse a child, then people will say to the mountains fall on us into the hills cover us. If people do this to a green tree, what will happen to a dry when two others who were criminals were led away to be executed with him. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified Him. The criminals were also crucified, one on his right and the other on his left. Then Jesus said, Father forgive them. They don’t know what they’re doing. Meanwhile, the soldiers divided his clothes among themselves by throwing dice. The people stood there watching, but the rulers were making sarcastic remarks. They said, He saved others. If he’s the Messiah that God has chosen, let Him save Himself. The soldiers also made fun of him. They would go up to him, offer him some vinegar and say, if you’re the king of the Jews save yourself. A written notice was placed above him. It said, this is the king of the Jews. One of the criminals hanging there insulted Jesus by saying, so you’re really the Messiah Are you will save yourself and us, but the other criminals scolded him. Don’t you fear God at all? Can’t you see that you’re condemned in the same way that he is. Our punishment is fair. We’re getting what we deserve. But this man hasn’t done anything wrong. Then he said, Jesus, remember me when you enter your kingdom. Jesus said to him, I can guarantee this truth. Today you will be with Me in Paradise. Around noon, darkness came over the entire land and lasted until three in the afternoon. The sun had stopped shining, the curtain in the temple was split into Jesus cried out in a loud voice, Father, into your hands, I entrust my spirit. After he said this, he died.

Steve Webb 6:02
When an army officer saw what had happened, he praised God and said, Certainly this man was innocent. Crowds had gathered to see the site. But when all of them saw what had happened, they cried and returned to the city. All his friends, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance and watched everything. There was a good man who had God’s approval. His name was Joseph. He was a member of the Jewish Council, but he had not agreed with what they had done. He was from the Jewish city of Arab mithya. And he was waiting for the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. After he took it down from the cross, he wrapped it in linen. Then he laid the body in a tomb cut in rock, a tomb in which no one had ever been buried. It was Friday, and the day of worship was just beginning. The women who had come with Jesus from Galilee followed closely behind Joseph, they observe the tomb and how his body was laid in it. Then they went back to the city and prepared spices and perfumes. But on the day of worship, they rested according to the commandment.

Steve Webb 7:12
Luke chapter 24. Now, on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared, but they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in, it did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it happened as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments. Then as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to them, Why do you seek the living among the dead, He is not here, but is risen. Remember how we spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, saying, The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again. And they remembered his words. Then they returned from the tomb and told all these things to the 11. And to all the rest. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary, the mother of James, and the other women with them, who told these things to the apostles, and their words seemed to them like idol tales, and they did not believe them. But Peter arose and ran to the tomb, and stooping down, he saw the linen cloth lying by themselves, and he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened. Now, behold, two of them were traveling that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was seven miles from Jerusalem. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. So it was while They conversed and reasoned that Jesus himself drew near and went with them. But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him. And He said to them, what kind of conversation is this that you have with one another, as you walk and her sad? Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to him, Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem? And have you not known the things which happened there in these days? And he said to them, what things? So they said to him, the things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed, and word before God, and all the people, and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death and crucified Him. But we were hoping that it was he who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened. Yes. And certain women of our company who arrived at the tomb early astonished us. When they did not find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said he was alive. And certain of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see. Then he said to them, all foolish ones in slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken, but not the Christ who have suffered these things and to enter into his glory. And beginning at Moses had all the prophets he expounded to them in all the Scriptures, the things concerning himself. Then they drew near to the village where they were going. And he indicated that he would have gone farther. But they constrained him saying, abide with us, for it is toward evening and the day is far spent. And he went in to stay with him. Now it came to pass, as he sat at the table with him that he took bread, blessed it and broke it and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they knew him. And he vanished from their sight. And they said to one another, did not our heart burn within us while he talked with us on the road, and while he opened the Scriptures to us, so they rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found the 11, and those who were with him gathered together, saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon. And they told about all the things that had happened on the road, and how he was known to them, and the breaking of bread. Now, as they said, these things, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them and said to them, Peace to you, but they were terrified and frightened. And suppose they had seen a spirit. And he said to them, Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? Behold, my hands and feet, that it is I myself, handle me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have, when he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. But while they still did not believe for joy, and marveled, he said to them, have you any food here, so they gave him a piece of broiled fish and some Honeycomb, and he took it and ate in their presence. Then he said to them, these other words which I spoke to you, while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms concerning me. And he opened their understanding that they might comprehend the scriptures. Then he said to them, thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all nations beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you, but tarry in the city of Jerusalem, until you are endued with power from on high, and he led them out as far as Bethany and He lifted up his hands and bless them. Now it came to pass while he blessed them, that he was parted from them and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and we’re continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Amen.

Steve Webb 12:36
Well, as we close the book of Luke, beloved, a couple of passages stood out to me. Historically, most Christians have believed that Scripture is literally God’s word. Orthodox, traditional Christians believe that the scriptures are and I use the word in its literal sense. God breathed, as Second Timothy 316 says, All scripture is given by inspiration of God. And in the original Greek, that literally means breathed out by God. And since scripture is literally God breathed, it stands to reason that unless God opens the scripture to us, the natural human secular mind is not going to grasp its meaning. But don’t take my word for it. Here in chapter 24, we read in verse 45. And he opened their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures. And there’s another example in Acts 1614. Now a certain woman named Lydia Huertas. She was a seller of purple from the city of via Tyra who worshipped God, the Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul. So that’s why I sometimes ask God to give us understanding and our prayer time together. Sure, each of us has some level of intelligence, and we have some understanding of the English language. But Scripture is more than words, scripture is of the Spirit. And unless the Spirit opens it to us will not comprehend its greatest meanings. I believe that’s why some people can read the Bible and not be moved. Unless God is quick in their heart. It’s just words on a page. Beloved, those of us who have a relationship with the author of the Bible are in a very real sense, reading a completely different book than is the non believer. But just as Jesus had to open the eyes of his disciples that had been with him for those three years of his ministry, I believe he must open our eyes each time we open the Bible. We can’t rely on yesterday’s supply. We should ask for a fresh and new portion of the Holy Spirit every day. Living water is moving water, rushing water, it isn’t stagnant, and neither is the Holy Spirit. A second thing that I like to comment on is the closing three verses of Luke. Let’s listen to him. And he led them out as far as Bethany and He lifted up his hands and bless them. Now it came to pass while he blessed them that he was parted from them and carried up into heaven. and they worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. And we’re continually in the temple praising and blessing God. Now let’s just think for a moment. Why do you suppose Jesus chose this as his way to leave them for the last time? X one three tells us that Jesus left them 40 days after His resurrection. What do you suppose he was doing during those 40 days? I think he was reinforcing the truth of the resurrection and getting them ready for this moment. He was being seen by people. And at the end of those 40 days, when the time was right, He led His disciples out of Jerusalem as far as Bethany, which was a little less than two miles. Now, let’s take an aside here. What do you think that last walk was like? The disciples might not have even known that this would be their last moments with Jesus. But he knew. What do you think he thought about? What do you suppose his mood was? Did he take time with each one of them as they walked? curious minds want to know? Now back to the narrative. And then once they got there, he ascended into heaven. Now had he merely disappeared, as he had done it other times, think of his time with a disciples when he broke bread with him. And he opened their eyes as to who he was, and then he just vanished. Well, if he did that, this time, they might have just thought that he’d be back in the same manner. But this unforgettable event, His ascension was for them to see that he was indeed leaving. In here in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus had told them of the father’s promise that they would be given power from on high, he wanted them to be looking for the fulfillment of that promise, not looking for him to appear again to them right away. And then in addition, it truly showed that he was God. I mean, who else could defy the laws of nature like this, but God Himself, this exit was literally one for the book. You can feel their excitement with the final words of the book, and they worshipped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy and we’re continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen. Wow. Amen to that. He ascended into heaven that day. And now we look into the heavens with Oh, so much anticipation of His return. Hallelujah. So what do you think I’d love to hear your thoughts, comment at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 206. Scroll down there all the way to the bottom of the page. Tomorrow, we’ll begin the book of First Thessalonians we’ll read the first three chapters boost.

Steve Webb 17:44
On this date in church history, march 26 1775, American born evangelist in him writer Henry ally in underwent a profound spiritual conversion. He later became a leader of the new light movement in the Presbyterian Church, and he was an evangelist to the people of Nova Scotia.

Steve Webb 18:15
Prayer requests. I have a friend by the name of Robbie, he’s a very talented guy with an amazing baritone voice. And he’s had a singing ministry for many, many years. And he truly has a desire to do whatever God calls him to do. And right now he feels that God is calling him to step out in faith in a very big way. I can’t share the details. But he asked for prayer that he would maintain a firm faith and that his faith would not fail. You know, sometimes when God calls us to do something where we can’t see beyond the first step, that can be a scary thing. We may be sure that we’re following the Lord’s leading but the human part of us wants to know how it’s all going to work out. Well, of course, if we had that knowledge, it wouldn’t be faith, would it? So let’s pray for my friend, Robbie, our Heavenly Father, we are so very thankful for your word and all the things you show us about yourself, and about us. Help us to learn. We ask that you open our understanding. As Robbie steps out in faith, Lord, I pray that you would make every step very clear to him. Not that you would reveal everything at once. But give him confidence, Lord, that it’s your voice that he’s hearing. Give him a steadfast faith and help him to lean on you and not on his own understanding. Lord, I believe you’ve got something very special in mind for him and it’s gonna be fun to see what it is. I just pray God that you would bless Robbie. And Lord bless the Lifespring family. Each of us wants to know you better. That’s why we’re here. reveal yourself to us, Lord in draws ever closer as you make us into the people you want us to be. I pray this in Jesus name, amen. If you have a prayer request or a praise, just go to prayer dot Lifespring media.com And you’ll find a form there. Fill that out and open pray for you in my private prayer time and we’ll pray together on the show, prayer dot Lifespring media.com.

Steve Webb 20:14
Support the show and Lifespring media.com/support However you support the show I thank you and I know God bless you. Comment on the show at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 206. Email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com And until tomorrow may God bless you richly. Thank you for being here. My name is Steve Webb. I hope you have a stupendous day. Bye

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Transcript

Today our reading is Ezekiel 37-42. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you, and I’m calling today’s episode “Gog and Magog.”

As I write this, Russia and its president, Vladimir Putin is very much in the news because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. I will not comment on this action because it is outside the scope of the Lifespring Family Audio Bible.

Today I will talk about Ezekiel 38 and 39, its possible meaning and possible references to modern nations and the end times.

Let me start by reading the first six verses of chapter 38:

1And the word of the Lord came to me saying, 2“Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him 3and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “Behold, I am against you, O Gog, prince of Rosh, Meshech and Tubal. 4I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with buckler and shield, all of them wielding swords; 5Persia, Ethiopia and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet; 6Gomer with all its troops; Beth-togarmah from the remote parts of the north with all its troops—many peoples with you.

Ezekiel 1-6 NASB

 But before I talk about the things we can know from these chapters, I’d like to share something written by Bible commentator Warren Wiersbe: “It’s tempting to identify Rosh with Russia and therefore Meschech with Moscow and Tubal with Tobolsk, both cities in Russia; but we would have a hard time defending this on linguistic grounds. This doesn’t rule out the participation of modern Russia, since it is located in the north (vv. 6, 15; 39:2), but neither does it demand it.” 

So from the scriptures, we cannot know for sure that modern Russia is the land spoken of in these scriptures. 

Let’s look at what we can know.

14“Therefore prophesy, son of man, and say to Gog, ‘Thus says the Lord God, “On that day when My people Israel are living securely, will you not know it? 15You will come from your place out of the remote parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great assembly and a mighty army; 16and you will come up against My people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It shall come about in the last days that I will bring you against My land, so that the nations may know Me when I am sanctified through you before their eyes, O Gog.”

17‘Thus says the Lord God, “Are you the one of whom I spoke in former days through My servants the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days for many years that I would bring you against them? 18It will come about on that day, when Gog comes against the land of Israel,” declares the Lord God, “that My fury will mount up in My anger.

Ezekiel 14-18 NASB

From verse 16, we know that this will happen in the last days. I have said many times on the show that I believe we are in the last days. I have also said that I am not dogmatic about that, but so many things have happened in the world since Israel again became a nation in 1948 that it is hard to avoid the thought that we are living in the closing days of history. We don’t have time here to list all of the events. Entire books have been written on the subject. This is an area that has a myriad of rabbit holes into which one could invest a lot of time.

I’ll just give you a list of what we can glean from chapters 38 and 39.

38:1-6: Gog, a leader from the north of Israel, will lead an alliance of nations to attack Israel. Those nations include Persia, Ethiopia, Put, Gomer, Beth-togarmah and many peoples. These lands encompass modern Iran, Turkey, Libya, Ethiopia, and possibly Armenia and Germany.

38:10: His motivation will be twofold – his own evil desires and God’s compulsion. 

38:4-6: They will attack swiftly with a very powerful army.

38: 8, 12: The attack comes when Israel has become a nation and when they are experiencing security, safety and prosperity

38:12-13: Other nations, not involved in the attack will try to see how they might benefit from Gog’s victory over Israel

38:16: God will defeat Gog in a way that will bring glory to Himself.

To be clear, we are not given enough information to have any certainty when this will happen. We cannot say that the present hostilities from Russia are the precursor to this battle. It is possible that the battle spoken of here in Ezekiel takes place before what is known as the Great Tribulation, the final literal seven year period before Jesus returns to Earth. It could take place in the middle of that seven year period, or it could take place at the end of the seven years. Interestingly, Revelation 19:17-18 and Ezekiel 39:17-20 are very similar. Revelation speaks of the time at the end of the seven years.

17Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in midheaven, “Come, assemble for the great supper of God, 18so that you may eat the flesh of kings and the flesh of commanders and the flesh of mighty men and the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves, and small and great.”

Revelation 19:17-18 NASB

17“As for you, son of man, thus says the Lord God, ‘Speak to every kind of bird and to every beast of the field, “Assemble and come, gather from every side to My sacrifice which I am going to sacrifice for you, as a great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel, that you may eat flesh and drink blood. 18You will eat the flesh of mighty men and drink the blood of the princes of the earth, as though they were rams, lambs, goats and bulls, all of them fatlings of Bashan. 19So you will eat fat until you are glutted, and drink blood until you are drunk, from My sacrifice which I have sacrificed for you.

Ezekiel 39:17-19 –

The battle might even happen after Jesus reigns on Earth for 1,000 years after His return in Revelation 19.

The fact is we just do not know many of the details that God has in mind. For reasons known only to Him, He gave us a very rough sketch, with just enough details to know that these events will happen, and they will all be for His glory. We are told in the book of Revelation that at the end of it all, we will praise Him for all that is done.

9After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10and they cry out with a loud voice, saying,

“Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” 11And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12saying,

“Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen.”

13Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, “These who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from?” 14I said to him, “My lord, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. 16They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore; nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat; 17for the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life; and God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”

Revelation 7:9-17 NASB

Beloved, I do not know when these things will happen. No one knows but the Father. But whether it begins today or at some distant time in the future, they will happen as surely as you are hearing my voice right now. The question is, are you ready? Are you prepared? 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3 tells us, “For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. 3While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.” In other words, once it happens, it will be too late to make preparations.

So how do you prepare? How will you escape destruction? How can you be sure that you will be one of those standing before the throne of the Lamb (Jesus)? 

If you have put your faith in Him, if you have asked Him to forgive your sins, if you have asked Him to be your Lord and your Savior, you have nothing to worry about. You have a place prepared for you in Heaven. 

Jesus said, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3 NASB

If you are not sure that you are prepared, if you don’t know that there is a place for you in Heaven, why not decide right now that you want to be sure? Why wait? What is there to gain by waiting? Or let’s turn the question around…what is there to lose by waiting? Everything. If you wait, there is everything to lose. When you decide now to follow Jesus, you have everything to gain. 

All you have to do is ask Him. Just a simple prayer. Are you ready? Right now? Then pray with me:

Dear Jesus, I want to know that you are my Savior and my Lord. Please forgive me of all the sins I’ve done. I am sorry for them, and I turn from them now. I give my life to you, and I ask You to be my Savior and my Lord. Please take my life from this moment on, and help me to become the person you made me to be. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, and meant it, congratulations. You have begun a new life. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” That’s a promise. Hang on to that promise. No matter if you felt anything or not, when you prayed that prayer just now, that promise applies to you.

I have a New Testament that I would like to send to you. It’s my gift. It’s called the New Believer’s Bible, and it is filled with hundreds of notes that will help you get started in your new life. I want you to have it. It’s free. Just send me an email at st***@*************ia.com and tell me you just prayed that prayer. And tell me where to send it. I won’t use your email or your mailing address for anything else. I won’t spam you and I won’t give or sell anyone else your information. I only want you to have this New Believer’s Bible. No strings at all. I’m just so happy that you have made this, the best decision you’ll ever make in your life.

So beloved, what do you think about what I’ve said today? Does it make sense to you? I invite your comments at the bottom of this page.

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 37-41 GNT; Ch. 42 NKJV

Darrell Mansfield “Get Ready”

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Download .txt file.

Steve Webb 0:00
They will happen as surely as you’re hearing my voice right now.

Steve Webb 0:12
Here we are, again, it’s the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. I’m your OG God caster Steve Webb, welcome. I’m happy to see you today. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Our reading today is Ezekiel 37 through 42. Afterwards, I’ll have well some kind of extensive thoughts to share with you and I’m calling today’s episode, Gog and Magog. If you’d like to make a comment on today’s show, please do so at Lifespring media.com/s 12 V. 205. Or you can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. This is gonna be kind of a long one today. So buckle in.

Steve Webb 0:56
Ezekiel, chapter 37.

Steve Webb 0:58
I felt the powerful presence of the Lord and His Spirit took me and set me down in a valley where the ground was covered with bones. He led me all around the valley, and I could see that there were very many bones and that they were very dry. He said to me, mortal man, can these bones come back to life? I replied, Sovereign Lord, only you can answer that. He said, prophesied to the bones, tell these dry bones to listen to the word of the Lord. Tell them that I the Sovereign Lord am saying to them, I’m going to put breath into you and bring you back to life. I will give you sinews and muscles and cover you with skin, I will put breath into you and bring you back to life, then you will know that I am the Lord. So I prophesied as I had been told, while I was speaking, I heard a rattling noise and the bones began to join together. While I watched, the bones were covered with sinews and muscles, and then was skin. But there was no breath in the bodies. God said to me, mortal man prophesied to the wind, tell the wind that the Sovereign Lord commands it to come from every direction, to breathe into these dead bodies, and to bring them back to life. So I prophesied as I had been told, breath entered the bodies and they came to life and stood up. They were enough of them to form an army. God said to me, mortal man, the people of Israel are like these bones. They say that they are dried up without any hope, and with no future, so prophesied to my people Israel and tell them that I, the Sovereign Lord, I’m going to open their graves, I’m going to take them out and bring them back to the land of Israel. When I open the graves, where my people are buried, and bring them out, they will know that I am the Lord, I will put my breath in them, bring them back to life, and let them live in their own land, then they will know that I am the Lord, I have promised that I would do this, and I will I the LORD have spoken.

Steve Webb 2:56
The Lord spoke to me again, mortal man, he said, Take a wooden stick and write on it the words the kingdom of Judah, then take another stick and write on it the words the kingdom of Israel, then hold the two sticks end to end in your hand so that they look like one stick. When your people ask you to tell them what this means, tell them that I the Sovereign Lord, I’m going to take the stick representing Israel, and put it with the one that represents Judah. Out of the two, I will make one stick and hold it in my hand, hold in your hand, the two sticks and let the people see them. Tell them that I the Sovereign Lord, I’m going to take all my people out of the nations where they have gone, gather them together and bring them back to their own land. I will unite them into one nation in the land on the mountains of Israel, they will have one king to rule over them. And they will no longer be divided into two nations or split into two kingdoms. They will not defile themselves with disgusting idols anymore, are corrupt themselves with sin. I will free them from all the ways in which they sin and betray me. I will purify them, they will be my people, and I will be their God, a king like my servant, David will be their king. They will all be united under one ruler and will obey my laws faithfully. They will live on the land I gave to my servant Jacob, the land where their ancestors lived. They will live there forever, and so will their children and all their descendants. A king like my servant, David will rule them forever. I will make a covenant with him that guarantees their safety forever. I will establish them and increase their population. And we’ll see to it that my Temple stands forever in their land. I will live there with them. I will be their God and they will be my people. When I placed my temple there to be among them forever, then the nations will know that I the Lord have chosen Israel to be my own people.

Steve Webb 4:51
Ezekiel chapter 38.

Steve Webb 4:54
The Lord spoke to me. mortal man, he said denounce Gog chief ruler of the nations of Michigan back into ball in the land of Magog denounce him and tell them that I the Sovereign LORD and his enemy, I will turn them around, put hooks in his jaws and drag him and all his troops away. His army with its horses and uniformed riders is enormous and every soldier carries a shield and is armed with a sword. Troops from Persia, Ethiopia and Libya are with him at all have shields and helmets. All the fighting men in the lands of Goma and beffta Garma in the north are with him. And so our men from many other nations, tell him to get ready and have all his troops ready at his command. After many years, I will order him to invade a country where the people were brought back together from many nations and have lived without fear of war, he will invade the mountains of Israel, which were desolate and deserted so long, but where all the people now live and safety. He and his army and the many nations with him will attack like a storm and cover the land like a cloud. This is what the Sovereign Lord says to God. When that time comes, you will start thinking up an evil plan, you will decide to invade a helpless country where the people live in peace and security in unwalled towns that have no defenses. You will plunder and loot the people who live in cities that were once in ruins. They have been gathered from the nations and now they have livestock and property and live at the crossroads of the world. The people of Sheba in de Dan and the merchants from the towns of Spain will ask you, have you assembled your army and attacked in order to loot and plunder? Do you intend to get silver and gold, livestock and property and march off with all these spoils? So the Sovereign LORD sent me to tell God what he was saying to him. Now while my people Israel live in security, you will set out to come from your place in the far north, leading a large, powerful army of soldiers from many nations, all of them on horseback, you will attack my people Israel like a storm moving across the land. When the time comes, I will send you to invade my land in order to show the nation’s who I am to show my holiness by what I do through you. You are the one I was talking about long ago, when I announced through my servants the prophets of Israel, that in days to come I would bring someone to attack Israel, the Sovereign Lord has spoken. The Sovereign Lord says, on the day when God invades Israel, I will become furious. I declare in the heat of my anger that on that day there will be a severe earthquake in the land of Israel. Every fish and bird, every animal large and small, and every human being on the face of the earth will tremble for fear of me. Mountains will fall, cliffs will crumble and every wall will collapse. I will terrify God with all sorts of calamities. I, the Sovereign LORD have spoken. His men will turn their swords against one another, I will punish him with disease and bloodshed. torrents of rain and hail together with fire and sulfur will pour down on him in his army and on the many nations that are on his side. In this way, I will show all the nations that I am great and that I am holy. They will know then that I am the Lord.

Steve Webb 8:12
Ezekiel chapter 39.

Steve Webb 8:15
The Sovereign Lord said mortal man, denounce Gog, the chief ruler of the nations have me check in to ball and tell him that I am his enemy. I will turn him in a new direction and lead him out from the far north until he comes to the mountains of Israel. Then I will knock his bow out of his left hand and his arrows out of his right hand. Gagan his army and his allies will fall back on the mountains of Israel and I will let their bodies be food for all the birds and wild animals, they will fall dead in the open field. i The Sovereign Lord if spoken. I will start a fire in the land of Magog and along all the sea coasts where people live undisturbed, and everyone will know that I am the Lord. I will make sure that my people Israel know My Holy Name, and I will not let my name be disgraced anymore. Then the nations will know that I the LORD in the holy God of Israel. The Sovereign Lord said the day I spoke about is certain to come. The people who live in the cities of Israel will go out and collect the abandoned weapons for firewood. They will build fires with the shields, bows, arrows, spears and clubs and have enough to last for seven years. They will not have to gather firewood in the fields or cut down trees in the forest because they will have the abandoned weapons to burn. They will loot and plunder those who looted in plundered them. The Sovereign Lord is spoken. The Lord said, when all this happens, I will give Gog a burial ground there in Israel in travelers Valley East of the Dead Sea. Gog and all his army will be buried there in the valley will be called the Valley of God’s army. It will take the Israelites seven months to bury all the corpses and make the land clean again. Every one in the land will help bury them. And they will be honored for this on the day of my victory I, the Sovereign LORD have spoken. After the seven months are over, men will be chosen to travel through the land in order to find in bury those bodies remaining on the ground, so that they can make the land clean again. As they go up and down the country. Every time they find a human bone, they will put a marker beside it so that the grave diggers can come and bury it in the valley of God’s army. There will be a town nearby named after the army, and so the land will be made clean again. The Sovereign Lord said to me, mortal man, call all the birds and animals to come from all around to eat the sacrifice, I’m preparing for them. It will be a huge feast on the mountains of Israel, where they can eat meat and drink blood, there to eat the bodies of soldiers and drink the blood of the rulers of the earth, all of whom will be killed like rams or lambs or goats or fat bulls. When I kill these people like sacrifices, the birds and animals are to eat all the fat they can hold, and to drink blood until they are drunk. At my table, they will eat all they can hold them horses and their riders that have soldiers and fighting men. i The Sovereign LORD have spoken. The Lord said, I will let the nation see my glory and show them how I use my power to carry out my just decisions. The Israelites will know from then on that I am the LORD their God. And the nations will know that the Israelites went into exile because of the sins which they committed against me. I turned away from them and let their enemies defeat them and kill them in battle. I gave them what they deserved for their uncleanness and their wickedness. And I turned away from them. The Sovereign Lord said, but now I will be merciful to Jacob’s descendants, the people of Israel and make them prosperous again, I will protect my holy name. When they are once more living in safety in their own land with no one to threaten them, they will be able to forget how they were disgraced for having betrayed me, in order to show to the many nations that I am holy, I will bring them back from all the countries where their enemies live, then my people will know that I am the LORD their God. They will know this because I sent them into captivity, and now gather them and bring them back into their own land, not leaving even one of them behind. I will pour out my spirit on the people of Israel and never again turn away from them. i The Sovereign LORD have spoken.

Steve Webb 12:28
Ezekiel chapter 40. It was the 10th day of the new year, which was the 25th year after we had been taken into exile and the 14th year after Jerusalem was captured. On that day I felt the powerful presence of the Lord and he carried me away. In a vision God took me to the land of Israel and put me on a high mountain. I saw in front of me a group of buildings that looked like a city. He took me closer and I saw a man who shone like bronze. He was holding a linen tape measure and a measuring rod and was standing by a gateway. He said to me, watch mortal man. Listen carefully and pay close attention to everything I show you. Because this is why you were brought here. You’re to tell the people of Israel everything you see. What I saw was the temple and there was a wall around it. The man took his measuring rod which was 10 feet long in measured the wall. It was 10 feet high and 10 feet thick. Then he went to the gateway that faced East. He went up the steps and at the top he measured the entrance it was 10 feet deep. Beyond it there was a passageway which had three guard rooms on each side. Each of the rooms was square 10 feet on each side, and the walls between them were eight feet thick. Beyond the guard rooms there was a passageway 10 feet long that led to an entrance room which faced the temple. He measured this room and found it was 14 feet deep. It formed that end of the gateway which was nearest the temple, and at its far end, the walls were four feet thick. These guard rooms on each side of the passageway were all the same size and the walls between them were all of the same thickness. Next, the man measured the width of the passageway in the gateway. It was 22 feet all together, and the space between the open gates was 16 feet. In front of each of the guard rooms there was a low wall 20 inches high and 20 inches thick. The rooms were 10 feet square. Then he measured the distance from the back wall of one room to the back wall of the room across the passageway from it and it was 42 feet. The room at the far end led out to a courtyard. He measured that room and found it was 34 feet wide. The total length of the gateway from the outside wall of the gate to the far side of the last room was at four feet. There were small openings on the outside walls of all the rooms and also in the inner walls between the rooms. They were palm trees carved on the inner walls that face the back passageway. The man took me through the gateway into the courtyard. There were 30 rooms built against the outer wall, and in front of them there was an area paid with stones which extended around the courtyard. This outer courtyard was at a lower level than the inner courtyard. There was a gateway at a higher level that led to the inner courtyard. The man measured the distance between the two gateways and it was 168 feet. Then the man measured the gateway on the north side that led into the outer courtyard. The three guard rooms on each side of the passageway, the walls between them, and the entrance room all had the same measurements as those in the East gateway. The total length of the gateway was 84 feet, and the width 42 feet. The entrance room, the windows and the carved palm trees were like those in the east gate. Here, seven steps lead up to the gate, and the entrance room was at the end facing the courtyard. across the courtyard from this North gateway was another gateway leading to the inner courtyard, just as there was on the east gate. The man measured the distance between these two gateways and it was 168 feet. Next, the man took me to the south side, and there we saw another gateway. He measured its inner walls and its entrance room, and they were the same as the others. There were windows in the rooms of the gateway just as in the others, the total length of the gateway was 84 feet and the width 42 feet, seven steps led up to it, and its entrance room was also at the end facing the courtyard. There were palm trees carved on the inner walls that faced the passageway. Here too. There was a gateway leading to the inner courtyard. The man measured the distance to this second gateway, and it was 168 feet. The man took me through the south gateway into the inner courtyard. He measured the gateway and it was the same size as the gateways and the outer wall. Its guard rooms, its entrance room, and its inner walls were the same size as those in the other gateways. There were also windows in the rooms of this gateway. The total length was 84 feet and the width 42 feet. Its entrance room faced the other courtyard and palm trees were carved on the walls along the passageway. eight steps led up to this gate. The man took me through the East gateway into the inner courtyard. He measured the gateway and it was the same size as the others. It’s guard rooms, its entrance room, and its inner walls measured the same as those in the other gateways. There were windows all around and the entrance room also, the total length was 84 feet and the width 42 feet. The entrance room faced the outer courtyard, palm trees were carved on the walls along the passageway. eight steps led up to this gate. Then the man took me to the north gateway. He measured it and it was the same size as the others like them. It also had guard rooms, decorated the inner walls and entrance room and windows all around. Its total length was 84 feet and its width 42 feet. The entrance room faced the outer courtyard, palm trees were carved on the walls along the passageway. eight steps lead up to this gate. In the outer courtyard, there was an annex attached to the inner gateway on the north side. It opened into the entrance room that faced the courtyard, and there they washed the carcasses of the animals to be burned whole as sacrifices. In this entrance room, there were four tables two on each side of the room. It was on these tables that they killed the animals to be offered a sacrifices either to be burned hole or to be sacrifices for sin or as repayment offerings. outside the room. There were four similar tables, two on either side of the entrance of the North Gate. Altogether, there were eight tables on which the animals to be sacrificed were killed four inside the room and four out in the courtyard. The four tables in the annex used to prepare the offerings to be burned hole were of cut stone, they were 20 inches high, and their tops were 30 inches square. All the equipment used in killing the sacrificial animals was kept on these tables, ledges three inches wide ran around the edge of the tables. All the meat to be offered in sacrifice was placed on the tables. Then he brought me to the inner court. There were two rooms opening on the inner court, one facing south beside the North gateway, and the other facing north beside the south gateway. The man told me that the room which faced South was for the priests who served in the temple, and the room which faced North was for the priests who served at the altar. All the priests were descended from say doc, they were the only members of the tribe of Levi who were permitted to go into the Lord’s presence to serve him. The man measured the inner courtyard and it was 168 feet square The temple was on the west side, and in front of it was an altar. Then he took me into the entrance room of the temple. He measured the entrance way. It was nine feet deep and 24 feet wide, with walls five feet thick on either side. Steps led up to the entrance room, which was 34 feet wide and 20 feet deep. There were two columns, one on each side of the entrance.

Steve Webb 20:26
Ezekiel chapter 41.

Steve Webb 20:28
Next, the man took me into the central room, the holy place. He measured the passageway into it. It was 10 feet deep, at 18 feet wide, with walls eight feet thick on either side. He measured the room itself, it was 68 feet long and 34 feet wide. Then he went to the innermost room. He measured the passageway into it. It was three feet deep and 10 feet wide with walls on either side. 12 feet thick. He measured the room itself and it was 34 feet square. This room was beyond the central room. Then he said to me, this is the most holy place. The man measured the thickness of the inner wall of the temple building and it was 10 feet. against this wall all around the temple was a series of rooms seven feet wide. These rooms were in three stories with 30 rooms on each floor. The temples outer wall on each floor was thinner than on the floor below, so that the rooms could rest on the wall without being anchored into it. And so the temple walls when seen from the outside, seemed to have the same thickness all the way to the top. Against the temples, outer wall on the outside of the rooms, two wide stairways were built so that it was possible to go from the lower storey to the middle and the upper storeys. The outside wall of these rooms was eight feet thick. There was one door into the rooms on the north side of the temple, and one into those on the south side. I saw that there was a terrorist eight feet wide around the temple. It was 10 feet above the ground, and it was level with the foundation of the rooms by the temple walls. Between the terrorists and the buildings used by the priests. There was an open space 34 feet across along the sides of the temple. At the far end of the open space on the west side of the temple, there was a building 150 feet long and 116 feet wide. Its walls were nine feet thick all around. The man measured the outside of the temple and it was 168 feet long. And from the back of the temple across the open space to the far side of the building to the west, the distance was also 168 feet. The distance across the front of the temple, including the open space on either side was also 168 feet. He measured the length of the building to the west, including its galleries on both sides, and it also was 168 feet. The entrance room of the temple, the holy place and the most holy place. We’re all paneled with wood from the floor to the windows, these windows could be covered. The inside walls of the temple up as high as above the doors were completely covered with carvings of palm trees and winged creatures. Palm trees alternated with creatures, one following the other, all the way around the room. Each creature had two faces, a human face that was turned toward the palm tree on one side, and a Lions face that was turned toward the tree on the other side. It was like this all around the wall from the floor to above the doors. The doorposts of the holy place were square. In front of the entrance of the most holy place, there was something that looked like a wooden altar. It was five feet high and four feet wide. Its corner posts, its base and its sides were all made of wood. The man said to me, this is the table which stands in the presence of the Lord. There was a door at the end of the passageway to the holy place, and one also at the end of the passageway to the most holy place. They were double doors that swung open in the middle. They were palm trees and winged creatures carved on the doors of the holy place, just as there were on the walls, and there was a wooden covering over the outside of the doorway of the entrance room. At the sides of this room. There were windows and the walls were decorated with palm trees.

Steve Webb 24:20
Ezekiel chapter 42.

Steve Webb 24:23
Then he brought me out to the outer court by the way toward the north. And he brought me into the chamber which was opposite the separating courtyard in which was opposite the building toward the north. Facing the length, which was 100 cubits the width was 50 cubits was the north door. Opposite the inner court of 20 cubits and opposite that pavement of the outer court was gallery against gallery in three stories. In front of the chambers toward the inside, was a walk 10 cubits wide at a distance of one qubit and their doors faced north. Now the upper chambers were shorter Because the galleries took away space from them more than from the lower and middle stories of the building, for they were in three storeys and did not have pillars like the pillars of the courts. Therefore the upper level was shortened more than the lower and middle levels from the ground up. And a wall which was outside ran parallel to the chambers at the front of the chambers toward the outer court. Its length was 50 cubits. The length of the chambers toward the outer court was 50 cubits, whereas that facing the temple was 100 cubits at the lower chambers was the entrance on the east side as one goes into them from the outer court.

Steve Webb 25:38
And there were chambers in the thickness of the wall of the court toward the east, opposite the separating courtyard and opposite the building. There was a walk in front of them also, and their appearance was like the chambers which were toward the north. They were as long and wide as the others and all their exits and entrances were according to plan, and corresponding to the doors of the chambers that were facing south, as one enters them, there was a door in front of the walk the way directly in front of the wall toward the east. Then he said to me, the North chambers and the South chambers, which are opposite the separating courtyard, are the holy chambers where the priests who approached the Lord shall eat the most holy offerings, there they shall lay the Most Holy offerings, the grain offering, the sin offering, and the trespass offering, for the place is holy. When the priest center them, they shall not go out of the holy chamber into the outer court, but they are they shall leave their garments in which they minister or they are holy, they shall put on other garments, then they may approach that which is for the people. Now, when he had finished measuring the inner temple, he brought me out through the gateway that faces toward the east and measured it all around. He measured the east side with a measuring rod 500 rods by the measuring rod all around, he measured the north side 500 rods by the measuring rod all around, he measured the South Side 500 rods by the measuring rod, he came around to the west side and measured 500 rods by the measuring rod. He measured it on the four sides. It had a wall all around 500 cubits long in 500 wide to separate the holy areas from the common.

Steve Webb 27:20
Well, today is March 25 2022. And right now, Russia and its President Vladimir Putin is very much in the news because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. I’m not going to comment on this action because it’s outside of the scope of the Lifespring family Audio Bible, but I am going to talk about Ezekiel 38 and 39. And its possible meaning and possible references to modern nations, and the End Times. Let me start by reading the first six verses of chapter 38. And the word of the Lord came to me saying, Son of man, set your face toward Gog of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh Meshech, and two ball and prophesy against them and say, Thus says the Lord God, Behold, I am against you, oh Gog, Prince of rush me Shaq into ball, I will turn you about and put hooks into your jaws, and I will bring you out, and all of your army, horses and horsemen, all of them splendidly attired, a great company with Buckler in shield, all of them wielding swords, Persia, Ethiopia and put with them, all of them with shield and helmet, Gomer with all its troops best to Garma from all the remote parts of the north with all its troops, many people’s with you. Alright, before I talk about the things we can know from these chapters, I’d like to share something written by a Bible commentator. Warren Where’s B? He said, It’s tempting to identify rush with Russia, and therefore me check with Moscow and to ball with Tobolsk both cities in Russia. But we would have a hard time defending this on linguistic grounds. This doesn’t rule out the participation of modern Russia since it is located in the north, but neither does it demand it. So from the scriptures, we cannot know for sure that modern Russia is the land spoken of in the scriptures. So let’s look at what we can know. Let’s read verses 14 through 18 of chapter 38. Therefore prophesy Son of Man and say to God, Thus says the Lord God, on that day when my people Israel are living securely, will you not know it? You will come from your place out of the remote parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great assembly and a mighty army. And you will come up against my people Israel like a cloud to cover the land. It shall come about in the last days that I will bring you against my land, so that the nations may know me when I am sanctified through you before Their eyes, oh God, that says the Lord God, are you the one of whom I spoke in former days through my servants, the prophets of Israel, who prophesied in those days for many years that I would bring you against them, it will come about on that day when God comes against the Land of Israel declares the Lord GOD, that my fury will mount up in my anger. Okay, so from verse 16, we know that this will happen in the last days. Now, I’ve said many times on the show that I believe that we are in the last days. But I’ve also said that I’m not dogmatic about that. But so many things have happened in the world since Israel again became a nation in 1948. That it is hard to avoid the thought that we’re living in the closing days of history. We don’t have time here to list all of the events that have happened since 1948. Entire books have been written on that subject. And this is an area that has a myriad of rabbit holes into which one could invest a whole lot of time. Let me today just give you a list of what we can glean from chapters 38 and 39. It is good to know the things that we can know right? We can speculate all we want on the things that we can’t know. But we should know the things that we can know from what Scripture tells us. Okay, so we learned from chapter 38, verses one through six that Gog, a leader from the north of Israel will lead an alliance of nations to attack Israel. Those nations include Persia, Ethiopia, put Gomer beffta Garma, in many people’s Well, today, we know these lands as modern Iran, Turkey, Libya, Ethiopia, and possibly Armenia and Germany. From verse 10. We know that God’s motivation will be twofold, his own evil desires and God’s compulsion, God will compel him to attack. And then verses four through six tell us that they will attack swiftly with a very powerful army. verses eight and 12 tell us that the attack comes when Israel has become a nation. And when they’re experiencing security, safety and prosperity. Verses 12 through 13, tell us other nations not involved in the attack, we’ll try to see how they might benefit from God’s victory over Israel. And then in chapter 16, we know that God will defeat God in a way that will bring glory to himself.

Steve Webb 32:37
Now, to be clear, we are not given enough information to have any certainty when this will happen. We can’t say that the President hostilities from Russia are the precursor to this battle. It is possible that the battle spoken of here in Ezekiel takes place before what is known as the Great Tribulation, the final literal seven year period before Jesus returns to Earth, it could take place in the middle of that seven year period, or it could take place at the end of the seven years. Interestingly, Revelation 1917 and 18 and Ezekiel 3917 through 20, are very similar. Those verses in Revelation 19 Speak of the time at the end of the seven years. Listen to Revelation 1917 and 18. Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice saying to all the birds which fly in mid heaven, calm assemble for the great supper of God, so that you may eat the flesh of kings in the flesh of commanders, in the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of those who sit on them and the flesh of all men, both free men and slaves and small and great. Okay, that’s revelation. Let’s listen to Ezekiel 3917 through 19 Again, as for you son of man, Thus says the Lord God, speak to every kind of bird and to every beast of the field. Say to them, assemble and come gather from every side to my sacrifice which I am going to sacrifice for you as a great sacrifice on the mountains of Israel, that you may eat flesh and drink blood. You will eat the flesh of mighty men, and drink the blood of the princes of the Earth as though they were rams lambs goats in bowls, all of them fat Ling’s of Batian so you will eat fat until you are glutted and drink blood until you were drunk from my sacrifice, which I have sacrificed for you. Wouldn’t you agree that there are similarities there? And then lastly, some people believe that this battle might happen even after Jesus reigns on Earth for 1000 years after his return in Revelation 19. There are pros and cons for each one of these thoughts, man, I’m not going to be the guy that says this is what it is. The fact is that we just don’t know many of the details that go God has in mind. For reasons known only to him, he gave us only a very rough sketch with just enough details to know that these events will happen, and that they will be for His glory. We are told in the book of Revelation, but at the end of it all, we will praise him for all that he has done. Revelation seven, nine through 17 says, After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count from every nation and all tribes and peoples in tongues standing before the throne, and before the Lamb closed in white robes in palm branches were in their hands, and they cry out with a loud voice saying, Salvation to our God, who sits on the throne and to the Lamb. And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God saying, Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power in might be to our God forever and ever, amen. And then one of the elders answered, saying to me, these who are clothed in the white robes, who are they, and where have they come from? I said to him, My Lord, you know, and he said to me, these are the ones who come out of the Great Tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason, they are before the throne of God, and they serve him day and night in his temple, and he who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them, they will hunger no longer nor thirst anymore, nor will the sun beat down on them, nor any heat, for the lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and will guide them to springs of the water of life. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes. Beloved, like I’ve said, I do not know when these things will happen. No one knows but the Father, but whether it begins today, or at some distant time in the future, they will happen. It surely is you’re hearing my voice right now. The question is, are you ready? Are you prepared? First, Thessalonians, five, two, and three tells us, For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. While they’re saying peace and safety, then destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains upon a woman with child and they will not escape. So in other words, once it happens, it’ll be too late to make preparations. So how do you prepare? How will you escape destruction? How can you be sure that you’ll be one of those standing before the throne of the Lamb, the lamb being Jesus, if you’ve put your faith in Him, if you have asked him to forgive your sins, if you’ve asked him to be your Lord and your Savior, you have nothing to worry about. You have a place prepared for you in Heaven. Jesus said, do not let your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in Me, In my Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not, so I would have told you for I go to prepare replace for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself that where I am. There you may be also

Steve Webb 38:18
if you’re not sure that you’re prepared, if you don’t know that there’s a place for you in heaven. Why not decide right now that you do want to be sure? Why wait? What is there to gain by waiting? Or let’s turn the question around? What is there to lose by waiting? Everything. If you wait, there’s everything to lose. And when you decide now to follow Jesus, you have everything to gain. All you have to do is ask him. Just a simple prayer. Are you ready? Are you ready right now? Then pray with me. Dear Jesus, I want to know that you’re my Savior and my Lord, please forgive me of all the sins I’ve done. I’m sorry for them, my turn from them now. I give my life to you. And I asked you to be my Savior and my Lord, Jesus, please take my life from this moment on and help me to become the person you made me to be. Amen. Well, if you prayed that prayer, and you meant it, congratulations, you’ve begun a new life. Second Corinthians 517 says, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature. The old things passed away, behold, new things have come. That’s a promise. Hang on to that promise. No matter if you felt anything or not. When you prayed that prayer just now, that promise applies to you. I have a New Testament that I’d like to send you. It’s my gift. It’s called the new believers Bible. And it’s filled with hundreds of notes that will help you get started in your new life. I want you to have it, it’s free. Just send me an email at Steve at Lifespring media.com and I mean, you just prayed that prayer and tell me where to send it. I promise I’m not going to use your email or your mailing address for anything else, I won’t spam you and I won’t give or sell anyone else your information. I just want you to have this new believers Bible, no strings at all. I’m just so very happy that you made this the best decision you’ll ever make in your life. So beloved, what do you think about what I’ve said today? Does it make sense to you? I want to hear from you. Go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 205. And write me a comment. Tomorrow we’re going to complete the book of Luke will read chapters 23 and 24.

Steve Webb 40:46
Well, Sean of San Pedro and his wife Brittany had been on vacation, but he made up for his absence when he got back with boosting 7223 sats. Thank you Sean for Monday’s the plumbline episode, he said Well said, Steve, thank you for the clear, concise and kind explanation. Shawn, thank you for that comment. I appreciate it. And I hope you had a fun vacation. Say hi to Britteny for me. And thank you for boosting the SATs when you got back. God bless you, brother. Well, beloved, as you know, the Lifespring family Audio Bible is here for you every day of the week to help you read through the Bible. And you know, there are no advertisers. And if you’ve been listening for a while, you know why. But there are expenses that need to be paid. So please help me to keep producing the show for you. Go to Lifespring media.com/support. and donate what you feel is equal to the value you receive from the show, pray about it, and then do as the Lord leads Lifespring media.com/support.

Steve Webb 41:58
Let’s pray. Our Heavenly Father, we know that you love us and we know that Your Word is true. And in your Word, you gave us exactly what you wanted us to know. We can’t help but wonder about the things we don’t know. But you reserve some things only for you. Well, we trust you. So we’re good with that. Help us, Lord, to make the best of what you have told us and to use it to bring glory to You. Lord, I thank you for the Lifespring family. Each person is here because you called them bless them for following your lead. And I pray that you use me to faithfully bring them what you lay on my heart. And I ask God that you forgive me where I fall short. And I pray that you’ll compensate for my weaknesses. When I do. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. If you’ve got a prayer request, or if God is doing something really great in your life, we want to hear about it. Go to prayer dot Lifespring media.com and fill that form out you find there. I’ll pray for you in my private prayer time. I’ll rejoice with you and we’ll pray together on the show. Prayer dot Lifespring media.com.

Steve Webb 43:09
At the last minute, I have decided I’m going to play a song for you from a guy that I met a long, long, long time ago. His name is Darrell Mansfield. He came in to the radio station KQLH when I was working there, he had just released this album that I’m going to play this track from and the name of the track is Get ready. I’ll have a link on the show notes page. But before the song Let me just say hey, share the show and comment on the show and Lifespring media.com/s 12 D 205. Email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com And until tomorrow may God bless you richly thanks for being here. My name is Steve Webb. Are you ready to rock? Bye?

Darrell Mansfield 44:10
Take a look at the sky. Turn around When I says to let a spirit inside of you you gotta make a choice. Listen closely now, you can hear his voice

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

Experience the book that has restored, reoriented, and renewed millions of people—now thoroughly updated with seven new chapters and dozens of additional stories! Whether you’re reading it for the first time or eager to encounter a fresh edition of the classic text you already love, you’ll not be the same when you finish it. 368 pages, hardcover from B&H.

Transcript

Today is Poetry Thursday, and we’ll finish the book of Ecclesiastes by reading chapters 11-12. 

And I hope you’ll forgive me, but today I am just going to run a repeat of last year’s episode for this reading. As I record this, it’s about 8:30 at night, which means there is only 90 minutes before the show is due to publish, and this is the first chance I’ve had to be in the studio all day, which is highly unusual. So there is no time to produce a new episode for you today. The first thing this morning, I got a call from Del that Kathi was on the way to the Emergency Room. I won’t go into all the details, but suffice to say that she has been checked into Loma Linda University Medical Center with internal bleeding. We’ll know tomorrow. And then the Lovely Lady LeeAnn and I had to go out today to do our weekly rounds for the family business. Long story short, this is one of just a very small number of episodes this season that will be a repeat. 

Pray for Kathi, and I’ll see you tomorrow. Thanks for your understanding. 

Chapter 11 began with a message that would not come from an old, jaded, cynical Scrooge-type man.

He started with the advice that you should be generous with those in need, because your giving is like a farmer sowing grain. It will yield a return. And if you have the ability now, you never know when your fortunes may change and you may need someone else’s generosity.

And then Solomon advised that the young should enjoy their youth, keeping in mind that God will be the judge of all that we do. So we should avoid evil.

Chapter 12 says the young should keep the Creator in mind, because in our old age life becomes difficult. Our senses dull and our bodies become weak. And ultimately, we die.

And at the very end of the chapter and the book, Solomon refers to himself in the third person and calls himself the Preacher. And he says that after observing all that he could, he wrote down the best words that he could; words of truth. Words that could hold you steady in the storms of life. Words that were given by God. 

And his conclusion was this: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Because God will judge every work, every act, whether good or evil.

Beloved, the only true and lasting happiness and peace is found in knowing God and pleasing Him. Anything apart from that will only bring emptiness, heartbreak, spiritual bankruptcy and ultimately eternal separation from God. And as Christians, we know that the only way to truly know God is when we have a personal relationship with Jesus. 

Solomon didn’t know Jesus by name, but he came to know that God was his only hope, and I am sure that God credited his account in the same way as He did with Abraham because of that faith.

I’ll be 67 years old in a few weeks, and even though I have not lived my life with the same privileges as Solomon did, my experiences have taught me the same lessons. When I have gone my own way, veering from the path that I knew God would want me to travel, I have always found nothing but emptiness and sadness. It is only when I cling tightly to Him that I find that unshakeable peace, that joy which is independent of my circumstances, that *knowing* that everything will be alright.

I hope you have found that marvelous truth in your own life. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” That is what God wants for you. And so do I.

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 11-12 NKJV

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Download .txt

INTRO S12E330 – 0:00
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 Poetry Thursday. And we’ll finish the book of Ecclesiastes by reading chapters 11 and 12.

And I hope you’ll forgive me, but today I’m going to run a repeat of last year’s episode for this reading. As I record this, it’s about 8:30 at night, which means there’s only about 90 minutes before the show was due to publish, and this is the first chance I’ve had to be in the studio all day long, which is very unusual. So the bottom line is, there’s no time to produce a new episode for you today. You’re saying, Steve, why what happened? Well, the first thing this morning, I got a call from Del that Kathi was on the way to the emergency room. I’m not going to go into details. But suffice to say that she has been checked into Loma Linda University Medical Center, which is closer to their home than City of Hope is and she has internal bleeding. We’ll know tomorrow, what exactly is going on. And then the Lovely Lady LeeAnn and I had to go out today and do our weekly rounds for the family business. Long story short, this is just one of a very small number of episodes this season that will be a repeat. Pray for Kathi, and I’ll see you tomorrow. Thank you for your understanding. And now here’s the episode. God bless you. Thank you for being here.

TEASER – 1:24
Knowing that everything will be all right.

INTRO S11E330 – 1:38
Lifespring Family Audio Bible episode number 330. This is the daily podcast where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. I’m Steve Webb. I’m your host. How are you? Are you doing well today? I hope so. We’re going to finish the book of Ecclesiastes today by reading chapters 11 and 12.

OPENING PRAYER – 1:58
Let’s pray. Our Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of life. Thank you for the senses you gave us to experience the world around us. We thank you for loving us and for giving us your word that we might know you. Above all, we thank you for your son, and the salvation he offers to all that will accept. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

All right, let’s go.

ECCLESIASTER 11 (NKJV) – 2:23
Ecclesiastes, chapter 11.

(1) Cast your bread upon the waters,
For you will find it after many days.
(2) Give a serving to seven, and also to eight,
For you do not know what evil will be on the earth.

(3) If the clouds are full of rain,
They empty themselves upon the earth;
And if a tree falls to the south or the north,
In the place where the tree falls, there it shall lie.
(4) He who observes the wind will not sow,
And he who regards the clouds will not reap.

(5) As you do not know what is the way of the wind,
Or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child,
So you do not know the works of God who makes everything.
(6) In the morning sow your seed,
And in the evening do not withhold your hand;
For you do not know which will prosper,
Either this or that,
Or whether both alike will be good.

(7) Truly the light is sweet,
And it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun;
(8) But if a man lives many years
And rejoices in them all,
Yet let him remember the days of darkness,
For they will be many.
All that is coming is vanity.

(9) Rejoice, O young man, in your youth,
And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth;
Walk in the ways of your heart,
And in the sight of your eyes;
But know that for all these
God will bring you into judgment.
(10) Therefore remove sorrow from your heart,
And put away evil from your flesh,
For childhood and youth are vanity.

ECCLESIASTES 12 (NKJV) – 3:54
Ecclesiastes, chapter 12.

(1) Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth,
Before the difficult days come,
And the years draw near when you say,
“I have no pleasure in them”:
(2) While the sun and the light,
The moon and the stars,
Are not darkened,
And the clouds do not return after the rain;
(3) In the day when the keepers of the house tremble,
And the strong men bow down;
When the grinders cease because they are few,
And those that look through the windows grow dim;
(4) When the doors are shut in the streets,
And the sound of grinding is low;
When one rises up at the sound of a bird,
And all the daughters of music are brought low.
(5) Also they are afraid of height,
And of terrors in the way;
When the almond tree blossoms,
The grasshopper is a burden,
And desire fails.
For man goes to his eternal home,
And the mourners go about the streets.

(6) Remember your Creator before the silver cord is loosed,
Or the golden bowl is broken,
Or the pitcher shattered at the fountain,
Or the wheel broken at the well.
(7) Then the dust will return to the earth as it was,
And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

(8) “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher,
“All is vanity.”

(9) And moreover, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yes, he pondered and sought out and set in order many proverbs. (10) The Preacher sought to find acceptable words; and what was written was upright—words of truth. (11) The words of the wise are like goads, and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, given by one Shepherd. (12) And further, my son, be admonished by these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.

(13) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,
For this is man’s all.
(14) For God will bring every work into judgment,
Including every secret thing,
Whether good or evil.

COMMENTS – 6:04
Chapter 11 began with a message that would not come from an old, jaded, cynical Scrooge-type fella that Solomon has sounded like during much of this book.

He started chapter 11, with the advice that you should be generous with those in need, because you’re giving is like a farmer sowing grain, it will yield a return. And if you have the ability, now, you never know when your fortunes may change, and you may need someone else’s generosity.

And then Solomon advised that the young should enjoy their youth, keeping in mind that God will be the judge of all that we do so we should avoid evil.

Chapter 12 says that the young should keep the creator in mind, because in our old age, life becomes difficult. Our senses dull, and our bodies become weak. And ultimately, we die.

And at the very end of the chapter in the book, Solomon refers to himself in the third person and calls himself The Preacher. And he says that after observing all that he could, he wrote down the best words that he could, words of truth, words that could hold you steady in the storms of life, words that were given by God.

And his conclusion was this: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. Because God will judge every work, every act, whether good or evil.

Beloved, the only true and lasting happiness in peace is found in knowing God and pleasing Him. Anything apart from that will only bring emptiness, heartbreak, spiritual bankruptcy, and ultimately, eternal separation from God. And as Christians, we know that the only way to truly know God is when we have a personal relationship with Jesus.

Solomon didn’t know Jesus by name, but he came to know that God was his only hope. And I’m sure that God credited his account in the same way as he did with Abraham because of that faith.

In a few weeks, I’m going to be 67 years old. And even though I’ve not lived my life with the same privileges as Solomon did, my experiences have taught me the same lessons. When I’ve gone my own way, veering from the path that I knew God would want me to travel. I’ve always found nothing but emptiness and sadness. It’s only when I cling tightly to him, that I find that unshakable peace, that joy, which is independent of my circumstances, that knowing that everything will be alright.

I hope you found that marvelous truth in your own life. Jesus said, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” That is what God wants for you, Beloved, and so do I. I invite your comments. Write to me at st***@*************ia.com.

OUTRO S12E330 – 8:58
Our reading tomorrow will be the book of Malachi.

Until then, may God bless you richly. I’m Steve Webb.

Bye.

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

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

Transcript

Today our reading is Psalms 87-89. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you, and I’m calling today’s episode “Always Deserving.”

In Psalm 87 we read how God loves Zion, used in this case to mean Jerusalem. There is an obvious tone of joy with this Psalm. 

But Psalm 88 is full of anguish. The writer is pouring out his heart to God. In the opening, he confesses that God is his savior, and immediately begins telling God about the anguish he is in, and seems to wrap up by saying that it is God who has put him in this place. And yet, remember how the author opened, with a confession that God is his savior. So as bad as things are, there is hope.

And then Psalm 89 begins with praises to God with all of His love, majesty, faithfulness, might, righteousness and justice. And the covenant that God made with David is remembered, but David’s descendants have forsaken God’s law, and therefore God has withdrawn his protection and blessings from Israel. And then the Psalm ends much as it begins, with promises of eternal praise to God.

The fact is that despite outward circumstances, God is worthy of praise. He is worthy when life is good, and He is worthy when life is hard. He is our savior in both places. He does not change, but our surroundings do. He is eternal, but our lives here on earth are just a spark, a fleeting moment in time. 

But despite the short span of our life, we have a responsibility to make it matter. There is a reason God put you here. You are not an accident. Your life has purpose. 

What is that purpose? For each of us, the primary purpose is to bring glory to God. Isaiah 43:6b-7:Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.”

So what does that actually mean? How can you and I glorify God? By praising Him. By worshipping Him. By proclaiming His greatness. By doing His will. Each of us must do these things in our own unique way, because He has different specific things He wants us to accomplish. 

How do I know that?  Because of the following verses:

4There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. 5There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. 6God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.

7A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. 8To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice12:8a Or gives a word of wisdom.; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.12:8b Or gives a word of knowledge. 9The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. 10He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages,12:10 Or in various tongues; while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. 11It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NLT)

So God gifts each of us differently, because He has a different specific will for each of us. That’s one of the greatest things in the believer’s life: discovering his or her gifts. But that is an entirely different discussion.

For now, it is enough to remember that despite outward circumstances, God is always worthy of praise, and please, beloved, always remember: He has a purpose for you. You are incredibly important to God. 

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 87-89 NIV

Scott Krippayne – O Sacred Head, Now Wounded

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Download .txt file.

Steve Webb 0:00
There’s a reason God put you here

Steve Webb 0:09
This is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. I am your OG God castors Steve Webb, welcome. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year and today I reading is Psalms 87 through 89. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you and I’m calling today’s episode, always deserving. And since we are in the Psalms, I’ll give you a brief introduction before reading each song. The show notes page for today’s episode is at Lifespring media.com/s 12 203. You can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Let’s begin.

Steve Webb 0:50
Psalm 87 is entitled A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A song we’ve already talked about the Sons of Korah on the show, so I won’t take time to do that today. And here’s what Charles Spurgeon wrote about Psalm 87. This psalm or song was either composed by the sons of Korra, or dedicated to them, as they kept the doors of the house of the Lord. They could use this beautiful composition as a psalm within the doors and as a song, outside.

Steve Webb 1:20
Psalms chapter 87. He has founded his city on the holy mountain, the Lord loves the gates of Zion, more than all the other dwellings of Jacob, glorious things are said of you city of God. I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledged me for Listia to entire along with Cush, and will say, this one was born in Zion, indeed of Zion, it will be said, this one and that one were born in her and the most Hi himself, we’ll establish her, the Lord will write in the register of the peoples, this one was born in Zion. As they make music, they will sing, all my fountains are in you.

Steve Webb 2:04
The title of Psalm 88 is a song, a Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the Director of Music, according to may laugh Leanna off a mass scale of human the Ezra height. This title actually gives us quite a lot of information. Let’s break it down a song, it’s meant to be sung. Yet this is a very sad song, and it’s regarded as one of the saddest Psalms, a Psalm of the sons of Korah. We know that the writer or writers was from the Sons of Korah. For the Director of Music, some translations say to the chief musician, this was either the worship leader or some believe it was written to God, myself, I tend to believe the latter. According to may Helath, liat off, some translations say set to may Helath, Leanna. Off. This could be a reference to a type of musical instrument or perhaps it was a familiar tune, a mass kill of HeMan the extra height? Well, a mass kill, as we’ve mentioned before, seems to indicate that this is a special kind of Psalm of great value, useful for instruction or To be meditated on 13 of the psalms are mass kills HeMan, the Ezra height? Well, this name is mentioned in Scripture many times during the times of both David and Solomon, if each mentioned refers to the same man, he was an exceptional person, indeed, he had great wisdom. He was a co Hittite, one of the sons of Korah. He served in temple worship as both a singer and a musician. He was a prophet, and he had many sons and daughters. I would say that given his exceptional abilities, we know that this song was well written back to Charles Spurgeon, he wrote, in this psalm HeMan, makes a map of his life’s history. He puts down all the dark places through which he has traveled, he mentions his sins, his sorrows, his hopes, if he had any, his fears, his woes, and so on. Now, that is a real prayer laying your case before the Lord.

Steve Webb 4:09
Psalms chapter 88. Lord, You are the God who saves me. Night and day I cry out to you. May my prayer come before you turn your ear to my cry. I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death. I am counted among those who go down to the pit. I am like one without strength. I am set apart with the dead like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care. You have put me in the lowest pit in the darkest depths. Your wrath lies heavily on me. You have overwhelmed me with all your waves. You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape. My eyes are damn with grief. I call to you, Lord every day I spread out my hands to you. Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do their spirits rise up into praise you? Is your love declared in the grave? Your faithfulness in destruction, or your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion. But I cry to you for help, Lord. In the morning my prayer comes before you. Why, Lord, do you reject me and hide your face from me? From my youth I have suffered and been close to death. I have borne your terrors and I’m in despair. Your wrath is swept over me. Your terrorists have destroyed me. All day long. They surround me like a flood. They have completely engulfed me. You have taken from me friend and neighbor, darkness is my closest friend.

Steve Webb 5:52
The title of Psalm 89 is a masculine of Ethan the extra height. The name Ethan seems to be a common name among the Jews. There are several Ethan’s mentioned in Scripture. Ethan the Ezra height is mentioned in First Kings 431 as a man of great wisdom. That verse says he Solomon was wiser than anyone else including Ethan the extra height wiser than HeMan Cal call and darda the sons of Mayhall. So it seems from this verse that Ethan the extra height was second only to Solomon in his wisdom.

Steve Webb 6:26
Psalms chapter 89. I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever. With my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations, I will declare that your love stands firm forever, that you have established your faithfulness in Heaven itself. You said, I have made a covenant with my chosen one. I have sworn to David my servant, I will establish your line forever and make your throne firm through all generations. The heavens praise your wonders, Lord, Your faithfulness to in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies above can compare with the Lord, who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings. In the Council of the holy ones God is greatly feared, he is more awesome than all who surround him. Who is like You Lord God Almighty, you, Lord are mighty and your faithfulness surrounds you. You rule over the surging sea. When its waves mount up, you still then you crushed Rahab like one of the slain with your strong arm you scattered your enemies. The heavens are yours and yours also the earth. You founded the world and all that is in it. You created the north and the south table and Hermon sing for joy at your name. Your arm is endowed with power. Your hand is strong, your right hand exalted. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. love and faithfulness go before you. Bless it are those who have learned to reclaim you who walked in the light of Your presence Lord, they rejoice in your name all day long. They celebrate your righteousness for you or their glory and strength. And by your favor, you exalt our horn. Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord, our King to the Holy One of Israel. Once you spoken a vision to your faithful people, you said, I have bestowed strength on a warrior. I have raised up a young man from among the people. I have found David, my servant with my sacred oil, I have anointed him, my hand will sustain him. Surely my arm will strengthen him. The enemy will not get the better of him. The wicked will not oppress him. I will crush his foes before him and strike down as adversaries. My faithful love will be with Him and through my name, his horn will be exalted. I will set his hand over the sea, his right hand over the rivers, he will call out to me, You are my father, my God, the rock my Savior, and I will appoint him to be my firstborn, the most exalted of the kings of the earth. I will maintain my love to him forever, and my covenant with him will never fail. I will establish His line forever, his throne as long as the heavens endure. If his sons forsake my law and do not follow my statutes, if they violate my decrees and failed to keep my commands, I will punish their sin with the rod their iniquity with flogging, but I will not take my love from him, nor will I ever betray my faithfulness. I will not violate my covenant or alter what my lips have uttered. once for all I have sworn by my holiness and I will not lie to David that his line will continue forever and his throne endure before me like the sun. It will be established forever like the moon The faithful witness in the sky, but you have rejected you have spurned. You have been very angry with your Anointed One. You have renounced the covenant with your servant, and have defiled his crown in the dust. You have broken through all his walls and reduced his strongholds to ruins all who pass by have plundered him. He has become the scorn of his neighbors. You have exalted the right hand of his foes, you have made all his enemies rejoice, indeed, you have turned back the edge of his sword and have not supported him in battle. You have put an end to his splendor and cast is thrown to the ground. You have cut short the days of his youth, you have covered him with a mantle of shame. How long Lord, will you hide yourself forever? How long will your wrath burn like fire? Remember how fleeting is my life? For what futility you have created all humanity? Who can live and not see death? Or who can escape the power of the grave? Lord, where is your former great love which in your faithfulness, you swore to David? Remember, Lord, how your servant has been mocked?

Steve Webb 11:12
How I bear in my heart, the taunts of all the nations, the taunts with which your enemies Lord have mocked with which they have mocked every step of your Anointed One. Praise be to the Lord forever. Amen, and Amen.

Steve Webb 11:30
Well, beloved, in Psalm 87, we read how God loves Zion, used in this case to mean Jerusalem. There’s an obvious tone of joy with this psalm. But Psalm 88 is full of anguish, the writer is pouring out his heart to God. In the opening, he confesses that God is his Savior, and then immediately begins telling God about his anguish. And he seems to wrap up by saying that it is God who was put him in this place. And yet remember how the author opened with a confession that God is his savior. So as bad as things are, there is hope. And then Psalm 89 began with praises to God with all of his love, majesty, faithfulness, might, righteousness, and justice. And the covenant that God made with David is remembered, but David’s descendants have forsaken God’s law. And therefore, God has withdrawn his protection and blessings from Israel. And then the psalm ends, much as it begins with promises of eternal praise to God. Beloved, the fact is that despite outward circumstances, God He is worthy of praise. He is worthy when life is good, and he’s worthy. When life is hard. He is our Savior in both places in both times, both circumstances, he doesn’t change but our surroundings do. He is eternal, but our lives here on Earth are just a spark, a fleeting moment in time. But despite the short span of our life, we do have a responsibility to make it matter. There’s a reason God put you here, you’re not an accident. Your life has purpose. What is that purpose? Well, for each of us, the primary purpose is to bring glory to God, Isaiah 43, six, and seven says, Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth, everyone who was called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made. So what does that actually mean? How can you and I glorify God? Well, we can do it by praising him by worshiping Him by proclaiming His Greatness by doing His will. Each of us must do these things in our own unique way, because he has different specific things he wants us to accomplish. You say, Steve, how do you know that? Well, because of the following verses, First Corinthians 12, four through 11 says, there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of the mall. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work and all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice or gives a word of wisdom. To another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge or gives a word of knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another and to someone else, the one’s Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages or in various tongues, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have If so, beloved God gifts each of us differently because he has a different specific will for each of us. That’s one of the greatest things in the believers life, discovering his or her gifts. And that is an entirely different discussion. For now, it’s enough to remember that despite outward circumstances, God is always worthy of praise. And please, beloved, always remember that he has a purpose for you. You are incredibly important to God. What do you think? I’d love to know, go to the show notes page at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 203. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and let me know what you’re thinking. Reading tomorrow will be Proverbs chapter 13. Boost

Steve Webb 15:49
I have to share this comment I got today from Cindy Gardner. She wrote Hi, Steve, my son Andrew gifted me and executive producer for Show 202 Today, I’ve been meaning to contact you to say thank you for this podcast. Last August, he asked me if I would commit to listening to this podcast he heard about on no agenda. I was already doing a read through the Bible in a year plan. But I agreed. Can you ever really have too much of God’s Word? We have listened faithfully every day. I really enjoy your comments on the reading of the day. And I love the church history section. Thank you for being faithful to what God has called you to do. I wanted you to know you are building God’s kingdom. My heart was already full today as I’m a children’s ministry director. And this was our missions week. I’ve spent the past four days with people I only get to see in person once a year. Then I ended up driving down the freeway crying like a baby as I heard the end of your show. God is so good to me. I probably won’t get to meet you on this side of heaven. But I will look forward to meeting you on the other side. She signed Cindy. Well, Cindy, thank you so much for that email. You really made my day. I appreciate it. Thank you. And having been a children’s ministry director myself, I’ll pray for you because that truly is a calling. Thank you, Sister for your service to God’s kingdom. God bless you.

Steve Webb 17:19
On this date in church history, march 23 1729, Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. Matthew Passion was performed for the first time in leaps in Germany. Today the oratorio is considered one of the most sublime masterpieces in western music. From its score comes the haunting Good Friday hymn…

Scott Krippayne 17:39
Oh, Sacred Head now wounded, sacred and with grief and shame weighed down. Now scorn Foley’s. With thorns nine only crown Oh, sacred glory.

Steve Webb 18:08
That was from Scott Krippayne’s Hymns album. I’ll have a video of the song on the show notes page. Scott. Krippayne is an enormously talented singer and songwriter. I’ve played his music for many years with his permission on the Lifespring podcasts. And in addition to the honor of appearing on my podcasts, listen to this from his website, Scott crippling.com. Scott creeping is an Emmy nominated songwriter and producer based in the Seattle area with 16 number ones 22 other top 10 singles and over 500 songs recorded. Scott has enjoyed a productive career with success in multiple genres. His songs have appeared on releases by Demi Lovato, Bebe Rexha Is that how you say that? Jordan sparks Smash Mouth cooling the gang Cutlass and joy Williams of the civil wars among others. In addition to having various songs used in films, Scott also penned the theme song for the Nick Jr. Hit series Paw Patrol and has song placements on ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, Netflix, MTV, VH, one Disney and the Lifespring podcast. No, I added that. Disney and more. So yeah, there’s download for you. And on this date in church history, march 23 1812, Stephen R. Riggs was born he was a missionary for the American Board of Commissioners for foreign missions to the Dakota Indians from 1837 to 1883. He translated the Dakota language into writing. He prepared a Dakota dictionary and translated most of the Bible into the Lakota language. Wow. So we know what his spiritual gift was, don’t we?

Steve Webb 20:06
Let’s pray. Our heavenly Father, help us to remember to praise you in the good times and the bad. You truly are worthy of our worship at all times. And even in the hard times, you’re worthy. You use those times to strengthen us and grow our faith. In the Lord, show us the specific purpose you have for each one of us. Help us to accomplish what you have in mind for us. Holy Spirit, speak to us and guide us as we seek your direction. Help us to hear your voice. Bless us today, Lord and as Jay bez prayed in First Chronicles chapter four, enlarge our territories. Let us do great things for your glory. Lord, I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. If you have a prayer request or a praise you want to share, go to prayer dot Lifespring media.com. And you’ll find a form there to fill out. Easy peasy.

Steve Webb 21:06
Have you shared the show today? Come on, you could do it. Comment on the show in Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 203. Email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. And if the Lifespring family Audio Bible is one of the highlights of your day, please go to Lifespring media.com/support and donate, pray about it and do as the Lord leads Lifespring media.com/support And by the way, for those of you who send SATs, my ways you listen to the show on one of those shiny new modern up to date and downright cool podcasting 2.0 apps that all the cool kids are using today. Thank you. I see the SATs coming in and I appreciate it. God bless you. And if you haven’t gotten one of those awesome new apps, what are you waiting for? Go to new podcast apps.com and try one out until tomorrow. May God bless you richly. Thank you for being here. My name is Steve Webb. I love hanging with you. Bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

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Transcript

Today our reading is 2 Kings 16-20. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you, and I’m calling today’s episode “The Puppet.”

In 2 Kings 18, Rabshakeh the loudmouth sent by King Sennacherib had made some serious threats against King Hezekiah and the people, and he had slandered God. In today’s chapter 19, we see that when Hezekiah heard about what Rabshakeh said, he was distraught and went to the temple. And he sent messengers to the prophet Isaiah to go the the Lord in their behalf. God told Isaiah to tell them not to worry, that Sennacherib would not enter their city, and he would die by the sword in his own land.

And God’s message to Sennacherib through Isaiah is interesting. God said, “I’ve heard what you have said, your boasting about your triumphs. Don’t you know that I planned all of this? It is because of me that you have done these things. I know everything about you. In your anger and pride you have spoken against me, and now I am putting an end to it.”

And that night 185,000 of Sennacherib’s army was killed by an angel of the Lord, and he hightailed it back home, where he was killed while worshipping in the temple of the god Nisroch.

It was true then, and it is true now. God is patient, but there is a point where He says, “Enough is enough.” 

Hymns by Charles Wesley:
Come Thou Long Expected Jesus
When I Survey The Wondrous Cross
O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing
Jesus Lover Of My Soul

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 16 NIV; Ch. 17-20 NLV

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
Don’t you know that I planned all of this?

Steve Webb 0:10
One more time. This is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. I’m your OG God caster. Almost made it in one breath. Steve Webb, welcome. I hope you’re doing well today. Thank you for being here. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year and today we’re reading Second Kings 16 through 20. I’ll have some thoughts afterwards. And the show notes page for today’s episode is Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 209. You can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Let’s get started.

Steve Webb 0:48
Second Kings chapter 16.

Steve Webb 0:51
In the 17th, year of Piqua, sent over I’m Elia Ahaz, son of Joseph King of Judah began to reign Ahaz was 20 years old when he became king and he reigned in Jerusalem 16 years. Unlike David his father, he did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord his God. He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, and even sacrificed his son in the fire. Engaging in the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. He offered sacrifices in burned incense at the high places on the hilltops, and under every spreading tree. Then reason king of Aram and Pekah, son of REM Elia king of Israel, marched up to fight against Jerusalem and besieged Ahaz but they could not overpower him. At that time, reason king of Aram recovered he left for Aram by driving out the people of Judah Edomites then moved into he laugh, and have lived there to this day. He has set messengers to say to Tiglath Pileser, king of Assyria, I am your servant and vassal, come up and save me out of the hand of the king of Aram, and of the king of Israel who are attacking me. And he has took the silver and gold found in the temple of the Lord and in the treasuries of the royal palace, and send it as a gift to the king of Assyria. The king of Syria complied by attacking Damascus and capturing it, he deported its inhabitants to here and put reason to death. Then King Ahaz went to Damascus to meet Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria. He saw an altar in Damascus incense to Uriah the priest a sketch of the altar with detailed plans for its construction. So Uriah, the priest built an altar in accordance with all the plans that King Ahaz had sent from Damascus and finished it before King a has returned. When the king came back from Damascus and saw the altar, he approached it and presented offerings on it. He offered up his burnt offering and grain offering, poured out his drink, offering and splashed the blood of his fellowship offerings against the altar. As for the bronze altar that stood before the Lord, he brought it from the front of the temple from between the new altar and the temple of the Lord, and put it on the north side of the new altar. King Ahaz then gave these orders to Uriah the priest on the large new altar offer the morning bird offering in the evening grain offering the Kings bird offering and his grain offering and the burnt offering of all the people of the land and their grain offering and their drink offering. Splash against this alter the blood of all the bird offerings and sacrifices, but I will use the bronze altar for seeking guidance. And Uriah the priest did justice King Ahaz had ordered King Ahaz cut off the side panels and remove the basins from the moveable stands. He removed the sea from the bronze bulls that supported it and set it on a stone base. He took away the Sabbath canopy that had been built at the temple and removed the royal entryway outside the temple of the Lord, in deference to the king of Assyria. As for the other events of the reign of Ahaz, and what he did, are they not written in the book of the Annals of the kings of Judah,

Steve Webb 3:59
a has rested with his ancestors, and was buried with him in the city of David, and Hezekiah. His son succeeded him as king.

Steve Webb 4:08
Second Kings chapter 17. In the 12th, year of Ahaz, king of Judah, whoa, Shia the son of ILA became the king of Israel in some area. He ruled for nine years. Oh, she did what was sinful in the eyes of the Lord, but not as bad as the kings of Israel before him. King Shalmaneser of Assyria came up against him and who she had became his servant and pay taxes to him. But the king of Assyria found that Hosea had been making plans against him. Whoa, Shia had sent men to King Saul of Egypt instead of giving taxes to the king of Assyria. He had done this year after year, so the king of Assyria shut him up and put him in chains in prison. Then the king of Assyria came against all the land. He went up to Sumeria and kept soldiers around it for three years. In the ninth year of OCEA, the king of Assyria took some area in battle and took the people of Israel away to Assyria

Steve Webb 5:00
He had them live in Halo and haber by the river of goes in and in the cities of the meets. This happened because the people of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God. He had brought them up from the land of Egypt from under the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt, but they worshiped other gods. They walked in the ways of the nations the Lord had driven out from the people of Israel. And they walked in the ways that kings of Israel had started, the people of Israel did things in secret which were not right against the Lord their God, they built high places for themselves in all their towns from the smallest town to the strongest city. They set up holy objects of the false goddess Ashran, on every high hill and under every green tree. There they burn special perfume on all the high places as the nation’s did which the Lord carried away from them. They did what was bad and made the Lord angry. They worshipped false gods about which the Lord had told him, You must not do this. The Lord told Israel and Judah of the danger through all his men who told what would happen in the future. He said, turn from your sinful ways and obey my laws. Keep all the laws which I gave your father’s in which I gave you through my servants and men of God, but they did not listen. They were strong willed like their fathers who did not believe in the Lord their God. They turned away from His laws and His agreement which he made with their fathers. They turned away when he told him of danger. They followed false gods and became empty. They follow the nations around them. But the Lord had told him not to act like them. They turned away from all the laws of the Lord their God, and made objects to look like false gods. They made two calves and an object to look like the false goddess Ashura, and they worshipped all the stars of heaven and worked for bail. Then they gave their sons and daughters as burnt gifts. They told the future and used witchcraft, they sold themselves to do what is sinful in the eyes of the Lord. Then they made him angry. The Lord was very angry with Israel, and put them away from his eyes. None was left except the family of Judah.

Steve Webb 7:02
Even Judah did not keep the laws of the Lord their God. They walked in the ways in which Israel it started. And the Lord turned away from all the children of Israel and sent to trouble upon them. He gave them over to those who destroyed the land until he had put them away from his eyes. When he had torn Israel from the family of David, they made Jeroboam the king of the bat, king, then Jeroboam drove Israel away from following the Lord. He led them into sin. And the people of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam, they did not turn away from them until the Lord put Israel away from his eyes. He spoke through all his servants who tell what will happen in the future that he would do this. So Israel was carried away from their own land to Assyria until this day.

Steve Webb 7:48
The king of Assyria brought people from Babylon Kuta, Abba, Emeth, and Sepher vam. He had them live in the cities of scenario in place of the people of Israel. So they took some area for their own and lived in its cities. At the beginning of their living there, they did not fear the Lord. So the Lord sent lions among them, which killed some of them. They said to the king of Assyria, the nations you have carried away to the cities of Samaria do not know the way of the God of the land. So he has sent lions among them to kill them, because they do not know the way of the God of the land. Then the king of Syria told them take to scenario one of the religious leaders you brought from there, let him go and live in some area, and let him teach them the way of the God of the land. So one of the religious leaders they had taken away from Sumeria came and lived at Bethel, and he taught them how they should worship the Lord. But every nation still made gods of its own. They put them in the houses of the high places which the people of Sumeria had made. The people of every nation did this in the cities where they lived. The men of Babylon made the false god suck have been off, the men of couth made the false god Nurgle the men of Haman made the false god a Shaima. The Avolites May the false gods nib has and tar tack, and the Sefer vites burned their children in the fire to Adrem Molech and an emelec, the gods of Sepher van, they feared the Lord also and yet they chose from among themselves, the religious leaders of the high places. These leaders gave the gifts for them in the house of the high places. So the people feared the Lord, but they worshipped their own gods also, they followed the way of the nations from which they had been taken away. To this day, they follow the ways of times past, they do not follow the laws are the word which the Lord told the sons of Jacob whom he gave the name Israel, the Lord had made an agreement and told him, You must not fear other gods, you must not put your faces to the ground in front of them or worship them, or give gifts to them. But they are the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt with great power and with a strong arm. Put your faces to the ground before him and give him your gifts obey forever the laws and the word which

Steve Webb 10:00
He wrote for you. Do not fear other gods. Do not forget the agreement I’ve made with you and do not honor other gods with fear. Fear the Lord your God, and He will save you from those who hate you. But they did not listen. They followed the ways of times past. These nations feared the Lord, but they worshiped their false gods also, their children and grandchildren did the same, and they do as their fathers did to this day.

Steve Webb 10:28
Second Kings chapter 18.

Steve Webb 10:31
In the third year of OCEA, the son of Isla king of Israel, Hezekiah, the son of Ahaz, king of Judah began to rule. He was 25 years old when he became king, and he ruled for 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was a by the daughter of Zechariah Hezekiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done, he took away the high places, he broke down the holy pillars used in worship and cut down the Ashura and he broke in pieces, the brass snake that Moses had made. For until those days the people of Israel burned special perfume to it. It was called now Houston Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel, there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah before him or after him, for he held to the Lord and did not stop following him. He kept his laws which the Lord had given Moses, and the Lord was with him. Hezekiah did well in every place he went, he turned against the king of Assyria, and did not work for him. He destroyed the Philistines as far as Gaza and its land from the smallest town to the strongest city. In the fourth year of King Hezekiah, the seventh year of Isla Sun whoa Shia king of Israel, King Shalmaneser of Assyria came to fight against some area is army gathered around it. At the end of three years, they took the city, some area was taken by a Syria in the sixth year of Hezekiah, and the ninth year of King OCEA of Israel. Then the king of Syria carried the people of Israel away against their will to Syria. He had them live in Halo and on the hay bore the river of goes in and in the cities of the Medes. Because the people of Israel did not obey the voice of the LORD their God, they sinned against his agreement and even all that the Lord servant Moses had told him, they would not listen or obey.

Steve Webb 12:22
In the 14th year of King Hezekiah, King Sennacherib of Assyria came and fought against all the strong cities of Judah and took them. Then King Hezekiah of Judah sent word to the king of Assyria at Lake ish saying, I have done wrong, leave me, I will pay whatever you ask. So the king of Assyria had Hezekiah king of Judah pay him silver, weighing as much as 300 men, and gold weighing as much as 30 Men Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the Lord, and in the storerooms of the king’s house. Then he cut the gold off the doors of the Lord’s house, he cut the gold from the sides of the door which King Hezekiah of Judah had covered with gold, and he gave it to the king of Assyria. Then the king of Assyria sent tartan Rab serous and Rabshakeh with a large army from Lake ish to King Hezekiah at Jerusalem. So they went up and came to Jerusalem. They came and stood by the ditch of the upper pool, which is on the road to the Fuller’s field, when they call to the King eliaquim, the son of Hilkiah and Shebna and Joah, the son of asef came out to them. Elia Kim was the head of the house. Shebna was the writer and Joe wrote down the things of the nation. Rabshakeh said to them, say to Hezekiah This is what the great king of Assyria says, What is this strength of heart that you have? You say with empty words, I have wisdom and strength for war? On whom do you trust that you have turned against me? Look, you are trusting now in Egypt. It is a walking stick like a piece of broken river grass, it will cut into a man’s hand if he rests on it. So is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in Him? You might tell me we trust in the Lord our God. But is it not He whose high places and altars Hezekiah has taken away? And has he not said to Judah and to Jerusalem? You must worship in front of this altar in Jerusalem. Come now make an agreement with my ruler, the king of Assyria, and I will give you 2000 Horses if you’re able to put horsemen on them. How can you fight back one Captain among the least of my rulers, servants when you trust Egypt for war wagons and horsemen? Have I come up without the Lord against this place to destroy it? The Lord said to me, go up against this land and destroy it.

Steve Webb 14:41
Then alike in the son of Hilkiah and Shebna and Joah said to Rabshakeh speak to your servants in the Aramaic language for we understand it. Do not speak with us in the language of Judah. The people on the wall might hear it. But Rabshakeh said to them, as my ruler sent me to speak these words to your ruler until you

Steve Webb 15:00
and not to the men sitting on the wall, they’re sure to suffer with you eating and drinking their own body waste. Then Rabshakeh stood and called out with a loud voice in the language of Judah, saying, hear the word of the great king of Assyria. The king says, Do not let Hezekiah lie to you, for He will not be able to save you from my power. Do not let Hezekiah make you trust in the Lord saying, The Lord will save us for sure. And this city will not be given to the king of Assyria. Do not listen to Hezekiah for the king of Assyria says, make your peace with me and come out to me. Then every one of you will eat of His own vine and fig tree, and every one of you will drink the water of his own well, then I will come and take you away to a land like your own land. It is a land of grain and new wine. It is a land of bread and grape fields and olive trees and honey, there you will live and not die. But do not listen to Hezekiah when he lies to us saying the Lord will save us as any one of the gods of the nation save this land from the power of the king of Assyria. Where are the gods of Hey Math in our pad, where the gods are set for vam henna and ever have they saved Sumeria from my power, who among all the gods of the lands has saved their land from my power? So how should the Lord saved Jerusalem from my power? But the people were quiet? They did not answer him a word for Hezekiah had told him Do not answer him. Then Aleichem the son of Hilkiah, who was the head of the house and Shebna, the writer and JOA, the son of a staff who wrote down the things of the nation came to Hezekiah they came with their clothes torn, and told him the words of Rabshakeh

Steve Webb 16:43
Second Kings chapter 19.

Steve Webb 16:46
When King Hezekiah heard about it, he tore his clothes and covered himself with cloth made from hair. Then he went into the house of the Lord. He said Aleichem who was the head of the house Shebna, the writer and the head religious leaders to the man of God, Isaiah the son of Amos, they were covered with cloth made from hair. And they said to him, Hezekiah says, This day is a day of trouble, sharp words and shame. For children have come to be born, but there is no strength to give birth to them. It might be that the Lord your God will hear all the words of Rabshakeh, whom his ruler that king of Assyria has sent to make fun of the living God, and the Lord your God might speak sharp words against what he has heard. So pray for those who are left of the Lord’s people. The servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. And Isaiah said to them, tell your ruler, this is what the Lord says, Do not be afraid because of the words you have heard spoken against me by the servants of the king of Assyria. See, I will put a spirit in him so that he will hear a made up story and he will return to his own land, and I will have him killed by the sword in his own land. Rabshakeh returned and found the king of Assyria fighting against Libnah for he had heard that the king had left Lake ish, the king of Assyria was told, see King caretaker of Khushi has come out to fight against you. So he sent men again to Hezekiah saying, Tell King Hezekiah of Judah Do not let your God and whom you trust lie to you by saying that Jerusalem will not be given into the power of the king of Syria. You have heard how the kings of Assyria have destroyed all the lands and you will be saved? Did the gods of those nations which my father’s destroyed save them, goes in Heron resists and the people of Eden who were into Lasser were destroyed? Where are the kings of heinous Arpad in the city of Sepher van Hannah and Deva Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the men of Assyria and read it. Then he went up to the house of the Lord and spread the letter out before the Lord Hezekiah prayed to the Lord saying, Oh Lord, the God of Israel, you sit on your throne above the chair of him, you are the God and you alone of all the nations of the earth, you have made heaven and earth. Turn your ear oh lord in here, open your eyes, oh Lord and see, listen to the word snacker of his spoken against the living God. Oh, Lord. It is true that the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands. They have thrown their gods into the fire, for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands made from wood and stone, so they have destroyed them. Now, oh Lord our God, I beg you to save us from His power, then all the nations of the earth may know that You alone are God, oh Lord. Isaiah, the son of Amos sent word to Hezekiah, saying, The LORD the God of Israel says, I have heard your prayer to me about snacker of king of Assyria. This is the word that the Lord has spoken against him. She has hated you and made fun of you the young daughter of Zion. She has shaken her head behind you the daughter of Jerusalem, Whom have you spoken against against him?

Steve Webb 20:00
Have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes and pride against the Holy One of Israel, you have spoken against the Lord through the menu of sent. You have said with my many war wagons I have come up to the tops of the mountains to the farthest parts of Lebanon. I cut down it’s tall cedar trees and it’s best cypress trees. I went to its highest places where its trees are close together, I dug wells and drank the water of other lands, I dried up all the rivers of Egypt with the bottom of my feet. Have you not heard that I planned this long ago, from times long ago I planted now I’ve made it happen, that you should destroy Strong Cities. That is why those who live there did not have much strength. They were troubled and put to shame. They were like the plants of the field and the green grass. They were like grass on the roofs killed by the sun before it is grown. But I know when you sit down, go out and come in. And I know how you speak in anger against me. You have spoken against me in your anger and pride, and I have heard it. So I will put my hook in your nose and my bit in your mouth. And I will have you returned by the way you came. This will be the special thing for you to see. This year you will eat what grows of itself. In the second year you will eat what grows of the same. Then in the third year, you will plant seeds and gather food, you will plant finds and eat their fruit. And those who are left of the family of Judah will again take root and give fruit for those who are left will go out of Jerusalem. Those who are still alive will go out of Mount Zion, this will be done by the power of the Lord. So this is what the Lord says about the king of Syria. He will not come to this city or shoot an arrow there. He will not come to it with a battle covering or build a wall around it. He will return by the way he came. He will not come to the city says the Lord for I will help the city in save it because of my honor. And because of my servant David.

Steve Webb 22:05
That night the angel of the Lord went out and killed 185,000 men among the Assyrian tents. When those left alive got up early in the morning they saw all the dead bodies. Then King Sennacherib of Assyria left and returned home and lived at Nineveh as he was worshiping in the house of his god Niz rock, a Dremel ek and sharees are killed him with the sword. Then they ran away to the land of Arafat, and his son ease our Hatton became king in his place.

Steve Webb 22:36
Second Kings chapter 20. In those days Hezekiah became sick enough to die. The man of God, Isaiah, the son of Amos came to him and said, This is what the Lord says, Get those of your house ready for you will die, you will not get well again. Then Hezekiah turned his face to the wall and prayed to the Lord saying, I beg you will Lord, remember how I have walked before you in truth and with a whole heart. I have done what is good in your eyes. And Hezekiah cried much. Before Isaiah had gone out of the center room, the word of the Lord came to him saying returned to Hezekiah, the leader of my people tell him this is what the Lord the God of your father, David says, I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. See, I will heal you. On the third day you must go up to the house of the Lord. And I will add 15 years to your life. I will save you and this city from the power of the king of Assyria. And I will help this city because of my honor. And because of my servant David.

Steve Webb 23:40
Then Isaiah said, bring a loaf made of figs, have them taken lay it on the sore on Hezekiah his body, then he will be well again. And they took and laid it on the boil and he was healed.

Steve Webb 23:52
Hezekiah said to Isaiah, what will be the special thing for me to see that the Lord will heal me and that I will go up to the house of the Lord on the third day. Isaiah said, this will be the special thing for you to see from the Lord to show that the Lord will do what He has said, will the shadow go 10 Steps farther or go back 10 Steps Hezekiah answered, It is easy for the shadow to go 10 Steps farther, but let the shadow turn back 10 steps.

Steve Webb 24:22
So Isaiah the man of God cried to the Lord and the Lord brought the shadow back 10 steps on the steps set up by King Ahaz. At that time, a Rodak Paladin Asana Paladin, king of Babylon sent letters and a gift to Hezekiah. For he heard that Hezekiah had been sick as the Chi listened to them and showed them all his riches. He showed them the silver, the gold, the spices, the oil of much worth the things used in battle, and all that was found in his storerooms. There was nothing in his house or in all the places of his rule that Hezekiah did not show them. Then Isaiah the man of God came

Steve Webb 25:00
to Hezekiah and said, What did these men say, From where have they come to you? Hezekiah said, they have come from afar country from Babylon. Isaiah said, what have they seen in your house? And Hezekiah answered, they’ve seen all that is in my house, there is nothing among my riches that I have not shown them. Then Isaiah said to Hezekiah, here the word of the Lord, see, the days are coming when all that is in your house, all that your father’s have kept in store to this day will be carried to Babylon, nothing will be left, says the Lord. And some of your sons who will be born to you will be taken away. They will be servants in the house of the king of Babylon.

Steve Webb 25:42
Hezekiah said to Isaiah, The word of the Lord which you have spoken is good, for he thought, why not if there will be peace, and people will be safe in my days.

Steve Webb 25:53
Now, the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and all his strength are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah. He made the pool and the ditch and brought water into the city. Hezekiah died and his son Manasseh became king in his place.

Steve Webb 26:10
Well, today in Second Kings 18, we read about a guy by the name of Rabshakeh, he was allowed mouth sent by kings, the neck rib, and he made some serious threats against King Hezekiah and the people and he slandered God. Well, in chapter 19, we see that when Hezekiah heard about what rapture could said, He was distraught and went to the temple. And he sent messengers to the prophet Isaiah to go to the Lord on their behalf. Well, God told Isaiah to tell them not to worry, that’s the neck, a rib would not enter their city, and he would die by the sword in his own land. And God’s message to Seneca ribbed through Isaiah is pretty interesting. God said, I’ve heard what you’ve said, You’re boasting about your triumphs. Don’t you know that I planned all of this. It is because of me that you’ve done these things. I know everything about you, in your anger and your pride. You have spoken against me. And now I’m putting an end to it. And then what happened that night 195,000 of Synack ribs army was killed by an angel of the Lord and he hightailed it back home, where he was killed while worshiping in the temple of the god Niz rock. Well, beloved, it was true, then, and thankfully, it is true. Now. God is patient. But there is a point where he says, Enough is enough.

Steve Webb 27:35
What do you think? Let me know, leave a comment at the bottom of the page at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 209, or email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Tomorrow we’ll be reading Psalms 90 through 92.

Steve Webb 28:02
On this date in church history, march 29 1788, Charles Wesley died. He was a co founder of Methodism. And he wrote more than 8000 hymns including come thou long expected Jesus, when I survey the wondrous cross, over 1000 tongues to sing and Jesus lover of my soul. And it just so happens that on the Lifespring hymn stories podcast, I did an episode talking about the background for each one of those hymns. I’ll have links on the show notes page, if you’d like to listen to those episodes.

Steve Webb 28:44
You know, I haven’t asked this question in a while. And I think that there are some new members of the Lifespring family. So what I’d like to know is how did you find the show? Did a friend tell you? Did you hear about the show on another podcast or from a social media post? Maybe we met and I told you about the show. Whatever it is, let me know how you found the show. Email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com and use the subject line. Here’s where I found you.

Steve Webb 29:20
Let’s pray.

Steve Webb 29:21
Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for your patience with us, Lord, thank You that You are not quick to anger. Thank You that You love us and work with us to shape us into the people you want us to be. Help us, Lord to be pliable in your hands. I asked God that you would bless the Lifespring family today. I thank you for each one who’s listening now I ask that you be with them and help each of us to walk closer with you today than we did yesterday. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. If you’d like to share your prayer requests with the Lifespring family or if God is doing something really great in your life, let us know go to prayer dot Lifespring media dot com, fill out the form you find there, which will be sent to me. I’ll pray for you in my private prayer time, and I’ll share your prayer requests or your praises or both on the show, prayer dot Lifespring media.com.

Steve Webb 30:22
If you’d like to comment on anything I’ve said today, please do so at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 209. Email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. And if the Lifespring family Audio Bible is an important part of your life, if it brings value to you, please help to support it. Go to Lifespring media.com/support. And until tomorrow may God bless you richly. Thank you for being here. My name is Steve Webb. Bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

Transcript

Today our reading is Leviticus 19-21. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you, and I’m calling today’s episode “Be Different.”

The Lord spoke to Moses: “Speak to the entire Israelite community and tell them: Be holy because I, Yahweh your God, am holy. 

Leviticus 19: 1-2 HCSB

“You are to keep all My statutes and all My ordinances, and do them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live will not vomit you out. 23You must not follow the statutes of the nations I am driving out before you, for they did all these things, and I abhorred them. 24And I promised you: You will inherit their land, since I will give it to you to possess, a land flowing with milk and honey. I am Yahweh your God who set you apart from the peoples. 25Therefore you must distinguish the clean animal from the unclean one, and the unclean bird from the clean one. Do not become contaminated by any land animal, bird, or whatever crawls on the ground; I have set these apart as unclean for you. 26You are to be holy to Me because I, Yahweh, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be Mine. 

Leviticus 20:22-26 HCSB

In chapter 19, verses 1 and 2, God called the Israelites to be holy, as He is holy. To be holy is to be separate, different, set apart. (Apart, not a part. When an orange is still hanging on the tree, it is a part of the tree. Once I pluck the orange, it is apart from the tree, no longer a part of the tree.)

God is holy, in that He is different from everything else in all creation. Every aspect of who and what God is, is different than every other thing. Because He is God, He is greater, He is more righteous, He is more just, more pure, more loving, more MORE than can be expressed.

So how can He call His people to be holy, because He is holy? We are not God. We are human. How can we be holy? Because we are made in His image. He is not calling us to be gods, because God is the only true God. So what is He calling us to do? He is calling us to be separate, different, set apart from the things in the world that are not pleasing to Him. Or put another way, set apart from the things that are not like Him. We are to be more like Him. We are to reflect Him as much as we can. The word “Christian” means, “like Christ”. 

So in chapter 19 and most of chapter 20, God, through Moses, talked about the punishment that was to be meted out for various sins, which had already been spoken of in previous chapters. And then in verses 22-26 of chapter 20, God gave His reason for calling Israel to be holy.

God has called His chosen people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. This is a land that had been inhabited by people who practiced many things that were evil in the sight of God, and He did not want any of that behavior to be brought into the Israelite culture. The fact that the previous inhabitants did such heinous things is why God had the Israelites expel and, in fact, why He commanded them to completely wipe them out in almost every case. 

And God told the Israelites to keep all of His statues and laws so that the land where He was bringing them would not vomit them out, as He was having them do to the Canaanites who were presently in that land. This is why He called them to be holy.

And this idea of being different, of being separate, is the reason for many of the laws in these two chapters. Whenever there was a behavior that was practiced by the Canaanites, God said, “Do not do that.” 

Some of the seemingly random laws are examples of this. Like the shaving of the sides of the heads or the trimming of the beards. These were things done by the pagans in their worship of idols. The same for cutting the flesh or tattoos. God said do not do those things because you are to be holy, separate, different. Don’t do what they do.

The mixing of textiles was forbidden because the pagans did that, thinking that there was some sort of magic associated with clothes made in this manner.

Many of the laws concerning sexual activity have the same basis. The pagans had many perverse practices in their religions, so God was very explicit in what He had to say about what was not allowed. Today, as we read through these laws we say, “Of course you shouldn’t do that!” But remember, beloved, our culture has the benefit of being founded on Judeo-Christian principles. For now, as long as it lasts (and Judeo-Christian culture is under attack today), most of our way of life is defined, even in our legal system, by these principles. 

As God warned the Israelites to keep all His statutes and all His judgements so that the land would not vomit them out, I believe we have enjoyed God’s blessings here in America because we were founded on these ideals. And just as God allowed Israel to be judged when they forsook Him, I believe we are in danger of His judgement today. 

Beloved, again I say that we must return to God. He said, in 2 Chronicles 7:14, “Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” 

Notice, beloved, who God is calling to humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways. It wasn’t the heathen. It wasn’t the sinner. God said, “If MY people who are called by MY name…” Beloved, WE must humble OURselves. WE must pray. WE must seek His face. WE must turn from OUR wicked ways.

You say, “Steve, I’m not wicked.” I say, “Is that right?” Okay. Maybe it’s just me, but I know that I fail God every day. I am SO not like Jesus. I have SO far to go. I KNOW that I am not the man that God wants me to be. I know that the only way I’m getting into Heaven is because I am washed in the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. But I still want to continue to strive to be more like Him.

Beloved. ALL of us MUST seek His face. We MUST ask Him to reveal to us where we fail Him and humbly ask Him to forgive us. We MUST ask Him to heal our land.

Will you join me in this? I made the same plea last year on the show when we read these chapters. But here in 2022, we are in worse shape, world wide, than we were in 2021. Will you commit to earnestly pray with me? Our nation…our WORLD will only find healing and peace through God. Political leaders or political systems won’t do it for us. That’s more clear today than it was even just last year. God is the ONLY answer. 

Pray with me:

O God. We humbly come to you now in Jesus’ precious name, and we plead with You to reveal to us those areas in our lives that are not pleasing to You. Show us, God, where we are falling short. We know that You are not happy with us. We know that we need the forgiveness that can only come because of your great mercy. Please God, forgive us. Forgive us for the things we do, and for the things we don’t do. Forgive us for our cowardice. Forgive us for not standing up for what we know is right, and for not fighting against what we know is wrong. Father, we ask You now to give us the courage that can only come from You. Give us courage to speak for the weak among us. Give us courage to fight for what is right. God, we ask that you heal our land. Not just here in America, Lord, but in our world. Oh God, we need You. Let this generation see a revival the likes of which have never been seen. Pour out Your Spirit on us, Lord. Make us a mighty army for You. We humbly ask that You make us worthy to be called by Your name. I pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 19-20 HCSB; Ch. 21 NAS

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Download .txt file.

Steve Webb 0:00
How can we be holy?

Steve Webb 0:09
Well, hello there welcome. This is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. I am your OG God caster Steve Webb, how’s it going today? I’m so glad to see your smiling face. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. And today’s reading is Leviticus 19 through 21. Of course, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you after the reading, and I’m calling today’s episode be different. The show notes page for today’s episode is at Lifespring media.com/s 12 v 208. And you can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. And I haven’t mentioned this a long time. But having been at this since 2004. There are a ton of episodes over at Lifespring media.com that I think you’d probably enjoy. I’ve got interview shows, I’ve got music shows I’ve got shows the talk about the background of some of Christianity’s greatest hymns, in almost every episode I’ve ever done has been what they call evergreen. In other words, they don’t they don’t expire. I don’t talk about current events. I don’t talk about what’s in the news so much. I talk about God’s truth. And as we know that doesn’t change. So check it out at Lifespring media.com. Now, are you ready? Let’s go.

Steve Webb 1:22
Leviticus 19 The Lord spoke to Moses. Speak to the entire Israelite community and tell them be holy because I the LORD your God and holy. Each of you is to respect his mother and father, you are to keep my Sabbath. I am the Lord your God. Do not turn to idols or make cast images of God’s for yourselves. I am the Lord your God. When you offer a fellowship, sacrifice to the Lord, sacrifice it so that you may be accepted. It is better to be eaten on the day you sacrifice it or on the next day. But what remains on the third day must be burned up. If any is eaten on the third day it is repulsive thing. It will not be accepted. Anyone who eats it will bear his punishment for he has profaned what is holy to the Lord. That person must be cut off from his people. When you reap the harvest of your land, you’re not to reap to the very edge of your field, or gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must not strip your vineyard bear or gather its fallen grapes. Leave them for the poor in the foreign resident. I am the Lord your God. You must not steal. You must not act deceptively or lie to one another. You must not swear falsely by my name profaning the name of the Lord your God, I am your way. You must not oppress your neighbor or robbed him. The wages do a hired hand must not remain with you until morning. You must not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block in front of the blind. But you are to fear your God, I am the Lord. You must not act unjustly when deciding a case. Do not be partial to the poor or give preference to the rich. Judge your neighbor fairly. You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not jeopardize your neighbor’s life, I am the Lord. You must not harbor hatred against your brother. rebuke your neighbor directly and you will not incur guilt because of him.

Steve Webb 3:23
Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community. But Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord. You are to keep my statutes. You must not crossbreed two different kinds of your livestock. So your fields with two kinds of seed or put on a garment made of two kinds of material.

Steve Webb 3:44
If a man has sexual intercourse with a woman who was a slave designated for another man, but she has not been redeemed or given her freedom, there must be punishment. They’re not to be put to death because she had not been freed. However, he must bring a ram as his restitution offering to the Lord at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. The priests will make atonement on his behalf before the Lord with the ram of the restitution offering for the sin he is committed and he will be forgiven for the sin he committed. When you come into the land and plant any kind of tree for food, you are to consider the fruit forbidden. It will be forbidden to you for three years. It is not to be eaten. In the fourth year all its fruit must be consecrated as a praise offering to the Lord. But in the fifth year, you may eat its fruit. In this way its yield will increase for you. I am the Lord your God.

Steve Webb 4:40
You are not to eat anything with blood in it. You are not to practice divination or sorcery. You are not to cut off the hair at the sides of your head or mar the edge of your beard. You are not to make gashes on your bodies for the dead or put tattoo marks on yourselves. I am the Lord. Do not debase yourself

Steve Webb 5:00
by making her a prostitute or the land will be prostituted and filled with depravity. You must keep my Sabbath and revere my sanctuary, I am the Lord. Do not turn to mediums or consult spiritists or you will be defiled by them, I am the Lord your God. You are to rise in the presence of the elderly and otter, the old, fear your God, I am the Lord.

Steve Webb 5:24
When a foreigner lives with you in your land, you must not oppress him. You must regard the foreigner who lives with you as the native born among you, you are to love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt, I am the Lord your God. You must not be unfair in measurements of length, weight or volume. You are to have honest balances, honest weights, and honest dry measure and an honest liquid measure. I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt. You must keep all my statutes and all my ordinances and do them. I am the Lord.

Steve Webb 6:00
Leviticus chapter 20. The Lord spoke to Moses, Say to the Israelites, any Israelite or foreigner living in Israel who gives any of his children to Molek must be put to death. The people of the country are to stone him, I will turn against that man and cut him off from his people, because he gave his offspring to Molek, defiling my sanctuary and profaning My Holy Name. But if the people of the country look the other way, when that man gives any of his children to Molek, and do not put Him to death, then I will turn against that man and his family and cut off from their people, both him and all who follow him in prostituting themselves with Molek whoever turns to mediums or spiritists, and prostitutes himself with them, I will turn against that person and cut him off from his people. consecrate yourselves and be holy, for I am Yahweh your God. keep my statutes and do them. I am Yahweh who sets you apart.

Steve Webb 7:02
If anyone curses his father or mother, he must be put to death. He has cursed his father or mother, his blood is on his own hands. If a man commits adultery with a married woman, if he commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, both the adulterer and the adulterous must be put to death. If a man sleeps with his father’s wife, he has shamed his father. Both of them must be put to death, their blood is on their own hands. If a man sleeps with his daughter in law, both of them must be put to death. They have acted perversely, their blood is on their own hands. If a man sleeps with a man as with a woman, they have both committed a detestable thing. They must be put to death, their blood is on their own hands. If a man marries a woman and her mother, it is depraved. Both he and they must be burned with fire, so that there will be no depravity among you.

Steve Webb 8:02
If a man has sexual intercourse with an animal, he must be put to death, you are also to kill the animal.

Steve Webb 8:10
If a woman comes near any animal and mates with it, you are to kill the woman and the animal. They must be put to death, their own blood is on them.

Steve Webb 8:20
If a man marries his sister, whether his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace. They must be cut off publicly from their people. He has had sexual intercourse with a sister, he will bear his punishment.

Steve Webb 8:36
If a man sleeps with a menstruating woman that has sexual intercourse with her, he has exposed the source of her flow, and she has uncovered the source of her blood. Both of them must be cut off from their people. You must not have sexual intercourse with your mother’s sister or your father’s sister, for it is exposing one’s own blood relative, both people will bear their punishment. If a man sleeps with his aunt, he is shamed his uncle, they will bear their guilt and die childless. If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is impurity, he has shamed his brother, they will be childless. You are to keep all my statutes and all my ordinances and do them so that the land where I am bringing you to live will not vomit you out. You must not follow the statutes of the nations I am driving out before you for they did all these things and I abhorred them. And I promised you, you will inherit their land since I will give it to you to possess a land flowing with milk and honey. I am Yahweh your God who set you apart from the peoples. Therefore, you must distinguish the clean animal from the unclean one and the unclean bird from the clean one. Do not become contaminated by any land animal bird or whatever crawls on the ground. I have set these apart is unclean for you. You

Steve Webb 10:00
You are to be holy to me because I Yawei am holy, and I have set you apart from the nation’s to be mine. A man or a woman who is a medium or a spiritist must be put to death. They are to be stoned, their blood is on their own hands.

Steve Webb 10:17
Leviticus chapter 21.

Steve Webb 10:20
Then the Lord said to Moses, speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron and say to them, no one shall defile himself for a dead person among his people, except for his relatives who are nearest to him, his mother and his father and his son and his daughter and his brother, also for his virgin sister, who was near to him because she has no husband. For her he may defile himself. He shall not defile himself as a relative by marriage among his people, and so profane himself. They shall not make any baldness on their heads, nor shave off the edges of their beards, nor make any cuts in their flesh. They shall be holy to their God, and not profane the name of their God, for they present the offerings by fire to the Lord, the food of their God, so they shall be holy. They shall not take a woman who was profaned by harlotry, nor shall they take a woman divorced from her husband, for He is holy to his God, You shall consecrate him therefore for he offers the food of your God, he shall be holy to you, For I the Lord who sanctifies you am holy, also the daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by harlotry, she profanes her father, she shall be burned with fire.

Steve Webb 11:36
The priest who is the highest among his brothers, on whose head the anointing oil has been poured, and who has been consecrated to wear the garments shall not uncover his head, nor tear his clothes, nor shall he approach any dead person, nor defile himself even for his father or his mother, nor shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God, for the consecration of the anointing oil of his God is on him, I am the Lord. He shall take a wife in her virginity, a widow or a divorced woman, or one who is profaned by harlotry. These he may not take, but rather he is to marry a virgin of his own people, so that he will not profane his offspring among his people, for I am the Lord who sanctifies him. Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to Aaron, saying, No man of your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect shall approach to offer the food of his God, for no one who has a defect shall approach a blind man or a lay man, or he who has a disfigured face, or any deformed limb, or a man who has a broken foot or a broken hand, or a hunchback, or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye, or eczema or scabs, or crushed testicles. No man among the descendants of their and the priest who has a defect is to come near to offer the Lord’s offerings by fire, since he has a defect, he shall not come near to offer the food of his God, he may eat the food of his God, both of the most holy and of the Holy, only, he shall not go into the veil or come near the altar because he has a defect, so that he will not profane my sanctuaries, for I am the Lord who sanctifies them. So Moses spoke to Aaron and to his sons and to all the sons of Israel.

Steve Webb 13:25
Well, beloved, I’d like to focus for a little bit on some verses from Leviticus chapter 19. And chapter 20. The verses in chapter 19, are verses one and two, and I’d like to read them for you again, the Lord spoke to Moses, speak to the entire Israelite community and tell them be holy, because I, Yahweh your God, am holy. And then in chapter 20, verses 22 through 26, say, you are to keep all my statutes and all my ordinances and do them so that the land where I am bringing you to live will not vomit you out, you must not follow the statutes of the nations I’m driving out before you, for they did all these things and I abhorred them. And I promised you, you will inherit their land, since I will give it to you to possess a land flowing with milk and honey, I am Yahweh your God who set you apart from the peoples. Therefore, you must distinguish the clean animal from the unclean one, and the unclean bird from the clean one, you must not become contaminated by any land, animal, bird or whatever crawls on the ground. I have set these apart as unclean for you. You are to be holy to me because I Yahweh am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be mine. Okay, in chapter 19, verses one and two, God called the Israelites to be holy as He is holy. What does that mean? To be holy is to be separate, different set apart? Apart, not a part when an orange is still hanging on the tree?

Steve Webb 15:00
It is a part of the tree. Once I pluck the orange, it’s apart from the tree, no longer a part of the tree. So we are to be set apart. God is holy in that he is different from everything else in all creation. He is apart from creation, every aspect of who and what God is, is different than every other thing. Because he is God, he is greater, he is more righteous, He is more just more pure, more loving, more, more than can be expressed. So how can he call his people to be holy? Because he is holy? We’re not God, we’re human. How can we be holy, because we are made in His image. He is not calling us to be Gods small g, because God is the only true God. So what is he calling us to do? Well, he’s calling us to be separate, different set apart from the things in the world that are not pleasing to Him. Or put another way, set apart from the things that are not like him. We are to be more like him. We are to reflect Him as much as we can. The word Christian means like Christ. So in chapter 19, and most of chapter 20, God through Moses talked about the punishment that was to be meted out for various sins, which had already been spoken of in previous chapters. And then in verses 22 through 26, which I just read for you, God gave his reason for calling Israel to be holy. God has called his chosen people out of Egypt, and into the promised land. This is a land that had been inhabited by people who practice many things that were evil in the sight of God. And he did not want any of that behavior to be brought into the Israelite culture. The fact that the previous inhabitants did such heinous things, is why God had the Israelites expel. And, in fact, why he commanded them to completely wipe them out in almost every case. And God told the Israelites to keep all of his statutes and laws, so that the land where he was bringing them would not vomit them out, as he was having them do to the Canaanites, who were presently in that land. That is why he called them to be holy. And this idea of being different of being separate is the reason for many of the laws in these two chapters. Whenever there was a behavior that was practiced by the Canaanites, God said, Don’t do that.

Steve Webb 17:34
Some of the seemingly random laws are examples of this, like the shaving of the sides of the heads of the trimming of the beards. These were things done by the pagans in their worship of idols, the same thing for cutting the flesh or tattoos. God said, do not do those things, because you are to be wholly separate, different, don’t do what they do.

Steve Webb 17:59
The mixing of textiles was forbidden because the pagans did that, thinking that there was some sort of magic associated with clothes made in this manner. Many of the laws concerning sexual activity have the same basis, the pagans had many perverse practices in their religions. So God was very explicit in what he had to say about what was not allowed. Today, as we read through these laws, we say, well, of course, you shouldn’t do that. But remember, beloved, our culture has the benefit of being founded on Judeo Christian principles. For now, as long as it lasts, and Judeo Christian culture is under attack today. Most of our way of life is defined even in our legal system by these principles.

Steve Webb 18:43
As God warned the Israelites to keep all His statutes at all his judgments, so that the land would not vomit them out. I believe that we have enjoyed God’s blessing here in America, because we were founded on these ideals. And for those of you not here in America, what I’m talking about still applies to you too. And just as God allowed Israel to be judged when they first saw him, I believe we are in danger of his judgement. Today, we in America are in that danger, and so is the rest of the world as we well know from reading the Bible. Beloved, again, I say that we must return to God. He said in Second Chronicles 714. Then if my people who were called by my name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. Notice, beloved, who God is calling on to humble themselves and pray and seek His face and turn from their wicked ways. It wasn’t the heathen. It wasn’t the sinner. God said, If my people who were called by my name, beloved, we must humble ourselves. We must pray. We must seek His face.

Steve Webb 20:00
We must turn from our wicked ways. You say, Steve, I’m not wicked. I say, Are you sure? Okay? Maybe it’s just me. But I know that I failed God every day. And I am so not like Jesus, I have so far to go. I know that I’m not the man that God wants me to be. I know that the only way I’m getting into heaven is because I am washed in the blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. But I still want to continue to strive to be more like him. Beloved, all of us must seek His face, we must ask Him to reveal to us where we fail him, and humbly ask Him to forgive us. We must ask him to heal our land. Will you join me in this? I made this same plea last year on the show when we read these chapters. But here we are in 2022. And we’re in worse shape worldwide. And then we were in 2021. Will you commit to earnestly pray with me, our nation, our world will only find healing and peace through God, political leaders or political systems won’t do it for us. That’s more clear today than it was even just last year, God is the only answer. Would you pray with me? Oh, God, we humbly come to you now in Jesus precious name. And we plead with you to reveal to us those areas in our lives that are not pleasing to you. Show us God where we are falling short. We know that you’re not happy with us. We know that we need the forgiveness that can only come because of your great mercy. Please, God, forgive us. Forgive us for the things we do and for the things we don’t do. Forgive us, Lord for our cowardice. Forgive us for not standing up for what we know is right and for not fighting against what we know is wrong. Father, we ask you now to give us the courage that can only come from you. Give us courage to speak for the weak among us. Give us courage to fight for what is right, God, we ask that you heal our land, not just here in America, Lord, but in our world. Oh God, we need you. Let this generation see a revival the likes of which have never been seen. Pour out Your Spirit on us, Lord, make us a mighty army for you. We humbly ask that you make us worthy to be called by your name. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

Steve Webb 22:35
Will you commit to pray with me for a revival in the world every day? If you’ll do that, do me a favor and send me an email. It doesn’t have to be a long email. As a matter of fact, if all you want to do is put in the subject line, I’m with you, Steve. I’ll know that you’re praying with me. Steve at Lifespring media.com subject line. I’m with you, Steve, what are your thoughts? Leave a comment at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 208. Tomorrow we’ll read Second Kings 16 through 20. Boost boost boost.

Steve Webb 23:11
I got a comment the other day from Paul Erskine who came to the show a little bit late. So he’s behind. He sent a comment in on the second Corinthians four through five episode make a decision from January 2 of this year 2022. That was episode 125. And here we are on 208. So that gives you an idea. On that episode, I said, you know There comes a time in each person’s life where they just have to make a decision, given the facts that can be known and accepting that there are some things that cannot be known. We just have to decide and move forward. And I mentioned a person I know who has a tremendous amount of knowledge about the Word of God. He’s well read, he listened to some of the world’s best teachers. He says he believes and yet he cannot rest in his faith. He continues to have doubts, because there are things of God that he just can’t understand. And I ended my comments by saying, decide to believe, and then rest in God’s peace and live as God guides you. So Paul’s comment was, oh, faith is a choice. I think I’ve heard a version of this for years, well, decades. But it never clicked until the way Steve put it by talking about the person he knows who still is or was questioning. Paul continues, but it’s as simple as that. Jesus died for me. God separated him from himself to pay for my sin. And there’s no way for me to empirically prove that. So I have to make a choice. Do I believe or do I wander off into the chaos of this world? Well as that one guy in the Bible says, As for me in my house, we will serve the Lord. Sheesh. 40 years of being dense, but let’s see where God leads now. Thank you, Paul. for that. I’m glad my words kind of helped that idea to click in your mind. Thank you, brother.

Steve Webb 25:00
For your comment, and God bless you. Beloved, has the show ever done that for you? Do you find that the show brings value to your life? Well, if it does, please help support it. Go to Lifespring media.com/support. Take a look at that page, pray about it, and then do as the Lord leads. Thank you and God bless you.

Steve Webb 25:31
On this date in church history, march 28 1646, Baptists held their first recorded meeting in Boston. And the meetings have been going on ever since. I can say that since I was saved at a Baptist church.

Steve Webb 25:58
Love it, let’s pray again, our heavenly Father, oh God, we do seek your face. And we ask your forgiveness. For the many times we’ve not been holy people set apart, different, striving to be the people you want us to be. We acknowledge that we’ve not done all we can to be salt and light. We’ve not spoken the name of Jesus when you’ve prompted us to do so. And now we’re reaping what we’ve sown. Lord God, let there be revival in the world and let it begin with us. Give us courage, Lord, to live our lives in such a way that people around us will know that we belong to you. Give us the determination to boldly speak the name of Jesus when your Holy Spirit tells us to help us to share the good news of a risen Christ, not just at Easter, but whenever we have an opportunity, and help us to make opportunities when none exist. We know that you are the answer for what is wrong in the world today. And please don’t let us rest unless we do all we can to help last in dying people find you. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

Steve Webb 27:05
If you’ve got a prayer request or a praise that you’d like to share with the Lifespring family, please do so at prayer dot Lifespring media.com Your prayer request will be sent to me I’ll pray for you in my private prayer time in will pray for you and rejoice with you on the show.

Steve Webb 27:27
You know one way you can be salt and light is to share the show. You know that I do everything I can to bring the uncompromised Word of God to the show. You might consider using this show to help introduce the people you know to Christ. Just an idea. If the Lifespring family Audio Bible is a blessing in your life, please help support it. Go to Lifespring media.com/support. You can comment on today’s show at Lifespring media.com/s 12 v 208. And you can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com Until tomorrow, may God bless you ritually thank you so much for being here. I enjoy spending time with you. My name is Steve Webb. Be bold. Be holy, and pray. Bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

Transcript

Today our reading is 1 Thessalonians 1-3. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you, and I’m calling today’s episode “A Pastor’s Heart.” 

As we read these chapters, I hope you saw that Paul had the heart of a pastor. I guess before I continue, I should quickly define what a pastor is, for those who don’t know. Sure, you probably know that a pastor is one who leads a church, but where does that name come from…what does it mean? And why do we use the word? “Pastor” literally means “shepherd”. Of course, a shepherd cares for a flock of sheep. We’ll talk more about that in a minute, but why do we use this specific analogy for someone who leads a church? Because in John 21:15-17, Jesus said to Peter three times, “Feed my sheep.” Actually, Jesus said “feed” twice, and “tend” (as a shepherd tends his sheep) my sheep. This title of “pastor” was literally Jesus’ idea. 

So how does a shepherd tend his sheep? It’s more than just feeding them. He also makes sure they have water, and a shepherd watches over them to be sure they are safe from predators.. Sheep really have few defense mechanisms. They need the shepherd’s protection.

Back to Paul.

As we’ve been reading through his letters, it’s clear that he dearly loves the people who are part of the church. He prays for them, he worries about them, he looks for ways that he can be a blessing to them, and he admonishes them to live lives that will be pleasing to the Lord. I hope that sounds familiar to you. I hope this could be a description of your pastor.

I’ve been blessed to have had some great pastors in my life. While each one has been very different in their personalities, they each loved God and the people God put in their care. And since I have usually been very involved in every church I have attended, and most of them have been on the small side, I’ve gotten to know most of my pastors on a personal basis. They have been my friend as well as my pastor. One of my pastors was one of my brothers-in-law, too. We had a very close relationship. 

Why am I telling you this? I learned from my close friendships with pastors that a pastor’s job is often lonely and difficult and thankless. Most pastors don’t have someone they can go to to unload their heart. They seldom have a peer to share their difficulties with. Your pastor prays for you and seeks God’s will for you. Verse 10 of chapter 3 could probably have been written by your pastor: “Day and night we ask him with all our heart to let us see you personally and supply what is needed in your faith.”

Today, I’d like you to encourage your pastor. Let him know that you pray for him (You DO pray for your pastor, don’t you?). Let him know how you have been changed by a recent sermon. Be specific. Don’t just say, “Good sermon” as you leave on Sunday. Let him know which specific words really spoke to you, and what you are going to do to put them into practice. And don’t just do this in passing on Sunday morning. Write him a note. On paper. With your own hand. And drop it in the mail. Remember snail mail? Use it to deliver your note. And in the note, think about including a gift card to a really nice local restaurant. Many pastors can’t afford to go to really nice restaurants. Or maybe buy him tickets to a local sporting event if he likes that kind of thing. And then there’s always cash.  

Let your pastor know that the love he puts into your life means something. Let him see the gifts of the Holy Spirit at work in your life. 

Do something so that your pastor can say, “Now we can give thanks to our God for you.”

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

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Steve Webb 0:00
Where does that name come from? What does it mean? And why do we use the word?

Steve Webb 0:13
This is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California and podcasting since 2004. I am your OG God casters Steve Webb, I’m so glad you’re here today. And I’m glad we’re on time at least I think this is gonna be on time. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. I’m sorry, yesterday’s episode was about 12 hours late. Just before posting the episode, the entire Lifespring Media website crashed. And so it took that long before I was able to fix it. I was able to get it working just enough so that it was not offline for very long, but it was really just barely working. It wasn’t until about 12 hours later that I think I have it fixed. But while I was limping along, there was just no way I could post the show. By the way, if you are a WordPress expert, and you’d like to contribute value for value in the way of time, and if you’d like to help maintain and or fix things when they break at Lifespring media, or if you’ve got ideas for improving Lifespring media.com as a website, contact me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Alright, enough of that. Today I reading is First Thessalonians one through three afterward, I will of course have some comments for you. And I’m calling today’s episode, a pastor’s heart. The show notes page for today is at Lifespring media.com/s 12, e 207. Let’s get started.

Steve Webb 1:41
First Thessalonians chapter one.

Steve Webb 1:45
From Paul, Silas and Timothy, to the people of the church of Thessalonica, who belong to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. May Grace and peace be yours. We always thank God for you all, and always mention you in our prayers. For We remember before our God and Father how you put your faith into practice, how your love made you work so hard, and how you’re hoping our Lord Jesus Christ is firm. Our friends, we know that God loves you and has chosen you to be His own. For we brought the good news to you not with words only, but also with power and the Holy Spirit. And with complete conviction of its truth. You know how we lived when we were with you? It was for your own good. You imitated us and the Lord. And even though you suffered much, you received the message with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit. So you became an example to all believers in Macedonia and aka for not only did the message about the Lord go off from you throughout Macedonia and AKA, but the news about your faith in God has gone everywhere. There is nothing then that we need to say. All those people speak about how you received us when we visited you, and how you turned away from idols to God, to serve the true and living God, and to wait for his Son to come from heaven, His Son Jesus, whom he raised from death, and who rescues us from God’s anger that is coming first.

Steve Webb 3:08
Thessalonians chapter two.

Steve Webb 3:11
Our friends, you yourselves know that our visit to you was not a failure. You know how we had already been mistreated and insulted in Philippi. Before we came to you in Thessalonica. And even though there was much opposition, our God gave us courage to tell you the good news that comes from Him. Our appeal to you is not based on error or impure motives, nor do we try to trick anyone. Instead, we always speak as God wants us to, because he has judged us worthy to be entrusted with the good news. We do not try to please people, but to please God who tests our motives. You know very well that we did not come to you with flattering talk. Nor did we use words to cover up greed. God is our witness. We did not try to get praise from anyone, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ, we could have made demands on you. But we were gentle when we were with you, like a mother taking care of her children. Because of our love for you, we were ready to share with you not only the good news from God, but even our own lives. You are so dear to us. Surely you remember our friends, how we worked and toiled, we worked day and night so that we would not be any trouble to you as we preached to you the good news from God. You are our witnesses, and so is God, that our conduct toward you who believe was pure, right and without fault. You know that we treated each one of you just as parents treat their own children. We encouraged you, we comforted you. And we kept urging you to live the kind of life that pleases God who calls you to share in his own kingdom and glory. And there is another reason why we always give thanks to God. When we brought you God’s message you heard it and accepted it not as a message from human beings but as God’s message which

Steve Webb 4:59
Indeed it is, for God is at work and you who believe our friends, the same things happen to you that happen to the churches of God and Judea, to the people there who belong to Christ Jesus. You suffered the same persecutions, from your own people that they suffered from the Jews who killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and persecuted us how displeasing they are to God, how hostile they are to everyone. They even tried to stop us from preaching to the Gentiles the message that would bring them salvation. In this way they have brought to completion, all the sins they have always committed. And now God’s anger has at last come down on them. As for us, friends, when we were separated from you for a little while, not in our thoughts, of course, but only in body, how we missed you, and how hard we tried to see you again, we wanted to return to you, I myself tried to go back more than once. But Satan would not let us after all, it is you, you know less than others, who are our hope, our joy and our reason for boasting of our victory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes, indeed, you are our pride and our joy.

Steve Webb 6:11
First Thessalonians chapter three.

Steve Webb 6:14
Finally, we could not bear it any longer. So we decided to stay on alone in Athens while we sent Timothy, our brother who works with us for God in preaching the good news about Christ. We sent him to strengthen you and to help your faith so that none of you should turn back because of these persecutions. You, yourself know that such persecutions are part of God’s will for us. For while we were still with you, we told you ahead of time that we were going to be persecuted. And as you well know, that is exactly what happened. That is why I had to send Timothy, I could not bear it any longer. So I sent him to find out about your faith. Surely, it could not be that the devil had tempted you. And all our hard work had been for nothing. Now Timothy has come back. And he has brought us the welcome news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always think well of us, and that you want to see us just as much as we want to see you. So in all our trouble and suffering, we have been encouraged about you friends, it was your faith that encouraged us because now we really live if you stand firm in your life in union with the Lord. Now we can give thanks to our God for you. We thank him for the joy we have in his presence because of you. Day and night we asked Him with all our heart to let us see you personally, and supply what is needed in your faith. May our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus prepare the way for us to come to you. May the Lord make your love for one another, and for all people grow more and more and become as great as our love for you. In this way, he will strengthen you and you will be perfect and holy in the presence of our God and Father, when our Lord Jesus comes with all who belong to him.

Steve Webb 8:00
Well beloved, as we read these chapters, I hope you saw that Paul had the heart of a pastor. I guess maybe before I continue, I should quickly define what a pastor is. For those that don’t know. Sure you probably know that a pastor is one who leads a church. But where does that name come from? What does it mean? And why do we use the word? Well, Pastor literally means Shepherd. Of course, a shepherd cares for a flock of sheep. We’ll talk more about that in a minute. But why do we use this specific analogy for someone who leads a church? Because in John 2115, through 17, Jesus said to Peter, three times, Feed my sheep. Actually, Jesus said, Feed twice and tend once tend as in a shepherd, who tends his sheep. So the title of pastor was literally the idea of Jesus himself. So how does the shepherd tend to sheep, it’s more than just feeding them. He also makes sure they have water, and to shepherd watches over them to be sure that they’re safe from predators. Sheep really have very few defense mechanisms, they need the shepherds protection. So now let’s go back to Paul, as we’ve been reading through his letters, it’s clear that he dearly loves the people who are part of the church, he prays for them, he worries about them, he looks for ways that he can be a blessing to them and he admonishes them to live lives that will be pleasing to the Lord. I hope that sounds familiar to you. I hope this could be a description of your pastor. I’ve been blessed to have had some great pastors in my life. While each one has been very different in their personalities, they each loved God in the people God put in their care. And since I’ve usually been very involved in every church I’ve attended, and most of the churches have been on the small side. I’ve gotten to know most of my pastors on a personal basis. They’ve been my friend as well as my pastor and one of my pastors

Steve Webb 10:00
was one of my brothers in law two, we had a very close relationship. So why am I telling you this? Well, I learned from my close friendships with pastors that a pastor’s job is often lonely and difficult and thankless. Most pastors don’t have someone they can go to to unload their heart. They seldom have appeared to share their difficulties with your pastor prays for you and seeks God’s will for you. Verse 10, of Chapter Three today could probably have been written by your pastor it said, day and night, we asked Him with all our heart to let us see you personally in supply what is needed in your faith. Well, today, I’d like you to encourage your pastor, let him know that you pray for him. You do pray for your pastor, don’t you? Let him know how you’ve been changed by a recent sermon. Be specific, don’t just say, good sermon. As you leave on Sunday, let him know what specific words really spoke to you and what you’re going to do to put them into practice. And don’t just do this in passing on Sunday morning, sit down and write him a note on paper with your own hand and drop it in the mail. Yeah, put your note in an envelope and put a stamp on the envelope and take it to the mailbox. And if you can, in the note, think about including a gift card to a really nice local restaurant. Most pastors are not paid a tremendous amount of money and many times they can afford to go to really nice restaurants. Or maybe you could buy him tickets to a local sporting event if he likes that kind of thing. And then there’s always the good old cash that’s always appreciated. Let your pastor know that the love he puts into your life means something. Let him see the gifts of the Holy Spirit at work in your life. Do something so that your pastor can say like Paul, now we can give thanks to our God for you. So go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 207. And let me know what you’re going to do for your pastor. Our reading tomorrow will be Leviticus 19 through 21 Boost.

Steve Webb 12:17
On this date in church history, march 2716 67 Going way back, John Milton, the English Puritan poet published Paradise Lost on this date. Paradise Lost, of course, is an epic length poem about humanity’s creation and fall. It’s a classic obviously.

Steve Webb 12:47
Let’s pray. Our Heavenly Father, we thank you that Jesus is the Good Shepherd. We are safe in your care. And we pray for the pastors in our lives. Bless them, Lord, encourage them and give them someone that they can be free to be themselves with. Give them mentors and peers. It can be a lonely calling at times and I pray that You would help our pastors through those times. Use us to encourage them Lord and make us thankful and appreciative of the things they do for us. I pray this in Jesus name, amen.

Steve Webb 13:29
When was the last time you shared the show than a while well go out there and tell one or two or three or 10 people. Tell your friends tell your enemies tell your neighbors tell your boss tell the person at the checkout stand at the mark. Take out a billboard littered on your socials. Comment on the show at Lifespring media.com/s 12 207. Email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com And until tomorrow may God bless you richly. Thank you for being here. Have a great Sunday. My name is Steve Webb, being encourager. Bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

Transcript

Our reading today is  Luke 21-22. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you. I’m calling today’s episode “Soon.”

In Luke 21, Jesus makes the statement concerning the Temple, that not one stone will be left on another. He prophesied the destruction that would take place 40 years later. In his account of this same conversation that Jesus had with his disciples, Matthew is more complete in what Jesus said, because it is more apparent that Jesus was also talking of His ultimate return at the end of the age.

So the disciples asked Jesus when these things would take place, and He gave them signs to look for.

And since I was a teenager, I have heard the question, “Are we in the end times?” And I’m sure that question has been asked countless times since Jesus was resurrected. 

Let me answer this way. Pastor Chuck Smith, the man who founded Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa, fervently believed that Jesus would return before the end of his life. He wrote a book on the subject, explaining the reasons for his belief. I remember going to an event at the Anaheim Convention Center (I’m pretty sure that was the venue) where Pastor Chuck spoke about it. He made a great argument, and many people agreed with Chuck and believed that Jesus would be coming before 1980. 

Well, here we are on March 19, 2022. We’re still here. Jesus didn’t return in 1980, and Pastor Chuck went to be with the Lord on October 3, 2013. By the way, Chuck was always very careful to say that “No man knows the hour”. He was not predicting Jesus’ return, he was merely stating that he believed that Jesus was coming soon. I believed it then, and I believe it now. Jesus is not late in returning. He will be on time. But I believe it can be at any moment.

So my answer to the question of are we in the end times is, “I believe that we are. I believe that many things that must happen before Jesus’ return have happened. However, I have learned not to be dogmatic about prophetic events. God is sovereign. Jesus said, ‘But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.’ (NIV) If Jesus doesn’t even know, how can I?” I’ll add this: I can imagine Jesus sitting on the edge of His throne, next to the Father, “Saying, now Father? Now?? Surely the time has come!”

What do YOU think? Comment at the bottom of this page.

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 21 NET, Ch. 22 HCSB

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

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

Download .txt file

Steve Webb 0:00
I’ve got the answer.

Steve Webb 0:09
Well, hi there. This is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California. Oh, no, hold that against me. Podcasting since 2004. I’m here Oh g god castors Steve Webb, welcome. Fancy meeting you here. This is a daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Our reading today is Luke 21 and 22. Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you. I’m calling today’s episode soon. My email address is Steve at Lifespring media.com. And if you’d like to leave a comment on today’s episode, you can do that at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 199. Let’s get started.

Steve Webb 0:51
Luke chapter 21. Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the offering box. He also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, I tell you the truth. This poor widow was put in more than all of them, for they all offered their gifts out of their wealth, but she out of her poverty put in everything she had to live on. Now, while some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and offerings. Jesus said, As for these things that you’re gazing at the days will come when not one stone will be left on another, all will be torn down. So they asked him, Teacher when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that these things are about to take place. He said, watch out that you are not misled, for many will come in My name saying I am He and the time is near. Do not follow them. And when you hear of wars and rebellions Do not be afraid for these things must happen first, but the end will not come at once. Then he said to them, Nation will rise up in arms against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes and famines and plagues in various places. And there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven. But before all this, they will seize you and persecute you handing you over to the synagogues and prisons, you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will be a time for you to serve as witnesses. Therefore, be resolved not to rehearse ahead of time how to make your defense. For I will give you the words along with the wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will have some of you put to death. You will be hated by everyone because of my name. Yet not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives. But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation is come near. Then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains. Those who were inside the city must depart. Those who are out in the country must not enter it. Because these are the days of vengeance to fulfill all that is written woe to those who are pregnant. And to those who are nursing their babies in those days. For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and will be led away as captives among all nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars and on the earth nations will be in distress anxious over the roaring of the sea and the surging waves. People will be fading from fear and from the expectation of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these things begin to happen, stand up and raise your heads because your redemption is drawing near. Then he told them a parable. Look at the fig tree and all the other trees when they sprout leaves you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near. So also you when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. But Be on your guard so that your hearts are not weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of this life. And that day closed down upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will overtake all who live on the face of the whole earth. But stay alert at all times praying that you may have the strength to escape all these things that must happen and to stand before the Son of Man. So every day Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, but at night he went and stayed on the Mount of Olives. And all the people came to him early in the morning to listen sent to him in the temple courts.

Steve Webb 5:02
Luke 22. The Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called Passover was drawing near. The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put into death because they were afraid of the people. Then Satan enter Judas called Iscariot, who was numbered among the 12. He went away and discussed with the chief priests and temple police, how he could hand him over to them. They were glad and agreed to give him silver. So he accepted the offer and started looking for a good opportunity to betray him when the crowd was not present. Then the Day of Unleavened Bread came when the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John saying, Go and prepare the Passover meal for us so we can eat it. Where do you want us to prepare it? They asked him. Listen, he said to them. When you’ve entered the city, a man carrying a water jug will meet you follow him into the house, he enters. Tell the owner of the house, the teacher asks you, where is the guestroom where I can eat the Passover with my disciples, then he will show you a large furnished room upstairs, make their preparations there. So they went and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. When the hour came, he reclined at the table and the apostles with him. Then he said to them, I have fervently desire to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, For I tell you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. Then he took a cup, and after giving thanks, he said, Take this and share it among yourselves for I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God comes. And he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them and said, This is My body which is given for you do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, he also took the cup after supper and said, This cup is the new covenant established by my blood, it is shed for you. But look, the hand of the one betraying me is that the table with me, for the Son of Man will go away his it has been determined, But woe to that man by whom He is betrayed. So they began to argue among themselves, which of them it could be who was going to do this thing, then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest. But he said to them, the kings of the Gentiles dominate them in those who have the authority over them are called benefactors. But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you must become like the youngest. And whoever leads like the ones serving For who is greater. The one at the table, or the one serving isn’t the one at the table. But I am among you, as one who serves, you were the ones who stood by me in my trials, I bestow on you a kingdom, just as my father bestowed one on me, so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom. And you will sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel, Simon, Simon, look out. Satan has asked to sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And you when you have turned back, strengthen your brother’s Lord, He told him, I’m ready to go with you both to prison and to death. I tell you, Peter, he said, The rooster will not crow today until you deny three times that you know me. He also said to them, when I sent you out without money back traveling back or sandals, did you lack anything? Not a thing. They said. Then he said to them, but now whoever has a money bag should take it. And also a traveling bag. And whoever doesn’t have a sword should sell his robe and buy one for I tell you what is written must be fulfilled in me. And he was counted among the outlaws? Yes, what is written about Me is coming to its fulfillment. Lord, they said, Look, here are two sorts. Enough of that. He told them, he went out and made his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him. When he reached the place, he told him, pray that you may not enter into temptation. Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down and began to pray. Father, if you’re willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not my will but Yours be done. Then an angel from heaven appeared to Him strengthening him being an anguish he prayed more fervently and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he got up from prayer and came to the disciples, he found them sleeping, exhausted from their grief. Why are you sleeping? He asked them, get up and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. While he was still speaking, suddenly a mob was there. And one of the 12 named Judas was leading them. He came near Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said to him, Judas, Are you betraying the son of Of Man with a kiss. When those around him saw what was going to happen they asked, Lord, should we strike with the sword? Then one of them struck the high priests slave and cut off his right ear, that Jesus responded No more of this and touching his ear, he healed him. Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple police and the elders who had come for him, have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a criminal. Every day while I was with you in the temple complex, you never laid a hand on me. But this is your hour and the dominion of darkness. They seized him Let him away and brought him into the high priests house. Meanwhile, Peter was following at a distance. They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, and Peter sat among them. When a servant saw him sitting in the firelight, and looked closely at him, she said, This man was with him too, but he denied it. Woman, I don’t know him. After a little while someone else saw him and said, You’re one of them, too. Man. I

Steve Webb 11:02
am not. Peter said. About an hour later, another kept insisting this man was certainly with him since he’s also a Galilean. But Peter said, Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter. So Peter remembered the word of the Lord how he had said to him, before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times, and he went outside and wept bitterly. The men who were holding Jesus started mocking and beating him. After blindfolding him they kept asking prophesy who hit you? And they were saying many other blasphemous things against him. When daylight came, the elders of the people, both the chief priests and the scribes convened and brought him before the Sanhedrin. They said, if you are the Messiah, tell us. But he said to them, If I do tell you, you will not believe and if I asked you, you will not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God. They all ask, are you then the Son of God? And He said to them, you say that I am? Why do we need any more testimony, they said, since we’ve heard it ourselves from his mouth.

Steve Webb 12:19
In Luke 21, Jesus made a statement concerning the temple that not one stone will be left on another. In doing that he prophesied the destruction that would take place 40 years later. And in Matthew’s account of this same conversation, he was a bit more complete in what Jesus said, because it’s more apparent there that Jesus was also talking of his ultimate return at the end of the age. So the disciples naturally asked Jesus when these things would take place, and he gave them signs to look for. And since I was a teenager, I’ve heard this question, are we in the End Times? And that same question has undoubtedly been asked countless times since Jesus was resurrected? Well, I’ve got the answer. Are you ready? Well, let me answer it this way. Pastor Chuck Smith, the man who founded Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa fervently believed that Jesus would return before the end of his life. He wrote a book on the subject explaining his reasons for that belief. And I remember going to an event I believe it was at the Anaheim Convention Center where Pastor Chuck spoke about it. He made a great argument, and many people agreed with Chuck and believed that Jesus would be coming before 1980. Well, here we are on March 19 2022. Were still here. Jesus didn’t return in 1980 and Pastor Chuck went to be with the Lord on October 3 2013. By the way, Chuck was always very careful to say that no man knows the hour. He wasn’t putting a date on Jesus return. He was just stating that he believed that Jesus was coming very soon. I believed it then and I believe it now. Jesus is not late in returning. He’ll be on time, but I believe it can be at any moment.

Steve Webb 15:34
because we It was great

Steve Webb 16:34
Jesus took him away I usually play music I have for you at the end of the show, but today I wanted to play this for you now. That was the great Andre crouch with soon and very soon, I’ll have a video of Andre and Jesse Dixon doing a live version of that song on the show notes page. I’m sorry, I didn’t get to meet Andre. But when he was still alive, I was only one degree of separation from Him. He and my buddy Brian Duncan, were friends. And speaking of Brian, there will be some pictures of Brian and me in an issue of the newsletter soon. If you want to see them, you’ll have to be subscribed. Go to news dot Lifespring media.com and sign up. I mean, why would you not? Anyway, back to my comments. So my answer to the question of are we in the in times is I believe we are. I believe that many things that must happen before Jesus returned, have already happened. But I’ve learned not to beat talk magic about prophetic events. God is sovereign. And Jesus said, but about that day or hour no one knows not even the angels in heaven nor the Son, but only the Father. Well, if Jesus doesn’t even know when he’s coming back, how can I? I will add this though. I can imagine Jesus sitting on the edge of his throne right now next to the Father saying Now Father, now, surely the time has come? What do you think? Let me know in the comments page at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 199. Tomorrow we’re going to complete the book of Colossians with the reading of chapters three and four, etc. timeful. Loose.

Steve Webb 19:07
Hey, how about being a part of Lifespring history? this coming Tuesday will be episode 202 of this season’s Lifespring family Audio Bible. And to have some fun and help support the show you can donate just $2 and I’ll thank you on show 202 Donate $22 and all thank you on the show. Plus, I’ll send you a PDF copy of my book webs easy Bible names pronunciation guide, donate $202 And I’ll thank you on the show. I’ll send you a PDF of the book. I’ll send you a signed copy of the paperback version of the book and you’ll get an executive producer ship on show 202 I will be recording episode 202 On Monday the 21st so you’ll need to get your donation in by 4pm pacific time on Monday, March 21 2022. That’s the cutoff time Show number 202 of the 12th season, march 2220 22. That’s never gonna happen again. Join the fun if you’ve been putting off donating to the show why wait any longer?

Steve Webb 20:23
On this date in church history, march 19 1944, German Lutheran theologian and Nazi martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in a letter from prison, we can have abundant life even though many wishes remained unfulfilled, wise words.

Steve Webb 20:52
prayer requests well guess what? I have a personal prayer request today. My a fib is back. Atrial fibrillation, and the lovely lady Leanne insisted that I call my cardiologist. I didn’t argue it normally goes away after no more than about eight hours. But I’m on my third day now. It’s been coming and going yesterday, I told you that it had resolved well, not so much. Last night when we were watching TV together, it came back with a vengeance. So last night, I sat down and wrote him an email. And this morning, actually, just a little while ago, I got a call from my cardiologist. And he told me that there were three choices, there are two different medications that can be prescribed, and one surgical option. The first medication can cause some bad side effects like liver or eye problems and other things. If I do that, when I have to be tested every six months to see if damage is occurring, for the rest of my life. The second medication requires a three day stay in the hospital while they begin to give me the medicines so that they can watch to see if problems develop. And with both of those meds, the longer you’re on them, the more likely it is that problems are going to happen. I joke about being an old guy, but at 67, I’m not really that old. And I don’t really relish the idea of being on these drugs for the rest of my life. The surgical option requires a four to six hour operation where they put a catheter up into the heart and zap the part that is causing the electrical misfires that make the heart to not beat with the correct rhythm. So that is what I’ve decided to do. I recently had some conversations with some friends and acquaintances that have had this done and they had no further problems. So now I’m waiting for my cardiologist to refer my case over to the facility in Los Angeles that will be doing the procedure. They’ll determine if I’m a good candidate, and then we’ll schedule it. So please pray that number one, God heals me so that I don’t need the procedure or two, that they’ll get it scheduled quickly. Or number three, or I should say. And number three that it’s successful. For some reason Leanne wants to keep me around a while longer. I don’t know, go figure. Now just as I was about to hit the record button for today’s show, I got a call from my cardiologists office to tell me that I’m to have a follow up with him on May 18, that’s two months from now. I hope that’s not an indication that the procedure is for some time after that, that would be terrible. I’ll keep you updated. If there is any more word on that. And I did send him an email to ask for clarification on why we’re having this follow up on May 18. So let’s pray. Our loving Heavenly Father, we know that Jesus will be returning, and I think it’ll be soon but you’re sovereign, then your timetable is known only to you. Our job is no different whether his return is today or in 1000 years. You want us to be sharing the good news. Lord, give us opportunities to do that and give us the words to say and the boldness to say them. Use us Lord as messengers for you so that no one has the excuse. I did know. Bless the Lifespring family today Lord, each one I pray this in Jesus name, amen. If you have a prayer request or a praise go to prayer dot Lifespring media.com You’ll find a form there you can put all the information in you want me to know let me know your name. Let me know your blood type let me know not that. Let me know your name. And if you’d rather remain anonymous, you can let me know that their prayer dot Lifespring media.com will pray for you my private prayer time and we’ll pray together on the show.

Steve Webb 25:06
I would love it if you’d share the show with your friends, your neighbors, your enemies, your friend him. He’s whoever share the show. You can comment on the show at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 199. You can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com And please support the show if you receive any value from it be a part of episode 202 with a special donation is the Lifespring family Audio Bible important to you? You know what to do? Lifespring media.com/support And until tomorrow may God bless you richly. Thank you for being here. My name is Steve Webb. I appreciate your prayers. Bye

Transcribed by https://otter.ai

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Transcript

Our reading today is Ezekiel 31-36.  Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you. I’m calling today’s episode “Then You Will Know.”

Have you noticed a recurring phrase here in Ezekiel? If you haven’t, you haven’t been listening. Sure, it’s God saying, “Then they will know that I am the Lord.”

One of the time tested, successful teaching methods is repetition, right? The more often you hear information, the more likely it is that you will remember it. The more often you repeat a skill, the better you will get at performing that skill. 

“Then they will know that I am the Lord.” Or sometimes God says, “Then you will know that I am the Lord.”

Time and time again God says this. Why? Why does He put so much emphasis on this? Why does He need to have us know that He is God? Is it an ego thing? Does He need to be the most popular guy in the universe? Is he going for the most “Likes”?

Let’s think for a moment about what we know about His plan. We know that before anything was created, I AM. (Not me, but God.) And I did not misspeak. Not God WAS. God is outside of time. He is always past, present and future. That’s why when Jesus talked of Himself, He said, “I AM.”

So before anything was created, God exists. Because He is the God of creation, He created the universe and all that is in it. And He created mankind. Why did He do that? Because God is also Love. God wanted to love His creation and be loved by HIs creation. And because love involves choice, or free will, mankind was given the ability to choose to love or reject God. 

God is Holy and perfect. By definition, He is without sin. Sin causes a separation from God. Mankind chose to sin, so God’s desire to have a loving relationship with man necessitated a way for the sin problem to be dealt with.

Another of God’s characteristics is Justice. He is a just God. He could not ignore the sin. There had to be a way for the sin to be acknowledged by and answered for, or made reparation for, or punished.

“Steve,” you say, “if God is love, why couldn’t He just ignore the sin? Why couldn’t He just forgive without demanding punishment?” There are at least two reasons. The first reason is because of the Justice part of God that we have already mentioned. The second is that ignoring sin is not love. 

If, as a father, I told my toddler to stay out of the street, knowing that a car might come along and run him over, and then saw him wander into the street, willingly ignoring me, would it be love for me to ignore his disobedience? Of course not.

So God made a way for mankind’s sin to be dealt with. The ultimate act of love was for God’s only Son to take the sin of the world on Himself, and He paid the price for my sin and yours. He was put to the most cruel death that mankind has yet devised. 

And then, on the third day, He was raised from death to life. Why? “So that they would know that I am the Lord.”

Over and over again, throughout the centuries, God’s message is, “I am the Lord”. Why? So that we will know who He is and what He has done in order to bring us into a loving relationship with Him.

Have you accepted God’s gift of forgiveness? Do you know without a shadow of a doubt that you will spend eternity in Heaven? Hoping that your good deeds will outweigh your bad deeds is not the answer. You can’t earn your way to Heaven. One sin disqualifies you. The wages of sin is death. But Jesus died so you don’t have to. He offers forgiveness for all you sins, but you have to accept that gift. A gift does no good unless you accept it. You can look at the pretty box, but unless you accept it, open it and possess it, it isn’t really yours, is it? That’s what you  have to do with the forgiveness Jesus offers you. How do you do it? A simple prayer is all it takes. If you believe what Jesus said of Himself, if you believe that He died for your sins, if you believe that He is the Son of God and lived a sinless life, that He died on the cross and was raised again on the third day, and you want Him to be your Lord and Savior, you just have to ask Him in.

If you haven’t done that, now is a great time to do it. There’s no time like the present, because tomorrow is not guaranteed to anyone. Pray this prayer with me. Begin your relationship with Him now. You can pray out loud, or in the quietness of your heart.

Jesus, I want to follow you. I know that I am a sinner. I’m sorry. I turn from my sins now, and I ask you to forgive me. I know that you died in my place, and that you rose from death on the third day. Lord, come into my life now, and be my Lord and my Savior. Make me the person you want me to be. I give you my life now. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer and meant it, then congratulations, you are now a child of God. Christianity is not about a religion, it’s about a relationship. And your newest, best relationship has now begun. And there is rejoicing in Heaven right now because of your decision.

I want to help you get a great start with God. I would like to send you a copy of the New Believer’s Bible at no charge. It’s the New Living Translation, which I like very much, and it’s full of hundreds of notes written by Greg Laurie of Harvest Ministries. If you prayed that prayer, send me an email at st***@*************ia.com, and I’ll send it right out to you. I just need your name and address. I won’t share your info with anybody, and I won’t put you on a mailing list. I just want you to have this Bible so you can get started on the right foot. And again, there is no charge. 

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 31-32 NIRV; Ch. 33-36 GNT

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

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

Download .txt file

Steve Webb 0:00
Does he need to be the most popular guy in the universe?

Steve Webb 0:11
This is the Lifespring family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California, podcasting since 2004. I am your OG God caster. My name is Steve Webb. I’m sure glad you’re here. I’m glad I’m here. This is a daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Thank you for your prayers. I’m feeling much better today. My heart is pretty much gotten back into a normal rhythm. Though I’m feeling a bit drained. I’m taking it easy today, but this will be a normal episode. as normal as it gets anyway, God is good and I appreciate your prayers. I reading today is Ezekiel 31 through 36. Afterwards, I will have some thoughts to share with you I’m calling today’s episode, then you will know the show notes page for today’s episode is Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 198. Let’s get going.

Steve Webb 1:06
Ezekiel chapter 31.

Steve Webb 1:08
It was the 11th year since King jokin had been brought to Babylon is a prisoner. On the first day of the third month, a message came to me from the Lord. He said, Son of man, speak to Pharaoh Hoffer, the king of Egypt, also speak to his huge army. Tell him who can be compared with your majesty. Think about what happened to a Syria. Once it was like a cedar tree in Lebanon. It had beautiful branches that provided shade for the forest. It grew very high. The top was above all the leaves, the waters fed it. Deep springs made it grow tall. Their streams float all around its base. They made their way to all of the trees in the fields. So it grew higher than any other tree in the fields. It grew more limbs, its branches grew long. They spread because they had plenty of water. All of the birds of the air made their nests and its limbs. All of the wild animals had their babies under its branches. All of the great nations lived in it shade. It’s spreading branches made it majestic and beautiful. Its roots went down deep to where there was plenty of water. The cedar trees in my garden were no match for it. The pine trees could not equal its limbs. The plain trees could not compare with its branches. No tree in my garden could match its beauty. I gave it many branches. They made it beautiful. All of the trees in my garden of Eden were jealous of it. So the Lord and King says the cedar tree grew very high. Its top was above all of the leaves. It was proud of how tall it was. So I handed it over to the Babylonian ruler of the nations. I wanted him to punish it because it was so evil. I decided to get rid of it. The Babylonians cut it down and left it there. They did not show it any pity at all. Some of its branches fell on the mountains. Others fell in all of the valleys. They lay broken in all of the stream beds in the land. All of the nations on earth came out from under its shade and they went on their own way. All of the birds of the air settled on the fallen tree. All of the wild animals moved among its branches. So trees that receive plenty of water must never grow so high that it makes them proud. Their tops must never be above the rest of the leaves. No other trees that receive a lot of water must ever grow that high. They are appointed to die and go down to the earth below. They will join the other nations that go down into the grave. The Lord and King says a Syria was like a cedar tree, but I brought it down to the grave. On that day I dried up the deep springs of water and covered them. I held it streams back I shut off its rich supply of water. Because of that Lebanon was dressed in darkness as if it were close. All of the trees in the field dried up. I brought the cedar tree down to the grave. It joined the other nations that go down there. I made the nations on earth shake because of the sound of its fall. Then all of the trees of Eden were comforted in the earth below that included the finest and best trees in Lebanon. And it included all the trees that received plenty of water. Others also went down into the grave along with it that included those that lived in it shade, and it included those nations that were going to help it they join those who had been killed with swords. Which one of the trees of Eden can be compared with you? What tree is as glorious and majestic as you are, but you too will be brought down to the earth below. There you will join the trees of Eden. You will lie down with those who have not been circumcised. You will be among those who were killed with swords. That is what will happen to Pharaoh and his huge armies announces the Lord and King.

Steve Webb 4:56
Ezekiel chapter 32

Steve Webb 4:57
It was the 12th year since King Jehoiakim had been brought to Babylon as a prisoner. On the first day of the 12th month, a message came to me from the Lord. He said, Son of man, sing a song of sadness about Pharaoh, Hoffa the king of Egypt. Tell him, you are like a lion among the nations. You are like a monster in the sea. You move around wildly in your rivers, you turn the water with your feet, you make the streams muddy. The Lord and King says, I will use a large crowd of people to throw my net over you. They will pull you up in it, then I will throw you on the land, I will toss you into an open field. I will let all of the birds of the air settle on you. I will let all of the wild animals eat you up. I will scatter the parts of your body all over the mountains. I will fill the valleys with your remains. I will soak the land with your blood. It will flow all the way to the mountains. The valleys will be filled with a parts of your body. When I wipe you out, I will put a cover over the heavens I will darken the stars. I will cover the sun with a cloud, the moon will stop shining, I will darken all of the bright lights in the sky above you. I will bring darkness over your land announces the Lord and King. The hearts of many people will be troubled. That is because I will destroy you among the nations. You had never known anything about those lands before. Many nations will be shocked when they see what has happened to you. Their kings will tremble with fear when they find out about it. I will get ready to use Nebuchadnezzar as my sword against them. On the day you fall from power, each of the kings will tremble with fear. Each will be afraid he is the next to die. The Lord and King says I will send against you the sword of the king of Babylonia. I will destroy your huge army. They will be killed with the swords of Babylonian mighty soldiers. The soldiers will not show them any pity. They will bring Egypt down in all of its pride. Its huge armies will be thrown down. I will destroy all of its cattle from the places where they have plenty of water. human feet we’ll never stir the water up again. The hooves of the cattle will not make it muddy anymore. I will let the waters of Egypt settle. I will make it streams flow like olive oil announces the Lord and King. I will turn Egypt into an empty land. I will strip away everything in it. I will strike down everyone who lives there, then they will know that I am the Lord.

Steve Webb 7:30
That is the song of sadness. People will sing about Egypt. Women from other nations will sing it they will solve over Egypt and it’s huge armies announces the Lord and King. It was the 15th day of a month near the end of the 12 years since King Jehoiakim had been brought to Babylon as a prisoner. A message came to me from the Lord. He said, Son of man sob over the huge army of Egypt, tell the Egyptians they will go down into the earth below. The women singers from the other mighty nations will go down into the grave along with them and others tell them Are you any better than others? Since you’re not go down there, lie down with those who have not been circumcised, they will fall dead among those who were killed with swords. Nebuchadnezzar is ready to use this sword against them. Let Egypt be dragged off together with its huge armies. The mighty leaders who are already in the grave will talk about Egypt. They will also speak about the nations that were going to help it they will say they have come down here. They are lying down with those who had not been circumcised. They’re here with those who were killed with swords. A Syria is there with its whole army. Its King is surrounded by the graves of all of its people who were killed with swords. Their graves are deep down in the pit. A series army lies all around the grave of its king. All those who spread terror while they were alive are now dead. They were killed with swords. A limb is also there. It’s huge armies lie around the grave of its king. All those who spread terror while they were alive are now dead. They were killed with swords. They had not been circumcised, they went down into the earth below. Their shame is like the shame of others who go down into the grave. A bed is made for Elans king among the dead. His huge armies lie around his grave. They had not been circumcised, they were killed with swords. They hid spread terror while they were alive. So now their shame is like the shame of others who go down into the grave. They lie down among the dead. Me check in to ball or also their. Their huge armies lie around the graves of their kings. They had not been circumcised. They had spread their terror while they were alive. So they were killed with swords. They lied down with the other dead soldiers who had not been circumcised. They in their weapons had gone down into the grave. Their Swords had been placed under their heads. They had spread their terror while they were alive.

Steve Webb 9:59
But now the shame of their sin covers their bones. Pharaoh Hoffa, you too will be broken. You will lie down among those who had not been circumcised, you will be there with those who were killed with swords. Edom is also there. So are its kings and all of its princes. In spite of their power, they lie down with those who were killed with swords. They lie down with those who had not been circumcised. They are there with others who went down into the grave. All of the princes of the North are there too. So are all the people of Sidon, they went down into the grave in dishonor. While they were alive, they use their power to spread terror. They had never been circumcised. But now they lie down there with those who were killed with swords. Their shame is like the shame of others who go down into the grave. Pharaoh and his whole army will see all of them that will comfort him in spite of the fact that his huge armies were killed with swords, announced as the Lord and King. I let Pharaoh spread terror while he was alive, but now he had his huge armies will be buried with those who had not been circumcised. They will lie down there with those who were killed with swords, announces the Lord and King.

Steve Webb 11:13
Ezekiel chapter 33.

Steve Webb 11:16
The Lord spoke to me, mortal man, he said, Tell your people what happens when I bring war to land. The people of that country choose one of their number to be a lookout. When he sees the enemy approaching, he sounds the alarm to warn everyone. If someone hears it, but pays no attention and the enemy comes and kills him, then he is to blame for his own death. His death his his own fault, because he paid no attention to the warning. If he had paid attention, he could have escaped. If, however, the lookout sees the enemy coming and does not sound the alarm, the enemy will come and kill those sinners, but I will hold the lookout responsible for their death. Now mortal man, I’m making you a lookout for the nation of Israel, you must pass on to them the warnings I give you. If I announced that an evil person is going to die, but you do not warn him to change his ways so that he can save his life, then he will die still a sinner and I will hold you responsible for his death. If you do want an evil person and he doesn’t stop sinning, he will die still a sinner but your life will be spared. The Lord spoke to me, mortal man, he said, repeat to the Israelites what they’re saying, we are burdened with our sins and the wrongs we’ve done. were wasting away. How can we live? Tell them that as surely as i The Sovereign Lord and the living God, I do not enjoy seeing sinners die. I would rather see them stop sinning and live. Israel stop the evil you’re doing. Why do you want to die? Now mortal man, tell the Israelites that when someone good sins, the good he has done will not save him. If an evil person stops doing evil, he won’t be punished. And if a good man starts sending his life will not be spared. I may promise life to someone good. But if he starts thinking that his past goodness is enough and begins to sin, I will not remember any of the good he did. He will die because of his sins. I may warn someone evil that he’s going to die. But if he stops sending and does what is right and good. For example, if he returns the security he took for a loan or gives back what he stole. If he stopped sinning and follows the laws that give life he will not die but live. I will forgive the sins he is committed. And he will live because he has done what is right and good. And your people say that what I do isn’t right. No, it’s their way that isn’t right. When someone righteous stops doing good and starts doing evil, he will die for it. When someone evil quits sinning and does what is right and good. He has saved his life. But Israel, you say that what I do isn’t right. I am going to judge you by what you do.

Steve Webb 14:02
On the fifth day of the 10th month of the 12th year of our exile, someone who had escaped from Jerusalem came and told me that the city had fallen. The evening before he came, I had felt the powerful presence of the Lord. When the man arrived. The next morning, the Lord gave me back the power of speech. The Lord spoke to me, mortal man, he said, the people who are living in the ruined cities of the Land of Israel are saying, Abraham was only one man and he was given the whole land. There are many of us. So now the land is ours. Tell them what I the Sovereign Lord am saying. You eat meat with a blood still in it. You worship idols, you commit murder. What makes you think that the land belongs to you? You rely on your swords? Your actions are disgusting. Everyone commits adultery. What makes you think that the land is yours? Tell them that I the Sovereign Lord warn them that is surely is it

Steve Webb 15:00
In the living God, the people who live in the ruined cities will be killed. Those living in the country will be eaten by wild animals. Those hiding in the mountains and in caves will die of disease, I will make the country a desolate wasteland. And the power they were so proud of will come to an end, the mountains of Israel will be so wild that no one will be able to travel through them. When I punish the people for their sins, and make the country a wasteland, then they will know that I am the Lord.

Steve Webb 15:30
The Lord said, mortal man, your people are talking about you, when they meet by the city walls are in the doorways of their houses, they say to one another. Let’s go and hear what word has come from the Lord now. So my people crowd in to hear what you have to say. But they don’t do what you tell them to do. loving words around their lips, but they continue their greedy ways. To them, you’re nothing more than an entertainer Singing love songs or playing a harp. They listened to all your words, and don’t obey a single one of them. But when all your words come true, and they will come true, then they will know that a prophet has been among them.

Steve Webb 16:08
Ezekiel chapter 34 The Lord spoke to me, mortal man, he said, denounced the rulers of Israel, prophesy to them and tell them what I the Sovereign Lord say to them, you were doomed you shepherds of Israel, you take care of yourselves, but never tend the sheep. You drink the milk, wear clothes made from the wool and kill and eat the finest sheep. But you never tend to sheep. You have not taken care of the weak ones healed the ones that are sick, bandage, the ones that are hurt, brought back the ones that wandered off, or look for the ones that were lost. Instead, you treated them cruelly, because the sheep had no shepherd. They were scattered and wild animals killed and ate them. So my sheep wandered over the high hills in the mountains. They were scattered over the face of the earth, and no one looked for them or tried to find them. Now you shepherds, listen to what I the LORD am telling you. As surely as I’m the living God, you had better listen to me. My sheep have been attacked by wild animals that killed and ate them because there was no shepherd. My shepherds did not try to find the sheep. They were taking care of themselves and not the sheep. So listen to me, you shepherds, I, the Sovereign Lord, declare that I am your enemy. I will take my sheep away from you. And never again let you be their shepherds. Never again will I let you take care only of yourselves. I will rescue my sheep from you and not let you eat them. i The Sovereign Lord tell you that I myself will look for my sheep and take care of them in the same way as the shepherds take care of their sheep that were scattered and are brought together again, I will bring them back from all the places where they were scattered on that dark, disastrous day. I will take them out of foreign countries, gather them together and bring them back to their own land. I will lead them back to the mountains in the streams of Israel and will feed them in Pleasant pastures. I will let them graze in safety in the mountain meadows and the valleys and in all the green pastures of the land of Israel. I myself will be the shepherd of My sheep and I will find them a place to rest. i The Sovereign Lord has spoken. I will look for those that are lost, bring back those that wander off bandage those that are hurt, and heal those that are sick, but those that are fat and strong I will destroy because I am a shepherd who does what is right now then my flock i The Sovereign Lord tell you that I will judge each of you and separate the good from the bad. The sheep from the goats. Some of you are not satisfied with eating the best grass. You even trampled down what you don’t eat. You drink the clear water and muddy what you don’t drink. My other sheep have to eat the grass you travel down and drink the water you muddy. So now I the Sovereign Lord tell you that I will judge between you strong sheep and the weak sheep. You pushed the sick ones aside and buttered them away from the flock. But I will rescue my sheep and not let them be mistreated anymore. I will judge each of my sheep and separate the good from the bad. I will give them a king like my servant David to be their one shepherd and he will take care of them. I the LORD will be their God and to King like my servant David will be their ruler. I have spoken. I will make a covenant with them that guarantees their security. I will get rid of all the dangerous animals in the land so that my sheep can live safely in the fields in sleep in the forest. I will bless them and let them live around my sacred hill. There I will bless them with showers of rain when they need it. The trees will bear fruit the fields will produce crops and everyone will live in safety on his own land. When I break my peoples chains and set them free from those who made them slaves, then they will know that

Steve Webb 20:00
I am the Lord. The heathen nations will not plunder them anymore, and the wild animals will not kill and eat them. They will live in safety and no one will terrify them. I will give them fertile fields and put an end to hunger in the land. The other nations will not sneer at them anymore. Everyone will know that I protect Israel and that they are my people. i The Sovereign LORD have spoken you my sheep. The flock that I feed are my people, and I am your God says the Sovereign Lord.

Steve Webb 20:32
Ezekiel chapter 35. The Lord spoke to me, mortal man, he said, denounced the country of Edom. Tell the people what I the Sovereign Lord and saying, I am your enemy mountains of Edom, I will make you a desolate wasteland. I will leave your cities in ruins and your land desolate, then you will know that I am the Lord. You were Israel’s constant enemy and let her people be slaughtered in the time of her disaster, the time of final punishment for her sins. So then, as surely as I, the Sovereign LORD, and the living God, death is your fate, and you cannot escape it. You are guilty of murder, and murder will follow you. I will make the hill country of Edom a wasteland and kill everyone who travels through it. I will cover the mountains with corpses, and the bodies of those who are killed in battle will cover the hills and valleys. I will make you desolate forever. And no one will live in your cities again, then you will know that I am the Lord.

Steve Webb 21:34
You said that the two nations Judah and Israel together with their lands belong to you, and that you would possess them even though I the Lord was their God. So then, as surely as i The Sovereign Lord and the living God, I will pay you back for your anger, your jealousy and your hate toward my people. They will know that I am punishing you for what you did to them. Then you will know that I the Lord heard you say with contempt that the mountains of Israel were desolate, and that they were yours to devour. I have heard the wild boastful way you have talked against me. The Sovereign Lord says, I will make you so desolate, that the whole world will rejoice at your downfall. Just as you rejoiced at the devastation of Israel, my own possession, the mountains of SEER Yes, all the land of Edom will be desolate, then everyone will know that I am the Lord.

Steve Webb 22:28
Ezekiel chapter 36.

Steve Webb 22:32
The Lord said, mortal man, speak to the mountains of Israel and tell them to listen to the message which I the Sovereign Lord have for them. Israel’s enemies gloated in said, now those ancient hills are ours. Prophesy then and announce what i The Sovereign Lord and sang when the neighboring nations captured and plundered the mountains of Israel. Everyone made fun of Israel. Now listen to what I the Sovereign Lord say to you mountains and hills, to you Brooks and valleys, to you places that were left in ruins, and to you deserted cities which were plundered and mocked by all the surrounding nations. I, the Sovereign LORD have spoken out in the heat of my anger against the surrounding nations and especially against Edom. with glee and contempt, they captured my land and took possession of its pastures so prophesied to the land of Israel, tell the mountains, hills, rooks and valleys what I, the Sovereign Lord am saying in jealous anger, because of the way the nations have insulted and humiliated them. I, the Sovereign Lord solemnly promised that the surrounding nations will be humiliated. But on the mountains of Israel, the trees will again grow leaves and bear fruit for you, my people, Israel, you are going to come home soon, I am on your side, and I will make sure that your land is plowed again, and crops are planted on it. I will make your population grow, you will live in the cities and rebuild everything that was left in ruins. I will make people and cattle increase in number. They will be more of you than ever before, and you will have many children. I will let you live there as you used to live and I will make you more prosperous than ever. Then you will know that I am the Lord. I will bring you my people Israel back to live again in the land. It will be your own land, and it will never again let your children starve. i The Sovereign Lord say, it is true that people say that the land eats people and that it robs the nation of its children. But from now on, it will no longer eat people and rob you of your children. i The Sovereign LORD have spoken. The land will no longer have to listen to the nations making fun of it, or see the peoples sneer at it. The land will no longer rob the nation of its children. i The Sovereign LORD have spoken.

Steve Webb 24:52
The Lord spoke to me, mortal man, he said when the Israelites were living in their land, they defiled it by the way they lived

Steve Webb 25:00
enacted, I regarded their behavior as being as ritually unclean as a woman is during her monthly period. I let them feel the force of my anger because of the murders they had committed in the land. And because of the idols by which they had defiled it, I condemn them for the way they lived and acted. And I scattered them through foreign countries. Wherever they went, they brought disgrace on My holy name, because people would say, these are the people of the Lord, but they had to leave his land. That made me concerned for my holy name, since the Israelites brought disgrace on it everywhere they went. Now then, give the Israelites the message that I, the Sovereign Lord have for them. What I’m going to do is not for the sake of you Israelites, but for the sake of my holy name, which You have disgraced in every country where you have gone. When I demonstrate to the nations the holiness of my great name, the name You disgraced among them, then they will know that I am the Lord. I, the Sovereign Lord has spoken. I will use you to show the nations that I am holy, I will take you from every nation and country and bring you back to your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you and make you clean from all your idols and everything else that is defiled you, I will give you a new heart and a new mind. I will take away your stubborn heart of stone and give you an obedient heart. I will put my spirit in you and will see to it that you follow my laws and keep all the commands I have given you, then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors, you will be my people and I will be your God. I will save you from everything that defiles you I will command the grain to be plentiful so that you will not have any more famines, I will increase the yield of your fruit trees and your fields so that there will be no more famines to disgrace you among the nations. You will remember your evil conduct and the wrongs that you committed and you will be disgusted with yourselves because of your sins and your iniquities. Israel, I want you to know that I’m not doing this for your sake. I want you to feel the shame and disgrace of what you’re doing. i The Sovereign LORD have spoken. The Sovereign Lord says, When I make you clean from all your sins, I will let you live in your cities again, and let you rebuild the ruins. Everyone who used to walk by your fields saw how overgrown and wild they were, but I will let you farm them again. Everyone will talk about how this land which was once a wilderness has become like the Garden of Eden, and how the cities which were torn down, looted and left in ruins, are now inhabited and fortified. Then the neighboring nations that have survived will know that I the LORD rebuild ruined cities and replant waste fields by the Lord have promised that I would do this and I will. The Sovereign LORD says I will once again let the Israelites ask me for help. And I will let them increase in numbers like a flock of sheep. The cities that are now in ruins will then be as full of people as Jerusalem was once full of the sheep which were offered as sacrifices at a festival, then they will know that I am the Lord.

Steve Webb 28:10
Have you noticed a recurring phrase here? And as EQ? If you haven’t, then you haven’t been listening? Yeah, it’s God saying then they will know that I am the Lord. One of the time tested successful teaching methods is repetition. Right? Right.

Steve Webb 28:28
The more often you hear information, the more likely it is that you’ll remember it. The more often you repeat a skill, the better you’ll get at performing that skill, then they will know that I am the Lord or sometimes God says, then you will know that I am the Lord. Time and time again. God says this. Why? Why does he put so much emphasis on this phrase? Why does he need to have us know that He is God? Is it an ego thing? Does he need to be the most popular guy in the universe? Is he going for the most likes? Let’s think for a moment about what we know about his plan. We know that before anything was created, I am no not me, but God. And I didn’t misspeak not God was God is outside of time. He is always past, present and future. That’s why when Jesus talked to himself, he said, I am. So before anything was created, God exists. Because he’s the God of creation. He created the universe and all that’s in it, and he created us mankind. Why did he do that? Because God is also love. God wanted to love his creation and be loved by his creation. And because love involves choice or freewill. Mankind was given the ability to choose to love or reject God. God is wholly imperfect. By definition, he’s without sin.

Steve Webb 30:00
sin causes a separation from God, mankind chose to sin. So God’s desire to have a loving relationship with men necessitated a way for the sin problem to be dealt with.

Steve Webb 30:14
Another of God’s characteristics is justice. He is a just God. He therefore could not ignore the sin. There had to be a way for the sin to be acknowledged by and answered for or made reparation for, or punished.

Steve Webb 30:31
Well, Steve, you say if God is love, why couldn’t he just ignore the sin? Why couldn’t you just forgive without demanding punishment? Well, there are at least two reasons. The first is because of the Justice part of God that we’ve already mentioned. The second is that ignoring sin is not love.

Steve Webb 30:51
If, as a father, I told my toddler to stay out of the street, knowing that a car might come along and run him over. And then I saw him wander into the street, willingly ignoring me. Would it be love for me to ignore his disobedience? I don’t think so. So God made a way for mankind sin to be dealt with. The ultimate act of love was for God’s only son, to take the sin of the world on himself. And he paid the price for my sin. And for years, he was put to the most cruel death that mankind has yet devised. And then on the third day, he was raised from death to life. Why? So that they would know that I am the Lord, over and over again throughout the centuries, God’s message is, I am the Lord. Why, so that we will know who he is? And what he has done in order to bring us into a loving relationship with Him?

Steve Webb 31:51
Have you accepted God’s gift of forgiveness? Do you know without a shadow of a doubt that you’ll spend eternity in heaven? Hoping that your good deeds will outweigh your bad deeds is not the answer, you can’t earn your way to heaven? One sin disqualifies you. The wages of sin is death. But Jesus died so that you don’t have to. He offers forgiveness for all of your sins, but you have to accept that gift. A gift does no good unless you accept it right? You can look at that pretty box. But unless you accept it, open it and possess it. It isn’t really yours is it? That’s what you have to do with the forgiveness Jesus offers you. How do you do it? A simple prayer is all it takes. If you believe what Jesus said of himself, if you believe that He died for your sins, if you believe that He is the Son of God and lived a sinless life, that he died on the cross and was raised again on the third day, and you want him to be your Lord and Savior, you just have to ask him. If you haven’t done that, now’s a great time to do it. There’s no time like the present because tomorrow is not guaranteed to anyone. My recent heart issues kind of underscored that to me. If you’d like to begin your relationship with Jesus, now, you can do that. Pray this prayer with me. You can pray out loud or in the quietness of your heart.

Steve Webb 33:16
Pray this, Jesus, I want to follow you. I know that I’m a sinner. And I’m sorry. I turned for my sins now. And I asked you to forgive me.

Steve Webb 33:28
I know that you died in my place, and that you rose from death on the third day. Jesus, come into my life now and be my Lord and my Savior. Make me the person you want me to be. I give You my life now. Amen. If you prayed that prayer, and you meant it, then congratulations, you’re now a child of God. Christianity is not about a religion. It’s about a relationship and your newest best relationship has now begun. There is rejoicing in heaven right now because of your decision.

Steve Webb 34:04
Now I want to help you get a great start with God. I’d like to send you a copy of the new believers Bible at no charge. It’s the New Living Translation, which I like very much, and it’s full of hundreds of notes written by Greg Laurie of harvest ministries. If you prayed that prayer, send me an email at Steve at Lifespring media.com. And I’ll send it right out to you. I just need your name and address and I won’t share your information with anybody. And I won’t put you on a mailing list. I just want you to have this Bible so that you can get started on the right foot. And again, there’s no charge. Steve at Lifespring media.com. So what are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your comments. Go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 198. And tomorrow we’ll read Luke 21 and 22 boost

Steve Webb 34:56
on last Saturday’s episode Luke 19 through 20

Steve Webb 35:00
During the on this date segment, I told you that it was the birthday of the German hymn writer Paul Gearhart, who wrote the hymn Oh, Sacred Head now wounded. Well, Kirsty commented on the show notes page there that her favorite version of this song is for hymns recording, and she posted a Spotify link to the song. Well, since there are probably one or two of you that don’t have a Spotify account, I posted a YouTube video of the song on the show notes page for that episode. If you’d like to hear that him just go to Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 192. And Kirsty thank you for sharing. Oh, and by the way, if you enjoyed the Keith green song from the Colossians one and two episode, I posted a video of a live performance Keith did on the show notes page for that episode Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 193. I was blessed to be able to see Keith in person I think three times if I remember right. It’s been a few years. I remember seeing him once at Calvary Chapel, Costa Mesa and I think twice at Knott’s Berry Farm. at knots. He spent more time preaching than singing and usually when an artist does this, I’m like I came to hear you sing. But when Keith preached what he said was so good. I didn’t mind a bit. Golly, I miss him. I’m looking forward to hanging with Him in Heaven.

Steve Webb 36:23
Pleased to gray got a couple of booster grants from Sean of San Pedro.

Steve Webb 36:29
On the Leviticus 13 through 15 Episode Sean said on Monday show did you go from no comment that stuff is gross to check out how beautifully these ancient sacrifices foreshadow the way Christ died for us. Impressive. I gotta say I found it interesting how easily someone could get into an unclean state. I used to think that it was a rare, horrible thing for them. Hearing this again helped clear that up. Well, Sean, thank you for the booster gram. And for your comments there. And I’m glad things are clear for you now, for that booster gram Sean said 1000 SATs from the fountain app. And then on the Proverbs 11 and 12, a truncated episode from yesterday, Shawn sent 101 SATs from the fountain app. And he said amazing effort. I’m glad to see you were well enough for the episode. We’re praying for your healing and for the consistent rhythm to be restored. Thank you, Sean. For the prayers. I appreciate it in in like I’ve already said, I thank everybody for praying for me. As you know, I’ve promised to get a new episode out for you every day. And I really feel like I’ve let you down if I don’t get an episode out. So I do everything I can with God’s help to make that happen.

Steve Webb 37:44
Let’s have some fun. This is episode number 198 of the 12th season of the Lifespring family Audio Bible. So Sunday’s episode will be number 200. Now that’s pretty cool. But episode 202 will be on Tuesday, which will be March 22 In the year 2022. So let’s do something fun to mark number 202. How about a special donation, donate just $2 and I’ll thank you one show 202 Donate $22 And I’ll thank you on the show. Plus, I’ll send you a PDF copy of my book webs easy Bible names pronunciation guide, donate 202 And I’ll thank you on the show. I’ll send you a PDF of my book and I’ll send you a signed copy of the paperback version of the book. And that are not that that there, you’ll get an executive producer ship on show 202 Now, I’m going to be recording episode 202 On Monday the 21st. So you’ll need to get your donation in by 4pm. Pacific time on Monday, March 21 2022. That’s the cutoff time show number 202 of the 12th season, march 2220 22. That’s never going to happen again so be a part of it.

Steve Webb 39:18
On this date in church history, march 18 1789, British gymnast Charlotte Eliot was born. She was an invalid during her last 50 years but she pinned 150 hymns of which the best known is just as I am. I believe that hymn was sung at every single Billy Graham crusade and I’ve got a recording of Johnny Cash singing that song on the show notes page for today. You can find that at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 198. And yes, I’m a big Johnny Cash fan have been since my earliest musical memories

Steve Webb 40:06
Let’s pray show me, our heavenly Father, You are the God of eternity past, present and future. We know that You are the Lord. Nothing exists without you. You hold it all in the palm of your hand. When we try to comprehend all that you are we fall infinitely short. We’re so limited, so finite, so small. And yet, and yet you know us, You created us. There’s nothing about us that escapes your attention. And yet, and yet you love us. Us. It’s almost too much to fathom. Why, how? But you do. Thank you, Lord, thank you. Words are too weak, but they’re all we have. We praise you, Lord, we worship you. We give ourselves to you. Help us, Lord, to be everything you created us for. Forgive us where we fail you and shape us all you want. We do know that You are the Lord and because you love us, we know that we can be in no better hands. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. If you have a prayer request or a praise, please go to prayer dot Lifespring media.com. And let me know you can put any information you want there. And if you want to remain anonymous, you can do that too. Prayer dot Lifespring media.com This is a family this is the Lifespring family and family shares.

Steve Webb 41:44
Please do go to the show notes page and leave a comment show notes page for today is Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 198. And you can email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com. Support the show if you find any value in it. Go to Lifespring media.com/support to learn more. And until tomorrow may God bless you richly. Thank you for being here. My name is Steve Webb. Thanks again for your prayers. Bye

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