Our reading today is Job 5-6. After that I’ll have some comments on chapter six. I’ve been a bit long-winded on the last couple episodes, so today’s comments are shorter. Then we’ll do our “On This Day In Church History” segment, after which we have some prayer requests and praises.

Last week we read the beginning of Eliphaz’s remarks to Job, in which he basically said that obviously Job is suffering because there is some sin in his life, and God is punishing him. 

In today’s reading, among other things, Eliphaz continues his oh-so-helpful-and-compassionate statements by saying how happy Job should be, since God is correcting him. And he concludes by saying that he and his friends are speaking from having studied these things for a long time, and that Job ought to just accept it.

Well there you go. So much for flowers and a get well card. It’s amazing how hurtful some people can be when someone they know suffers some sort of calamity. Listen. When a friend of yours is hurting or sick or has suffered some sort of loss, don’t try to make this a teaching moment; that is not being a friend. 

The best thing you can do is just be with them. Sit with them. Pray with and for them. Bring them a meal. Just love them. 

After Eliphaz has his say Job has to say something. 

And oh my goodness. Job’s despair is palpable, isn’t it? His physical pain is unbearable, but that’s only part of the pain he is suffering. His spirit is broken, too. 

He had to sit and listen as his so-called friend said that he must have done something to deserve the calamities that have befallen him, and in the words we read today, he shows that he feels as if he has become a target for God’s wrath. Remember Jesus’ words on the cross? “My God, my God! Why have you forsaken me?” Such hopelessness and utter despair.

Next week we will read more of what Job said in response to Eliphaz. They are heartbreaking words.

Almost exactly thirteen years ago, I interviewed my friend Kenny Metcalf. Kenny was the keyboard player for the band Stryper back in the 80s. As a matter of fact, Kenny was the guy who shared the Gospel with the members of the band, before they were known as Stryper, and brought them to Christ. 

A few years after he left the band, Kenny was stricken with an autoimmune disease that caused sores all over his body, literally from the top of his head to the bottoms of his feet. He truly had a Job-like experience. 

In the interview, we talked about his early life, how he knew the guys who would become the band Stryper, his touring with the band, his disease, how he praised God even as he was near death, and how God healed him.

If you would like to hear the interview, just go to kenny.lifespringmedia.com. I also videotaped the interview, and have much of it on YouTube. I’ll remind you that this was thirteen years ago, so the video quality is not great, but you might enjoy watching. The interview had to be broken up into several segments because back then YouTube wouldn’t let you post long videos. If you want to see the videos, I’ll have the links on the show notes page for this episode. 

Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 5-6 GNT

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Lifespring! One Year Bible Rewind — S3E017

In today’s episode, we reflect on crying out to God as we read Psalms 6–8. I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. These psalms guide us through real emotional and spiritual valleys. They remind us that the Christian life includes sorrow, confusion, trust, hope, and finally worship. As we move through them, we see the beautiful movement from distress, to trust, to praise.

In Psalm 6, David cries out from a place of deep exhaustion. He is drained physically, mentally, and spiritually. However, he still brings his pain before the Lord. He does not polish his words, and he does not pretend to be strong. Instead, he simply comes as he is. This psalm reminds us that God hears us even when we don’t know how to pray. The sigh, the tear, the wordless “Lord, please…” is still prayer. And God receives it.

Next, Psalm 7 shows David turning to God when he is falsely accused. David does not rush to defend himself or strike back. Rather, he trusts that God sees every motive, every hidden thought, and every injustice. As a result, he is free to lay the situation in God’s hands. This psalm teaches us that we do not need to carry the burden of proving ourselves. God sees what others cannot see. And He will act in His time.

Finally, in Psalm 8, David lifts his eyes to the greatness of God. After the tears of Psalm 6 and the strain of Psalm 7, he steps into worship. Moreover, this psalm reminds us that worship reshapes our perspective. When we remember the glory of God, our fears shrink, our anxieties quiet, and our hearts find rest. Worship is not escape — it is clarity.

Altogether, these psalms show a full life of prayer: honesty, trust, and worship. God invites us to come to Him as we are, to trust Him with what we cannot control, and to remember His greatness in all things.

If something stood out to you today, I’d love to hear from you. Share your thoughts at comment.lifespringmedia.com.

For today’s passages, you can follow along here:

Lifespring! One Year Bible Rewind — S3E016

In today’s episode, we focus on “By this everyone will know” as we read Joshua 11–15. I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. Today we watch Israel finish key battles and begin to settle the land God promised. As a result, the story turns from conquest to community, from fighting to faithful, everyday life with God and with one another.

In Joshua 11 (CEV), enemy kings unite against Israel. However, God strengthens Joshua, and God wins the battles by His power. Therefore, the path into the land opens before God’s people. Next, Joshua 12 (NET) records the defeated kings and the specific territories. Moreover, the list reminds us that God’s promises are concrete, not abstract—rooted in places, people, and history.

Then in Joshua 13–15 (NET), Joshua and the leaders divide the land among the tribes. Meanwhile, each boundary marks identity, belonging, and responsibility. Additionally, the inheritance is not a trophy; it is a calling to live as a light among the nations. So, the real work is love—practical, humble, steady love within the family of God.

Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) Therefore, our witness rests not on our victories or our platforms but on our life together. When we walk with Him, we grow in patience, forgiveness, and kindness. When we turn inward, we lose our way. Ultimately, the world recognizes Christ when believers love one another well.

Translation notes: Joshua 11 is read from the CEV. Joshua 12–15 are read from the NET. For today’s passages, you can follow along here:

If something stood out to you today, I’d love to hear from you. Share your thoughts at comment.lifespringmedia.com.

Lifespring! One Year Bible Rewind — S3E015

In this episode, we revisit Genesis 8–11 in the Lifespring! One Year Bible Rewind. I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. Today we see the aftermath of the Flood, God’s covenant promise in the rainbow, the growth of the nations, and humanity’s attempt to build its own legacy apart from God at the Tower of Babel. As we read, we are reminded that God’s purposes remain steady, even when human hearts stray.

In Genesis 8 (ESV), God remembers Noah, and the waters begin to recede. Then, Noah waits patiently, sending out first a raven and then a dove. When the dove returns with a fresh olive leaf, it becomes a quiet sign of hope and restoration. As a result, Noah responds with worship and gratitude.

Next, in Genesis 9 and 10 (HCSB), God blesses Noah and his family and renews the call to “be fruitful and multiply.” Moreover, God sets the covenant sign of the rainbow. It is a visible promise that He will never again destroy the earth with a flood. However, sin remains in the heart of humanity. Furthermore, chapter 10 shows the growth and spread of families into nations throughout the earth. Therefore, these chapters show both renewal and the persistent reality of human weakness.

Next, in Genesis 11 (GNT), humanity shares one language and one common culture. However, instead of using their unity to honor God, they attempt to make a name for themselves. As a result, they begin building a tower to reach the heavens. Therefore, God intervenes. He confuses their language and scatters them across the earth. Meanwhile, humanity learns that pride leads away from God. Consequently, the nations form by God’s design rather than by human ambition.

Altogether, these chapters reveal two truths: God is faithful to His promises, and human pride always leads us away from Him. When we walk with Him, we find blessing and peace. When we turn inward, we lose our way. For this reason, we are called to seek His glory above our own.

If something stood out to you today, I’d love to hear from you. Share your thoughts at comment.lifespringmedia.com.

For today’s passages, you can follow along here:

Our reading today is Romans. After that I’ll have some comments. Then we’ll do our “On This Day In Church History” segment, and we have a couple prayer requests.

Where to begin? Entire books have been written in mining all the truths found in Romans. Whenever I sit down to try to come up with comments to share on any chapter of Romans, I feel like I’m trying to fill a cup from a fire hose. So you’ll have to forgive me if I don’t address the finer points. I have to grab just a tiny bit and go with that, in the hopes that you’ll thirst for more and do some studying on your own. Also, you are welcome to comment on the show notes page for this and every episode, or send comments to me at comment.lifespringmedia.com.

So for today’s discussion, I’m going to look at verse 6: “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

Let’s break that down. “For when we were still without strength…” How great is God’s love for us? When we could do nothing on our own, when we were ungodly, when we were sinners, God made a way for us. We could offer nothing, nor did we even have a desire to make our way to Him. God’s love is the entire reason for sending Jesus.

“in due time…” God is never early, God is never late. God is always exactly on time, every time. At just the right time, God sent His son. Galatians 4:4-5 says, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.” 

All the pieces were in place for the coming of the Messiah. Spiritually, the world was ready. Enough time had elapsed for people to see that the Law could not save us. All the Law did was demonstrate that we could not uphold it. Linguistically the world was ready. Language had developed to the point that the ideas necessary to communicate God’s plan could be conveyed to a large enough population that the message could be spread. Plus the world was ready politically, philosophically and geographically. Every piece was in place.

Let’s read the verse again: “For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

“…Christ died for the ungodly.” “…for the ungodly.” The Greek word translated for is huper. It means “for the sake of, in behalf of, instead of.” Christ died for the sake of, in behalf of, instead of insert your name here. 

Charles Spurgeon was probably the greatest preacher of the nineteenth century, or even up until today. 

Here are a few of his words about “the ungodly”.

“You will say, ‘Oh, I am one of the worst in the world.’ Christ died for the worst in the world. ‘Oh, but I have no power to be better.’ Christ died for those that were without strength. ‘Oh, but my case condemns itself.’ Christ died for those that legally are condemned. ‘Ay, but my case is hopeless.’ Christ died for the hopeless. He is the hope of the hopeless. He is the Savior not of those partly lost, but of the wholly lost.”

“If Christ died for the ungodly, this fact leaves the ungodly no excuse if they do not come to him, and believe in him unto salvation. Had it been otherwise they might have pleaded, ‘We are not fit to come.’ But you are ungodly, and Christ died for the ungodly, why not for you?”

Indeed. Why not for you?

Ok, so there was a lot of talk of sin in today’s reading. Before I give my thoughts on the reading, maybe we should define the term. 

What is sin? Sin is a word we don’t hear much in our culture today, much less in our churches. I think part of the reason is that we don’t want to make people feel bad, and we don’t want those steeped in today’s culture to think we’re narrow-minded or judgmental or phobic or racist.

Well my friend, sin is a subject that God is not afraid to talk about, and it’s something important enough that He sent His son to Earth to die so that the result of sin would not keep you and me from having an eternity in His presence.

What is it? 

Sin is breaking God’s Law. Sin is falling short of God’s perfection. It is failing to be holy and clean and righteous. It is rebellion against God.

With perfection as the standard, we can see how hopeless our plight is to earn the eternal life that we so desire. How in the world can anyone ever make it? Exactly. Without Jesus, we are sunk. And the realization of that fact is the beginning of salvation. Let’s turn now to some comment on today’s reading.

In chapter six Paul is addressing believers.   

Paraphrasing Romans 6:6, Paul says, “We know that our old life, our old sinful self, was nailed to the cross with Christ. And so the power of sin that held us was destroyed. Sin is no longer our boss.” 

You see, before we joined ourselves with Jesus, before we gave ourselves to Him and asked Him to be our Lord and save us, we had no choice but to sin. Other translations use the words “…we should no longer be slaves to sin…” A slave has no choice but to obey his or her master. Before, we had to sin. But now, our relationship to sin is no longer that of master and slave.

Then verse 12 says, “So do not let sin have power over your body here on earth. You must not obey the body and let it do what it wants to do.”

Notice the language here. “…do not let sin have power over your body…”.  If I let something happen, that means that I have a choice. 

Is it really possible that I have a choice? Of course it is. How?  Because we now belong to Christ, we are no longer slaves to sin. 

In verse 14, Paul said, “For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” What is grace? We defined sin, so we should define grace. In a nutshell, grace is not receiving the judgement that I deserve, but instead receiving forgiveness that I cannot earn. Long articles have been written about grace, but in the interest of the format of this podcast, this abbreviated definition will do.

In chapter seven, Paul will address the reality that even with the best intentions, we still sin. Are we doomed? 

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 5 NKJV, Ch. 6 NLV

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

It Is Written sets today’s theme. In Matthew 3, John the Baptist emerges after centuries of silence, calling the people to repent because the kingdom of heaven is near. In Matthew 4, Jesus responds to temptation not by force of will, but by using Scripture. Each time the enemy tests Him, Jesus answers with the same phrase: “It is written.”

In this episode, we read Matthew 3–4, reflect on John’s message and Jesus’ victory in the wilderness, and remember God’s movement in history in our OTDICH segment.

John the Baptist came as a prophet after 400 years of silence from God. His appearance was simple, his message direct: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Many believed and were baptized. Jesus comes to the Jordan, and the Father affirms Him as the Spirit descends. Identity, mission, and love are revealed together.

Immediately afterward, the Spirit leads Jesus into the wilderness. After forty days of fasting, Satan tempts Him. But Jesus responds to each temptation with Scripture — not emotion or argument. His repetition of “It is written” teaches us how to stand firm when we face pressure, discouragement, or deceit.

The Christian life is a spiritual battle, and Scripture is our primary weapon. In Ephesians 6:11–17, Paul describes the armor of God. Only one piece is offensive — the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

Reading the Word daily, meditating on it, and storing it in our hearts prepares us to stand firm when it matters.

On November 1, 1904, a prayer meeting led by Evan Roberts in Wales sparked what would become the Welsh Revival. People confessed sin, reconciled relationships, and sought God with renewed intensity. Taverns closed for lack of customers, crime rates fell, and worship overflowed into the streets.

It didn’t start with programs.

Learn more: Welsh Revival Overview

Comment: comment.lifespringmedia.com

Tomorrow’s reading: Romans 5–6

Title: Hope in the Midst of Judgment — Isaiah 7–11

Focus Keyword: Hope in the Midst of Judgment

In today’s episode of Lifespring! One Year Bible Rewind, we look at hope in the midst of judgment as Isaiah speaks to a nation that feels surrounded by fear and confusion. Armies are gathering. Leaders are wavering. Everyday people wonder if God is still with them. Yet even in the middle of that stress, God speaks a word of comfort. He reminds His people that He has not abandoned them.

Isaiah announces warnings, but he also announces promise. Judgment is coming, yet God’s covenant love remains. The people may feel overwhelmed, but God is still working out His plan. Even when the world looks dark, His redemption continues to move forward.

Isaiah also points toward the coming Messiah. This Messiah will rule with justice, compassion, and peace. He will not be controlled by human power structures. Instead, He will show us how God leads, heals, restores, and makes wrong things right.

So, when our world feels heavy or unstable, Isaiah reminds us to look to the Lord. He is not shaken. He is not overwhelmed. He does not step back. Rather, He calls us to trust Him fully, because His purposes stand firm.

Read Isaiah 7–11 at BibleGateway

If this episode encouraged you, please help keep the show going through prayer, sharing, streaming sats, or giving. Visit support.lifespringmedia.com for details. Thank you!

Share your thoughts at comment.lifespringmedia.com or email st***@*************ia.com. I’d love to hear from you.

In this episode, we explore Suffering and Faith in Job 3–4. Job finally speaks from deep pain and grief, while Eliphaz answers with a tidy explanation that misses the heart. Therefore, we listen carefully to lament, and we learn to comfort with presence rather than quick conclusions.

Read the passage on BibleGateway.com.

Job 3: The dam breaks. Job does not curse God; however, he curses the day he was born. Honest lament is not unbelief. Rather, it is pain brought into God’s light. Moreover, Scripture shows that God allows grief and questions. Because He is near to the brokenhearted, we can speak plainly and still turn toward Him.

Job 4: Eliphaz starts kindly, yet he soon implies a simple formula: the innocent prosper and the guilty suffer. That sounds neat; nevertheless, it ignores what God has said about Job. Suffering is not always punishment. Therefore, when a friend hurts, love first. Comfort before you diagnose. And be slow to explain what only God sees clearly.

Today we remember Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German pastor and theologian whose witness joined courage with conviction. His life and writings have strengthened believers to hold fast under pressure. Learn more at Britannica.

Submit your praise report or prayer request at lifespringmedia.com/prayer.

Our reading today is Psalms 3 through 5, I’ll give you some of my thoughts on those chapters, and then, there’s the “On This Day In Church History” segment, and we will have some “Prayer Requests” at the end of the show.

Selah is a word that is most found in the book of Psalms. Habakkuk is the only other book in which it appears, but only three times. Here in Psalms it occurs 71 times.

But what does it mean?

I would love to give you a definite definition, but the truth is that we don’t know! But here’s what scholars surmise.

The Hebrew word calah seems to be related to selah, and it means “to hang” or “to measure or weigh in the balances.” Job says, when speaking of wisdom, “The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold” (Job 28:19). The word translated “valued” in that sentence is the Hebrew word calah. Job is saying that wisdom is beyond comparing even with jewels, and when weighed in the balance against wisdom, the finest jewels cannot equal its value.

Another thought about the meaning of selah is that it comes from two Hebrew words: s_lah, which means “to praise”, and s_lal, which means “to lift up”.

And another idea is that selah comes from the Hebrew salah, which means “to pause”. The Psalms were written as songs, so perhaps this is a musical notation which told the musicians to pause. Maybe to take a breath. Maybe to sing a cappella. Maybe for an instrumental interlude. Could be they were to stop and praise God and/or lift their hands in worship. If this interpretation is true, all of the mentioned meanings combined would make perfect sense. 

Interestingly, the Amplified Bible adds “pause and calmly think about that” when the word selah appears. 

So when we see the word as we are reading the Bible, we should stop and meditate on what we have just read, lifting our hearts to praise God. Selah!

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 3-5 HCSB

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

In this episode, Trumpets, Trouble, and Triumph — Joshua 6–10, Steve Webb reads the dramatic account of Jericho’s fall, Ai’s defeat, Israel’s repentance, and Joshua’s long day when the sun stood still. Therefore, faith and obedience move to the front. Moreover, hidden sin brings real trouble, yet repentance invites God’s help. Finally, through every turn, the Lord fights for His people.

For quick reference, read the passage on BibleGateway.com.

First, Jericho shows that God’s strategies may seem strange. Yet His wisdom stands. The people march, the priests blow the ram’s horns, and the walls fall. Next, Achan’s theft exposes how private sin hurts everyone. Because he hid the devoted things, Israel suffers a painful loss at Ai. Afterward, repentance leads to a second chance. Joshua follows the Lord’s plan, and the army wins decisively. Meanwhile, at Gibeon, the Lord defends His people and extends the day. So the lesson is clear: trust God’s word, even when the path looks unusual.

John Wycliffe (d. 1384), often called the “Morning Star of the Reformation,” urged that Scripture be available in the language of the people. Because he trained readers to go straight to the Bible, his influence spread far beyond his life. Learn more at Britannica.

Therefore, walk by faith even when obedience looks odd. Moreover, deal with sin quickly and completely. Because God stands with those who seek Him, we can move from trouble to triumph with courage, humility, and hope. So consider one clear step of obedience you can take today.

Submit your praise report or prayer request at lifespringmedia.com/prayer. For comments, visit comment.lifespringmedia.com. To support the show, go to lifespringmedia.com/support. Additionally, keep reading the passage on BibleGateway and share the episode with a friend.