>> Alex McFarland: The Bible. It's the word of God. Sharper than any two edged sword. This sacred book is living and active and contains all that's needed for life and godliness.

>> Bert Harper: Stay with American Family Radio for the.

>> Alex McFarland: Next hour as we study God's word and take your Bible questions.

Tuesday is the day of prayer and we make priority to prayer

Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Bert Harper: It is Tuesday and it's exploring the word that means it's the day of prayer. We're looking forward to this and it's become a very important day for us as we get to hear your prayer request and many times praises. So praises are accepted as well. So we're looking forward to that. That will be in the last segment. We have three segments. The first two we go through the word of God and today we're going to be in 2 Timothy chapter 3. But the last segment, we, call, we take calls and on Tuesdays we make priority to, prayer. That doesn't mean you can't ask a question, but it may mean that somebody may call in after you and have a prayer request and we move them up. That's the way we do it on Tuesday. Alex, I love how this happened. If you remember, there was a lady who called and said, you know, our election is in 2024 is going to be on a Tuesday and months before said, why don't we pray on Tuesday? And we did that all the way up to the election day. And then guess what? It became so important to us. We said, let's keep it around and do it every Tuesday, even after the election.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, just like we have, you know, questions on Friday, we have prayer on Tuesday. And so later on we'll open that up. And, you know, yesterday, Bert, as we were wrapping up second Timothy, chapter two, and then it gets into chapter three, and it describes rough times in history so that we need prayer. I mean, we couldn't do without prayer. And the fortunate thing is that prayer changes things. Prayer works, doesn't it?

>> Bert Harper: Amen. You know what it does for me, more than anything, it changes me. And I'm not just saying that. It really. I've prayed for things. After I had prayed for them and listened to them, I said, okay, Lord, that. That is completely selfish. That is completely something. And the, Lord has, has changed me through the word of God and through prayer. And then I would say him using difficulties in my life to make me who I am. And so, yes, the good things help. They do. Praise God, the individuals help. But praise the Lord. Prayer is a vital part of that. And in perilous times. We need to pray. Alex, let me read now. Let me warn folks, there's 18 different words or phrases that describe these perilous times. Now, if we went through every one of those and gave you a word study on every one, we would be in this for about, two weeks. Because each one of them, I was looking at them and they're very, I would say clear, but needs some explaining. So we're going to pick some of them and. But you can listen to all of them. Let me read chapter three. And I'm going to read all the way down through, through verse five. Here it says, but know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come. You can translate that. Difficult, terrible, got a lot of words that describe these perilous days. It says, for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers without self control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure, rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Now listen to this last line, and it tells you something. And from such people, turn away. Now, Alex, we've always had these kind of people, okay? And really the last days is always referring to the time that Jesus, you know, as he ascended and went back to the Lord. And then the Pentecost happened. The church was Birthed on that day. We've been living in the last days. That's the phrase that is used. But we're living in the last of the last days. So in these.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, I think so.

>> Bert Harper: So in these Last days, these 18 have always been with us. But according to scripture, it grows worse and worse as you see the day approaching. So all of these things could be seen in every generation. But as the generations get closer to the coming of the Lord, they become multiplied, don't they?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, they really do. And, Bert, you know, whenever I read second Timothy three, well, really the whole chapter, but especially second Timothy three one through seven, Bert, it reminds me of Romans 1, 1832, and it basically talks about how there's this downward slide of a culture that rejects God and truth. And it really starts with pride and ingratitude. You know, grievous or perilous times will come. Men should be lovers of their own selves. And that's narcissism. And, Bert, I really think Satan was the original narcissist, you know.

>> Bert Harper: Yes.

>> Alex McFarland: It was all about him. And, Isaiah 14 talks about he wanted to ascend above the throne of God. And you, you look at all of this carnality. Covetous, boasters, proud blasphemers. In other words, slandering the name of God, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy. Now, you notice in second, Timothy three, two, one of the, it starts the dominoes falling in gratitude. And, that's in Romans 1 as well. And you know, Bert, we've got so much to be grateful for, not the least of which is just life itself. I mean, God didn't have to create us. We didn't have to exist. And yet we've been given the gift of life. And I think there are a lot of people today, not only did they not know Jesus, they don't even know about life itself.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, could. It could not be more true than what you just said. But I want to notice this. There's three times. And here I am, I'm going to notice it, that something is repeated.

Lovers of themselves, lovers of money, unloving. Unthankful. Narcissistic

Lovers of themselves, lovers of money, unloving. But then in the last part, it says lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. In other words, where is your heart? What are you living for? This is the, whole time, this is what they were living for. They were living for pleasure. Now, there's nothing wrong with loving God and then having pleasure that is Godly. And honestly, praise God for that. Yes, but seeking pleasure at Your own expense. There's a price to pay. But here, lovers of themselves. When you start out that way and it's. It's you, you become your own God. And, and things become something that you attain. And people are people that you use. You know what I mean? When you love yourselves like that, you use people. And this is what happens. Lovers of themselves, they make themselves. And it's a little g, but they make themselves God. And, it's all about me. You stumble. Narcissistic. Yes, Satan was. But there's a lot of other people, and it's all about them. And so here it is, all these words. And every one of them is. Is really painful. And I liked what you said about gratitude. Unthankful. all of these. When you. When you become lovers of yourselves, guess what you're going to be. You're going to be unthankful. that just goes with the territory, doesn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it does.

In verse four, lovers of pleasures are more than lovers of God

And, let's talk about words a little bit.

>> Bert Harper: that's your thing, man. You do a great job. I hit it. I want to hear what you say.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, in verse four, lovers of pleasures, more than lovers of God. And the word there. And many people might have heard the word is hedonism. To be hedonistic. H E D O N I S T I C Hedonistic. That just means your God is pleasure. And, you know, we're living in a very hedonistic culture. I mean, you look at the grocery, store and, you know, in the checkout line will be Cosmopolitan magazine. That really, if you just saw the COVID of that magazine, you would think for the females of the Western world, promiscuity is their God. You know, sex. And then when there is, you know, a pregnancy, then abortion. All right, now here's the thing. The word there, lovers of pleasure. And it doesn't mean joy and happiness and just the blessings of life. That, you know, there are many pleasures that are not immoral. But the word there is a form of the word hedonistic. It's basically phile. Adonis. Now, phileo is a Greek word for love. Adonis. you've heard sometimes, like a handsome young man. But a handsome young man with no morals is called an adonis. That's a Canaanite word that goes back to time immemorial. And it, It's a Canaanite word for Lord Hedonis. Hedonism is a version of the word hedonis. Then we use the word adonis and here's my point. It's an ancient word that basically means immorality and worldly pleasures are your Lord. And that is not the life that knows the true and living Savior. That is not the kind of life characteristic of one controlled by the Holy Spirit. And Bert, I think our Lord is evident by what makes us happy and what we desire. Would you agree?

>> Bert Harper: I agree fully, Alex. And contra, they stand opposed rather than. So this, you know, that rather than put some comparison, but puts them opposed to one another. In other words, if you're seeking this, deceitful pleasure, hedonistic lifestyle, then I want to tell you the real God. God the Creator, the Redeemer, he's left out. But guess what they want to do? They want to have religion, a form of godliness, but denying its power. In other words, they want to their form. Let me try to say this. I want to make sure I get it right. They want their form of religion to that they pick and choose, coming under no authority except their own. Now, what does this mean with finishing up where you said lovers of pleasure start out with lovers of themselves. And where does it end? It ends with a form of godliness. In other words, they're going to form, man's going to be religious. Atheist. Atheist. That's atheism is their religion for them. so they're going to have a religion. They're going to be something that they, bow to, if you want to put it that way, that they succumb to. It may be their own lifestyle, but here it is. It starts out with lovers of themselves and it finishes up with. Yeah, but they're very religious, but they deny the power. Now, what is the power? It's Jesus Christ, but it's also the power to change. I'm no longer starting out with lovers of. Of myself. I've been bought with a price. Therefore, I glorify God in my body and I have Jesus Christ as Lord. Guess what? When you do that and make Jesus the first thing on your list, everything that follows there in verses two, three and four changes. Now, again, we still have that carnal nature, but we do not run to it, Alex. we run to Christ. So if you don't start out right, lovers of yourselves, look what. Look what follows. You catch what I'm saying?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, I'm telling you, I'm telling you. But interestingly, religion goes on having a form of godliness, but no power. In other words, empty, vacuous, no substance.

Alex: Verse 6 says we turn away from believers. In other words, we don't participate

And so, I want to talk a little bit about verse six.

>> Bert Harper: Well, let me say this one more time. Not what do you do? What's our response to such things as believers? We turn away. In other words, the idea is we don't participate. You catch? I, just wanted to make sure. Yeah. It says, come out from among them and be separate. Seth, the Lord, that this is an area we do not run to those excesses. We don't go there. I'm sorry, Alex, but no important phrase.

>> Alex McFarland: And I want to hear how does, I've got the King James. How does your, translation render verse 6?

>> Bert Harper: For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women, loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able come to the knowledge of the truth. Verse 7.

>> Alex McFarland: We'll talk more about that after the break.

Preborn has helped save 38,000 babies this year

This is Exploring the Word with Bert Harper and Alex McFarland. We're going to take your prayer request today. We'll continue looking at God's Word, but when we also come back, we want to hear from you with this things to pray about. Also Bible questions, if you've got those as well. Stay tuned. Exploring the Word is back after this.

>> Bert Harper: I want you to picture this. Her name is Kayla. She is 17, alone, terrified and pregnant. Sitting in the clinic, tears blurring, thinking abortion is her only option until she was offered a free ultrasound, paid for by a hero just like you. The moment Kayla heard her baby's heartbeat, the decision was made. And today, her little baby boy, Gabriel is thriving because her preborn walked with Kayla every step of the way. Now multiply that by 38,000. That's how many babies preborn has helped save just this year. How many mothers preborn has come alongside with practical and spiritual resources to make motherhood possible. Possible. But here's the most important thing you will hear today. Their goal is to save 70,000 by the end of the year. And they can't do it without us. Every $28 provides the ultrasound the moment everything changes. Will you be the reason the next Kayla chooses life? The reason Gabriel fulfills his destiny? To donate. Dial £250 and say the key word baby. That's £250, baby. Or donate [email protected] afr that's preborn.com afr Do you remember oh, those lonely nights when he took the road that you couldn't make right and every tear that you cry every broken prayer you pray he turned it for good he lets.

>> Alex McFarland: Nothing go your way.

Alex Martin Farley: It's a time to pray. It really is. Burt Harper: Amen

Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Alex Martin Farley, Burt Harper here and so honored that you're listening to the American Family Radio Network. We are in second Timothy, chapter three. How many? Give the number because in a few moments we will open up the phones. We'd love to hear from you if you've got a prayer request. And my goodness, there's a lot to pray about in this day and age, but the number is triple. 8589-814088-88589. 8840. Bert, if, if the times in which we live don't move you to pray, I don't know what would.

>> Bert Harper: You know that's true. It's a time to pray. It really is.

>> Alex McFarland: Alex, you know verse seven of two, Timothy three. I've pondered on that verse, Bert. I remember in the late 80s when I was brand new Christian going to college and I mean, pretty quickly I kind of begin to understand the battle of worldviews because, you know, even before I was saved, I just, I sensed my college professors and I mean, my goodness, this was, you know, 40 years ago almost, but they just had an agenda. They seemed to despise America and they mocked things like marriage and traditional values. And then even although it wasn't as pronounced as it has become, but they, they, you know, kind of would talk disparagingly of church and religion and God. Well, I came across this verse as a young believer ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. And I thought that's, that's the faculty of UNC Greensboro and half the people I went to college with, I mean there was, there was data, information, content, but it wasn't truth. And my goodness, now we live in the Internet age. Everybody's got essentially the Library of Congress in the palm of their hand. And yet we as a culture, it's like we're ever learning but never able to really embrace the knowledge of truth.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, I believe it is because Jesus Christ, okay, He is the way, the truth and the life. And I know there's truths, but there is the truth and that's Christ with a capital T. We realize that. And I know there's people that believe truths that are not born again. At least that's good to have voting, it's good to have in society. But I would say this, never coming to that point, never. Why? Because none of the learning really satisfies, you know, all the data, all the knowledge, all the things that a person can have educationally, financially, whatever they could do, power wise is never Satisfied under that space, that. That vacant space that's in our hearts, in our lives, that can only be filled by Jesus Christ. alcohol cannot. Drugs cannot. immorality cannot. Only Christ. So what do they do? They keep on searching. Well, I'm going to look here. Isn't that, what, You know, we were talking about what Solomon was looking for. I mean, he. He was looking for that, when he was. He was seeking it in Ecclesiastes. he tried this, he tried that, and nothing fulfill that. I think that's a commentary here on verse seven as well.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly. like Augustine said, the heart is restless till it rests in the Amen. And it goes on. It says, now, as Janus and Jambres withstood Moses, so did these also resist the truth? Men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. Okay, these were the magicians. Remember? Moses threw down his staff and it became a serpent. And the magicians tried to replicate that, that trick. They were in Pharaoh's court when Moses was going to, deliver the. The Hebrews from the Egyptians. They resisted truth. People do that today. Men of corrupt minds, reprobate minds. Now, bert, in Romans 1:28, it talks about reprobation. And you probably don't hear this preached, very much anymore, but I remember I used to hear, the old. The grandparents, this is when I was a little kid, they were talking about, you know, all the. The filth and the stuff on tv, and they would say, those old bunch of reprobates. Yeah, I didn't know what that meant. But actually, believe it or not, a reprobate mind, we think of it as a mind given over to evil. And it is. But it really means an inconvenient mind. Now, what does that mean? Well, it means a mind that can no longer function for what it was designed to do. Now, what was your mind designed to do? It was designed to know truth and respond to truth. And. Let me go back and I'll throw it back to you. Ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

When you reject Christ, you only add to your misery, Alex says

All right. When I was in college, I remember all my professors. It seemed like at the state university, they. They could not stand Ronald Reagan. They could not stand Jesse Helms. And some of you might be old enough to remember Senator. No. Jesse Helms, he was great. He was conservative, devout Christian from North Carolina. They couldn't stand Jerry Falwell, Chuck Colson, Billy Graham, right? Nowadays, professors, they don't even know the difference between a male or a female. I mean, see, 40 years ago, they were rejecting known truth, morals, marriage, freedom, patriotism, reverence for God. now if you fail at the big issues of life, you're going to fail at the little issues of life. I think about this. Why don't, why don't people in Hollywood and the Democrat party have a conscience about moral boundaries? Look, it doesn't even convict them to murder babies. So if you fail at the highest order moral truths, you're going to fail at the lower level moral truths. And so we're to the point, some in this world that are woke, liberal, revisionist, history, deconstructionist, they don't even know what a man or a woman is. And, and that's what happens. A reprobate mind can no longer discern between right and wrong.

>> Bert Harper: And it all starts by rejecting that truth. Let me go back to. You're talking about the plagues. Let's go back to what these two guys did. At least two of them they could reduplicate. Three, the snakes. Well, they threw down that, you know, and they made snakes. but what happened? Their snake that Moses, the rod he threw down devoured them. Then blood. The Nile River. Guess what they did. They did it. I believe it was fake, but they, they had their sorcery and they were able to duplicate that. The third one was frogs. And they reduplicated that after they got past the frogs and to the flies, the lice and all that, they really could not reduplicate it. But here's the point. All they could do in their magicianship was add to the misery. Okay, blood. They added more blood. Now the one that really gets me is the frogs. Okay, they had enough frogs. And I said, well, we can do that. And they added, if they were real, they would have taken away the frogs. And only God did that. God did that. So the reason I say this, I think we're, learning something here about when you reject truth and you're lovers of yourself more than you are lovers of God. You see that? And you start down this thing, well, I've got some peace. I drink my, a, little, you know, toddy at night and, and that brings me peace. But not the peace of God that passes understanding. Oh, yeah, I, you know, I enjoy meeting with people, but it, it's, at the end of it, after we drink and we have to go home, I have the hangover. The next, you can try to duplicate that, but it only adds to your misery. And that's exactly what they did in, in these Plagues that, Moses. God used Moses to bring to the Egyptian people. Alex. So put that into this and say when you're trying to do this, you're adding to your problem. When you reject Christ, when you walk away from truth and you start trying to do this, you only add to that which is miserable, and it becomes more miserable in the end.

>> Alex McFarland: Bert, that is a great observation. that is a really great observation. And, you know, it's been said that Satan is just the original mimic. He's never come up with anything original. He only. Ah, it's like a parasite and a host. The host is God and his truth. The parasite that corrupts everything, are Satan and his lies. And we. We talked yesterday about those that, chapter two talked about. Like a canker. Verse 17 of chapter two, the words of false teachers is like a cancer.

>> Bert Harper: It is.

>> Alex McFarland: Or a gangrene. But then it says, that in verse nine of chapter three, they shall proceed no further, for their folly shall be manifest unto all men as theirs also was. But thou hast fully known my doctrine. Manner of life, purpose, faith, long suffering, charity, patience. Verse 10 sort of changes, and I want to come to that, but, Bert, the folly of a lost, hedonistic world.

Robert Redford says he doesn't worry about the afterlife

hesitate to bring this up, but let me just say this. I saw in the news this morning, Robert Redford died. The actor. He was in, you know, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and a famous, famous movie called the Sting. Robert Redford, you know, Hollywood leading man. I don't know anything about the ultimate state of his soul, but I was reading, I Googled, because, you know, all these famous people, and of course, the accolades and the praises come in. Oh, you know, what an amazing actor. Okay? Somebody interviewed him. They said, you know, what do you believe about the afterlife? And he said, nobody knows. He said, for me, nature is spirituality. He said, is there any afterlife? Nobody, knows? And he said, and I just don't worry about it. Now, is he with God or not? I mean, I hope he got saved, but based on interviews, it didn't look like it. But here's my point. you can have all the money in the world, but if you don't have Jesus, you're destitute. You can have looks and fame and movies on the big screen, but if you're bound for hell, your life has been a waste. You know it is. And I think about this. Their folly ends. all the glory of man is just a fleeting vapor. Listen, folks, if you've never come to Jesus, he's as close by as a prayer. And ask Christ to forgive your sins and save your soul. Because that is not only the true riches what we have in Christ, but it's the lasting riches.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. It's a divine exchange. Listen. Yes, you surrender your life to him, and Lord, I'm yours. But he gives you real life. He takes you out of the darkness into the light. He takes you from death to life. This is what you exchange, folly for reality. And the reality of who Jesus Christ is, it's real. Alex, verse 10, as you've already said, you got a conjunction. I tell folks, always look at the conjunctions. Look, okay, therefore. But then you look at these words, and here is Paul. He says, okay, you've heard my list of what all this does and what it does. But you, Timothy, let you know and put your name there. Now, Bert and Alex, Brent, Marty, Richard, all of us here, but you have carefully followed my doctrine. We know what he teaches. And then my manner of life, my purpose, faith, long suffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions. Okay, there's. I love his list. I told Alex, during the break, all of you who are listening, chapter, three of, two Timothy has several lists, and this is one of them. But notice that you have carefully followed my doctrine. What you see in doctrine and manner of life, they stack up and go parallel with one another. They're not in disagreement. What you're going to have with religious people that look at things about themselves when they make themselves lovers of themselves, you're going to find so many inconsistencies in what they say, what they do. And here Paul says, timothy, you have followed my doctrine. Now again we find out he goes to. Is it Acts 16 or 15 that we find out. Timothy joins Paul on his second missionary journey, and he has been with him in and out in difficult places. Says, you know what I've taught and now you know my manner of life, my purpose for living, the faith that I have, my long suffering, my love, my perseverance, all of these as you know, in other words, the proof that what I say and how I respond about the truth is real. And, and he is saying, timothy, stick to this stuff. Because later on, listen what he says in verse 14. Continue in these things, these things that have shown you, these things that I've demonstrated to you. Continue in these things. Alex, Paul's admonition to Timothy was real. Stay with the stuff.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, amen. let's connect verse 13 to verse 1. It says, but evil men and Seducers will wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. Now, when is this going to happen? In the Last Days, verse 1, 2nd Timothy 3. In the last days, perilous times shall come. And it's listed all these things and it's almost a summation. You know, Paul is saying, hey, I've my teaching, my manner of life, the godliness that I've spoken, the godliness that I've modeled, follow that. But in as we get closer and closer to the return of Christ, evil men and seducers shall deceivers seduction people that are ensnared by false teachers. And Bert, I think it's more than I've ever seen previously in my life. How about you?

>> Bert Harper: I'm a. I'm a little older than you. And it is true. And that's what it says. It will get worse and worse as you see the day approaching. Well, it's the day of prayer. And that phone number we'd love for you to call is 888-589-8884, your day of prayer. And we'd love to hear your praises as well.

>> Alex McFarland: As we watch world events unfold and fulfill scripture. It's hard to believe anyone could doubt God and his word are real. And yet there are so many who.

>> Bert Harper: Either question or completely refuse to believe it.

>> Alex McFarland: The God who speaks is a 90.

>> Bert Harper: Minute documentary that hits the doubt head on with evidence that proves God is real and His Word is the ultimate authority.

>> Alex McFarland: Watch it anytime and invite others to watch with you. Just visit stream.afa.net that's stream.afa.net.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

This is the day of prayer here on Exploring the Word Tuesday

This is the day of prayer here on Exploring the Word Tuesday. And if you've got a prayer request, we would love to hear it. You get that by calling the number 888-589-8840. Triple 858-98840. And Brent can get your, prayer request if you go to, our Facebook and let him know about that. He can do that and he'll share it with us. But I've got a prayer request, Alex. I'm going to be preaching tonight at Gilmore Chapel Methodist Church up close to Marietta, Mississippi. Matter of fact, it's real close to where I'm interim pastor at Ozark Baptist Church. So I got a feeling we're going to have some Methodist and Baptist get together to sing and preach about Jesus tonight. So, if you're in that area, Booneville area, Baldwin area, Fulton area, every here in northeast Mississippi, it's at 7:00 at Gilmore Chapel Methodist Church. And I'll be preaching. Looking forward to it, and just thanking God that he is such a great God. So join us if you would. So make that a matter of prayer.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, that. That sounds really good. Wish I could be there.

Robin in Virginia calls to ask for prayer for Charlie Kirk's family

>> Bert Harper: Well, we're going to have a time just praising the Lord Jesus, but we have people that's called in, so let's get to the phone lines. And it's Robin in Virginia. Robin, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Oh, thank you so, so much. I, feel like I know you guys because I listen as much as I can. And so I want to thank you both, Alex and Bert, for, let me get emotional here, for your love of Christ and your love of the word, because it's really how wonderful you guys experience, express in your own accents, vernacular, the words you choose. You're down to earth that you really share, the word which is our sword. Right?

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Caroline: And so my, My prayer request is not only for Charlie Kirk and his. I mean, Charlie Kirk's family, because we know where Charlie Kirk is. in my life, there are two friends and people that I knew from back in high school. So, you know, that's almost 47 years ago I graduated, and I just wanted to ask prayer. They both. One was an athlete. She was in my class, and she was a wonderful, upbeat, intelligent, funny woman who was just a great athlete. She passed last weekend, and so her ceremony will be this weekend. But also we had our coach in that high school in Maryland in the Montgomery county area, who passed away this week. And I wanted to ask for prayer for both of them, I mean, their families and all their friends, because I'm not going to be able to attend the services. And if I could say their name, it was Cecilia, Cecilia Dove, who passed away, who was in my year, graduated in 1978. But our coach, Fred Shepard, he passed away. And they're going to livestream his ceremony. They're both having their ceremonies this Saturday, this coming Saturday morning. And they were both people that rose to the occasion to be the best that they could be in what they did. And I feel like that in honor of Charlie Kirk, that God asked us to do that. And so on this day, because of Max Lucado's, I thought September 16th, the devotional from Grace for the Moment, it's just a simple verse that says, I think it's the best news. It was Luke 24:6. He is not here. He has risen from the dead. And the title of that devotional for today is a symbol of love. So, you know, God is bigger than any paradox and he can bring good and great things out of evil things. So thank you for praying for both the Dove family and the shepherd family.

>> Bert Harper: Thank you. Thank you, Robin. Amen. Thank you for your heart. And Alex, you know, friends that you had in high school, you may, may or may not keep in contact with you. I woke up this morning with two or three of them on my mind and I was praying for them. That's the power of prayer.

>> Alex McFarland: Isn't really is. It really is. And thank you for sharing that. And you know, isn't it, ah, just so special that those that are brothers and sisters in the family of God and those like she mentioned this coach that influenced their life. Bert, it's not a cliche, but Christians never say goodbye. Just. I'll see you later.

>> Bert Harper: Hallelujah.

>> Alex McFarland: I'll be speaking in a funeral on Saturday afternoon. There, was a man named Bob Kelly. He was an engineer, he designed heart valves, and he was a 6 day young earth creationist. Loved Jesus for 20 years. I had him speak in our summer camps. He was just a godly man. He loved this show and he loved the Lord and he was quite brilliant. Well, he went to be with the Lord. And I want to ask prayer for his widow, Barb, but she's a devout Christian. but Bob Kelly, a colleague in the ministry, and, his services this weekend too.

Brent, you have those requests? I do. I think one came over on Facebook

>> Bert Harper: Well, let's get a prayer request from Brent. I think one came over on Facebook and then I'll lead us in this prayer. Brent, you have those requests?

>> Alex McFarland: I do.

>> Bert Harper: this one is from, Donna. She said she prays that all Christians stand up to the truth of God's word and that God will give us the courage to do so. Amen. Courage. Hey, be strong and courageous. I believe that that is really. We talked about our, ah, fishbowl that Janet and I do. That's going to be one of the themes. Be courageous and be courageous with your family as well as everything else. So I'm going to lead us in prayer, Alex. And right now, Father, I thank you for Robin calling and hearing her heart, for her desire for the word of God to go forth in truth. What a prayer request. And we are praying for that. And we do pray for these families. We're praying for the Kelly family that Alex knows, Barb, and for Alex as he'll be doing the, the service that give him the words and strength. And may it be one that would draw people to the Lord Jesus. We Pray for the Dove family, Father, as this classmate has gone on to be of the Lord. Sounded like she was a, person that, that Robin had stayed in contact with, knowing her. And for the coach, Father Fred shepherd, his family, Father. we hear it again and again. The most influential person on high school campuses is usually said, coach someone. So I thank you for the godly influence of coaches, especially those that are part of the FCA and other ministries like this that make much of Jesus. And we pray for these, that you would be glorified in the worship services, Father, and that Jesus would be lifted up. And we thank you that you're going to do this. And we pray, Father, that again that truth would go forth and accomplish what you sent it for to do. In Jesus name. Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

Roy from Ohio wants us to pray for the family of Charlie Kirk

Let's. Well, we've got people online, so let's get two or three and we'll pray. Roy from Ohio. Roy, thank you for your call. Thank you for taking it. Yes. What's your prayer, brother? first of all. Okay, try it again, Roy.

>> Alex McFarland: It's kind of breaking up.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah. You broke up. Oh, man, we lost him. I read what he said. He wanted us to pray for the family of the shooter of Charlie Kirk. I can't imagine what. They're hurting beyond measure. I know that. And again, we've got a lot of people said that man needs to be saved, and he does, and we're praying that as well. So. Roy, we got that. I saw that. I didn't get all your comments, but we saw that. And we're. We have been, and we'll continue to do that. Let's go to Roy in Georgia. Roy, thank you for calling. Yeah, almost answered a while ago when you said Ohio. Yeah, a little space between them because I can't afford to go there that fast. Well, go ahead, brother. Two Roy's In a row.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, yeah, I've got a prayer.

>> Bert Harper: but I wanted to say something. First of all, I've really been wanting.

>> Alex McFarland: To go to that pass, I mean, that fishbowl retreat for years. Yes, sir, I'd love to go, but.

>> Bert Harper: I've been fishing all my life.

>> Alex McFarland: I hadn't caught a fish.

>> Bert Harper: Well, in the fishbowl, I tell you what. In the fishbowl, if you're a pastor, let me tell you, I'm just going to go ahead and say this for all the pastors out there. You go to the grocery store, go to whatever market you do, and you've got your cart, or as they say, buggy down here in northeast Mississippi. And, they'll talk to you, but then they'll glance down in your cart to see what you got. And it's, it's living in the fishbowl. And so we're talking about being strong and courageous. Alex is going to be, one of our teachers. We're so excited about that, that Alex could be there and share. So we're looking forward to that, Roy. But go ahead with your prayer request, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, yeah.

>> Bert Harper: I saw you over in, Sylvester recently. Yeah. Alex, did he, did he give you those stickers that I sent to you guys?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, I believe so. Yes, yes, the one that had Jesus on it.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, yeah, go ahead, brother. Yes, I meant to get some of those to Charlie, but I'll send them.

>> Alex McFarland: To the thing later. Anyway, I, I'm single.

>> Bert Harper: I don't have any family. No, no siblings, no kids, no grandkids. And I've got prostrate cancer. They say it's low grade.

>> Alex McFarland: But anyway, said my numbers is going up and, and I've got to make.

>> Bert Harper: Up my mind and just so many things are spinning around, you know, I'm.

>> Alex McFarland: Just trying to, I won't.

>> Bert Harper: I want to prayer for, you know, for the healing of it, but you.

>> Alex McFarland: Know, for the right, the right.

>> Bert Harper: Type of treatment, you know, because there's a lot of different types that they have. Well, we're going to do that, Roy. We'll pray for healing. Right. Roy's name down and yes, there has that.

Brent's mother in law's leukemia has gone away, but lymphoma still worsening

So while we're going to pray, Brent, would you mind give us an update on your mother in law? We want to be praying for her because we've, we've done that and so go ahead, share that. The, the leukemia is, has actually gone.

>> Alex McFarland: Away, but she still has the lymphoma.

>> Bert Harper: And it has worsened. Okay. And, but her spirits are great and she knows her God very well. Okay. Want to pray for her and Roy in Georgia. And again, we're praying again for the salvation of. If, the family of the shooter needs to come to the Lord, I pray the wood is along with him. Alex, would you mind, leading us in this prayer? Brother?

>> Alex McFarland: Let's pray. Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank you for all of our listeners. Lord, we thank you for really the good news with Brent's, mother in law. but I lift up Roy as well and help this listener. you know, being single and not really having a whole lot of family, you know, I pray the family of the church would rally around him Lord, I would pray for complete healing, that miracle of healing, whether it be just by your, the move of your hand or whether it be working through doctors in medicine. But we ask for healing, but give him wisdom. Help, him to, make good decisions. Let him have the mind of Christ. And, Lord, I know there are a lot of people out there in similar situations. I know a man named Doug who had cancer several years ago, now has bladder cancer. And, Lord, I pray a twofold prayer. If everybody would join with me in praying for Doug for one thing, that he wouldn't have to lose his bladder, that the doctors could heal him, but also that Doug would get saved. Because Doug needs to give his life to you. And, he's in his 60s, and he has fought against you for a long time. Just anger in his life. We lift up all these prayer requests, and especially this man with bladder cancer who needs not only a physical touch, but spiritual as well. Lord, all of us know people that are lost, and so please intervene, and we lift it all up to you in Jesus name, Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. And we have time for prayer requests. That number is 8, 4, 4. Why'd I say 8, 4, 4, 8, 8? I don't know. I do that. That is our area. That's our area. Yeah. Triple 8, 5 8, 9 8, 84 0. 8, 8 8, 5, 8, 9, 8, 8, 4, 0. We have time for one, I think. Branch, you have one?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes. Terry in on Facebook.

>> Bert Harper: she's asking for prayer for her great nephew Luke. he's 18 years old, and he's been diagnosed with, rare autoimmune disease. 18 years old, Luke. Okay, well, with that in mind, we've got another one here, and it's from Mississippi, and it's Tina. Tina. Thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Thank you. I really enjoy your program. I was just calling with a praise report. I, had called a couple of months ago or so and asked prayer requests for my mother. She has multiple myeloma. We went to the cancer center this morning, and they can find no, activity.

>> Bert Harper: Whoo. Amen.

>> Caroline: So we just had to call and praise God for that news today.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Glory to God.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Lord, we praise you. Amen. Amen. We will, Tina. Thank you for that. Lord, we praise you. We really do. And we pray for Luke, God, that you would help this young man, this disease. And I pray they would know exactly what to do. And, Father, that you would intervene in yourself and more than anything, spiritually help them, help them emotionally, but physically, Father, we Do pray for this healing in Jesus name. Amen.

Alex: A lot of criminals and murderers change their lives through forgiveness

We've got several calls that people have called in. Let's go to Texas and it's Aurora. Aurora, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Yeah, I would like to pray for Erica. I know that she's going through the grip, process of anger and disbelief. But there would be a time when she would be able to probably forgive this man, in her heart so that she will have peace that passes understanding. I know justice will still prevail, but a lot of criminals and murderers change their lives through just the power of forgiveness.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Amen. We are praying, Aurora, thank you. Listen, God can, God can do anything but fail. And Alex, how far do you have to get away from God for him to be not be able to reach you?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, his arm can. The Bible says in Isaiah, his arm is not shortened, that he can't save. His ear is not dull, that he cannot hear. So folks, if you're wanting to know Christ, he's as close by as a prayer. And Bert, I believe Romans 10:13, that whosoever calls in the name of the Lord will be saved.

>> Bert Harper: I do as well. I just want you to know, as a 12 year old boy, I came to know Jesus Christ as savior. I had not been in church the first 10 years of my life. My dad lived a godly life, my mother did. But yet because of a church fuss and everything, they pulled away. That's the reason I hate them as bad as I can. unless it's huge, don't make a big deal out of it. I'm telling you, don't let preferences keep you from, staying in the stuff and letting God lead you. That's our prayer. But Alex, brother, we praise God for the difference he's making in our lives, aren't we?

>> Alex McFarland: We sure do. We sure do. And Bert, where again is that that you're preaching tonight?

>> Bert Harper: Gilmore Chapel Methodist Church. It's up close to Marietta, Mississippi. You can Google it and you can get there. I'm telling you on maps, it's identifiable and the signs will lead you straight to it.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, I'll be tonight at Forward Church in Myrtle Beach, 6:30pm Speaking for Turning Point USA tonight. Keep that in prayer, folks. Pray for our nation. Pray for the Holy Spirit to descend, on this nation and send revival beginning with each one of us. Thank you for listening to Exploring the Word. We're going to be on again tomorrow. God willing, tell somebody about American Family Radio. But most of all, tell anybody, everybody about Jesus. The views and opinions expressed in this.

>> Caroline: Broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of.

>> Alex McFarland: The American Family association or American Family Radio.

A Day of Prayer & 2 Timothy 3:1-13: In Difficult Days