The Testimony of God's Blessing: Malachi 3:11-16

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>> : 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. Stay with American Family Radio for the next hour as we study God's word and take your Bible questions.

Alex Harper: Do we make our choices by our decisions

Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Alex McFarland: I know you've probably heard the Bible verses that talked about, blessed is the one who trusts in God and happy and favored and fortunate. But you know, In Malachi, chapter 3, verse 12, here's a word, and it's just a happy word. The word delightsome, it says of the people of God, it says, all nations shall call you blessed, for you shall be a delightsome land. Says the Lord of hosts. Bert. the idea of a place and a life that is by the grace of God, delightsome, as the old King James says. I like that word. I want to live in that delightsome place. Don't you?

>> Bert Harper: Right in the middle? Yes, I would say so, Alex. And this is great. What a turn. I don't know how to say this. When you read, I would say Malachi chapter three and you get to there how you've robbed me. But all of a sudden it's like it turns on a dime to say, but listen, I want to tell you, if you do this, you're going to live in this delightsome land. You know, Alex, do we make our choices by our decisions? M. Most of the time we do.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, it's said we make our choices, then our choices may make us. I had a great, professor in Seminary named Dr. Elmer Towns. Many would know that name. Perhaps he's still living. He's on up there. But Dr. Towns used to say this. He said that, we make our future by the choices and the people we associate with. And he used to say, tell me who your friends are and I'll tell you where you'll be in five years. And, you know, obviously we love people, we want to minister to people. I'm not saying that we, you know, burn bridges, but really the people that influence you and the people that shape your life, they shape us. And so Malachi 3, you know, well, Malachi, last week we were talking about some of the disobedient priests, the disobedient People last week we were getting into where it talks about honoring the Lord with our substance and, and not robbing God some of the blessings of that. Malachi 3, 10, bringing our tithes into the storehouse. And then it says, prove me or test me. in other words, take God at his word and see that I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out a blessing such that you won't even have room to receive it. Now, listen at verse 11, for the one that is obeying God in the things that he has. Because, look, even our paycheck, you say, Well, I worked 40 hours and I earned this money. Yeah, but it was the Lord that gave you the health and the strength to go to a job. And it was the Lord that opened up an opportunity. So everything we have, even our abilities and then our revenue and our income, God entrusts that to us. Verse 11. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sake. He shall not destroy the fruits of your ground. Neither, shall your vine cast her fruit before the time. In other words, the tomatoes fall off the vine before they were ripe. Now, Bert, growing up on a farm, we had some devourers, like, worms and, insects and deer that would eat fields of corn. But when you're walking with the Lord and he's providing and protecting, you can stretch a dollar a little bit farther. Maybe things go well. I'm going to tell you this, I'll throw it back to you. We've had some old 200,000 mile cars that were well past their prime, but they seem to keep on going. Could, it be that even the Lord holds a transmission together that otherwise might have gone out?

>> Bert Harper: I. He can. I believe he does. And I can say this. I know he has in the Harper household tires that had just so many miles, but they continued. The tread didn't go down like it could have and should have, and so much. I, I know I've told this before, but it's worthy repeating. There's this little girl who lived in a neighborhood and her parents didn't go to church at all. And a lady was concerned about her and made efforts and made friendship and asked her, and then asked the parents could she go to church and Sunday school with her. And the little girl did. One Sunday she went and they were talking about being thankful. And the Sunday school teacher said, one of the ways to show your thankfulness is by asking the blessing and thanking God for what he's given you at your table. So the little Girl came home that day. Mom had fixed a great meal, and dad was ready to eat. And right before they were to dig in, little girl said, I found out today we're to thank God for her food. And the dad reluctantly said, well, go. Okay. And the little girl start. And you know how children can do. They thank God for everything. Thank you for the peas, thank you for the potatoes, thank you for the meat, the bread, the milk. And she went through whole list of what she saw before them. And in Jesus name, amen. And the father just wanted to teach her something, said, well, I just want to tell you it wasn't God that did this. I'm the one that went to the factory and I worked and I, bought home the money. And your mom, at that time, she said, she went to the store and purchased this, and now she's prepared it. It's your mom and dad that has done this. God didn't have anything to do with this food. And little girl just bowed her head and says, God, thank you for my mom and my daddy. You know, m. when you get to the bottom of it, he's the giver. He really is. For God so loved the world that he did what, Alex? that's who he is. He desires to do that, give us his blessing, doesn't he?

>> Alex McFarland: He does. And God is such a good God. And, you know, verse 12 and 13. All right, so God is saying, trust me with the things I've entrusted to you. That's really what it is. And, you know, Bert and I, a lot over these years, we've talked about stewardship because we believe that, you know, we're not owners, we're managers. We're stewards. Time, talent, treasure, testimony. We've all got a measure of those things. And, so God says, I'm going to pour out a blessing. So you can't even contain it all. I'm going to hold back the devourer.

Alex: Genesis 3 talks about when sin came into the world

Let me throw this in there. And I know we've got a lot to cover, but we live under, a world that is in the midst of the throes of something called entropy. Entropy means things are winding down, not evolving up. But look, I mean, clothes wear out, metal rusts, we age, the clock keeps ticking. And Genesis 3 talks about the fact that when sin came into the world, Adam and Eve, our parents. And by the way, you do know we're all family. We really are, because we had the same mom and dad. Eve and Adam, well, they sinned and something came into the world, and it's called the curse, the fall. And, Bert, part of the entropy is things that devour. you know, I got to tell you, and I think we could all relate. God has saved me from car wrecks and close calls, and God's kept me healthy. I praise the Lord for that, and in so many ways. I mean, Angie and I, we can tell you firsthand how faithful God is as a provider. But look at verse 12. All nations shall call you blessed, for you shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts. When you are in the place of God's will, people begin to notice. And I want to say this, and I'm not trying to draw attention to myself, but it is such a joy to give. And I've been in a position for so much of my life where we didn't have two nickels to rub together. And then God entrust us with some, and we could give. And Bert, isn't it just one of the greatest things in the world to give away? I play the guitar. I love the guitar. I've owned a bunch of guitars, and. And I've been able to give away a lot of guitars to youth pastors and missionaries that needed a musical instrument. And, it's a joy. last fall, I gave a guitar to a youth pastor down in Georgia, and he just wept because he had been praying and asking the Lord for a guitar to use in his youth ministry. And I had the very thing he was praying for. And the Holy Spirit said, alex, give that to him. Which I did. And isn't it a joy to be in a position to bless somebody with the blessings God has entrusted to you?

>> Bert Harper: With that in mind, Alex, it is a testimony of God's goodness, our blessing, and we need to make much of it. It's not bragging. Look what God has wrought. Look what God has done. Yes, you can look back and see what God permitted to happen when it was their food was being devoured, their clothes were ragged. Yes, that is. But again, it's the result of it. Doesn't mean that just because you love God, you're not going to have rough times. We all know we do. But it's a testimony of God's goodness. Notice all nations now turn over, if you would, in your mind, to revelation, chapter 5, verses 9, 10, and 11. And it talks about when they're in heaven, the. The 24 elders and all. All of those bowing down, and guess what they're going to talk about. They're going to Talk about He is worthy to open the scrolls. And guess what it says. From every tribe, every tongue, every nation, the nations of, the world are. Are blessed. Let me say this about America. I believe because. And 250 years. Yes. Because of God blessing on us. And the churches doing missions, evangelism around the world. It has been a testimony. Now they. People say, oh, we could have done this. No, the church has done so much, and they're blessed that you will be a delightsome land. Why do you think so many people wanted to come to America? Because God like that song. God has poured out his grace on thee. And he has. But, again, I really do believe it is because of so many churches being missional on purpose in mind. And, Alex, if we start hoarding and taking it in, oh, it's more important for us to have the best sound system. M. I'm not saying it's not good to have that, but. But I want to just share with you. I don't think we ought to sacrifice, our comfort and our convenience for trying to get the message of Christ to the lost and dying world. I'm on my soapbox there. Amen. But you can't help but see the missional purpose of God's blessing when you read verse 12, can you?

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. And I've heard it said that we're not to be a, reservoir, but a channel. A reservoir holds stuff in, but a channel lets it flow on through. And, if you'll keep an open hand, God will entrust you with more and more. And frankly, I'll say this, I know we gotta move on, but it's very liberating to know that I am owned by the Lord. And it's not on my shoulders to hold this universe together.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: I'm in the hands of the one who does hold it together.

>> Bert Harper: amen.

Alex, when the apostles went fishing, did they go to the Dead Sea

Alex, we got about a minute before we go, but it gives us time. You was talking about a reservoir or channel. Right there in the Holy Land is the perfect example. The Sea of Galilee. Water flows in, water flows out. and I want to ask you, when the apostles went fishing, did they go to the Dead Sea or the Sea of Galilee?

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, they fished in the Sea of Galilee with the fresh water.

>> Bert Harper: Because what happened? The Dead Sea had water flowing in, none flowing out. And I just want to tell you, we go to an old hymn. Make me a channel of blessing.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: We need to be that, don't we, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: We really do. We really do. I know we're coming up on a break, but There's a verse 13. It's very poignant. Your words have been stout against me, says the Lord. And they say, what? What are you talking about? God explains, doesn't he?

>> Bert Harper: He really does. He's going to. It's another question. Malachi is full of questions. Have you done. Have you said? We're going to find out one more when we come back.

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Thank you for listening to Exploring the Word.

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>> Alex McFarland: So let the rain help you grow. Oh, the harvest isn't far.

>> Alex McFarland: Cause something, beautiful, is on the way. And where you are is not. We were made to stay. It's only for a moment, so keep holding on.

Burt and Alex discuss Malachi in Exploring the Word

>> Bert Harper: Welcome back to Exploring the Word. This is Bert and Alex, and it's our joy to be with you today. We're in the Book of Malachi. Now we're getting to what, Alex introduced to us in the last segment. Before we get there, I want to go back a little bit. This is not the first question, that these people Malachi was talking to that would ask. In chapter two, it says in verse 17, the people say, in what way have we wearied him? Wearied God? Then in chapter three, verse five, it says, in what way have we robbed you? And now finally, the sixth time this is done in the book of Malachi, in verse 13, what have we spoken against you? Here they were, Alex, doing all these things, but living in denial. Is it possible to be so warped? And I'm using that word like I want to in your thinking, in your relationship with God and what he says and what you want, that you are warped. And you would ask these questions and think that you're all right.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, I mean, it's very possible. And that's why it's so imperative to keep your heart tender to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. I really do think God, primarily through His Word, but also that still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Very often the voice of maybe some people around us, but God is always trying to keep us on the Path, keep, our heart right, our attitude, our words. If we are willing to be led, God is very willing to lead us. But it's very dangerous to ignore the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Cause we just, we may not sense God's leading and be able to follow it as clearly the next time.

>> Bert Harper: And the other thing, you're talking about God's word. Think about what Satan did in the garden with Jesus. He used scripture. To do what? To try to get Jesus to make wrong decision.

>> Bert Harper: So Satan will distort, scripture to get you. I've heard this more than any of the others pastoring for so many years, talking to individuals sometimes that were deserting their marriage, going in a different way, having a relationship. And they would say, well, I've prayed about it. Well, if you got an answer that was yes, to go against the word of God, you were listening to somebody else besides God. So, here, your words. And you read it. Your words have been harsh against me, says the Lord. Yet, yet you say, what have we spoken against you? Their opinion mattered more than what God said. Did it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it did. And verses 14 and 15 are very key, Bert. When I was, in school, like in high school, computers were very new and I remember they used to say that garbage in, garbage out. Do you remember that?

>> Bert Harper: I do, I remember.

>> Alex McFarland: So if you've got the wrong assumptions, you're going to have some wrong conclusions, right? Because the Bible says, as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he. Now I want to read 1415 and we'll ponder on this a little bit. God says, your words have been strong against me or stout against me. Yet you say, what have we spoken so much against you, God? How can you say that? What did we ever say against you? Verse 14, you have said, it is vain to serve God. And what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance? And that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts, and now we call the proud happy. Yea, that work, wickedness are set up. Yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. Okay, serving God. That's the call of God. His ordinance is the word of God. And, walking mournfully is the presence and the, relationship with God. Okay? People say, oh, it's vain to serve God. No it isn't. Your labor in the Lord is not in vain. First Corinthians 15:58. What profit is it that we have kept his ordinance? The Bible says in Psalm 19 and Psalm 119 in keeping God's Word, there is great benefit or great profit, and then, walking mournfully. In other words, what it's really meaning is reverently and walking righteously before God. Yes, there is blessing. The Bible says the way of the transgressor is hard. So, Bert, here's the sad thing about verse 14. They've abandoned, the call of God, the word of God, the presence of God. They've drifted and they didn't even realize it.

>> Bert Harper: I agree with you fully. And again, what they're saying, the vanity is so true. Oh, it doesn't do any good, you know. And what prophet, if we've kept his ordinance? Let me just say this. I think it was selective keeping.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay? Right.

>> Bert Harper: You know, you remember what Jesus, he talked about it? He said, man, yeah, you're so quick to tithe off the mitt, you know, down to the very cent, but the greater things you haven't done. And so here it is. They are. They're, selective in the ones that they did. Now, remember what they were doing when they came to the sacrifice. they were offering up animals with blemishes. And matter of fact, it looked like they were very severe. in other words, in place of the cream of the crop, they were given then that which was the worst of the crop. And again, this walking, I believe this is. I wouldn't say progressive, but a little bit of steps in it. Serving the Lord, you know, keeping his ordinance and walking. Alex, walking with the Lord is one. I would say this. It. It shows you the greatest relationship we can have with him. Can two walk together?

Bert says we need to examine ourselves to see where we are

Unless they what, be agreed? You know, walk in the spirit, you know, the whole idea. So here it is. every. And you've already said it, but this walking. And that's what I want to do in my life. I want to examine myself to see, where I am. Lord, I know I'm saved. I know I'm going to heaven. I know I love you, but am I selective? Am I, walking with you? Each step of the way, the steps of a godly man are ordered of the Lord. So Alex is using this passage in 14. It was looking at them, but it's good. I really do believe. Turn it around and examine ourselves to see where we are. We might not. We might. If we compare, we might say, well, we're better off than they are. Well, I'm glad you are, but are you what you should be? Am I missing this, or is it a good examination tool?

>> Alex McFarland: You're right on the money. You're Right on the money. And let me say this, this Malachi was written to, you know, Jews of the, well, really, the regathering. This is 400 years before the birth of Jesus. But in so many ways, even though they were looking toward the Messiah that would come, we look back at the Messiah that did come. in many ways, their responsibilities were not a lot different than ours. like the song says, trust and obey. Verse 15. The way the King James renders it, it says, and these are God's people, that their heart has grown hard, their priorities are askew, and they're trusting the lies in their head rather than the promises of scripture. We call the proud happy. Yea, they that work wickedness are set up. In other words, all the people that are in the positions of authority and leadership are the workers of wickedness. And they that tempt God are delivered. In other words, people that are in willful wanton sin, they get away with it. verse 16, there's going to be a turn. And that's good. But Bert, verse 15 is very sad. And I think it's, in Satan's trophy case to get a sour, discouraged, bitter child of God who's thinking all the wrong thoughts, not be that person.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, I pastored many years, still pastoring, interim pastoring, and I want to just say a, sour, bitter Christian is probably. It says we shall be witnesses. Do you know what kind we can be? Good witnesses or bad witnesses? If you're called to the stand and all of a sudden you're not all that you thought you were, you're credentials are not what they should and everything, the questioner will. Man, they'll drill in on that and find that out here. listen, I really believe the witness of that sour, bitter believer is so damaging to the testimony of what God is trying to do. And notice, I could not help but notice these three words now we call who. Who's in. who.

>> Bert Harper: Who's acting like the judge rather than the one that is being judged. The, it does it seem like these are judging God while we're, we're just. God's not. He's not living up to it. He's not keeping his end. He. He, you know, he's. He's letting those folks over there get by with, with everything. And, and we, you know, they're putting themselves in the place of authority when they should be under that authority, aren't they?

>> Alex McFarland: They really are. They really are. But, but God is merciful. And you know what? You, you See, well, I. I'm going to put it this way. D.L. moody, one of my real heroes. I got to tell you, I love D.L.

>> Bert Harper: moody. Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: He said, every revival in history can be traced to one kneeling figure. K, N E E L I, N g. Kneeling down one person. You almost see in verses 16 through 18, an incremental gradual turning to the Lord. Now, chapter four is very victorious in Malachi, but you got, you know, there's been a falling away, there's been reprimands from the Lord, trying to call people back. Verse 16. In my Bible here, there's a paragraph mark. That page has turned really right. Verse 16. Then they that feared the Lord spake often to one another, and the Lord hearkened or listened and heard it. And a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord and that, thought upon his name. Folks, we need a revival in America. A lot of churches, many churches are thriving, praise God. Many churches are struggling. A lot of Christians, in spite of what's going on in the world, we know who's in control. We know what our purpose is. We know our identity. But for the Christians that are discouraged or even maybe in disobedience, listen. Those who fear the Lord spoke one to another. In other words, we testify. We mutually encourage each other. God is listening. And God has this book of those that fear him and who thought upon his name. Let's be that person. Let's believe God for great things.

Bert says God is at work in his body of believers

Bert, as I read history, and I love church history, I love American history, at some of the most dark, dire moments, that's when God shows up in a powerful way. And, folks, don't you be discouraged over the world. The flesh or the devil. King Jesus knows what's going on. He is at work in his body of believers, and he can be at work in each one of us as well. I'm believing God for great things, and, I just think we have to remain in that posture.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Preach it, brother. Notice verse 16. Those who feared the Lord, that was his remnant, even in that day. Okay. There were those even in that day. When you look at, Malachi and see how they were robbing God, how they were talking against God, there was some there that were. Listen. They feared the Lord, and God noticed them, and they spoke to one another. They encouraged one another. Here, yesterday at Ozark Baptist Church, where I pastor, we had two young people that were baptized. They had been saved, and now they're following Jesus. This morning I got around and I said, I wonder what's going on in some of the churches around our area. And they were about two or three different baptism and was young people. A lot of them had come back from m A retreat, a camp. And we've talked about this and I know your camps that you're doing how many young people you're reaching. I, believe God's raising this up and I believe the remnant of young people that know the Lord. I honestly believe it's growing. I'm praying it is and I think there's evidence of it. Alex. I'll just go further than just saying I, hope and praying. But. But they feared the Lord. And listen, it brought about good things. Listen, no matter how small it may be in your youth group, in your church, fear the Lord, follow him, trust him, and share it with one another so it can grow. Is that saying that in verse 16?

>> Alex McFarland: Absolutely, absolutely. And you, know J. Vernon McGee. Did you ever listen to J. Vern McGee?

>> Bert Harper: You better believe that Texas draw. I felt at home with him.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly. He spoke a lot about joy and I mean really. And that we are to be a, joyful people, hopeful people. And by that, hoping in the Lord, those that encourage one another, those that fear the Lord and listen. God has a book of remembrance. I wonder what that is. I think, Do you know what, God knows who's walking with him. God knows who. It's time to pour some blessing on. Let me just say, when God and this, this is like the ancient kings. They would have what was called, the, Oh, I'm trying to think of the word. But it was a record, you know, a ledger book, if you will, of, of all of the subjects. I want to be on the page of those that praise God, trust God, follow God. And we believe the goodness of God because that's very real, that song,

>> Bert Harper: the goodness of God. I want to tell you it is real. When I listen to it, I look back, look what you have done. Well, we're going to take phone calls. That number is 885-89-8840. We would love to hear your question today. Right now, more mothers need that moment of Hope. Just $28 sponsors one ultrasound and $140 helps rescue five babies. Your generous tax deductible gift also helps provide mothers who choose life with love and support and care for up to two years. Please don't wait. Help surround mothers and babies with compassion, truth and hope today. To donate, dial hashtag 250 and say the key word baby that's hashtag 250 baby. Or visit preborn.com Bert Harper that's preborn.com Bert Harper. F.

>> Alex McFarland: All my life you have been so, so good. With every breath that I am able. Oh, I'm going to sing of the goodness of God. Amen. We can't, can't sing how good God is. By the way, the number we'd love to hear from you today, we want to hear from you and it's 888-589-8840. That's the toll free number. If you've got a Bible question, join in. 888-589-8840.

Alex McFarland: Eric Metaxas coming to speak August 8th

Before I take that first call, I want to ask people to please pray. August 8th, just a few weeks away, Rick Metaxas is coming to speak for one of, the conferences that that, I feel led to put on. It's called Conversations that Matter. We're in North Myrtle beach and it's free. we just want you to come out. He's going to be talking about the saving of America. And if you've ever heard Rick Metaxas, he is brilliant, he's witty. he and I, Bert, we were friends together with a dear man named Chuck Colson. And in fact, really, I first got to know Chuck Colson through Rick Metaxas. And I just think Rick is one of the great thinkers of our time. And if you're in the area of Myrtle Beach August 8th, it's a free event and we would love for you to be there. You can get full information at my website, which is alexmcfarland.com Amen.

>> Bert Harper: We're praying it goes well and, what a treat it would be having, Rick and Alex together. you got some heavyweights there. So you folks get go hear that.

>> Alex McFarland: Wow. Well, thank you.

Kerry Carrie in Mississippi says he's putting God to the side

Hey, we're going to begin in Mississippi. Kerry Kari in Mississippi. Welcome to Exploring the Word. Hey, how's it going? I just, gonna make it quick. I haven't. I was going to church every Wednesday, every Sunday. I feel like my heart and mind was with God. And I feel like the past few months I just been putting God to the side. I've been doing other things rather than going to church and leading my family the way that I should have been. And I just wonder what, what is some of the things that I should be that I should do in order to start back walking with God and just, begin leading my family again in the right, in the right direction. And I just, I feel lost but not lost at the same time. It's very strange. I don't. I don't know, Kari, any. Maybe y' all have any advice on that?

>> Bert Harper: Thank you for calling, and I got a feeling that you can go first, but I want to set this up. I think there's a lot of people, Kari, that are listening, that they are where you are, or there are some that have been where you are, and they came. And I want to give a good example. There was a guy on the Paul's first missionary trip, and, he kind of got discouraged. We don't know all the details, but he fell by the wayside and went back home. Kind of got off track. But while I think a guy named Barnabas came alongside and helped him, and he got back in the game. And I'm using that way in a positive way. Alex. It does happen sometimes, but it doesn't mean we're hung out to dry, does it?

>> Alex McFarland: No, it doesn't. Kari, I have some good news for you. And the good news is the Lord loves you very, very much. And Jesus. the reason that you're feeling like you want to come back to the Lord is because the Lord is drawing you. That's God's Holy Spirit calling you. And in Isaiah 55, verse 7, here's a great promise. It says, return to the Lord and he will abundantly pardon. Kari, let me ask you this. You and your wife, are you both believers? You know that you've accepted Christ and you're saved, right? Yes, sir.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Well, I want us to pray right now because there's probably a lot of other people listening, and, I would suspect we don't have to open this up on live radio, but the things in your life that have not been according to his will, you probably know that. And you just say, lord, please forgive me. And, Lord, I'm turning back to you. You want to pray together, Kari. And you're going to turn your heart back to the Lord. How about we do that right now? Okay. Okay.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. If I. If I lead, why don't you pray like this? And everybody listening. Jesus, arms are open. And maybe you want to pray something like that. Kari, why don't you pray this? Say, dear Lord Jesus. Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me. Thank you for loving me.

>> Alex McFarland: Thank you for dying on the cross for me. Thank you for dying on the cross for me.

>> Alex McFarland: Please forgive my sins. Please forgive my sins.

>> Alex McFarland: And help me to follow you. And help me to follow you.

>> Alex McFarland: Fill me with your holy Spirit, fill me with your Holy Spirit.

>> Alex McFarland: And from this day forward, from

>> Alex McFarland: this day forward, may my life be pleasing, obedient to you. May my life be pleasing and obedient to you.

>> Alex McFarland: Now keep on praying. Say, thank you, Jesus, for hearing my prayer. Thank you, Jesus, for hearing my prayer.

>> Alex McFarland: Thank you for receiving me. Thank you for receiving me.

>> Alex McFarland: In Jesus name I pray. Amen. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. Thank you.

Bert: Carrie, your desire is to get back right with Jesus

Thank you, buddy.

>> Alex McFarland: Kari, if we. If Brent could get your address, I want to send you a book that Bert and I wrote. We just want to send it to you to bless you. But here's the good news for Kari and for Everybody. In Jon 6:37, Christ Jesus, he said, the one who comes to me, I will in no way reject. And, you know, Bert, Peter just prayed three words. Lord, save me.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: And Kari just turned back to Jesus, and, Bert, I'm going to ask you to just give a word and maybe even pray for his marriage and family.

>> Bert Harper: I'll do it.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: What do you say, Brother Bert, I'm not going to repeat the sermon I had Sunday, but quick as you said that, it came to mind. It's In Matthew, chapter 16, verses 24, 26. when he told his disciples he was going to go to Jerusalem and suffer. And Peter said, no way. And then Jesus talked about. Here's the key. Listen to it quickly. It's in 23. He said, you are an offense to me. You're mindful of. You're not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men. In changing your direction, mindful of the things of God. That means you got to put your mind on it, but you got to do it as well. And it describes that in verse 24. Your desire. I hear it in your voice, Kari. Your desire is to get back right with the Lord. That means you're headed in the right direction. And that prayer that Alex led you in said, okay, God, I'm coming on with you. That's the first thing, the desire. And then he said, follow me. Go in the right direction. Satan is going to try to throw everything in his arsenal against you, saying, oh, you got to spend more time with your job. Oh, you need to go this. No, you got a purposeful go in the direction of God. Walk in his steps. And then finally, it talks about losing your life. Develop that. Don't just leave it hanging. Develop it. God is in the process of developing us to become all that he wants us to become. And listen, listen, Carey, you're On your way. So make that the way. Say, okay, Lord, I don't want to be mindful of the things of this world. I want to think like you think. Give me my father's eyes. I want to see things the way you see it. So you get into the word. you pray you love your family, and serve him, serve your family, serve the others. I believe God's. Kari, I want you to do this. I'm going to pray for you, but I hope you will. I'm just going to say this. I pray in one month that there's going to be such a change in your life and a direction in your life and what God's doing. You going to call us back and say, listen to what God has done. Father, I pray for Kari. I thank you for him. M boldly calling and saying this. And Father, for all those that were in same boat that Kari's in, I pray you might draw them to yourself that they might have your desire. Not the things of the world, not theirs, but your desire, your mind. In Jesus name, amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen.

Dina: Welcome to Exploring the Word

Wonderful. We're going to go to Kansas. Deanna, Deanna in Kansas. Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> : Well, hello, it's Dina and I'm a first time caller.

>> Alex McFarland: Hey, Deena, I apologize for mispronouncing your name.

>> : Oh, no worries. It happens all the time. But first of all, I appreciate, what you gentlemen do and thank God for your faithfulness to his word as well as praising God for, for the previous caller and praying for him as well.

Dina: Question is about additional books in the Bible

my question is about the quote, unquote, additional books in the Bible, that the Catholic Apocrypha referred to as well as the additional, I think it's 22 books from the Ethiopian Bible. And I, I do not hold that those books belong in the Bible or that we should treat them as inspired word of God like the rest of the Bible or the Holy Bible. But I have family and friends that do, kind of cling to some of those things and especially like from the book of Enoch. And I, I, I don't know anything about that because I refuse to study it. But at the same time I want to be able to listen to them and to respond to them or Deanna, the honor of God.

>> Bert Harper: You've called a good man. Alex. Alex. And I've answered that. Alex is just, he gave gives fantastic. So get ready, get your pin down or you can listen to the podcast later on so you can hear all that Alex has to say. Alex, give us that.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, God bless you. Dina, thanks for caring about this.

There is a question of canonicity in the Bible

This important question. And it's the question of canonicity. And we believe, and along with a lot of other great scholars, I mean, I could name a lot of names like FF Bruce or Norm Geisler or Neil Lightfoot. Those, those names don't necessarily mean anything, but these were some very respected scholars that wrote on the canon. Now I believe that the canon or the corpus of scripture is Genesis through Malachi that we call the Old Testament, and Matthew through Revelation that we call the NewSong Testament. Now for example, there are other books that were floating around in the pre NewSong Testament era and the first and second century, but they were never acknowledged by the Jews or the church as scripture. Genesis through Malachi, the ancient Jews were meticulous about these being the written word of God. Now, in the early church, the questions or the tests for canonicity was a book written by an apostle, somebody who had been with Jesus or seen the risen Jesus. Did it have harmonious content? Was it christological? Did it focus on Jesus? Was it recognized by the rest of the church? And did it exhibit the power of God to change lives? Now, for example, there was a book called the Gospel of Thomas that was known to be a forgery, written about 300 years after the life of Christ. It claimed to be by the Apostle Thomas, but it wasn't. And the early church is universally, rejected it. There was something called the Gospel of Barnabas. Now here's my point. The Ethiopian Bible contains 21 and some say 22 unique texts that are part of something called the Ethiopian Orthodox canon. But again, this was not, books recognized by the rest of the church. Church. And in fact, some of the things in what we call the Ethiopian canon were unique to this, I can't even pronounce it, but this church, it's a long word. I can't pronounce it. A church in Ethiopia. Long story short, whether you read, Norm Geisler's book on how we got the Bible, or FF Bruce on, the canon of scripture and many others have written, the Bible you have is the Bible that I believe God gave and the canon that the Holy Spirit chose. Not the speculation of man, but really the guidance of God's Holy Spirit. And Bert, the true canon of 66 books, it has stood the test of time. And I would just urge people to please not be swayed by what you might find on social media to the contrary.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Now what you can do, you can go to afr.net, look on podcast and scroll down and go to exploring, the Word. And you can listen to that answer that Alex just gave. So I wanted to make sure people knew that.

Exploring the Word focuses on the ministry of the Holy Spirit

Alex, where to next?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, how about we go to Ohio and we talk to Mary? Mary in Ohio? You're on.

>> : Yes. when you were studying Ephesians, you spoke of the baptism in the Holy Spirit, and you said, there is one baptism, but, many infillings. what did you mean, by many infillings?

>> Alex McFarland: Bert, do you want to go first on that?

>> Bert Harper: Okay. The filling of the Holy Spirit is the indwelling. In other words, I'm going to use a little humor this way. But my professor at Blue Mountain College, Dr. James Travis, did as well. He said the reason we need to be filled is because we live in a body that leaks or the water. We need the Holy Spirit each day. It's. Have you heard this term, Mary? The renewing of the Holy Spirit. That is renewing. That is the infilling of the Holy Spirit. And it is. His mercies are new every morning. I, was saved. That was an event. I am being saved. That sanctification, that's through the filling of the Holy Spirit. I, will be saved. That's in the future. That's glorification. But while we live, the indwelling Holy Spirit continually brings new mercies every morning. Alex, got a minute? You take us out?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. I want to be clear. All Christians agree that, the Spirit draws us, the Spirit regenerates us, the Spirit indwells us, and the Spirit fills us. You know, First Corinthians 12:13 says, by one Holy Spirit, we're all baptized into one body, and we're all made to drink of one Spirit, God's Holy Spirit. Now, I think, in the Christian life, we can obey the Spirit. We might quench the Spirit, but when we turn back and we repeat and obey, we can be empowered once again by God's Holy Spirit. Much more to say on that, but, Bert, that's the basics.

>> Bert Harper: I think I agree with you. And thank you for listening to Exploring the Word. We're going to be in Malachi. We'll see if we finish it or not. But what we're looking at. We may do a whole special program on the ministry of the Holy Spirit later this week, so stay tuned for more.

>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this

>> Bert Harper: broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio. PreBorn's whole mission is to rescue babies from abortion and lead their families to Christ. Last year, PreBorn's network of clinics saw 8,900 mothers come to Christ. Please join us in this life saving mission. To donate, go to preborn.com afr.

The Testimony of God's Blessing: Malachi 3:11-16

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