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One of the most important issues in a ministry is changing of leadership
Welcome to Exploring the Word.
Bert Harper One of the most important issues in a ministry, I would say a governmental platform would be changing of leadership. We're going to talk about that today in the Book of Numbers. Matter of fact, Moses has been leading for 40 years but a change is coming so we want to talk about that today and we hope it will help you wherever you are, in a church, in a ministry and to see how that change can take place in, in a godly and good way. This is Bert harper along with Dr. Alex McFarland and it's our joy to be with you each and every Monday through Friday at 3:00pm Central Time as we go through the word of God. We're in the Book of Numbers and Alex, chapter 27 verse 12 and following is a pivotal point in the life of the Israelites and a change of leadership. It's coming, isn't it?
Alex McFarland Well it really is. And that's one of the most critical moments in the life of a business, a church, ministry, and you know I guess I've seen it many times where the handoff to the next generation didn't go as well as it could. And when you see ministries like I think about, like the way it's so wonderfully gone in the Billy Graham ministry and frankly in American Family association, when the change of leadership and the next generation, when it goes well, it is a beautiful thing to see and the Lord blesses because I'll tell you, there's the old saying, I think it's been attributed to the late Lee Robertson. Everything rises or falls on leadership. And really that's true, isn't it?
Bert Harper It really is. Jon Maxwell was talking about that, how leadership is so important. There have been a lot of people that's written on leadership, yet at the same time, let me just share. A real good leader is a servant. That's the whole idea. and that doesn't mean that they're subservient to anything that comes along but that attitude and that spirit of servanthood will help them along the way. Well in Numbers, chapter 27 and I'll start reading here in verse 12 and we'll see what takes place. There's just a few verses Here, now, this is the time how it's going to happen. We're going to find out that it happened in Deuteronomy Numbers as it comes in here, it's covering some of the same things that would be taking place in Deuteronomy.
Bert says God let Moses see the promised land in chapter 27
And so let's look at this verse 12 of chapter 27. Now, the Lord said to Moses, go up into the mount of Abiram and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel. Now notice that. See the land. See, see, that's important. We'll come back to that. And when you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people as Eryn, your brother, was gathered. For in the wilderness end. During the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against my command to hallow me at the waters before their eyes. And then in verse 18, it says this. Then Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be like sheep which have no shepherd. Now, that was his request. Now, Alex, I find this just really important notice. let's talk about how he saw the land. And it gives you why. Because he disobeyed God when he said, speak to a rock to get water. And in his anger and in disobedience, he struck the rock two times. We might look at that and say, well, what a minor issue that was. But when we look at eternity and redemption, it was a major mistake, wasn't it?
Alex McFarland Well, it really was, because the rock represented Jesus. And it was really an outburst of anger against God. You know, names mean so much. This is fascinating. God tells Moses, you know, get up and take a look. You can see, he got up on the mount, Abarim, A B, A R, I M, not to be confused with Abram or Abraham, but abarim, which means the mountain afar off. So he's on this mountain afar off. And also afar off, he can see the promised land, the land that God had promised to the children of Israel. And he says, look, when you've seen it, you will be gathered under your people. That's a euphemism for saying you're going to pass away like Eryn did. And, I don't know, Bert, how long did Moses, poignantly look for 15 minutes or an hour and reflect. Now, we'll talk about this. But God let Moses see that promised land that he had Worked for and worked about for 40 years. But God gently reminds Moses, you rebelled against me, and hit the rock at the water of Meribah. And you know the word Meribah there in verse 14. M E R I B A H means quarrel. And, that was a quarrelsome time, wasn't it, in the life of Israel? But now we've said it many times. Moses will get to be in the Promised Land. And you say, in heaven. Well, sure, but in Matthew 17, on the Mount of Transfiguration, that was in the Holy Land. And Moses was there. But, even though this is a, ah, special time. But Moses prays in verse 15. He spoke to the Lord. He said, let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation. Even in his passing, he was interceding and asking God to raise up a good, competent leader in his absence. Which is precisely what God will, will do in the case of Joshua. he'll be appointed to leadership in Moses's absence. But this, Numbers 27, 12, 23. I mean, this is a pretty moving, scenario here, isn't it? Very significant moment in the life of, Israel. But in the passing or the impending death of Moses, it's. And this is like a movie script almost, isn't it, Bert?
Bert Harper It really is. And notice he doesn't say, here's who I think it is. I think, Caleb might be better than Joshua. there's a new man on the block. You know, one of those younger men that was under the 20. And he showed great leadership. And. No, he said, let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation. He put him there. He would set him there as a place over the congregation. Let the Lord. Now that's a request he makes. And, listen, before we get our opinions, even to God, much less to a congregation, and say, hey, all you guys down there, don't y' all think Joshua would be a good leader? Or would you rather have Caleb? No. He goes and he presents this to the Lord God himself. now notice he gives it a man over the congregation. he knows a little bit about that. That's where it's been. He's heard their gripes, their disappointments. He's had to intercede for them many times. And so here it is. Who may go out before them and go in before them. Alex, there it is. Leadership. Right there in that one. Those two phrases. Who may go out before them. In other words. Hey, listen, I'M leading you out, but I'm not going to balk, on you. I'm not going to go and swerve and ask God, no, I'm going to lead you in. So he was asking God to get somebody to do the job that he thought he was going to get to do, but because of. Again, we've talked about that rebellion, that anger in his heart, his mistake, his sin, someone else has to do it. But I don't hear bitterness in this. Alex, what about you?
Alex McFarland you know, God tells Moses here in, like, verse 18, take Joshua, the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand upon him and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congre, and give him a charge in their sight. This is very beautiful.
Bert says this is an example of passing the torch or the baton
maybe folks, you've been to an installation service or an ordination service. Sometimes it's called an investiture service because leadership and authority is being invested in somebody. So God says, you take Joshua, here's the one I've picked, and put your hands upon him, pray. Set him before Eleazar the priest. It's a dedication, and in the sight of all the congregation, give him a charge in their sight, or, you know, instruction, the charge to the candidate, if you will, and you shall. Verse 20 is just beautiful. God says to Moses, thou shalt put some of thine honor upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. In other words, everybody's going to know the torch has been passed. You know, Bert, I gotta tell you, leadership is hard sometimes. I mean, there's work, there's decisions. if you're in a position of leadership, and I've been in a few positions of leadership, and it's always a great honor. I'll tell you what's maybe even harder than the work of leading is the necessity of letting it go.
Bert Harper Wow.
Alex McFarland Yeah, I've. Not only have I seen this, I've been in it one time where, the person riding off into the sunset, was not able to really hand it off to their successor. And that doesn't go well. This is a casebook study in how to do it right. And it was right and it went right because God was in it. And Moses, Joshua, and the people seem to know and understand that.
Bert Harper So Moses has mentored Joshua for 40 years. He was there in the beginning. He was the one fighting in the battle when Moses was, you know, holding his hands up and Eryn and. And Ur was holding his arms up. when they retired. So Joshua has. He went up at, part of the way to the mountain, when, at Mount Sinai, when the Ten Commandments. So this Joshua had been given some partial glimpses into leadership that no one else had. He also had an opportunity to be with him at some of the most strategic times in Moses leadership, time. And so Joshua was ready for this task. But notice, and I think verse 20 is very important. He gave it some of your authority. In other words, listen, I'm not just stopping right now and you take over. I'm going to. It's not quite time for me to, you know, be taken to my fathers, to the people. So I'm going to give you leadership here, here, here. I'm going to let it go, let it go, let it go. And you take it. And on the day that I am taken, then you have it. And so what. What an opportunity this is. And Moses, and I agree with you, Moses and Joshua, this is an example of passing the torch or the baton, whichever way you want to say it. Then you had the visual of it, of the Urim and probably the thunam that they would cast and show forth that God had chosen Joshua to be the man. That's in verse 21, verse 21. And so it's before the whole congregation. So you have an affirmation of Moses. And through this casting lots, you have the affirmation of God. So God is making it clear Moses is passing on. He is going to be taken out of the picture. But there is a new man on the block, and you're to follow him. I've, blessed him, I've equipped him, and I'm going to use him. Well. We're going to finish this in, verses 22 and 23 when we get back. And today's the national day of prayer when we get back. We want you to know that today you can call in and pray. We're looking forward to it.
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Today is the National Day of Prayer, which was dedicated in 1952
Alex McFarland Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Alex. We are getting into numbers. Chapter 28. We invite you to get a Bible and follow along. Hey, today is the National Day of Prayer, which was dedicated in, I think it was 1952 by decree of Congress. I'm so grateful that we have a congressionally sanctioned national day of prayer the first Thursday in May, and this is that day. Now, we're going to invite you in the third segment. After the second segment, we want you to call in and you can pray. You can share prayer requests, and you can also pray the number. I'm going to give the number, even though we won't get to it for about 15 minutes. But you can get in the queue. It's 888, 589, 88, 40. and think about that. There's so much to pray about, and you let the Holy Spirit put it on your heart. But, we are going to pray together, Bert. I was at a prayer gathering at, Mount Pleasant Church outside of Greensboro, North Carolina, and it was very special. I had a man get up and read a scripture, and I shared a scripture, and then for an hour, we just prayed. Did you get, to go to a prayer gathering today, Bert?
Bert Harper I did. It was here in Tupelo at our headquarters in front of City hall, and had the loudspeakers AFA help promote that. And we had different individuals coming forth and praying for our churches, our government, our law enforcement, and our educators, our economy, different segments and different individuals that was connected to those areas praying and leading in worship. And then at the end, we had a, group of second graders get up and help sing the Goodness of God with hand motions. It was wonderful. And we got all excited, had a color guard, those that were, you know, American Legion. They came and presented the colors, the flag. And we said, we did. Buddy Smith led us in the national anthem, our vice president here. And we just had a grand time of worship. It was prayer and worship, and I hope all over America that that was going on somewhere.
Alex McFarland Amen. Amen. Well, what a great day to be interceding and praying for America.
There's instruction about various offerings in chapter 28 of the Bible
And again, in that third segment, we'll invite you to call in. Let me read the last couple of verses of numbers. Chapter 27. 27, verse 22. And Moses did as the Lord commanded him. And he took Joshua and set him before Eliezer the priest, and before all the congregation. And he laid his hands upon him and gave him a charge. In other words, an instruction. And as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses. Now, chapter 28 after this, you know, dramatic and very moving chapter 27. Chapter 28 is different in. To me it is. There's instruction about various offerings, 31 verses here, about things there to do in terms of offerings. Ah, flour and a lamb and Sabbath days. And I would encourage you to read it. but here's the thing. I'm just going to say this. I'm really glad that Jesus fulfilled all the law for us. because, Bert, if being in right relationship with God was still contingent on following the minutia of days and months and weeks, I'd be in trouble because I would probably let something fall through the cracks accidentally.
Bert Harper I know I would. I would not. yes, I know. And I think that's the reason the Bible said no one has kept the law. No one. Now, Paul tried, but I guarantee you they could have nitpicked him. And they can do that. But God looks on the heart. God looked on the heart even in those days. But let me, I've got this divided up and Alex, you, can go back. But the daily offerings. And you're talking about what this is. I think it's right on. First he's saying, here's your leadership and here's worship. In other words, if you're going to lead God's people in leadership, what's one, if not the most important thing you do? Lead them in worship. And so these sacrifices was an act of worship. And that is what's really important. So the first one was daily. You find that in verses one through eight, it was a, daily, certain things, verses nine and ten, weekly offerings, the Sabbath day. And then in verses 11 and 15, this is kind of new. Monthly offerings at the beginning of your months. This is verse 11. Shall present a burnt offering to the Lord at the beginning of your months each month. And then you go to the, to the yearly offerings. The Passover in verse 16, unleavened bread in verses 17 through 25, and even that of the first fruits. So each one of these, it's all during the year, some particular days and some particular weeks, as God has set aside these times to get out of your routine. And what worship. That's the whole idea, I think. What do you think?
Alex McFarland I think so as well. And you know, chapter 28 is pretty intricate, Bert.
For observant Jews, there are 62 holidays in the calendar year
I found out there's an app called is this a Jewish Holiday? And think about this. There are. I, was reading. I wanted to find out. Okay, there's the major holidays, minor holidays, minor fasts, guess how many. And special Shabbats, you know, and then there's something called Rosh Kodesh, which are some minor holidays that are at the beginning of every. Every month. Now, get this. It's enough to ramp up and get ready for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. Right. So for observant Jews, there are in the calendar year 62 holidays.
Bert Harper Ooh.
Alex McFarland I mean, think about that. Praise God. That's beautiful. But that is so much to keep up with. And listen, I am so glad that salvation is by grace, not by not law, not works. Aren't you, Bert?
Bert Harper Hallelujah. Now, what's going to take place here that's so well put, alex. And again, 62. Okay. Out of 365 days or so. I'm tired thinking about it. Yeah. And they come daily, they come, weekly. They come monthly, then yearly. So you have all these special days that God has set aside to remember him, to worship Him. So you're to worship him daily, every day. Every day is the Lord's day.
Alex McFarland Sure.
Bert Harper But once a week, you set aside those things, get out of your routine, and you worship the Lord. And in our day, it's together, you know, corporate worship. So what this would translate. In our day, each day, I'm to have a quiet time with the Lord. I'm to have a time when I seek God, when I read His Word and pray. And then once a week, at least once a week, we're together as one. And then monthly, the whole idea is you start off the month each time. You start off each month, you examine. Okay? This is your month. This is the month that you have made. And, Alex, when you do these things, you do have these weekly. Each day is special in our calendar. Okay?
Alex McFarland Yeah.
Bert Harper Now, it's not where we do, two lambs and a goat and this much meal and this much oil, but it's still, we present ourselves a what? Living sacrifice unto the Lord, which is your, According to Romans 12, your reasonable, as it says in the King James, reasonable worship. So this is why I hope everybody does not get lost in all the details. And they are particular, they're important. It shows how detailed God is. But don't lose the big picture. We're to worship him every day, Alex.
Alex McFarland Well, yeah. And here's the thing. there are all these offerings and drink offerings and different things. But if you go down there to verse 22, one goat for a sin offering to make an atonement for you. And the word atonement is really the word reconciliation. Think about a goat, because clearly, you know, they're the sheep and the goats, the Goat is an unclean animal. How in the world could that be an atonement? Well, you know, there are so many. So many pictures here of salvation. The blood of a perfect lamb without blemish on the altar. But a goat. The Bible says of Jesus, he who knew no sin was made to be sin for us or became sin. and Isaiah 53 says that on him was put the guilt of us all. Isn't that something that. A goat was the atonement, prescribed in this particular passage of Scripture, verse 23. You shall offer these beside the burnt offering in the morning, which is for a continual burning, burnt offering. And it would be continual until Christ came and fulfilled everything. And see, one of the beautiful things. Hebrews 4 talks about this and other passages that if you put your faith in Jesus, his fulfillment of the law becomes our fulfillment of the law.
Bert Harper Hallelujah. Alex?
Alex McFarland Yeah? We couldn't. We're fallen sinners. we're sinners by birth. We're sinners by choice.
Caroline We're.
Alex McFarland We have the imputed unrighteousness of Adam and Eve. Plus, we commit sins on our own. We're hopeless, lost sinners. Except that Jesus Christ the righteous fulfilled it all. And when you put your trust in Jesus, his righteousness is accredited to you.
Bert Harper Amen.
Alex: In the Bible, there are many references to yearly sacrifices
Praise God for Jesus. He is. In each one of these sacrifices, you see Christ. Especially in the yearly sacrifices, you see what Christ has done. But look in verse 24, and you see this phrase. And I think it occurs about seven times in these, chapters about the offerings. Alex, if I counted correctly, a sweet aroma to the Lord. our. Here, listen. Our worship to him. A. Ah, sacrifice of praise. Worship with our tithes, our offerings, when we share with others what God it is a sweet aroma. In other words, it rises up to God for a pleasantness before him. And so, Alex, this is wonderful, this attitude of meeting and helping and ministering in the name of the lord. But verse 26 brings on the idea of the first fruits. Let me ask you that. Let me see. if we're going to tithe, what we should do is pay every one of our bills, and then if we have anything left over, we're to give it unto the Lord. Is that what this is about?
Alex McFarland Amen.
Bert Harper It's not, is it? We're to give the first fruits, not the last, right?
Alex McFarland Exactly. Exactly. Give him our best and not our second best or third best. And, so it goes on about the offering of these things, and it's really in gratitude. Now, chapter 29. It would be all right if we sort of start.
Bert Harper Yeah, go to 29. Yeah, we got about five, six more minutes so we can tackle it in
Alex McFarland the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy convocation, a gathering. And we have that holy convocation every Sunday morning. Christians worship on the first day of the week. That's resurrection day. You shall do no servile work. It is a day of blowing trumpets unto you. And you shall offer a burnt offering for a sweet savor unto the Lord. And it goes on. And it talks about the various. The meat offerings, the blood, well, the bullock, one, ram, seven lambs of the first year without blemish. I mean, this is not only intricate, it would have been costly. And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with wool. Three tenths deals for a bullock, two tenths for a ram, one tenth deal for one lamb throughout the seven lambs. you know this. Yeah. It's a good thing that they had the Levitical priesthood, because, this is very intricate, isn't it? And, you know, I would think about this, Bert. Remember, it said the sons of Eli. the holy things became familiar. I wonder the priests continually going through these rituals, if they ever, got, I don't know, burned out, fatigued. I mean, we're talking about the salvation of people's soul here. And in faith, they're looking for the Messiah that would come, and they are to carry out these rituals till he did come. Now, Christ came. He fulfilled it all. In Jon 17, Christ was able to honestly say, father, I finished the work you gave me to do on the cross. He was able to legitimately say, it is finished. And, you know, Galatians 4, 4 says, in the fullness of time, God sent forth his son, born of a woman, to redeem those that were under the law. When I read all this intricacy, it seems burdensome. Salvation is the most important thing in the world. I would think past and present people would flee to Jesus. You mean it's done, it's paid for. And I put my trust in Christ and follow him. Sign me up. Bert, why does the human heart prefer. Not always. Sometimes. Why does the human heart prefer works
Bert Harper over grace, darkness and light? And because their deeds are evil. And the Bible talks about that quite often about our deeds and want to keep it, about turning away from our way. We're selfish. Okay. Every human being. Okay. I'm not that. Yeah. I am that selfish. I think I'm right, and I think I ought to have it my way and, listen, that's selfishness that we can't have. If we had it our way the way the song says. I did it my way if we did it if we did it our way if we do it our way Hell is our destination. I know we've got to come to the Lord Jesus Christ. Well, we're burnt.
Alex McFarland I can't believe you mentioned that song My way. I was a little kid. I don't know how old I was. Eight. Eight years old maybe. And Frank Sinatra was on tv and, I love music, but he was singing My way, I did it my way. Right? And I remember I looked at my parents and I said, that's a bad song. I mean, you know, but it goes on through, And you're right, Bert. We are selfish people.
Today is a national day of prayer. We would love for you to call in and pray
29 is all about the sacrifices. Chapter 30 is about making vows to God. Chapter 29 concludes, and it says, moses told the children of Israel according to all that the Lord commanded.
Bert Harper Hallelujah.
Alex McFarland Well, when we pick up in 31 later on, we're going to go back to the Midianites. But these rituals, God gave it to them to do.
Bert Harper He did. Hey, that number. Today is a national day of prayer. We want you to pray. We would love for you to call in and pray. That number is 888-589-8840.
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Alex McFarland Don't stop praying don't stop calling on Jesus name Keep on pounding on heaven's door Let your knees wear out the floor
Bert Harper yes, it is Thursday, not Tuesday, when you usually hear that song. But today is the national day of prayer. A, day recognized that Americans gather together and pray for our country, our state, our community, one another. And so we want you to call this number. It's 888-589-8840. We would love for you to pray. We want you to make it as specific and, you know, I don't want to say short, but make it kind of brief and, because it's hard, difficult to not do that and do it on the radio and make it effective. So we would love for you to call. We've got two that's already called in. That means we got room for a lot more. And, we would love for you to call in if you got a prayer request. we will read that. I tell you what you can do. You can give Richard the prayer request and he can write it in there, and then we can pray for that. If you'd do that today. But, Alex, it is a day of prayer. We talked about yours there in North Carolina, ours here in, Mississippi. The neat part, it takes place all over the United States, doesn't it?
Alex McFarland It really does. And we want you to be a part of it. And, you know, even if, you go to church or a, gathering after the workday, tonight, you know, get, get that in. I just think there's something so powerful about corporate prayer, and that's what we're going to do now. And, Bert, where should we begin?
American Family Radio is hosting a national day of prayer on Sunday
Bert Harper Let's start in Mississippi, and it's Walter. Walter, you've. You called in right at the beginning of segment, too. You've been waiting. Thank you for calling in. Would, Would you mind leading us in prayer, brother?
Caroline I wouldn't mind at all, sir.
Bert Harper Well, thank you.
Caroline I just wanted to pass on that we were, we were very fortunate. we, we set up a national prayer in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, in front of the courthouse. but we got rained on ever since. Our church is just across the street from the courthouse. We went to church.
Bert Harper Amen. Amen.
Caroline People from different churches in the. In town, in the county showed up and we had ourselves a prayer meeting.
Bert Harper Well, you didn't have separation of church and state. Y' all just combined it there, right, Walter?
Caroline That's right, we did.
Bert Harper Amen. Hallelujah.
Caroline Sheriff showed up.
Bert Harper Amen. Go ahead, brother. Lead us in prayer.
Caroline I would like to pray for. For you and your radio station, because you mean so much to us. And I know that you're a very intricate thing that's carrying the word of God and the love of God to the world.
Bert Harper Amen.
Alex McFarland Thank you for your.
Bert Harper Go ahead, man.
Caroline Our, Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for everything you have given us. We thank you, Lord, for. For all the many blessings. We thank you for the people that work at American Family Radio, God, we pray that you would be in their hearts, God, and that they would say what you want them to say and do what you want them to do that they may help people find you in the free pardon of sin. And we thank you, God, for all of this. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Bert Harper Amen. Walter, thank you. You've got the vision of exploring the Word. That's exactly. And our president, Alex, you know, this put us right here, said, yes. Every program we do is biblically based, and a lot of them do devotional, but we want this geared to Bible study, evangelism, and discipleship. And what an opportunity, Walter. You caught that vision, didn't you, Alex?
Alex McFarland He did. Thank you, sir, for praying for us. It really means the world to us. 888-589-8840. If you want to call in and participate on this national day of prayer. Bert, who's next?
Bert Harper Okay. Texas, Is it Letitia?
Caroline Yes. Hi. Good afternoon.
Bert Harper M. Thank you. Evening.
Alex McFarland Yes.
Caroline Well, like Walter said, first of all, thank you both and American Family Radio for everything that you do and you teach us. I know you have taught me so much. while I work, I listen to you since I get up till I can no more. But I love you both and everybody in the programs. I learned so much again. And, thank you for taking prayer requests.
Brent asks for prayers for his brother Fernando and his husband Jerry
The issue that I have is, my brother, unfortunately, is an alcoholic, and he's struggling so much right now to the point that he's sick. I tell him about God. We were born and raised Catholic. I don't want to prolong it so much, but, you know, I became a Christian since and got to know the actual Bible. so I tell him about that. I tell him to, you know, I talk to him, everything that I have learned. And when he's okay, he's like, okay, I want to. Want to stop. And then when he's drunk, he's totally a different person, and he's like, you're God. You're God. You're God. He doesn't take it away. He made me defect it. and this and that. And so I'm asking for prayers for my brother Fernando and my husband Jerry. He's also like an alcoholic, but he's been sober for a year. But he had a fall this, this week and he knows better. He's back on his feet. But it's.
Caroline It's okay.
Bert Harper We're going to pray.
Caroline Struggle.
Bert Harper You're going to pray. Brent, we got a request come in. So we're going to pray. Would share that with us.
Alex McFarland Yeah, Benny, on Facebook, he's asking for prayers for the family of his brother in law. His brother in law, Abram, died in an accident at work today. He left his wife and kids behind, aged 3 to 20 years.
Bert Harper Wow.
Alex McFarland I'm so sorry.
Bert Harper I want to ask this. Brent, stay on the microphone. Is there any hope for Fernando and Jerry and alcohol, man?
Alex McFarland Yeah, definitely a lot of hope.
Bert Harper Or just a lot of hope? amen.
Alex McFarland It's all God.
Bert Harper It's all God.
Alex McFarland It'll happen.
Bert Harper Amen. Alex, did you get enough that you could lead us in prayer for these?
Alex McFarland Yes. Yes, Father, in the name of Jesus, you are our savior, you're our healer, you're our protector, Lord, you're everything to us, Lord Jesus. But one of the ministries that Isaiah tells us is that you came to set the captives free. And Lord, some people need to be set free from alcohol and drug addiction and addictive behaviors. And so in the name of Jesus, I pray for sobriety for in the lives of all these people, Lord, that are bound by things like this. And Lord, even right now I know of a pastor and their adult son is in jail. And Lord, I pray you'll minister in that regard. And, multiple legal charges have come about through substance abuse. And so, Holy Spirit of God, in the name of Jesus, we pray you'll draw people to salvation, set people free from addictions, restore marriages, restore families. And Lord, for this family that, had someone die at work in a very tragic workplace accident, minister to them. And Lord, help us that your word tells us number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. Any one of us could leave this world at any time. May we be prepared. Help people put their faith in you so they'll be saved. And then when we do say goodbye to loved ones that we're able to find our comfort, our solace, and our healing in you. So, Lord, for all these people that are hurting, grieving, worried, bound, you have come to set the captives free. And dear Jesus, our savior, our sanctuary, we flee to you, we look to you, we call out to you. In Christ's name I pray. Amen.
Bert Harper Amen. Amen. Let's go to Virginia. Jon, thank you for calling. You want to pray or have a prayer request?
Caroline Brother, I would like to pray, please. Thank you so much, Bert. And I'd just like to thank you and Alex for putting on this show and bringing such strong Christian theology. It's a pleasure to listen to you every day.
Bert Harper Thank you, Jon.
Alex McFarland To God be the glory.
Bert Harper Amen.
Alex McFarland Amen.
All right, so here goes. Heavenly Father, God, Almighty, all powerful
Caroline All right, so here goes. Heavenly Father, God, immortal, eternal, all powerful. I want to bring my praise and the praise of all who are with us today. For your glory, for your righteousness, and for your love, brought your son Jesus, to save us all from our sins and our transgressions. You sent the Holy Spirit, the comforter, to take care of us every day, every way, through your power, all things are possible. We know you are for us, and no one could be against us. In this nation, which can feel so distant from God, there are people who love you still. Please do not abandon this nation, even if it may feel that we have abandoned you. On this national day of prayer, please, God, loan us your wisdom, your strength, your righteousness. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Bert Harper Amen. Jon.
Alex McFarland Now that's a prayer.
Bert Harper That's a prayer. And we are God. Give us your wisdom. Amen. Give President Trump your wisdom. His. His cabinet, God, just do a work in their lives.
Alex McFarland Keep him safe. Lord, all of our leaders, we pray the wisdom of Christ, but, Lord, especially our president. Three times people have tried to kill him. Keep his family safe, keep him safe. Put a hedge of protection around him. In the name of Jesus, we ask it, Lord.
Bert Harper Amen. Amen. Thank you. Praise God.
William asks for prayer for his two sisters who are not yet saved
Let's go to Ohio. And it's William. William, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Caroline Thanks for having me. Appreciate y'. All. And let's go. On this day, would y' all be willing to pray? I've got two sisters are not yet saved. They're in their 60s. And, four of us siblings are saved, and two or not quite yet, but we're trusting God. So, I know it's a miracle that anyone gets saved, but I. I'm trusting the Lord and appreciate your prayer for them and their families.
Bert Harper William, we'll do it. I love your word, yet not saying yet. I heard a whole sermon, Alex, a few years ago by Chuck Swindoll, on that word yet, and I'm telling you what, it put a new spirit of prayer in me. And William, you've renewed that Right now. So is it all right if I pray for his, Father, thank you for William, thank you for his faith in you. That you are the hound of heaven and his two sisters who are not saved yet. That you're working in their lives, you're bringing people into their lives. Not just him and his other siblings, but, Father, other people. I pray you'd bring those people that would speak to their hearts and their lives, and they would see the reality of the joy of the Lord Jesus Christ. And I'm praying, God, that as Alex has said many times, Lord, keep them alive until they trust you. And Father, I pray that you would do that work that only you can do, of conviction, of judgment, but also of redemption. Father, we trust you and we thank you. In Jesus name. Amen.
Bert Harper Amen.
Bert Harper Yes, go ahead.
Alex McFarland Some might remember, I don't know, five, six weeks ago, I was, on the coast of North Carolina at a wonderful church, called, Emerald Isle Chapel by the Sea. And one of the ministers there is dear, dear friend of more than two decades, Robert Carnegie, mighty man of God. He was a missionary. His wife has gone on to heaven, but he's having open heart surgery today. since I was there, he's had, I think, a couple of heart attacks. And Robert Carnegie is a dear man of God. And, I just would appreciate everybody remembering him in prayer as he, has heart surgery.
Bert Harper One of the greatest things I know of people that listen to these days of prayer, and they have a sheet of paper and they write these requests down and then they start praying. Thank y'. All.
Brent has another prayer request from Facebook. It's from Alden
Well, Brent, did you say we had another prayer request?
Alex McFarland I do.
Alex McFarland I have another one from Facebook. It's from Alden. He would like prayer for his wife Shannon, who's been dealing with chronic pancreatitis for around 25 years. They are celebrating their 37th anniversary next week and would love prayer for many years to come. And he also says, God bless everyone at afr.
Bert Harper Amen. Thank you so much.
Alex McFarland Thank you.
Let's go to Diana in Texas who is clean from addiction
Bert Harper Yes. Let's go to Diana in Texas. Diana, thank you. Go right ahead.
Caroline Hey. How are you doing?
Bert Harper Doing well.
Alex McFarland Blessed.
Caroline I just wanted to, you know, I. I heard the one earlier about, addiction and stuff, and I just, I felt led to call in. I've been cleaning sober for almost a year and a half now, and,
Bert Harper Amen. Amen.
Alex McFarland God bless you, sister.
Caroline He, I was wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years, and, he really. He showed up in my. My world in a most powerful way. And just, I want to let people know that it is possible to, be free from addiction. And, the thing that I do every day is I seek God every single day. And I put him first in my life. And, it's just almost. It's overwhelming how he. He talks to me through people, around me, and through programs and answered prayers. You know, it's miraculous beyond words. And, I'm living my best life.
Bert Harper Hey, Diana. Listen, Diana, it's not over yet. That's the awesome part. there's an old song that we need to put this and play it sometimes for Brent. The longer I serve him, the sweeter he grows.
Alex McFarland Amen.
Bert Harper that's been a long time. But, Diana, can we pray and thank God for this and pray for these others? That's what we want to do right now. Father, we're praying for Diana. I thank you that you've done this work in her life of deliverance. And now I hear the joy and the thankfulness in her heart and her life. And, Father, we're praying for, Shannon, as she is struggling with all that difficulty. And. And Robert, Alex's friend. Father, we're praying for a victory. We're asking that in Jesus name, Amen.
Robert in Tennessee has a prayer request for American Family Radio
I think we got time for maybe one more prayer request. Robert, in Tennessee. We don't have a lot of time. Give us your prayer request, brother.
Caroline Great. I have two churches that I'm, considering becoming a member of. been in and out of church for several years. I believe strongly in the church and in the word of God, and, I know how important it is to be in church. But I have two churches that I'm struggling m with on which one that I should would be best for me and where maybe I could be used.
Bert Harper Amen. Robert, you made my day. I was going to suggest that May your numbers increase. Amen. Where I can be used. I want everybody who's listening be at a place where you can be used. Inside those walls, outside those walls, and let Jesus Christ reign. Alex, this has been a great day of prayer on exploring the word, hasn't it?
Alex McFarland You know, there's no gospel song. I bet everybody can give it a big amen. Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.
Bert Harper Amen.
Alex McFarland It's true, isn't it?
Bert Harper It is. And tomorrow, we want you to join us. It'll be Fire Away Friday. And, so listen, we'll take prayer requests on Fire Away Fridays as well. Seems like God's just working. And we praise God thank you for listening to Exploring the Word and afr. tell someone about us. But more importantly, tell them about Jesus.
Alex McFarland The views and opinions expressed in this
Bert Harper broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of
Alex McFarland the American Family association or American Family Radio.
American Family Radio takes your Bible questions live on American Family Radio
Jeff Chamblee 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. Stay with American Family Radio for the next hour as we study God's word and take your Bible questions.
One of the most important issues in a ministry is changing of leadership
Welcome to Exploring the Word.
Bert Harper One of the most important issues in a ministry, I would say a governmental platform would be changing of leadership. We're going to talk about that today in the Book of Numbers. Matter of fact, Moses has been leading for 40 years but a change is coming so we want to talk about that today and we hope it will help you wherever you are, in a church, in a ministry and to see how that change can take place in, in a godly and good way. This is Bert harper along with Dr. Alex McFarland and it's our joy to be with you each and every Monday through Friday at 3:00pm Central Time as we go through the word of God. We're in the Book of Numbers and Alex, chapter 27 verse 12 and following is a pivotal point in the life of the Israelites and a change of leadership. It's coming, isn't it?
Alex McFarland Well it really is. And that's one of the most critical moments in the life of a business, a church, ministry, and you know I guess I've seen it many times where the handoff to the next generation didn't go as well as it could. And when you see ministries like I think about, like the way it's so wonderfully gone in the Billy Graham ministry and frankly in American Family association, when the change of leadership and the next generation, when it goes well, it is a beautiful thing to see and the Lord blesses because I'll tell you, there's the old saying, I think it's been attributed to the late Lee Robertson. Everything rises or falls on leadership. And really that's true, isn't it?
Bert Harper It really is. Jon Maxwell was talking about that, how leadership is so important. There have been a lot of people that's written on leadership, yet at the same time, let me just share. A real good leader is a servant. That's the whole idea. and that doesn't mean that they're subservient to anything that comes along but that attitude and that spirit of servanthood will help them along the way. Well in Numbers, chapter 27 and I'll start reading here in verse 12 and we'll see what takes place. There's just a few verses Here, now, this is the time how it's going to happen. We're going to find out that it happened in Deuteronomy Numbers as it comes in here, it's covering some of the same things that would be taking place in Deuteronomy.
Bert says God let Moses see the promised land in chapter 27
And so let's look at this verse 12 of chapter 27. Now, the Lord said to Moses, go up into the mount of Abiram and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel. Now notice that. See the land. See, see, that's important. We'll come back to that. And when you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people as Eryn, your brother, was gathered. For in the wilderness end. During the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against my command to hallow me at the waters before their eyes. And then in verse 18, it says this. Then Moses spoke to the Lord, saying, let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation who may go out before them and go in before them, who may lead them out and bring them in, that the congregation of the Lord may not be like sheep which have no shepherd. Now, that was his request. Now, Alex, I find this just really important notice. let's talk about how he saw the land. And it gives you why. Because he disobeyed God when he said, speak to a rock to get water. And in his anger and in disobedience, he struck the rock two times. We might look at that and say, well, what a minor issue that was. But when we look at eternity and redemption, it was a major mistake, wasn't it?
Alex McFarland Well, it really was, because the rock represented Jesus. And it was really an outburst of anger against God. You know, names mean so much. This is fascinating. God tells Moses, you know, get up and take a look. You can see, he got up on the mount, Abarim, A B, A R, I M, not to be confused with Abram or Abraham, but abarim, which means the mountain afar off. So he's on this mountain afar off. And also afar off, he can see the promised land, the land that God had promised to the children of Israel. And he says, look, when you've seen it, you will be gathered under your people. That's a euphemism for saying you're going to pass away like Eryn did. And, I don't know, Bert, how long did Moses, poignantly look for 15 minutes or an hour and reflect. Now, we'll talk about this. But God let Moses see that promised land that he had Worked for and worked about for 40 years. But God gently reminds Moses, you rebelled against me, and hit the rock at the water of Meribah. And you know the word Meribah there in verse 14. M E R I B A H means quarrel. And, that was a quarrelsome time, wasn't it, in the life of Israel? But now we've said it many times. Moses will get to be in the Promised Land. And you say, in heaven. Well, sure, but in Matthew 17, on the Mount of Transfiguration, that was in the Holy Land. And Moses was there. But, even though this is a, ah, special time. But Moses prays in verse 15. He spoke to the Lord. He said, let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation. Even in his passing, he was interceding and asking God to raise up a good, competent leader in his absence. Which is precisely what God will, will do in the case of Joshua. he'll be appointed to leadership in Moses's absence. But this, Numbers 27, 12, 23. I mean, this is a pretty moving, scenario here, isn't it? Very significant moment in the life of, Israel. But in the passing or the impending death of Moses, it's. And this is like a movie script almost, isn't it, Bert?
Bert Harper It really is. And notice he doesn't say, here's who I think it is. I think, Caleb might be better than Joshua. there's a new man on the block. You know, one of those younger men that was under the 20. And he showed great leadership. And. No, he said, let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation. He put him there. He would set him there as a place over the congregation. Let the Lord. Now that's a request he makes. And, listen, before we get our opinions, even to God, much less to a congregation, and say, hey, all you guys down there, don't y' all think Joshua would be a good leader? Or would you rather have Caleb? No. He goes and he presents this to the Lord God himself. now notice he gives it a man over the congregation. he knows a little bit about that. That's where it's been. He's heard their gripes, their disappointments. He's had to intercede for them many times. And so here it is. Who may go out before them and go in before them. Alex, there it is. Leadership. Right there in that one. Those two phrases. Who may go out before them. In other words. Hey, listen, I'M leading you out, but I'm not going to balk, on you. I'm not going to go and swerve and ask God, no, I'm going to lead you in. So he was asking God to get somebody to do the job that he thought he was going to get to do, but because of. Again, we've talked about that rebellion, that anger in his heart, his mistake, his sin, someone else has to do it. But I don't hear bitterness in this. Alex, what about you?
Alex McFarland you know, God tells Moses here in, like, verse 18, take Joshua, the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay your hand upon him and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congre, and give him a charge in their sight. This is very beautiful.
Bert says this is an example of passing the torch or the baton
maybe folks, you've been to an installation service or an ordination service. Sometimes it's called an investiture service because leadership and authority is being invested in somebody. So God says, you take Joshua, here's the one I've picked, and put your hands upon him, pray. Set him before Eleazar the priest. It's a dedication, and in the sight of all the congregation, give him a charge in their sight, or, you know, instruction, the charge to the candidate, if you will, and you shall. Verse 20 is just beautiful. God says to Moses, thou shalt put some of thine honor upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. In other words, everybody's going to know the torch has been passed. You know, Bert, I gotta tell you, leadership is hard sometimes. I mean, there's work, there's decisions. if you're in a position of leadership, and I've been in a few positions of leadership, and it's always a great honor. I'll tell you what's maybe even harder than the work of leading is the necessity of letting it go.
Bert Harper Wow.
Alex McFarland Yeah, I've. Not only have I seen this, I've been in it one time where, the person riding off into the sunset, was not able to really hand it off to their successor. And that doesn't go well. This is a casebook study in how to do it right. And it was right and it went right because God was in it. And Moses, Joshua, and the people seem to know and understand that.
Bert Harper So Moses has mentored Joshua for 40 years. He was there in the beginning. He was the one fighting in the battle when Moses was, you know, holding his hands up and Eryn and. And Ur was holding his arms up. when they retired. So Joshua has. He went up at, part of the way to the mountain, when, at Mount Sinai, when the Ten Commandments. So this Joshua had been given some partial glimpses into leadership that no one else had. He also had an opportunity to be with him at some of the most strategic times in Moses leadership, time. And so Joshua was ready for this task. But notice, and I think verse 20 is very important. He gave it some of your authority. In other words, listen, I'm not just stopping right now and you take over. I'm going to. It's not quite time for me to, you know, be taken to my fathers, to the people. So I'm going to give you leadership here, here, here. I'm going to let it go, let it go, let it go. And you take it. And on the day that I am taken, then you have it. And so what. What an opportunity this is. And Moses, and I agree with you, Moses and Joshua, this is an example of passing the torch or the baton, whichever way you want to say it. Then you had the visual of it, of the Urim and probably the thunam that they would cast and show forth that God had chosen Joshua to be the man. That's in verse 21, verse 21. And so it's before the whole congregation. So you have an affirmation of Moses. And through this casting lots, you have the affirmation of God. So God is making it clear Moses is passing on. He is going to be taken out of the picture. But there is a new man on the block, and you're to follow him. I've, blessed him, I've equipped him, and I'm going to use him. Well. We're going to finish this in, verses 22 and 23 when we get back. And today's the national day of prayer when we get back. We want you to know that today you can call in and pray. We're looking forward to it.
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Today is the National Day of Prayer, which was dedicated in 1952
Alex McFarland Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Alex. We are getting into numbers. Chapter 28. We invite you to get a Bible and follow along. Hey, today is the National Day of Prayer, which was dedicated in, I think it was 1952 by decree of Congress. I'm so grateful that we have a congressionally sanctioned national day of prayer the first Thursday in May, and this is that day. Now, we're going to invite you in the third segment. After the second segment, we want you to call in and you can pray. You can share prayer requests, and you can also pray the number. I'm going to give the number, even though we won't get to it for about 15 minutes. But you can get in the queue. It's 888, 589, 88, 40. and think about that. There's so much to pray about, and you let the Holy Spirit put it on your heart. But, we are going to pray together, Bert. I was at a prayer gathering at, Mount Pleasant Church outside of Greensboro, North Carolina, and it was very special. I had a man get up and read a scripture, and I shared a scripture, and then for an hour, we just prayed. Did you get, to go to a prayer gathering today, Bert?
Bert Harper I did. It was here in Tupelo at our headquarters in front of City hall, and had the loudspeakers AFA help promote that. And we had different individuals coming forth and praying for our churches, our government, our law enforcement, and our educators, our economy, different segments and different individuals that was connected to those areas praying and leading in worship. And then at the end, we had a, group of second graders get up and help sing the Goodness of God with hand motions. It was wonderful. And we got all excited, had a color guard, those that were, you know, American Legion. They came and presented the colors, the flag. And we said, we did. Buddy Smith led us in the national anthem, our vice president here. And we just had a grand time of worship. It was prayer and worship, and I hope all over America that that was going on somewhere.
Alex McFarland Amen. Amen. Well, what a great day to be interceding and praying for America.
There's instruction about various offerings in chapter 28 of the Bible
And again, in that third segment, we'll invite you to call in. Let me read the last couple of verses of numbers. Chapter 27. 27, verse 22. And Moses did as the Lord commanded him. And he took Joshua and set him before Eliezer the priest, and before all the congregation. And he laid his hands upon him and gave him a charge. In other words, an instruction. And as the Lord commanded by the hand of Moses. Now, chapter 28 after this, you know, dramatic and very moving chapter 27. Chapter 28 is different in. To me it is. There's instruction about various offerings, 31 verses here, about things there to do in terms of offerings. Ah, flour and a lamb and Sabbath days. And I would encourage you to read it. but here's the thing. I'm just going to say this. I'm really glad that Jesus fulfilled all the law for us. because, Bert, if being in right relationship with God was still contingent on following the minutia of days and months and weeks, I'd be in trouble because I would probably let something fall through the cracks accidentally.
Bert Harper I know I would. I would not. yes, I know. And I think that's the reason the Bible said no one has kept the law. No one. Now, Paul tried, but I guarantee you they could have nitpicked him. And they can do that. But God looks on the heart. God looked on the heart even in those days. But let me, I've got this divided up and Alex, you, can go back. But the daily offerings. And you're talking about what this is. I think it's right on. First he's saying, here's your leadership and here's worship. In other words, if you're going to lead God's people in leadership, what's one, if not the most important thing you do? Lead them in worship. And so these sacrifices was an act of worship. And that is what's really important. So the first one was daily. You find that in verses one through eight, it was a, daily, certain things, verses nine and ten, weekly offerings, the Sabbath day. And then in verses 11 and 15, this is kind of new. Monthly offerings at the beginning of your months. This is verse 11. Shall present a burnt offering to the Lord at the beginning of your months each month. And then you go to the, to the yearly offerings. The Passover in verse 16, unleavened bread in verses 17 through 25, and even that of the first fruits. So each one of these, it's all during the year, some particular days and some particular weeks, as God has set aside these times to get out of your routine. And what worship. That's the whole idea, I think. What do you think?
Alex McFarland I think so as well. And you know, chapter 28 is pretty intricate, Bert.
For observant Jews, there are 62 holidays in the calendar year
I found out there's an app called is this a Jewish Holiday? And think about this. There are. I, was reading. I wanted to find out. Okay, there's the major holidays, minor holidays, minor fasts, guess how many. And special Shabbats, you know, and then there's something called Rosh Kodesh, which are some minor holidays that are at the beginning of every. Every month. Now, get this. It's enough to ramp up and get ready for Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. Right. So for observant Jews, there are in the calendar year 62 holidays.
Bert Harper Ooh.
Alex McFarland I mean, think about that. Praise God. That's beautiful. But that is so much to keep up with. And listen, I am so glad that salvation is by grace, not by not law, not works. Aren't you, Bert?
Bert Harper Hallelujah. Now, what's going to take place here that's so well put, alex. And again, 62. Okay. Out of 365 days or so. I'm tired thinking about it. Yeah. And they come daily, they come, weekly. They come monthly, then yearly. So you have all these special days that God has set aside to remember him, to worship Him. So you're to worship him daily, every day. Every day is the Lord's day.
Alex McFarland Sure.
Bert Harper But once a week, you set aside those things, get out of your routine, and you worship the Lord. And in our day, it's together, you know, corporate worship. So what this would translate. In our day, each day, I'm to have a quiet time with the Lord. I'm to have a time when I seek God, when I read His Word and pray. And then once a week, at least once a week, we're together as one. And then monthly, the whole idea is you start off the month each time. You start off each month, you examine. Okay? This is your month. This is the month that you have made. And, Alex, when you do these things, you do have these weekly. Each day is special in our calendar. Okay?
Alex McFarland Yeah.
Bert Harper Now, it's not where we do, two lambs and a goat and this much meal and this much oil, but it's still, we present ourselves a what? Living sacrifice unto the Lord, which is your, According to Romans 12, your reasonable, as it says in the King James, reasonable worship. So this is why I hope everybody does not get lost in all the details. And they are particular, they're important. It shows how detailed God is. But don't lose the big picture. We're to worship him every day, Alex.
Alex McFarland Well, yeah. And here's the thing. there are all these offerings and drink offerings and different things. But if you go down there to verse 22, one goat for a sin offering to make an atonement for you. And the word atonement is really the word reconciliation. Think about a goat, because clearly, you know, they're the sheep and the goats, the Goat is an unclean animal. How in the world could that be an atonement? Well, you know, there are so many. So many pictures here of salvation. The blood of a perfect lamb without blemish on the altar. But a goat. The Bible says of Jesus, he who knew no sin was made to be sin for us or became sin. and Isaiah 53 says that on him was put the guilt of us all. Isn't that something that. A goat was the atonement, prescribed in this particular passage of Scripture, verse 23. You shall offer these beside the burnt offering in the morning, which is for a continual burning, burnt offering. And it would be continual until Christ came and fulfilled everything. And see, one of the beautiful things. Hebrews 4 talks about this and other passages that if you put your faith in Jesus, his fulfillment of the law becomes our fulfillment of the law.
Bert Harper Hallelujah. Alex?
Alex McFarland Yeah? We couldn't. We're fallen sinners. we're sinners by birth. We're sinners by choice.
Caroline We're.
Alex McFarland We have the imputed unrighteousness of Adam and Eve. Plus, we commit sins on our own. We're hopeless, lost sinners. Except that Jesus Christ the righteous fulfilled it all. And when you put your trust in Jesus, his righteousness is accredited to you.
Bert Harper Amen.
Alex: In the Bible, there are many references to yearly sacrifices
Praise God for Jesus. He is. In each one of these sacrifices, you see Christ. Especially in the yearly sacrifices, you see what Christ has done. But look in verse 24, and you see this phrase. And I think it occurs about seven times in these, chapters about the offerings. Alex, if I counted correctly, a sweet aroma to the Lord. our. Here, listen. Our worship to him. A. Ah, sacrifice of praise. Worship with our tithes, our offerings, when we share with others what God it is a sweet aroma. In other words, it rises up to God for a pleasantness before him. And so, Alex, this is wonderful, this attitude of meeting and helping and ministering in the name of the lord. But verse 26 brings on the idea of the first fruits. Let me ask you that. Let me see. if we're going to tithe, what we should do is pay every one of our bills, and then if we have anything left over, we're to give it unto the Lord. Is that what this is about?
Alex McFarland Amen.
Bert Harper It's not, is it? We're to give the first fruits, not the last, right?
Alex McFarland Exactly. Exactly. Give him our best and not our second best or third best. And, so it goes on about the offering of these things, and it's really in gratitude. Now, chapter 29. It would be all right if we sort of start.
Bert Harper Yeah, go to 29. Yeah, we got about five, six more minutes so we can tackle it in
Alex McFarland the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy convocation, a gathering. And we have that holy convocation every Sunday morning. Christians worship on the first day of the week. That's resurrection day. You shall do no servile work. It is a day of blowing trumpets unto you. And you shall offer a burnt offering for a sweet savor unto the Lord. And it goes on. And it talks about the various. The meat offerings, the blood, well, the bullock, one, ram, seven lambs of the first year without blemish. I mean, this is not only intricate, it would have been costly. And their meat offering shall be of flour mingled with wool. Three tenths deals for a bullock, two tenths for a ram, one tenth deal for one lamb throughout the seven lambs. you know this. Yeah. It's a good thing that they had the Levitical priesthood, because, this is very intricate, isn't it? And, you know, I would think about this, Bert. Remember, it said the sons of Eli. the holy things became familiar. I wonder the priests continually going through these rituals, if they ever, got, I don't know, burned out, fatigued. I mean, we're talking about the salvation of people's soul here. And in faith, they're looking for the Messiah that would come, and they are to carry out these rituals till he did come. Now, Christ came. He fulfilled it all. In Jon 17, Christ was able to honestly say, father, I finished the work you gave me to do on the cross. He was able to legitimately say, it is finished. And, you know, Galatians 4, 4 says, in the fullness of time, God sent forth his son, born of a woman, to redeem those that were under the law. When I read all this intricacy, it seems burdensome. Salvation is the most important thing in the world. I would think past and present people would flee to Jesus. You mean it's done, it's paid for. And I put my trust in Christ and follow him. Sign me up. Bert, why does the human heart prefer. Not always. Sometimes. Why does the human heart prefer works
Bert Harper over grace, darkness and light? And because their deeds are evil. And the Bible talks about that quite often about our deeds and want to keep it, about turning away from our way. We're selfish. Okay. Every human being. Okay. I'm not that. Yeah. I am that selfish. I think I'm right, and I think I ought to have it my way and, listen, that's selfishness that we can't have. If we had it our way the way the song says. I did it my way if we did it if we did it our way if we do it our way Hell is our destination. I know we've got to come to the Lord Jesus Christ. Well, we're burnt.
Alex McFarland I can't believe you mentioned that song My way. I was a little kid. I don't know how old I was. Eight. Eight years old maybe. And Frank Sinatra was on tv and, I love music, but he was singing My way, I did it my way. Right? And I remember I looked at my parents and I said, that's a bad song. I mean, you know, but it goes on through, And you're right, Bert. We are selfish people.
Today is a national day of prayer. We would love for you to call in and pray
29 is all about the sacrifices. Chapter 30 is about making vows to God. Chapter 29 concludes, and it says, moses told the children of Israel according to all that the Lord commanded.
Bert Harper Hallelujah.
Alex McFarland Well, when we pick up in 31 later on, we're going to go back to the Midianites. But these rituals, God gave it to them to do.
Bert Harper He did. Hey, that number. Today is a national day of prayer. We want you to pray. We would love for you to call in and pray. That number is 888-589-8840.
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Alex McFarland Don't stop praying don't stop calling on Jesus name Keep on pounding on heaven's door Let your knees wear out the floor
Bert Harper yes, it is Thursday, not Tuesday, when you usually hear that song. But today is the national day of prayer. A, day recognized that Americans gather together and pray for our country, our state, our community, one another. And so we want you to call this number. It's 888-589-8840. We would love for you to pray. We want you to make it as specific and, you know, I don't want to say short, but make it kind of brief and, because it's hard, difficult to not do that and do it on the radio and make it effective. So we would love for you to call. We've got two that's already called in. That means we got room for a lot more. And, we would love for you to call in if you got a prayer request. we will read that. I tell you what you can do. You can give Richard the prayer request and he can write it in there, and then we can pray for that. If you'd do that today. But, Alex, it is a day of prayer. We talked about yours there in North Carolina, ours here in, Mississippi. The neat part, it takes place all over the United States, doesn't it?
Alex McFarland It really does. And we want you to be a part of it. And, you know, even if, you go to church or a, gathering after the workday, tonight, you know, get, get that in. I just think there's something so powerful about corporate prayer, and that's what we're going to do now. And, Bert, where should we begin?
American Family Radio is hosting a national day of prayer on Sunday
Bert Harper Let's start in Mississippi, and it's Walter. Walter, you've. You called in right at the beginning of segment, too. You've been waiting. Thank you for calling in. Would, Would you mind leading us in prayer, brother?
Caroline I wouldn't mind at all, sir.
Bert Harper Well, thank you.
Caroline I just wanted to pass on that we were, we were very fortunate. we, we set up a national prayer in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, in front of the courthouse. but we got rained on ever since. Our church is just across the street from the courthouse. We went to church.
Bert Harper Amen. Amen.
Caroline People from different churches in the. In town, in the county showed up and we had ourselves a prayer meeting.
Bert Harper Well, you didn't have separation of church and state. Y' all just combined it there, right, Walter?
Caroline That's right, we did.
Bert Harper Amen. Hallelujah.
Caroline Sheriff showed up.
Bert Harper Amen. Go ahead, brother. Lead us in prayer.
Caroline I would like to pray for. For you and your radio station, because you mean so much to us. And I know that you're a very intricate thing that's carrying the word of God and the love of God to the world.
Bert Harper Amen.
Alex McFarland Thank you for your.
Bert Harper Go ahead, man.
Caroline Our, Heavenly Father, we thank you so much for everything you have given us. We thank you, Lord, for. For all the many blessings. We thank you for the people that work at American Family Radio, God, we pray that you would be in their hearts, God, and that they would say what you want them to say and do what you want them to do that they may help people find you in the free pardon of sin. And we thank you, God, for all of this. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Bert Harper Amen. Walter, thank you. You've got the vision of exploring the Word. That's exactly. And our president, Alex, you know, this put us right here, said, yes. Every program we do is biblically based, and a lot of them do devotional, but we want this geared to Bible study, evangelism, and discipleship. And what an opportunity, Walter. You caught that vision, didn't you, Alex?
Alex McFarland He did. Thank you, sir, for praying for us. It really means the world to us. 888-589-8840. If you want to call in and participate on this national day of prayer. Bert, who's next?
Bert Harper Okay. Texas, Is it Letitia?
Caroline Yes. Hi. Good afternoon.
Bert Harper M. Thank you. Evening.
Alex McFarland Yes.
Caroline Well, like Walter said, first of all, thank you both and American Family Radio for everything that you do and you teach us. I know you have taught me so much. while I work, I listen to you since I get up till I can no more. But I love you both and everybody in the programs. I learned so much again. And, thank you for taking prayer requests.
Brent asks for prayers for his brother Fernando and his husband Jerry
The issue that I have is, my brother, unfortunately, is an alcoholic, and he's struggling so much right now to the point that he's sick. I tell him about God. We were born and raised Catholic. I don't want to prolong it so much, but, you know, I became a Christian since and got to know the actual Bible. so I tell him about that. I tell him to, you know, I talk to him, everything that I have learned. And when he's okay, he's like, okay, I want to. Want to stop. And then when he's drunk, he's totally a different person, and he's like, you're God. You're God. You're God. He doesn't take it away. He made me defect it. and this and that. And so I'm asking for prayers for my brother Fernando and my husband Jerry. He's also like an alcoholic, but he's been sober for a year. But he had a fall this, this week and he knows better. He's back on his feet. But it's.
Caroline It's okay.
Bert Harper We're going to pray.
Caroline Struggle.
Bert Harper You're going to pray. Brent, we got a request come in. So we're going to pray. Would share that with us.
Alex McFarland Yeah, Benny, on Facebook, he's asking for prayers for the family of his brother in law. His brother in law, Abram, died in an accident at work today. He left his wife and kids behind, aged 3 to 20 years.
Bert Harper Wow.
Alex McFarland I'm so sorry.
Bert Harper I want to ask this. Brent, stay on the microphone. Is there any hope for Fernando and Jerry and alcohol, man?
Alex McFarland Yeah, definitely a lot of hope.
Bert Harper Or just a lot of hope? amen.
Alex McFarland It's all God.
Bert Harper It's all God.
Alex McFarland It'll happen.
Bert Harper Amen. Alex, did you get enough that you could lead us in prayer for these?
Alex McFarland Yes. Yes, Father, in the name of Jesus, you are our savior, you're our healer, you're our protector, Lord, you're everything to us, Lord Jesus. But one of the ministries that Isaiah tells us is that you came to set the captives free. And Lord, some people need to be set free from alcohol and drug addiction and addictive behaviors. And so in the name of Jesus, I pray for sobriety for in the lives of all these people, Lord, that are bound by things like this. And Lord, even right now I know of a pastor and their adult son is in jail. And Lord, I pray you'll minister in that regard. And, multiple legal charges have come about through substance abuse. And so, Holy Spirit of God, in the name of Jesus, we pray you'll draw people to salvation, set people free from addictions, restore marriages, restore families. And Lord, for this family that, had someone die at work in a very tragic workplace accident, minister to them. And Lord, help us that your word tells us number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom. Any one of us could leave this world at any time. May we be prepared. Help people put their faith in you so they'll be saved. And then when we do say goodbye to loved ones that we're able to find our comfort, our solace, and our healing in you. So, Lord, for all these people that are hurting, grieving, worried, bound, you have come to set the captives free. And dear Jesus, our savior, our sanctuary, we flee to you, we look to you, we call out to you. In Christ's name I pray. Amen.
Bert Harper Amen. Amen. Let's go to Virginia. Jon, thank you for calling. You want to pray or have a prayer request?
Caroline Brother, I would like to pray, please. Thank you so much, Bert. And I'd just like to thank you and Alex for putting on this show and bringing such strong Christian theology. It's a pleasure to listen to you every day.
Bert Harper Thank you, Jon.
Alex McFarland To God be the glory.
Bert Harper Amen.
Alex McFarland Amen.
All right, so here goes. Heavenly Father, God, Almighty, all powerful
Caroline All right, so here goes. Heavenly Father, God, immortal, eternal, all powerful. I want to bring my praise and the praise of all who are with us today. For your glory, for your righteousness, and for your love, brought your son Jesus, to save us all from our sins and our transgressions. You sent the Holy Spirit, the comforter, to take care of us every day, every way, through your power, all things are possible. We know you are for us, and no one could be against us. In this nation, which can feel so distant from God, there are people who love you still. Please do not abandon this nation, even if it may feel that we have abandoned you. On this national day of prayer, please, God, loan us your wisdom, your strength, your righteousness. In the name of your son, Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Bert Harper Amen. Jon.
Alex McFarland Now that's a prayer.
Bert Harper That's a prayer. And we are God. Give us your wisdom. Amen. Give President Trump your wisdom. His. His cabinet, God, just do a work in their lives.
Alex McFarland Keep him safe. Lord, all of our leaders, we pray the wisdom of Christ, but, Lord, especially our president. Three times people have tried to kill him. Keep his family safe, keep him safe. Put a hedge of protection around him. In the name of Jesus, we ask it, Lord.
Bert Harper Amen. Amen. Thank you. Praise God.
William asks for prayer for his two sisters who are not yet saved
Let's go to Ohio. And it's William. William, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
Caroline Thanks for having me. Appreciate y'. All. And let's go. On this day, would y' all be willing to pray? I've got two sisters are not yet saved. They're in their 60s. And, four of us siblings are saved, and two or not quite yet, but we're trusting God. So, I know it's a miracle that anyone gets saved, but I. I'm trusting the Lord and appreciate your prayer for them and their families.
Bert Harper William, we'll do it. I love your word, yet not saying yet. I heard a whole sermon, Alex, a few years ago by Chuck Swindoll, on that word yet, and I'm telling you what, it put a new spirit of prayer in me. And William, you've renewed that Right now. So is it all right if I pray for his, Father, thank you for William, thank you for his faith in you. That you are the hound of heaven and his two sisters who are not saved yet. That you're working in their lives, you're bringing people into their lives. Not just him and his other siblings, but, Father, other people. I pray you'd bring those people that would speak to their hearts and their lives, and they would see the reality of the joy of the Lord Jesus Christ. And I'm praying, God, that as Alex has said many times, Lord, keep them alive until they trust you. And Father, I pray that you would do that work that only you can do, of conviction, of judgment, but also of redemption. Father, we trust you and we thank you. In Jesus name. Amen.
Bert Harper Amen.
Bert Harper Yes, go ahead.
Alex McFarland Some might remember, I don't know, five, six weeks ago, I was, on the coast of North Carolina at a wonderful church, called, Emerald Isle Chapel by the Sea. And one of the ministers there is dear, dear friend of more than two decades, Robert Carnegie, mighty man of God. He was a missionary. His wife has gone on to heaven, but he's having open heart surgery today. since I was there, he's had, I think, a couple of heart attacks. And Robert Carnegie is a dear man of God. And, I just would appreciate everybody remembering him in prayer as he, has heart surgery.
Bert Harper One of the greatest things I know of people that listen to these days of prayer, and they have a sheet of paper and they write these requests down and then they start praying. Thank y'. All.
Brent has another prayer request from Facebook. It's from Alden
Well, Brent, did you say we had another prayer request?
Alex McFarland I do.
Alex McFarland I have another one from Facebook. It's from Alden. He would like prayer for his wife Shannon, who's been dealing with chronic pancreatitis for around 25 years. They are celebrating their 37th anniversary next week and would love prayer for many years to come. And he also says, God bless everyone at afr.
Bert Harper Amen. Thank you so much.
Alex McFarland Thank you.
Let's go to Diana in Texas who is clean from addiction
Bert Harper Yes. Let's go to Diana in Texas. Diana, thank you. Go right ahead.
Caroline Hey. How are you doing?
Bert Harper Doing well.
Alex McFarland Blessed.
Caroline I just wanted to, you know, I. I heard the one earlier about, addiction and stuff, and I just, I felt led to call in. I've been cleaning sober for almost a year and a half now, and,
Bert Harper Amen. Amen.
Alex McFarland God bless you, sister.
Caroline He, I was wandering around in the wilderness for 40 years, and, he really. He showed up in my. My world in a most powerful way. And just, I want to let people know that it is possible to, be free from addiction. And, the thing that I do every day is I seek God every single day. And I put him first in my life. And, it's just almost. It's overwhelming how he. He talks to me through people, around me, and through programs and answered prayers. You know, it's miraculous beyond words. And, I'm living my best life.
Bert Harper Hey, Diana. Listen, Diana, it's not over yet. That's the awesome part. there's an old song that we need to put this and play it sometimes for Brent. The longer I serve him, the sweeter he grows.
Alex McFarland Amen.
Bert Harper that's been a long time. But, Diana, can we pray and thank God for this and pray for these others? That's what we want to do right now. Father, we're praying for Diana. I thank you that you've done this work in her life of deliverance. And now I hear the joy and the thankfulness in her heart and her life. And, Father, we're praying for, Shannon, as she is struggling with all that difficulty. And. And Robert, Alex's friend. Father, we're praying for a victory. We're asking that in Jesus name, Amen.
Robert in Tennessee has a prayer request for American Family Radio
I think we got time for maybe one more prayer request. Robert, in Tennessee. We don't have a lot of time. Give us your prayer request, brother.
Caroline Great. I have two churches that I'm, considering becoming a member of. been in and out of church for several years. I believe strongly in the church and in the word of God, and, I know how important it is to be in church. But I have two churches that I'm struggling m with on which one that I should would be best for me and where maybe I could be used.
Bert Harper Amen. Robert, you made my day. I was going to suggest that May your numbers increase. Amen. Where I can be used. I want everybody who's listening be at a place where you can be used. Inside those walls, outside those walls, and let Jesus Christ reign. Alex, this has been a great day of prayer on exploring the word, hasn't it?
Alex McFarland You know, there's no gospel song. I bet everybody can give it a big amen. Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before.
Bert Harper Amen.
Alex McFarland It's true, isn't it?
Bert Harper It is. And tomorrow, we want you to join us. It'll be Fire Away Friday. And, so listen, we'll take prayer requests on Fire Away Fridays as well. Seems like God's just working. And we praise God thank you for listening to Exploring the Word and afr. tell someone about us. But more importantly, tell them about Jesus.
Alex McFarland The views and opinions expressed in this
Bert Harper broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of
Alex McFarland the American Family association or American Family Radio.
Leadership And Worship: Numbers 27:12 - 29:40
✍️ Episode References
American Family Radio
https://afr.net
Bert Harper
https://www.afa.net/the-afa-store/bert-harper
Dr. Alex McFarland
https://alexmcfarland.com
The Bible
https://www.biblegateway.com
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