Transcript

American Family Radio takes your Bible questions live on American Family Radio

>> Bert Harper: The Bible. It's the word of God. Sharper than any two edged sword.

>> Alex McFarland: This sacred book is living and active.

>> Bert Harper: 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.

Bert Harper: Tuesday is day of prayer for those in need

Welcome to Exploring the word. Isaiah 49. Six indeed. He says that he is the Lord from verse five. Now listen, it is too small a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel. I, will also give you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be my salvation to the ends of the earth. In other words, God is saying, listen, yes, I can restore you, I can put you where I need you to be. But this is what I want it to be done. This is the great work, to be a light to the Gentiles. Well, this is Bert Harper along with Dr. Alex McFarland, and we're thankful you're with us today on Exploring the Word. And by the way, it's a day of prayer. We set aside Tuesday as day of prayer. So if you have prayer requests, we'll open the lines up later so you can call it in. We want to pray with you and for you. And, not just Alex and me, but we have prayer warriors that are all over the United States and they join us us in praying for those that call in. And every so often we'll get a praise report of answered prayer. So we take praises as well. Well, Alex, Isaiah 49 again, I, I, I, verse six just hit me and I know you might want to say something else, but he said, you know, yeah, I can raise these up. I can bring Jacob back. I can preserve Israel. That's no small thing. But you haven't seen anything yet. I'm a light to the Gentiles, my salvation to the ends of the earth. What a mission we have. And what a, Messiah we have.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Well, Bert, it's great to be with you and great to be in God's word. In Isaiah 49. Yes, the Redeemer of Israel is the light to the Gentiles. Jesus. And it begins, Isaiah 49. Listen, O Isles unto me, and hearken ye people from far. The Lord hath called me from the womb, from the bowels of my mother. He hath made mention of my name. This is about the Messiah. It's Jesus, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It is. Second Servant song is what it's called. And Jesus. Listen, my professor at Blue Mountain it's now Christian University. He said, listen what you want to do. If you look hard, you'll find Jesus on every page of the Bible. And Alex and Isaiah, man, he is there, isn't he?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, that is certainly the case. Verse 3. Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified. Now, Israel is God's servant. they need to know the Messiah. But then I said, I have labored in vain. I have spent my strength for naught and in vain. Yet surely my judgment is with the Lord and my work with my God. Like you say that, you know, Israel is the servant of God, but to them was sent. Yes, God's servant, the Savior. And so there's really kind of a double meaning here. And in much of many of Isaiah's prophecies, there's a double meaning. But we. Well, it's almost like the church. We are not Jesus Christ, but we know Jesus Christ. We are the redeemed of the Lord, but we become the m. Ambassadors of the Lord. Now, Christ, remember in John 17, he said, Father, I finished the work you gave me to do. Jesus was the messenger, the Messiah, the Savior, the servant. But we who believe in him, we also become God's emissaries, ambassadors, and servants as well. So there's very much a double meaning.

>> Bert Harper: It really does.

Alex: Verse five and six are powerful in Luke chapter two

And verses five and six are so powerful, Alex. the Lord says, who formed me from the womb to be a servant and to bring Jacob back to him so that Israel is gathered to him. Notice what this does. And it does it about two or three times in this one chapter. he talks about Israel coming back, and then he talks about being. Letting the prisoners, you know, go free. Later on, we'll see that. And then a light to the Gentiles. But here, for I shall see the glorious of the eyes of the Lord, and my God shall be my strength. And then I read that verse 6. And to raise up the tribes of Jacob again there he says, we're going to raise them up. We're going to do that because Messiah is going to come from you, but then he will be a light, and you will be a light to the world. But I could not help but think of Luke, chapter two. when Simeon saw Jesus at the temple. And when he saw that, I'll also give you as a light to the Gentiles. Let me read Luke, chapter two, verses 29 through 32. this is Simeon responding to seeing Jesus. Lord, now you're letting your servant depart in peace according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all peoples. A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of your people, Israel. Alex. the word of God, Isaiah, 800 years before this would happen. But Simeon, again, I'm sure he'd studied scripture, but bringing it to be, he said, what God promised, then my eyes have seen. Now I can die in peace. Amen. What, What a. What a statement, I'd say, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. I love that passage. And no, doubt Simeon knew his Bible, didn't he?

>> Bert Harper: He did.

>> Alex McFarland: And he knew that he had seen the Savior. And it talks about Jesus being formed from the womb. You mentioned verse six. he said, is it is a light thing that thou should be my servant to raise up tribes of Jacob and restore the preserved of Israel. Now, God has multiple times throughout history he has restored the tribes of Israel, hasn't he? He has, restored the preserved. Verse 6 uses this word that means the saved. And I think about May 14, 1948. And again, he raised up and preserved the tribes of Israel. Now, here's the thing. We get this question a lot, Bert. People say, how do Jews go to heaven? Well, how did the Old Testament saints go to heaven? Faith in the Messiah. Do you know? And thank the Lord for Pentecost, thank the Lord for Paul the apostle to the Gentiles, thank the Lord for the chain of witness that brought the gospel to each one of us. But really, it's we Gentiles that are grafted in. And Israel is still the messenger of God to the world, though they, the majority don't know it. Some do. I know a lot of born again Jewish people. And I know you do too, don't you, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: Yes, I do. And they love the Lord Jesus. And they were saved the same way I was saved. By grace, through faith, through no difference. And, when we share that, it's the good news of Jesus Christ.

The mission in the New Testament is to take Jesus Christ to the world

And Alex, this is Missional. You know, the other program that I have the privilege of hosting with Nathan, my son is exploring missions. And when you see this. Ah. And we really note it in that 30 minute program that's heard on the weekends and on podcasts. A light to the Gentiles. Light there was purpose. Okay. Why were the Hebrews called the Jews there? To be a light to the gentiles, you know, and I've talked about this several times, where he gave them the land, geographical what he gave them. By the law, they were to be the light to the world. Alex. Bert, go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Brace yourself.

>> Bert Harper: Go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: You do that show with your son, Nathan.

>> Bert Harper: Yes.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay. Look at this, folks. This is a jewel. Isaiah 49, 6. It says, I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation to the end of the earth. Okay, the word there in the English translated give thee is really a sign. God says to Israel, I'm assigning you something. You're supposed to be a light to the Gentiles. Guess what the Hebrew word there is. It's the word Nathan.

>> Bert Harper: Wow. I'm marking that one down. I had not looked at that, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: And the word Nathan really means assignment. Now, this is why every Christian in the world should be pro Israel. Now, look, everybody needs to get born again. There's no difference. Jew, gentile, salvation, the power of God unto salvation. But here's the thing. The Jewish nation was originally entrusted with the oracles of God. Salvation is of the Jews. Now they have an assignment. And, so not all, but many of the Jews rejected Jesus. And so, you and I were talking about, the Great Supper. And Jesus said, go into the highways and hedges. Compel them to come in. None who were originally bidden to my supper will taste of it. Not all, but many of the Jews rejected Jesus. Many reject him. Now, many do believe in Jesus. But the Nathan, the assignment of being the evangelist to planet Earth, that was initially entrusted to the Jewish people.

>> Bert Harper: It really was. And guess who has the assignment now? Let me see. There's something in Matthew 28 that says something about, you know, you should go forth and make disciples in all the world. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: That's a great commission, Bert.

>> Bert Harper: Isn't that something? And so the mission in the Old Testament, the mission in the NewSong Testament, the mission that we have today is to take the light of Jesus Christ to the world, the salvation to the ends of the earth, to all nations. So that when we get to Revelation 4 and 6, and it says, every tongue, every tribe, every people gathered around saying, worthy is the Lamb. Alex, when we have taken the light to the Gentiles, when we have shared the salvation to the ends of the earth, we're celebrating in what God has given us to do with those who have responded and those who have joined us in this task, is there any greater task?

>> Alex McFarland: There is no greater task. And I, want to read verse seven. This is so powerful. Thus saith the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him who the nations abhorreth, to the servant of Rulers. Now, listen. Kings shall see and arise. Princes also shall worship because of the Lord that is faithful and the Holy One of Israel. And he shall choose thee. You know, Bert, shortly after Queen Elizabeth ii died, in September 8th of 2022, I met a man, and he was, from the uk and he, frankly wept. he had been on Queen Elizabeth's security detail many years ago, and he shared this. He said that once, Queen Elizabeth had said that she wished to. To be alive when Christ returned. Why she said, so I can lay my crown at his feet.

>> Bert Harper: Wow.

>> Alex McFarland: Isn't that powerful? It is, Isaiah 49. 7. And, folks, let me tell you, some people reject God, some people scoff, some people blaspheme God. But kings will bow before the King of kings. Princes, rulers, the leaders of this world. Because human beings are finite, limited. Jesus is above all. He's the Alpha, the Omega, the beginning and the end, the Savior of the world, the light to the Gentiles, the Redeemer of Israel, the Name above all names. And one day, every human ever will acknowledge. The question is this. Will you be in a state of salvation or a state of condemnation? But every knee will bow.

>> Bert Harper: They will. Now, the last thing in verse seven, when we come back, we'll go on to verse eight.

You can listen to AFR content through the AFR app

Because the Lord. Who is what? Faithful? he's faithful in all generations, from Adam all the way in to today and even tomorrow. He is faithful. That's our God. And he wants you to know him because he is knowable through Jesus Christ. We're going to be back and we're going to look at some more, and you don't want to miss it. It is powerful about what God is doing and going to do. The AFR app is a powerful tool, but it does have limitations. You can't use it to change the oil in your vehicle or get rid of carpet stains.

>> Alex McFarland: It won't walk the dog, won't pick.

>> Bert Harper: Up the dry cleaning or take the kids to practice. But while you're doing those things, you can listen to your favorite AFR content through the app on your phone, smart device, or Roku. Just go to your app store or visit afr.net Listen to AFR wherever you go with the AFR app, I talk about grace. I talk about love. I talk about faith.

>> Alex McFarland: But some days I don't have enough. I talk about forgiveness. Still learning how to give it. Lord, I need your strength to live what I believe.

>> Bert Harper: I want my life to preach.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. We want our lives to preach. And, we're in Isaiah 49, reading the word growing in the Lord. And later on, in a few minutes, we'll take, questions, prayer requests. We do that on Tuesdays. It's a day of prayer. So the number I'm going to give that number, you might want to write it down. It's 888-589-8840. Triple 888, 589, 88, 40. And we'll get to the phones here in a little while.

Alex: Bert says Jesus came to set the prisoners free in Revelation

But transitioning on Bert, to like verse 8. Thus saith the Lord in an acceptable time. I've heard the. And in a day of salvation have I helped thee. And I will preserve thee, give thee for a covenant of the people to establish the earth to cause to inherit the desolate heritages. In other words, restore the formerly forsaken, even abandoned places. And so really, this is a beautiful promise. And, Bert, I'm going to go to Revelation. He says, behold, I make all things new.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Isn't that just about what it's saying there in verse eight? Behold, our Lord makes all things new.

>> Bert Harper: And that's what he does. We're a new creation in Christ. as a 12 year old boy, I became a new creation in Christ. On a Tuesday night, Alex, in August, Jesus Christ changed my life forever. And, listen, what big difference was in this boy? A lot. And I thank God for it. But not only has he done that, verse nine, amen, I think sets the theme. Chapter 49, verses one through seven. I think it's, the theme is light in the darkness. You know, I'm just trying to, you know, I've told you before, I try to put things together in one headed. And now in verses 8 through 13, I think it's the liberty to the prisoners, listen. That you may say to the prisoners, go forth to those who are in darkness, show yourselves. I love that prisoners. He, came to set the prisoners free, hasn't he? Prison to our sin, prison to ourself. He sets us free, doesn't he?

>> Alex McFarland: See, here's the thing. He does. Yes. We, as we preach the gospel, we can legitimately say to people, you're set free. This is not based on our opinion or anything, but based on God's word. thou may say to the prisoners, go forth to them that are in darkness, show yourselves. They that feed in the ways and the pastures shall be in all high places. They shall not hunger nor thirst, neither shall the heat nor the sun smite them. For he that hath mercy on them shall lead Them even by the springs of water. Do you know what there is? Spiritual forgiveness. There is personal, physical, psychological restoration. And there is actually lifelong provision. And only Christianity can legitimately make this promise. Now, there are plenty of false, empty promises, but when we are giving you Jesus, or we're telling you Christ's arms are open, we are legitimately saying, you're set free in Christ. You're forgiven. Give yourself permission to forgive that past that haunts you. I mean, Bert, there's so much that we can say here about the gospel that changes not only your eternity, and, of course, that's vital. You're going to heaven, not hell, if you're a believer. But Jesus restores, heals, blesses your life down here as well.

>> Bert Harper: He does. This makes me think, again, you can't help but read Isaiah, and connect it to people, individuals verses in the NewSong Testament. Listen to this one in Galatians 5:1 about setting the prisoners free. Stand fast, therefore, in the liberty by which Christ has made us free. And do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. We are free in Christ Jesus not to do. I love. I don't know who first said it, all these things that I know. I would love to know who the first person was that said it, because I remember it, but I can't remember everything about it. But he did not free us and save us to do what we want, but to do what we ought. Ought. Christ has set us free to serve him, to work with him, to go with him. So this passage in Galatians 5:1, Paul was right into those churches in Galatia. Galatia was an area. Most of the letters he wrote was to individuals and to certain churches. But, Galatia was a group of churches, and they had been invaded by false teaching. And one of those was being entangled with the old and trying to work out the law and grace together. And he says, stand therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. Now, Alex, that yoke of bondage could be that which, we previously was involved in, engaged in. It could be something that of an addiction, be that of a habit. He set us free and give us the capacity to be more than conquerors and be delivered from those. Hasn't He.

>> Alex McFarland: He really has. He really has. And all of this is in Jesus, that there was a song, 10,000 joys.

Alex Base: Isaiah gives us reason why God has not forgotten us or forsaken us

There's so much in this salvation. and, you know, verse 12 talks about people coming from Afar from the. The north and from the west. Sing, o heavens. Verse 13. Be joyful, O earth. Break forth into singing, O, mountains. For the Lord hath comforted his people and will have mercy upon his afflicted.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: And, you know, this is like what Simeon said. You know, I've seen the consolation of Israel, the comfort. Okay, now the Jews. And Zion has a little bit of a, reply, though. Zion said, the Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. You know, maybe you've been at a place you thought, you know, somehow God's busy doing other things. He's forgotten me. Here's how God responds with a question. Can a woman forget her suckling child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet I will not forget thee. God says, look, our Lord doesn't lose track of any of his children. See, isn't that good news? If you're in a hard place, or maybe you've got a bad, diagnosis, maybe you've got a burden that is just almost crushing you. God has not forgotten you. He couldn't forget you. You might forget God, but he's not going to forget you. But I think it's very tender. And then verse 16. Behold, I have graven thee on, the palms of my hands. Thy walls are continually before me. One, translation said, see, I have carved you on the palm of my hand.

>> Bert Harper: That is the Hebrew meaning of it. He did it, man.

>> Alex McFarland: it's just beautiful. you know, this is not a great comparison, but, you know, back in elementary school, sometimes kids used to, write cheat notes on the inside of their hand, and they would glance down and written on the inside of their palm was the answer to the quiz or whatever. It's not like that. But I mean something that you just. If you even look down, you're going to see your name is written on the palm of his hand. You say, well, you know, there's 2 billion believers right now. That. That must be a big palm. Well, we learned yesterday that his hand is bigger than the extent of the solar system. So your name is written on the palm of his hand, as was ancient Israel's. Our dear Savior does not forget.

>> Bert Harper: Amen here. From verse 14 all the way through verse 26. it's relationships. And mainly it starts out the question, as you've already said, the Lord, The Lord has forsaken me. My Lord has forgotten me. And he answers, can a woman or a mother forget her nursing child? That's it. And Alex, he continues all the way through. Notice your son shall make haste again, that relationship that he goes. And again, you may want to go back, but I wanted to point this out. verse 20. The children you have again, those relationships about all the people. My hand is the nations. But he doesn't even stop there. Verse 23. Foster fathers, nursing mothers. These are the ones that God continually brings about. Look at again. Verse 25. the last verse. I will save your children. This is the whole thing. In other words, God hadn't forsaken you. God hasn't forgotten you as just this mother would care for her children in all these aspects, all the way through verses 15, all the way through. 26. Isaiah gives us reason why our God has not forgotten us or forsaken us, and it's because of what the relationship he has with us, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Absolutely. Absolutely. And let me say this. somebody asked Charles Spurgeon one time, you know, about the joy of their salvation. And he said, I just don't feel very close to the Lord. I don't feel saved. And Spurgeon asked them about how they thought they were born again. And Spurgeon said, and I think it's important for us as well, your standing with Christ is not based on emotions or feelings that can come and go, but on the word of God that never does change.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: And I get it. Listen, we used to talk about, you know, singing and being at church and having just, you know, glory bumps and feeling very spiritual. And then there's going to be some Monday morning when everything's going wrong, and you're just going to feel not as close to the Lord. Base your joy and your emotions on the unalterable promises of God's word. That never does change.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: That's stability.

>> Bert Harper: He's faithful when we're faithless. He is strong when we are weak. And he gives more strength to those that need it. He will carry us. He'll bear. Bear us up on eagle's wings. That's our God.

Alex: Many times God intervenes when we didn't even know

So, Alex, when you go through all this again, from 15 all the way through, 23, we find out the Lord. And again you go back anywhere. But I wanted to read verse 22. And following just real quickly, behold, I lift my hand in an oath to the nations to set up my standard for the peoples. They shall bring your sons in their arms, and your daughters shall be carried on their shoulders. Kings shall be your foster fathers and the queens, your nursing mothers. They shall bow down to you with their faces on the earth and lick up the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the Lord, for they shall not be ashamed who wait for me. Now, listen to that, Alex. Then, there are some words that ought to get our attention every time we see them. And one of them is the four letter word. Then some things are going to happen before that. Then you will know that I am the Lord. Now, again, I know I, knew when I was saved at 12 years old that I referenced earlier that God was God and he'd be with me. But now, many years, later, Alex, I can say I, know he was with me. Look what he did then. Look what he did there. Look what he did on this occasion at this event. You catch what I'm saying? Some of the times, yeah, we look forward, but, man, sometimes you look backward and say, look what God has done. And he did that for the Israelites again and again about bringing them out of Egypt. And he'd say, remember when I fed you from the rock? Do you remember when I delivered you through the sea? We listen if we only know those that we know. I believe in heaven. One of the things that's going to shock us is how many times God intervened on our side when we didn't even know we were in danger. and he was able to deliver us. Alex, do you think that might be true?

>> Alex McFarland: Absolutely. I mean, we probably know a few times that really, we look back and we say, oh, my goodness, God really intervened. God was with me there. But I think when we get to heaven, because there's an invisible battle going on all around us. The Bible says that we wrestle not against principalities or flesh and blood, but spiritual wickedness in high places. and, yes, which are seats of power. But I think probably countless numbers of times in life, God spares us from things we don't even know about. Our angels are, you know, fighting and advocating on our behalf. And it goes on there in, like, 18 through 21. Look around, you'll see these things. you know, you're never going to say that I was left alone, you know, where. Even though, look, there can be disappointments in this life. There can be, you know, bereavements and losses, times of waiting, times of things that you knew were going to pan out and they. They didn't. But I will say this, Bert, you were sharing a little personal journey. I look back and, I think a lot of God's plan and God's hand we see retrospectively, because right here Today, in the heat of the moment, you know, you're thinking, you're feeling, you're wondering things, but you look back and you say, oh, wow, God was faithful. This did work out. God did help me. And I think that's what I mean by retrospectively. And I'm going to tell you, I've had some closed doors in my life. And then down the road, better, better things came along. You know, Josh McDowell used to say, dear Josh, this great mentor in my life. But Josh McDowell used to say, God has three answers to prayer, yes, no, or wait for something better. And Bert, I have been around long enough. I've come to firmly believe this. And I want to say this by way of encouragement to everybody listening. I promise you, not only by God's word, in Isaiah 40, 9, 21 is case in point. But I've seen it. God always blesses you forward. And by that I mean if you're willing to wait on him and trust him, he has good things for you, Bert. I really believe that.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. And, and listen, if it's rough down here, it is rough down here. There's difficulty down here. But his presence, Alex, as I've looked through my life, his presence has been the greatest blessing, knowing that he is with me. And you'll hear those words, I am with you always. To the, even to the ends of the earth, I am with you. Well, listen, we're going to take prayers here, and it's a day of prayer. That number is 888-589-8840. Triple 858-9840. We would love to hear your prayer request. We'd love to hear your praises for what God has done. And yeah, if you have a Bible question, we, if we can get to it, we'll get to that as well here on Exploring the Word. But we've here in chapter 49, we have the promise that he is faithful. Listen, that's. That's sufficient. His faithfulness. We'll be back with more right after this break.

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>> Alex McFarland: Let your knees wear out.

Alex: 36,000 households in North Mississippi still without electricity following storm

>> Bert Harper: That song means it is the day of prayer here on Exploring the Word, and we are ready to receive those prayer requests. Let me just get some up front. And we need to pray for our linemen that still are out there in this rough weather, trying to, connect houses with a power source, and they're having to climb poles. They're having to, go up in buckets and do all kinds of things in difficult times. Difficult weather. Let's pray for the volunteers right here in northeast Mississippi. we have eight days of hope. Volunteering, feeding people Samaritan's purse here, cutting limbs, putting, tarps on tops of roofs where they're leaking so many. And then we need to pray for those that still have no electricity. And some of them, that means no water because they're out in the rural area and they have water pumps. And, they. Some of them are without a heat source. And, last time I heard this morning, 36,000 households in North Mississippi still without electricity. Hopefully that's gone down during the day. But, Alex, we want to pray for them, the linemen, the volunteers, those that are suffering from the storm.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. And by the way, the number is 885-89-8840. And I want to sincerely, ask people, please continue to pray for Eileen Habermas, wife of Gary Habermas, great Christian leader. And, she's. I, talked with them on Sunday, and she's going through tests. They're probably going to hear some news later this week, but, possible pancreatic cancer. And, they really, really need your prayers. And I'm. They are longtime family friends, and I'm grateful if y' all would listen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Lift them up, you prayer warriors.

Robert from Mississippi needs prayer for spinal problems

Well, let's get. We got people that have called in. Let's go to Mississippi. Robert, thank you for calling Exploring the Word today. You're on the radio. Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: yes, sir. I just wanted to tell y' all we love y' all show here, in Mississippi, you know. But, and everywhere. But I will need a prayer for.

>> Caroline: I have a. They found out that they kept telling me really nothing was wrong. Wrong with me. And I knew something bad was happening. And come to find out when they, they did some tests and did a CT scan, they found out that I had a fusion in 22. I've had eight spinal surgery. So the last one they did was in 22. And it from C2 to T1 is completely backed out from the hardware. It's like a 10 millimeter gap and the screws are just laying in there.

>> Bert Harper: Oh man.

>> Caroline: So it's a prolific risk. And then, I saw one doctor and he said legally he can't. Can't touch me. But that was a private hospital, so they're sending me back to university. and there's a lot more other stuff happen. I was actually committed over this stuff. Them thinking that because it was. And I have this. Metals getting into my skin.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah.

>> Caroline: Into my bloodstream. It's like cobalt and stuff. And I was sick for three years and I didn't know what was happening to me. And I mean some really, really. But I really, I'm not bitter like you would think though.

>> Bert Harper: I mean.

>> Caroline: But it was.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah.

>> Caroline: Headed that direction, you know, I mean you really never know what somebody just going through, you know, because you can't really look at me to tell, but because I was born with all this bad stuff on my spine, you know.

>> Bert Harper: Robert, Robert, you have, Listen, I know individuals chronic pain difficulties and then went to introduce the foreign objects. Regardless of what that foreign object is, Alex in surgery, you know, it usually there are some difficulties with it. So Robert, all of you out there, write Robert down. Let, maybe they'll find out what to do and help you. Robert, we're praying for that. Is that all right? Alex, you have anything to add? We're going to try. We got several folks. We're going to try to pray for them in groups of one or two. Is that all right, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, let's do.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Robert, we hear you, brother. We do. We're praying for you, brother. We're not cutting you short, but we're going to try to pray for you and others about what God is doing. Joseph in Texas. Go right ahead. Be sure and turn your radio off, Joseph. okay. I'm sorry, Joseph. Call us back.

Paris in Virginia calls asking for prayers for his family

Let's go to Paris in Virginia. Paris thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hi, how you doing? this is Paris.

>> Bert Harper: Ah.

>> Caroline: from Virginia. And, thanks for taking my call. And, you know what? I'm asking for prayers that, like restore in my family. it could be, you know, about, you know, marriage between my wife, my daughter's relationship between each other. I, have four of them, you know, mother in law, father in law, on both sides of us. and also for my younger daughter, she's five. Specifically, she has like a, heart computations. It's happened like three times over the last, you know, four or five months. I mean, my wife and I believe that there's nothing in Jesus name. but, of course, prayer, and I know God, it just seems mysterious, but we know we want to have a covering over the family. you know, as you know, he can take care of anything. I'm also praying to give me strength as you know, man, and make the right choices and, for my family, lead them in the right direction to give me strength, through these tough times in this world. So I pray for those things.

>> Bert Harper: We'll do it. Amen. Paris family. Yes. Restored five year old daughter with all that, all the other connections, and for your strength, courage and direction. Alex, can we pray for Robert in Paris now? Would that be all right? You lead us, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes. And all these great, requests. I hear your heart, brother. Let's pray together. Father, in the name of Jesus, I lift up Paris in Virginia, and he wants to be a godly man and he prays your blessing, over his family in so many ways. This is wonderful. And I just sounds like his heart is really in the right place and these things are your will for them. So I pray every blessing. And as he said that, you know, in their lives, individually, corporately, as a family, that they would be right in the center of your will. And father, I do want to also pray for Robert that called in a few moments ago about some health issues. And Lord, we know that, just the pain and the, you know, it's uncomfortable to have foreign objects that are poisoning our body. be with our brother Robert as well, and help him hold his arms up. And Lord, give the doctors wisdom and skill as they minister. And Lord, for he and everyone listening, Lord, that we would have health in our body, holiness in our spirit and soul, and happiness and joy in our mind and our heart for you and through you, we pray these things, Lord. Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Thank you, Robert. Thank you, Parris.

Alex: Helen in Michigan has kidney cancer, and she needs prayer

And you've got just Not Alex and myself, but, a large number of people all over America praying for you today. Let's go to Michigan. Helen in Michigan. Thank you for calling, exploring the Word. Hello. Yes, you're on. Go right ahead, Helen.

>> Caroline: First of all, God bless both of you. You are the best. You are so wonderful.

>> Bert Harper: It goes to God, Helen. It goes to him. go right ahead.

>> Caroline: And I ask in prayer for my husband Allen. He's a Vietnam vet. He has kidney cancer. He's been sick for 40 years with different things because he was involved with the Agent Orange. And if you would have and pray for him to get better, I know God could do it right away.

>> Bert Harper: We're going to do it. Helen, I've got friends. I came along right at the point in time when Vietnam was going down. My brother was there. I had so many friends there and several suffering from the agent, orange that they sprayed, trying to get rid of the foliage. And listen, we understand, it is chronic. And we're going to pray for her husband, Allen. Write that name down.

All of you prayer warriors, let's go to one more right now

All of you prayer warriors, let's go to one more, right now. Deborah in Louisiana. Deborah, thank you for calling. Deborah, yes, go right ahead. Deborah. Yes, you're on the radio. Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: Thank you so much for taking my call. I just want to thank all the linemen that got our power back on, too. But mainly I called for my sister to have prayer for her. She has cancer of the perineum, which is a lining in the body cavity. So just. Just pray for her. She's in Tijuana, Mexico, trying to get treatment at a holistic medicine.

>> Bert Harper: Do you mind giving us her first name? Deborah? You don't have to, but if you would.

>> Caroline: Her name is Rhonda.

>> Bert Harper: Rhonda. Okay. Okay. Alex, is it all right if I pray for Allen and Rhonda, as Helen and Deborah has requested?

Bert: We pray for Deborah and her sister for severe cancer

Lead us, Father, I thank you for, these ladies that are concerned about a husband. Helen, for Allen, thank you for his service during the Vietnam War, Father. So many that had difficulties from that war. Not just the, issues of the psychology and emotion, but, Father, the physical harm that was done. Many times, thinking they were helping them clear out the foliage so they could see. But, Father, the repercussions of that, are real. And I pray for Allen that you would touch his body, give him direction on where to go. Give him relief from pain, Help Helen to be that encourager to him while he's waiting. You are the great physician, and, Father, we trust you to touch him the way that would bring you glory. And Father, we pray this in Jesus name and for Deborah and her sister. I thank you for a sister that loves, family members and, sisters that stick together, pray for one another, help one another, accountable to one another. And it sounds like Deborah and Rhonda are those sisters for Rhonda, for this severe cancer. God, I pray that she would find help there, where she is and holistic, yes, complete. there's, so many ways that you help. And I pray, Father, that you would guide her and guide those that are helping her. We trust you. And for both, we're asking God that you would get the glory and they would be a witness of your mercy and your grace even in difficult and hard times. In Jesus name, Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Thank you, Deborah. Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Where to now, Bert?

Jacob from Mississippi has a question about native tribes who have never heard of Christianity

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Jacob's been waiting for a while, and I know he has a question, but Jacob, go right ahead real quickly. Okay.

>> Caroline: Hey, gentlemen, thank you for this time. Hey, I've got a quick question, and that is, as you Both know, Romans 1:20 talks about, the creation of the world. since the creation of the world, God's invisible qualities have been clearly known. So my question is for, let's say, native tribes who have never heard of Christianity. If they were witnessed to by somebody who believes in, let's say, Islam, and they are following that, intuitive drive to seek the Creator, what would happen to them if they had never been witnessed to by Christians?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Jacob, thank you for your good question. A question that's been asked many times. I want to give a biblical thought, Alex, and then you take it away on this. And then we'll get to two other callers for sure, if we can. One is think of the Ethiopian eunuch that was in Ethiopia. He knew there was a God, he came to Jerusalem. he got some of it. But he took back the book of Isaiah, and God purposely brought Philip alongside him to complete the rest and tell him the rest of it. Alex, I don't think that's an accident. I think that is a pattern God uses. Go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. You know, I think about Romans 15:20 where Paul said that his ambition was, quote, to preach the gospel where Christ is not known. So let me just say this. What we definitively know, and then what we may not know. And I want to be careful about inferring stuff that we may not know. Everybody does know about the gospel, right? Psalm 19 talks about everybody knows there's a God. Romans 1 and 2. It's written on the heart. Now, here's what we definitively know. That we are to proclaim the gospel to the ends of the earth. And the Bible says in Acts 4:12, salvation is found in no one else. For there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Okay, so we have this assignment that people are lost. Now, what happens to somebody who responded to the light they had? I don't know. It seems to indicate that they would still be lost because no one seeks God. I'm going to give an illustration, Burt. Imagine there's a burning building and we think there might be some children trapped inside. We've. We are duty bound to go in and do what we can because we just don't know. Has everybody been rescued? I don't know. But if I have, an opportunity, I also have an obligation. And I think we have to proceed based on what we do know, that people are lost. There's no other salvation except through Jesus Christ. You know, Cornelius in Acts 10:22 was a, God fearing man. He was a centurion, but he still had to be born again. And so I'm, hopeful and prayerful that God in his infinite mercy will judge people on the response they gave to the light they had. But what I know my assignment is right now, I'm supposed to do my utmost to get out there and tell them.

>> Bert Harper: And we know God is going to do that, which is right. Listen, we're going to have a hard time getting to Lisa and Steve, but I see your prayer requests. So those of you that are prayer warriors, write these down. Lisa from Kentucky is praying for her husband. He needs to come to Jesus Christ. Lisa, we're praying for you. We are. God help Lisa to be that light to her husband, and may her husband respond and bring others into his life. That would demonstrate and show Jesus Christ. Steve from Mississippi, his son is having seizures. We don't know all that, Steve, but, brother, we're praying, man. when your children are hurting and they're in such a condition, your heart just goes out. So we're praying for Steve in Mississippi for his son having seizures. Lisa and Steve write those names down and pray for their family.

American Family Radio wraps up Isaiah 49 tomorrow and gets into Isaiah 50

Alex, it's been good to be in 49. We'll continue there tomorrow and get into feedback 50 of Isaiah, won't we?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, we will. We'll wrap up Isaiah 49 tomorrow and get into Isaiah 50, folks. Thanks for listening to American, Family Radio, Exploring the Word, all the great programming. Tell somebody about exploring the word, if you would. But most of all, tell everybody about Jesus. The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.