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>> 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 amazing things about the Word of God is how it affirms itself
Welcome to Exploring the Word.
>> Bert Harper: One of the most amazing things about the Word of God is how it affirms itself, even though it was written by different authors at different times. Listen to this as we begin exploring the Word. Today. We're in Isaiah 46 and I want to read part of, 46, verse 9. And then verse 10 says, for I am God, there's no other. I'm, God, there's none like me. Now listen to verse 10 declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times, things that are not yet done, saying, my counsel shall stand, and I will all my pleasure. Well, when you turn over to Psalm 33, 11, different author, different time. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations. Well, you can count on the Word of God. That's why Alex McFarland, Bert Harper host here we dig into the Word of God because it is settled in heaven.
Alex: God warns Jacob not to become idolatrous in Isaiah 46
Alex, when we turn to Isaiah 46, it's not as long as some of the previous chapters and it's not, known as well. But as I looked through it, I found some treasures right here in the middle of this great chapter. When it's talking about the idols of Babylon, they're going to be destroyed and only God will be left. That's our God, isn't it?
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. And, five, seven is very special about God reminding Jacob, not to become idolatrous. But let's look at the first couple of verses a little bit. Bill has bowed down, Nebo stoops over. Their images are consigned to the beast and the cattle. in other words, you know, they're even putting little amulets and idolatrous objects on their livestock. Bel and Nebo. When I see those, I think about Belshazzar and I think about Nebuchadnezzar. You know, I'm not sure if those are like colloquial names referred to, these idols, but Babylon was a very idolatrous country. And, it says these things are a load for the weary beast. In other words, they're not good for anything but that. you know, they're worthless. They stooped over, they have bowed down. Together they could not rescue the burden, but have themselves gone into captivity. So God is saying, look, why would you trust these idols? They couldn't even save the weight on the back of a pack animal, much less a nation of people. And, Bert, you know, sometimes the Bible uses the term vain idols, as in empty, empty, vacuous, helpless folks. There's one name for salvation. There's one savior for getting through this journey called life, and that's the Lord Jesus Christ. No. No empty idol, no religion, no, superstition, no horoscope or fortune teller, but Jesus and Jesus alone. He was the one who was the savior of ancient Israel. He's the Messiah today. He's the one in whom we trust.
>> Bert Harper: And when you read the book of Isaiah, you'll find that term redeemer used again and again. Because. Because there is no other. And Isaiah knew that then. It's true still today. Isaiah says, from the word of God. Listen to me, O house of Jacob. Yes, listen to the Lord. Listen to the word of God. That's why you dig into the Bible, read the scriptures, and out of it you'll find life, you'll find hope, you'll find understanding, you'll find wisdom. All of those things are in it. And it goes on and talks about this from the birth to the womb, Even your old age. I am he. I'm the one that you could depend on in your young years, in your older years. Do not turn away from me. I will carry. I will deliver you.
Alex: Verse 5 speaks about how vain it is to have idols
Now, verse five brings on again. I struggled with. Which one do I want to talk about first, verse 10 or verse 5? So let's get to verse 5, Alex. I'll read it, and you can follow up, because you've talked about five, and then six and seven. talks about how vain it is. And you've used that word. It is to have idols. But listen to this. To whom will you listen? Or excuse me? To whom will you liken me and make me equal and compare me? That we should be alike? Let me ask this. Is there anyone like God?
>> Alex McFarland: There is none like God. God is in a category of one. And, to. You know, when. When these questions are asked. And. And he says in three and four, How I carried you from birth. These beasts of burdens couldn't even carry anything, and the idols couldn't save them. I've borne you and carried you from birth. I will bear you and deliver you then. Verse 5. To whom would you liken me? All right. Who can you legitimately compare with God? And the answer is nobody or no thing. You know, that's why the Bible warns against worshiping and serving the creation more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. And you, know what an encouragement, Bert, I've got. As we talked about yesterday, we had many, many prayer requests yesterday, including dear friend of mine whose wife is now ill. But let's be encouraged to remember that when we're praying to Jesus, we're talking to the God of the universe. You know, we're taught when we're reading his word, we're reading the promises, the love letter to the human race from the God of the universe. So no one is equal or comparable to God. No one is like God. Verse 5. So we don't have to lapse into anything or settle for second best. We're connected to the eternal God who does all things well. And, Bert, I find that very encouraging.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
Alex: We need a savior bigger than ourselves. We need an all-powerful savior
I could not help but think, and I know I refer to John 6 quite often, but when I read verse 5, I could not help but think of John in 6, when Jesus said, are you going to go away? And as many did, and Peter looked at Jesus, said, to whom would we go? You have the words of life. So here in verse 5, to whom would you turn to? I'm your maker, and I'm your redeemer. You cannot find anyone to even compare with me. And then verses six and seven, again, the lavishness. They go in to produce their idols. And I. I found it. I found it funny. And I do. I find it funny. In verse, seven, they set it in its place. Yeah. You know, they have to set the God in its place, Alex, because he can't sit himself. It's just gold or something that's covered with gold or silver, and. And nothing compares. he can't save him out of any trouble. And so verses six and seven, it distinguishes God from any other idol that they would have turned to.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, you know, think about this. All right? Verse 6. Those who lavish gold from the purse and weigh silver on the scale hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a God. Little gift, just, a statue. They bow down and worship it. Now, the implication is, how much gold and silver can you afford out of your own purse? And how much have you budgeted to hire a goldsmith? Now, if you make your own God and you. You, you know, conjure up the best God you can afford to purchase, that's not going to be much, is it? I mean, we need a savior bigger than ourselves. As, as Erwin Lutzer would say, we need a savior that's outside of our predicament. A drowning man can't save a drowning man. We needed a sinless Savior because we were sinful. We needed an all power, all powerful savior because we are helpless. We needed an infinite, eternal, all righteous Savior because we are finite, limited and unrighteous. And I just think about this. Bert, do you remember the great preacher EV Hill?
>> Bert Harper: Oh, yes.
>> Alex McFarland: He's long since gone to heaven, but he used to come to Liberty University and, he just would preach the paint off the walls. But he. He gave a talk one time about when your God dies, you know, and like the prophets of BAAL on Mount Carmel were shouting and cutting themselves and they couldn't conjure up, and Elijah said, well, yell a little bit louder maybe. He. He's old and can't hear you like he once did, mocking them. Yeah, he was.
>> Bert Harper: Yeah.
>> Alex McFarland: Ev Hill said, when. When your God dies, you're in a bad place, but our Savior lives forever. And as I read verse 6 here of Isaiah 46 about buying gold, paying a guy to make you a statue, isn't that just tragically vacuous and empty?
>> Bert Harper: It really is. And it demonstrates. Again, go back to what he said. Who has delivered you? They cannot. I have and I can and I will. Now again, when you come to verse 8 and following it goes to show the individual, the God can't deliver. Those gods can't deliver them. Neither can the man. Remember this and show yourselves, men. Recall to mind, O you transgressors. That's it. That's who we are. We're transgressors. We. And you said it well. We need someone bigger than we are to deliver us and remember the former things. As I've said, I am God. There's no other. I am God. There's none like me. Declaring the end from the beginning. No wonder he could tell us that Cyrus was going to be king of, in 200 years, and he would be a deliverer. Because why? God knows the end from the beginning and from ancient times, things that are not yet done. No wonder we can read the book of Revelation and see. Okay, these things have not, been carried out. Yes, we've seen similarities to it in a minor, more minor way, but in that day, it will be all. And God has told us, declaring the end from the beginning and then verse 10. And I want you to comment on this. I just love this saying. In verse 10, my counsel shall stand. And I will do all. My pleasure, Alex. God's counsel? What? His judgments, his very, thoughts. They will stand. And I can't help but remember that scripture, that the scriptures is settled in heaven, that's the power of the word of God that he has given to us so we can see who God is, what he has said, and what he has designed for us to follow him.
>> Alex McFarland: Well, Bert, verse nine, one translation renders it this way. Remember the former things long past. For I am God and there is no other. I am God, and there is no one like me.
Do you remember when preachers used to preach against sin
Let's talk about that for just a minute. the former things. Bert, do you remember when preachers used to preach against sin and call sinners to repentance and be redeemed and go to heaven, not hell? And you remember when preachers were pretty much fearless and they declared what saith the Lord irrespective of popular opinion? And, you know, I'll tell you this, Bert. I. You know, I grew up in the rural North Carolina and the Bible Belt, and, it was really. I was 21 before Jesus really got a hold of my life. But I just remember as a kid, years before I understood anything. But I do remember going to revival meetings, and I remember altars filled up. Bert, I grew up in a Presbyterian church, and I remember evangelists coming to do revival and altar calls, and the 16th Street Baptist, a little Methodist church that I'm trying to remember the name of. And then Buffalo Prez. And, you know, one year revival would be at one church, one year it would be at the Baptist church, one year would be down at the Methodist church. And there was collaboration, but it was not politically correct, and it was not tiptoe and don't step on anybody's feelings. No preachers, I mean, they pretty much threw down the gauntlet, and the spirit of God moved. I really remember that. Well, I think here In America of 2026, we need to, quote, remember the former things past, and remember that the biblical God is God. And we don't spin it or water it down. We believe it. We obey it, and we let God be God.
>> Bert Harper: His word stands. That's what he says. His word. That's why preachers, Sunday school teachers, small group leaders, chaplains stay with the word of God and let it accomplish God's will.
>> : 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.
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>> Alex McFarland: In him, we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will. Ephesians 1, verse 11.
>> Jeff Chamblee: American Family Radio I wish I could.
>> Bert Harper: Tell you Wish I could describe it but I can contain it can't keep it to myself. There are enough colors to paint the whole picture not enough words to ever say what I found.
Alex McFarland: I just signed 16 Bible reading certificates for 2025
>> Alex McFarland: Welcome back to Exploring the word. Alex McFarland for Alex Harper. So honored that you're listening. We're in the Old Testament, book of Isaiah 46. And we're going to resume. I want to read, verses 9 and 10. Hey Bert, I, just was ah, signing about 16 more certificates of people that read the Bible through in calendar year 2025. And we've mailed out, you signed these certificates. Tim Wildmon, our president, signed them. I've signed them. And let me just challenge you folks. You know, there's, we've often said if you read three chapters a day, five on Sunday, it's very easy, you'll read the Bible through in a year. we even had one certificate, a gentleman had read the Bible in its entirety, Genesis, revelation, in under 90 days. And so, let me just challenge you. And we've got these mailed out if, if you did it in 2025, you'll be getting your certificate any day now if you haven't gotten it already. But in 2026, make this the year that you read God's word from COVID to cover. And come, December, you email us. And then by January of next year, Lord willing, we'll be mailing you a certificate. And Bert, I thought those certificates were really pretty and I think they're going to be very special to a lot of people.
>> Bert Harper: I agree. I signed some. And they're mailing it to you to put your, your signature on some more that's coming to people's, and each thing, the neat thing about it, each time I sign one, I pray for that individual that God's word would accomplish in their life what God intends for it to do. So let the word of God speak to your heart. It really will. It will. Yes, it's historical. Yes, it's scientific. But more than anything else, it's, it makes us the word of God to know God. That's what we want to do. You can know The Word. But what you want to do, you want to know the God of the Word, so stay in the Word. Well, Alex, I think a little bit of what we're talking about. As you said you was going to read verses 9 and 10, the latter part of verse 10, my counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure. listen, I think you find that in the Word of God as you read it, don't you?
>> Alex McFarland: Exactly. In the English translation, Isaiah 46, 10 really concludes, my purpose will be established, and I will accomplish my good pleasure. And I looked that word up, Bert, and it really means the things God has willed, and they are all good things. And so when it comes to the church, like Matthew 16:18, Jesus said, I will build my church. The gates of hell will not prevail against it. The church, it might be persecuted, it might be oppressed, but the church of Jesus Christ and the witness of the gospel will never be extinguished. It won't. I think about Israel and all the promises of the land and the Abrahamic covenant. It is in force, folks. And so, Bert, I rejoice that God will accomplish every bit of his word and, and every promise and his good pleasure. And he, let me say this in verse 11, calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my purpose from a far country. Truly, I have spoken truly. I will bring it to pass. And I've planned it. Surely I will do it. Bert, is this, man of God's purpose? Is that Cyrus?
>> Bert Harper: It could be. Easily. It could be again. And Cyrus is not the perfect word picture, but of the Redeemer, Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. So anytime you see someone that's like, you know, the Deliverer, the one that, like Ruth and Boaz is, Boaz would, take care of Ruth. You see Jesus Christ doing this for us in such an even greater significant way. But God will execute. Listen to this. I love the last line in the new King James. You says, I've planned it. The word there planned. And it is translated this. I have purposed it. Amen.
Bert Burke: God's plans always have purpose
Now again, God's plan and God's purpose. God's plans always have purpose. And Alex, that is the wonderful thing about how God is able to operate in each of our lives. That he's bringing this about, not that he causes all the heart damage and all the difficulties, but. But he has purposed it to him, to use it in our lives so we can know him better and to serve Him. And so this, is God's plan for our lives. He has purpose for our lives. And I want to just tell you, as a teenager, I remember doing a study, God's plan for your life. And as I dug deeper into it, I saw God's purpose for my life. man, knowing God has purpose for your life, I can just speak from my own experience. It gives you a greater sense of life, of living. There's purpose behind your life. You're not just here following a roadmap. No. You have purpose that God has given you. And I would say, do it and live it. Notice what he says. And he says, I will also do it. What God has purposed, he will do it, won't he?
>> Alex McFarland: He really will. I love the word purpose because it really means that, resolved or determined. Okay, Daniel 1:8, it says, Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself. He was going to maintain his purity. And this wording is like in 1st Peter 3:15. Purpose in your heart. Set apart Christ as Lord in your heart. And be ready always. And, and you know, Bert, okay. Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, he said, a thing begun is half done. Sometimes they vary, and they'll say, well, begun is half done. But here's the thing. To everybody listening, maybe today is the day that you're going to purpose in your heart, that you're going to start being in church on Sunday, which is what every Christian ought to do anyway, be in God's house on Sunday morning. Maybe you're going to trust God with your finances, and you're going to become a tither. And there's so much blessing in that. Maybe with the help of the Holy Spirit, you're going to drop that bad habit that, you know you should have quit years ago. Something. And, it's not honoring God. And I tell you we need to walk with God, read the word, pray. But, Bert, I think half the battle is purposing in your heart.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: Now, God purposes things in his heart, and when God decrees, I mean, it's as good as done. But we may purpose things in our heart.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Alex. Well said man today, Bert.
>> Alex McFarland: and I don't want to get off track. I cannot convey how shy I was when I got saved. And I was very, very introverted, very socially awkward, and very timid. But I wanted to be a witness, and I begged God, and I said, lord, I, just before I die, I want to lead one soul to Christ. And I was so intimidated, and I was very clunky and awkward, but I knew I was supposed to be a witness. For Christ. And I asked God to help me and he did help me and he is helping me now. But Bert, I think it's just transformative when these, these moments take place within our heart and we say, you know what? I'm going to start living for Jesus. Enough procrastination. I'm, going to get in the word, I'm going to start living right and doing right. And, the reason I just, I'm belaboring this point about purposing in our heart as God purposes. Bert, there just might be somebody listening. And today is a day. It's no accident you're hearing this show because God wants to bless you and do things in you. But the ball's in your court, friend, and it's time to say yes to the leading of the Lord.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Yes Lord, yes to your will and to your way. I remember the first time I ever heard that little chorus. The Baptist Student Union, of a school close by was in a youth meeting and they were saying, yes, Lord, yes to your will and to your way. And as they sang that God got ahold of my heart and I said, yes, Lord. The best thing you can do is say yes, Lord. What did you have me to do? Now, Alex, again, you're the, you're the English guy, you the poet, you're the one that knows this. But, you know, it's got to be real clear for Burke to get it when it's that way. But you can't look, but look at verse three and then look at verse 12 of this chapter. Listen to me, O house of Jacob. That's at the beginning, listen to me. And then verse 12 when he's concluding, listen to me. Now notice who he speaks to. The house of Jacob. But man, that verse 12, I said, oh, Bert Harper, you stubborn hearted man. And so I said, God, I better listen to this one.
>> Alex McFarland: He gets pretty straight with him, doesn't he?
>> Bert Harper: He does. And he got straight with me because I can be that way, Alex, and I know that. Listen to me, you stubborn hearted who are far from righteousness. I bring my righteousness near, it shall not be afar off, my salvation shall not linger. And I will place salvation in Zion for Israel, my glory.
Alex: Jesus Christ brought Israel back from captivity in chapter 47
Now I want to share this and then I want you to finish up with this chapter. This shows you the heart of our God, Alex. It really does. you know, there's no one else that can do this. No one else can bring the righteousness that's far off to us. Now, how did he did It. How did he do it? Jesus Christ would come from heaven to earth, call it the incarnation, and live that perfect life. And we would see God. They would ask, we would see the Father. And Jesus said, have you not been so long with me, Philip, that you do not understand that when you have seen me, you have seen the Father. Righteousness in the flesh has come. My salvation shall not linger. I notice what it says. It talks about deliverance in verse two. And here it is again. My salvation shall not linger. And notice what. I will place my salvation in Zion for Israel. My glory. Now he's going to bring them back. I know that's the immediate result. He's going to bring them back from the captivity and bring them back to Zion. Bring them back to Jerusalem. Hallelujah. He would do that. But Alex, when I look deeper at what he's done for us spiritually and, and also what he's going to do one day again with Israel, he's brought them back into the land that's going to be. But when I read this, I said, man, this has triple effect. What he did then, what he's doing with us spiritually now, and what he is doing with Israel in bringing them to the land and he's going to use them in that land. Is all that clear? Have I stretched this too far? Is it all of that involved?
>> Alex McFarland: It's all of that and more. and of course there's a famous magazine called Israel M My Glory. But you know, how, how does Israel glorify God? Well, in many ways, I mean, you know, here is, literally every day in the news, Israel and Jerusalem is in the news. But after all of those centuries, two millennia, he brought the Jewish people back to their land. That shows his power, that shows the counsel of God stands forever. The efforts of man cannot derail or overthrow the council of God. And through the Jewish nation came King Jesus. And one day, I, mean Pentecost, 3,000 souls were saved. Jewish souls. there's coming a day when the nation of Israel will occupy their land in a state of belief.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: So, I mean, we could do a whole week of shows about the glory of God and Israel his glory. But let me read, I'm going to cut to verse three of chapter 47.
>> Bert Harper: Yes.
>> Alex McFarland: regarding sin, disobedience stuff, stiff necked disobedience, your nakedness will be uncovered. Your shame will also be exposed. I will take vengeance and will not spare a man. Our Redeemer, the Lord of hosts is his name. The Holy One of Israel. Now you go back and talks about the. The virgin daughter of Babylon. Sit on the ground without a throne. Daughter of the Chaldeans. All right, the. The sin of the people have robbed them of their wealth and all of their accoutrements, almost robbed them of their humanity. But it talks about, no longer being tender and delicate. they're having to work the millstones rather than be served. And then nakedness was a very demoralizing, disgraceful thing then, and it is now, too. And to be exposed, uncovered, naked, very, very embarrassing and abasing. But see, that's what it is. When we think we can sin, we think we don't need a savior. We are, very arrogant and not humbled before God. Bert, I. I see the great white throne judgment, the final accounting. God says, I will take vengeance and will not spare a man. Look, you either have Christ, or you need Christ. And everybody who enters eternity without Jesus, they're going to be exposed and condemned, aren't they?
>> Bert Harper: They really are. Now, who is going to do this? Verse 4. And here it is again. I told you you'd see this reference again and again. As for our Redeemer, the Lord of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel. He will bring this about in his time and in his way. Let me make an overall observance of chapter 46 and chapter 47. When you read chapter 46, you will find out the destruction of the gods of Babylon. That's little G G O D S. The gods, they're being destructed. Now you move to chapter 47, and it's the nation of Babylon itself will find its way into destruction. So, Alex, he says, your gods will not deliver you. And then in 47, he brings about the destruction of Babylon itself. Verse 5. Sit in silence and go into the darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans, for you shall no longer be called the lady of kingdoms. I was angry with my people. I profaned my inheritance and given them into your land. You showed them no mercy on the elderly. You laid your yoke very heavily, and you said, I shall be a lady, forever. So that you did not take these things to heart, nor remember the latter end of them. Again, he's showing them what they have done and the destruction that they're receiving. Guess what they deserve. And that's our God. He will deliver.
Preborn Network of Clinics offers free ultrasounds to women in crisis
Well, we're going to take phone calls, and if you have a Bible question, we'd love to hear it today. And, listen, that's what Alex and I want to do to make much of Jesus Christ as we answer your questions. That number. 8885-8988-4088-8589-8840.
>> Jeff Chamblee: It's so easy to politicize abortion, but the reality is there's a precious life at stake. And that little life doesn't have a voice. All that little life has is, is a heartbeat. And it can be heard as early as five weeks on ultrasound. That's where preborn steps in. Preborn is a voice for the little ones.
>> Alex McFarland: They do an ultrasound.
>> Caroline: And that's when everything changed. Because when I saw my baby, when.
>> Alex McFarland: I heard her heartbeat, that was it.
>> Jeff Chamblee: PreBorn Network of Clinics offers free ultrasounds to women in crisis while showering the with God's love. This powerful combination doubles a baby's chance at life and has helped to rescue over 300,000 babies. To learn more about preborn's life saving work, call pound250 and say the keyword baby. That's pound250, baby. Or visit preborn.com afr all gifts are tax deductible.
>> Alex McFarland: I called your name.
>> Bert Harper: I called your name. Amen. Call upon the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Many people are still without power in North Mississippi
Well, we're going to take these phone calls, but I do want to pass on the priority prayer needs. So many people, especially here in North Mississippi. We can just say that, employees here at afr, people that are on, here on staff at Exploring the Word, they're still without power. Some of them are without water, gas not being restored. So there's some people that are really finding it difficult. So be praying for them. And ministries like Samaritan's Purse, Eight Days of Hope and others, they are making a difference in people's lives. So pray for them. One other thing, pray for the lineman and our, mine and Jan's youngest son, Micah, he's involved in that restoring power to those that need it. But man, what a job they have. And we're praying for their safety. So, I pray that you would do that. We with Alex, are you ready to go to the phone lines?
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. By the way, that number folks is 888-589-8840. Triple 858-9840. We'd love to hear from you if you've got a Bible question. we say it like this. If you've ever wanted to raise your hand during a sermon, now's your chance.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Amen. Do that.
Kate from Michigan calls with a question for us
Hey, Kate from Michigan. We thank you for calling today. what a blessing it is to talk with you. You've got a question for us? Kate from Michigan. Are you there? Yeah, go ahead, Kate.
>> Caroline: Thank you so much.
God called Moses to circumcise the males and show it as the covenant
>> Caroline: Okay.
>> Caroline: Yes, I actually have two. fairly quick. The first one is in Exodus 4:24. I'm not quite understanding. Who is it that God is saying, be here.
>> Bert Harper: Okay. 4:24. Alex, I'll read this. Okay. And it came to pass on the way at the encampment that the Lord met him and sought to kill him. Okay. Then Sapporo took a sharp stone. You know all the rest. the Lord met him at the encampment and sought to kill him. Yeah.
>> Alex McFarland: do you know what this is? Ah, God called Moses to circumcise the males and show it as, the covenant. You know, it's almost like. I know this sounds strange to our 21st century ears, but just as we wear a wedding ring to show that we are, you know, married. The circumcision of the males. it later was the male babies, but they had to start with adult male men to be circumcised to show that they were participants of the covenant. And, you know, Moses wasn't going to do it. And it was almost like, it would be better to end Moses's life than to start this covenant and this, calling to the promised land in disobedience. So, I mean, this was significant enough that, Moses very life depended on his obedience to God. Bert, am I reading that?
>> Bert Harper: You are reading it right. I think he was rejected again. I know I make a big deal about some things, and one of the things I do is identity. Your identity? Identity. In creation, he's made us male and female. That's our identity. But he also has given us an identity, a new identity in Christ as our Redeemer. We're no longer. We've been bought with a price here. Moses, if I understand that he's, you know, yeah, he wants to associate with them, but I think he's having an identity crisis. And God says, no, you've got to get this down before you go and do what I've called you to do. You've got to do this. And so, we need to line things up and get our thing, our life right, our thoughts right. before we launch out on these big things. Have you noticed that about people, they want to do something big. But you better start out with where you. You better. You better bloom where you planted, hadn't you?
>> Alex McFarland: Absolutely. Absolutely. And I might, if we have time. I've got a great story I want to share about that, about obeying God in the little things before he entrusts us with maybe more significant things.
Kate: Speaking in the name of Jesus relates to believer's authority
But, did the caller have a second part of.
>> Bert Harper: Well, they did, I thought, but she's gone away. So it was about 18, 18 of Matthew. What you bind on earth, will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. You got a quick response to that?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, I think our words as we are speaking, preaching, praying, declaring things according to God's word, you know, I, this, I will say this, this relates to the believer's authority and we don't hear much teaching on this. But Bert, let me just say, for example, there have been times when we, were praying for the Holy Spirit to have control. We were praying against Satan and demons and temptation to have authority. And very often I've prayed out loud and commanded things out loud. for example, I'm just going to be straight with you. I was in a situation where I knew, there were demons in the room, afflicting some people, causing havoc. And I just started out loud. I said, in the name of Jesus, Satan, be gone. Get out of here, Satan. You have no authority here. Only, the Holy Spirit has authority here. In the name of Jesus, leave this place. And Bert, I don't know if you've ever been in spiritual warfare like that, but here's my point, folks. binding and loosing relates to the believer's authority. Now let's not let it go to our head. It's according to God's word in the name of Jesus, and we are his ambassadors here. And I do think there are situations where we must exert our authority as the emissaries of King Jesus.
>> Bert Harper: Well said. Let me add a verse to that. It's Psalm, 37:4. And it changed my life. Delight yourself also in the Lord and he shall give you the desires, your heart. And he said, oh boy, what does that mean? I name it and claim it? No, Delight yourself in the Lord means what? What you desire is what God desires. I want God's will done in my life. That's what happens when I delight myself in the Lord. It all becomes about him and not me. And that same thing goes with that about speaking in the name of Jesus. Now it's not like abracadabra, hey, Jesus. No, it's authority. And that's what you said, authority we have in Christ. So Kate, hope you stayed and heard that second part. Let's go to Louisiana and go and talk to Sheila. Sheila, thank you for Calling.
>> Caroline: Hi, how are you?
Sheila says tribulation doesn't necessarily have to follow directly after Rapture
So I heard, someone preaching on the Rapture. They said they believe the Rapture could happen at any moment, but the tribulation doesn't necessarily have to follow directly after the Rapture.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, well, Sheila, let me share with you the, the coming, the Rapture, the coming of the Lord in the clouds. Okay. Together his jewels. That's what it says. In one place. Could happen at any time. There's nothing that has to happen before that takes place. That is so true. Now, after that, certain things will take place. But Paul, believed it, John believed it. The imminent return of Christ, that it could happen at any time. Alex, if I read my Bible right, there's going to be tribulation all during the church age. But the Great Tribulation takes place after that.
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, it really does. And, I'm glad you're talking about this. And Bert and I cover this in, a lot of depth in the brand new book that just came out, 100 Bible questions on Prophecy and the End Times. And you can get that through afa. and it's also in Barnes and Noble and everywhere, the two really quintessential passages. One is first Thessalonians 4, 16, 17, and the other is first Corinthians 15, 51 and 52. So, the Lord descends, from heaven with a shout. The dead in Christ rise first. The living believers are caught up now about the tribulation not immediately happening, what she may have been referring to. And please listen very carefully. I do believe in what is called the premillennial Rapture. There's the catching away. But then seven years of tribulation, culminating in the Battle of Armageddon with the Antichrist. However, the first three and a half years of the seven year tribulation, it's 42 months, it is potentially comparatively peaceful. I mean, there's pandemonium and there's panic. You know, two thirds of the human race are suddenly gone. But then a man politically says, oh, I've got everything in order. It's a new, new order. The deplorables are gone. and for the first three and a half years, it becomes somewhat peaceful. But it's like a global police state. The Antichrist brokers a peace deal between Israel and the Islamic nations. But Suddenly, at the 43rd month, three and a half years into the tribulation, this global political leader says, you must worship me as God or you'll be put to death and burnt. That second three and a half years of the tribulation, is when it is going to be, the perilous times. I don't mean to be flippant. Hell on earth, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It is, Diane. That is so much. And if you take scripture the way it's given concerning tribulation, I really believe that. Now, don't be one of those that think, okay, since the great tribulation is coming after the Rapture, everything is going to be roses. No, in this world, you will have tribulation. Just think what's going on in Nigeria right now. I mean, saints are being slaughtered and so many so. But in that day, in that last three and a half years. Alex is exactly right. Thank you for your call. I appreciate it so much. Let's go to Ohio and talk to Diane. Diane, thank you for calling.
>> Caroline: Yes, hi. How are you doing?
>> Bert Harper: Well, thank you.
>> Caroline: Thank you. I just so have enjoyed your show over the years, and I'm, just so very grateful for your. Your knowledge and your graciousness and, Yeah. So, okay, God is good. Hold on once. Yes, hold on one second. Let me just turn the, app off because I'm echoing.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, I'm glad you recognize that. Go ahead, Diane.
>> Caroline: Ah, okay. Yeah, I have two questions. hold on here. Okay.
Alex: It's called Jesus being the servant. It's amazing
>> Bert Harper: All right.
>> Caroline: John 14:28, the end of that, where he says, I'm going to the Father because the Father is greater than I am. And I just, you know, want some help understanding what he means. And, you know, because I thought they were all equal. Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
>> Bert Harper: It's called Jesus being the servant. I came not to do my Father's. I came not to do my will, but I came to do the Father, the Father's will. Alex, it's amazing to me, and I want you to comment as quickly as we can because we've got other callers. But is it amazing how each one person of the Godhead glorifies the other? And this is. This is the whole idea. Jesus said, I got to go away. It's for your benefit that I go away, because the Holy Spirit is going to come and you're going to do greater things. Don't you find that even in Christ, there's that humility, isn't it?
>> Alex McFarland: And there is an order and, really a subordinates within the Godhead. Now, in essence and nature, Father, Son, Holy Ghost, they are one in essence, but they're unique in function. And. And when Christ was here on earth, even God incarnate, Jesus Christ, you know, as Philippians 2 says, though he is in the form of God. he didn't have to grasp it. He was not in danger of losing it. But Jesus, our example. and by the way, 1st Peter 2:1:5 says that as Christ suffered. Christ, our example, we sometimes suffer. But he was willing to be subordinate to the father, obedient to the father. Wasn't, he. Bert?
>> Bert Harper: He really was.
Alex: There is one man who claimed to be the gateway to heaven
Diane, is your other question Real quick, because we got another caller want to get to. Go ahead, Diane, real quickly.
>> Caroline: Yes. Can you hear me?
>> Bert Harper: Yes, go ahead.
>> Caroline: Okay, well, I. I have a friend. You have a friend who's a Buddhist. He lived and studied under the Dalai, Lama for 15 years, and he sent me a little meme. It said, one truth, many songs. So I'm trying to figure out how to respond to him.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, listen, I'm just. I don't mean to be flipping or anything, but. Alex, make much of Jesus. That. That's what you do with anybody and everybody. Alex, apologetics, you're great at it, but I want to tell you at the name of Jesus, there's power in that name, isn't there?
>> Alex McFarland: There is power in that name. And you know what I mean, Buddhism. Do you know, Buddhism doesn't even depend on God existing. I mean, there are philosophies and statements and, you know, claims of Buddhism, but, you know, Buddhism doesn't even depend on God existing. There is one man who claimed to be the gateway to heaven. His name is Jesus. And he did something nobody else ever did. He beat death. He rose from the grave. And so I would ask your friends, say Jesus claimed to be the one and only savior. Was he right or was he wrong?
>> Bert Harper: That's what you do, Diane.
Family from Virginia has three daughters with heart conditions awaiting a heart transplant
Well, we want to go to North Carolina and talk to Susan. Okay. Something happened, and it's locked out. Brent, can you get it in? See if you can. I don't know what happened. Brent. Susan. Okay, let me share with you. Susan, are you there? Yes, go ahead.
>> Caroline: I will make this quick. I'm calling on behalf of a family from Virginia, and it is a family, I think. The husband and wife are a youth pastor at a church in Charlottesville, Virginia. They've had three daughters. Their first daughter passed, away at a young age with a heart condition. Their second daughter had the same heart condition and had a heart transplant. And they just found out. Their third daughter, who's about 4 or 5 years old, has the exact same condition and is on the hospital waiting for a heart transplant. She is 4 or 5.
>> Bert Harper: Susan, we're gonna. What's her name? Go ahead. Yes.
>> Caroline: Her name is Bella. If you could put her on a prayer request list. And the family?
>> Bert Harper: We'll do it. Virginia family? Four. Three daughters. Bella. We're praying for God. I pray you'd touch Bella right where she is. This family, I know they're discouraged. But, Father, I pray they'd find the courage in you. Touch her life. Use your doctors. Touch her any way you can. But we trust you. In Jesus name, amen. Thank you for listening, Alex. We'll be back tomorrow, starting in 47. Let's do it together. Okay, brother.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. God bless you all. The views and opinions expressed in this.
>> Caroline: Broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of.
>> Alex McFarland: The American Family association or American Family Radio.
