Transcript

White House press secretary says investigation into missile strike on Iranian school ongoing

>> Bert Harper: Family Radio. This is American Family Radio, a listener supported ministry of the American Family Association. For American Family News, I'm Robert Thornton. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt was asked today about a missile strike on an Iranian school during the conflict with Iran. And will the White House or the Department of Defense release a full report

>> Alex McFarland: of its findings once the investigation is complete? The Department of War will do that.

>> Bert Harper: The investigation continues and as the President

>> Alex McFarland: said yesterday at his press conference, he

>> Bert Harper: will accept the conclusion of that investigation, whatever it may be. The AP reported a researcher identified the munition as a Tomahawk cruise missile. Raytheon, the US Maker of the missile, sells the weapon to some allies.

Reports say Russia is sharing intelligence with Iran about US targets

Israel has unleashed a new wave of attacks across Tehran today as the US reveals it has struck more than 5,000 targets so far. More from Fox's Jennifer Griffin. At the Pentagon briefing this morning, General Dan Kane used the same metric that Admiral Brad Cooper used a week ago regarding the number of Iranian ballistic missiles and drones now being fired.

>> Alex McFarland: After 11 days of strikes.

>> Bert Harper: Ballistic missile attacks have decreased by 90% since day one. Drone attacks have decreased by 83% since day one. Ballistic missile attacks continue to trend downward. 90% from where they've started. And and one way attack drones have decreased 83%.

>> Alex McFarland: UAE's Ministry of Defense says it faced 35 incoming Iranian drones and nine ballistic

>> Bert Harper: missiles today, compared to 209 drones and 137 ballistic missiles on day one.

>> Alex McFarland: Secretary of War Pete Hagseth warned that today would be the most intense day of strikes by the US Yet.

>> Bert Harper: A police officer was shot today while responding to a barricade situation at a home in Baltimore.

>> Alex McFarland: according to the city's mayor. Police separately said that a suspect was also shot during the active shooter incident.

>> Bert Harper: No other details were immediately available, though the Baltimore Fraternal Order of Police said all involved members are in good spirits. A national Defense analyst says one should not be surprised that Russia has provided Iran with intelligence information that helps the

>> Alex McFarland: rogue regime target the US military.

>> Bert Harper: Here's a report from AFN's Chad Groening. White House officials downplayed the reports but did not deny that Russia has been sharing intelligence with Iran about US Targets in the region. White House Press Secretary Caroline Levitt told reporters it clearly is not making any difference with respect to the military operations in Iran because we are completely decimating them. But Levitt declined to say if Trump had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the reported intelligence sharing or whether he believed Russia should face repercussions. Bob McGinnis is a national defense analyst and president of McGinnis Strategies LLC. 1 We should not be surprised. 2 the Russians have a strategic relationship with Iran, as do the Chinese, so expect them to do some helpful things too. And as Trump has said, it's not helping them much. So no surprise, it's going to probably continue. I don't think that you're going to see Russian ships and aircraft in the area, but I do believe they'll continue to provide them with information and diplomatic cover as best as they can. McGinnis believes we are seeing a proxy confrontation involving major powers. It depends upon how long this lasts. The tolerance in the west is growing less for what's going on. Clearly Russia is helping, the Chinese are anxious about it. So these are all significant developments. But the longer it lasts, the more this begins to look more like a proxy confrontation amongst the major powers. And the major powers are clearly China, the United States, Russia and others. Yesterday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott sent a letter directing state agencies and state owned medical facilities in Texas to address potential cybersecurity concerns linked to medical equipment manufactured in the People's Republic of China. Abbott directed the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, the Department of State Health Services and public university systems to review cybersecurity and procurement policies to protect Texans

>> Alex McFarland: from data breaches of their medical information.

>> Bert Harper: While severe storms are in the forecast

>> Alex McFarland: from Texas into the Midwest today and

>> Bert Harper: tonight, more storms are possible tomorrow from the Arch, La Tex and Lower Mississippi Valley northeastward to the Ohio Valley and Mid Atlantic. A, level two out of five risk of severe storms will run from parts of the south into the Mid Atlantic. You'll want to monitor local media outlets for the latest. That is all our time for now.

>> Alex McFarland: You can see more [email protected]

>> Bert Harper: AFA action takes attacks on the Family Seriously the enemies of the family constantly employ new tactics to try to sneak past our radar. They know if we stand together their evil plans will fail.

>> Alex McFarland: Your gift to afa action allows

>> Bert Harper: us to stay vigilant against their onslaught. And if you give this month you'll receive access to the Cultural Institute video when youn Faith Is Illegal by Frank Harbour on AFA Stream. As our thanks, you can make your gift [email protected] 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.

Bert Harper: Ephesians chapter four calls Christians to walk worthy

Welcome to Exploring the Word Ephesians chapter four, verses one, two and three. I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord beseech you to walk worthy of the calling which you were called. With all lowliness, gentleness, with long suffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Well, if you recognize that that's Paul's writings to the Church of Ephesians and what a challenge it is, and I do not believe that challenge has stopped even in 2026. For those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ, this is Bert Harper, along, with Dr. Alex McFarland. M. And we thank you for joining us today. And Alex, when you read the book of Ephesians, you find scripture after scripture after scripture that teaches so much, but I love that, that you walk worthy of the calling. We have a worthy calling. We ought to have a worthy walk, shouldn't we?

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen.

Alex: We're just beginning the New Testament book of Ephesians

Well, it's great to be with you, Bert, and just a great honor to have everybody listening. And folks, you've tuned in on the right day, because we're just beginning the NewSong Testament book of Ephesians. And Bert, I want to commend you, what we do folks, when we're, you know, wrapping up one book, like we just wrapped up the book of Isaiah, and, we spent time over the weekend praying and we were on the phone planning. And Bert keeps a really, really detailed list. And Bert, I think you said the last time we did ephesians was like 2015.

>> Bert Harper: It was. We went over it a little bit in 25, but not as particular. And I noticed that as well as I was going through my records. but it is such an awesome book, and I think it's a good follow up for Isaiah. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, it is. Well, for one thing, okay, roughly, this is about 60 A.D. paul has been through, an imprisonment in Rome. And during this time he wrote several epistles, which are letters to churches. And probably the intent was that they would get circulated around a lot of churches in Asia Minor. But, at least chapters one through three of Ephesians, for one thing. That's so beautiful. It talks about our position in Jesus Christ and, maybe a lot of people. One of the first memory verses you ever learned if you were in a discipleship program, was Ephesians 2:8 through 10. For by grace are you saved through faith. But I think it's very important. All right. There are the implications and the responsibilities of who we are in Christ. And so the six chapters, it's Not a long book, but, it really does speak to our identity, our position in Jesus as a believer, and really all the many, many blessings. And, you know, Bert, we talk about the obligations or responsibilities of being a disciple, but in light of all the blessings, the security and the standing that we have in Jesus, oh, my goodness. How could we not, with the help of the Holy Spirit, every day rise to our Christian responsibilities? It's the least we can do, in light of all that Christ has done for us.

>> Bert Harper: Well said. Our position should determine our practice. And like you said, the first three chapters is what we have in Christ, our position in Christ. But then the last three talk about, okay, now that you know this and you have this, what are you going to do with it? And he shares with Ephesians what that should.

The founding of the church at Ephesus has a lot more detail

One thing that I found interesting, that I know is new this time that I didn't mention, and I really had not thought about it. The founding of the church at Ephesus, has a lot more detail in it than a lot of other, you know, the other cities that Paul went to. We find it in chapter 18, 19, 20, and it's even mentioned in 21. And it occupies most of the space of chapter 19 and 20. But we find it in Acts 18:20 when Paul goes there. And I felt led that it would be good to look at that because Alex, he didn't spend a lot of time the first time, but he was so impressed that he made sure he came back the second time. Now listen to this. It says this again 18 of Acts, verse 23. After he had spent some time there, he departed and went over all the regions of Galatia, Phrygia, and in order, strengthening all the disciples. Now, certain Jews named Apollos, born in Alexandria, eloquent man, mighty in the Spirit, came to Ephesus. That's in chapter 18, verse 24. But in Acts, chapter 18, verse 18, guess what happened? Paul came there. And in verse 18, it says. So Paul still remained a good while. Then he took leave of the brethren, sailed for, Syria. Priscilla and Aquila were with him. He had his hair cut off. It centrici. For he had taken a vow, and he came to Ephesus and left them there. Now, Alex, again, you find this chapter 19, following up in 20, we find out a lot that the church and the city of Ephesus was one of the major cities. It was a religious center for many, many, I would say pagan gods, but especially one. And so here we find this Ephesian Church, like the church at Corinth, I would say others. That's right in the center of paganism. And out of that paganism, there's a few, few believers. But guess what? They grow and they share and they tell the good news of Christ, and others are drawn to them. I love the founding of the church at Ephesus. You have Paul involved. You have, you know, Aquila Priscilla involved. You have Apollos involved. And, when you have that, I just. I thought it was interesting that many people invest in themselves in the saints there in Ephesus.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, yeah, and you mentioned the paganism there. And by the way, Paul, didn't he stay longer in Ephesus than probably any other place on his missionary journey?

>> Bert Harper: He did two to three years. Yeah, two to three years. At least. Alex. You're right.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. And so, there's this city, and of course, everybody knows about Diana of Ephesus, but there were two kind of female fertility goddesses. Artemis was the huntress, a huntress God. And there was a temple in Ephesus to this false God, Artemis. But then Diana was really this mother goddess, worshiped in the Roman Empire, depicted kind of for fertility and just a lot of. Well, you know, when Romans talks about man forsaking the true and living God, and they make, human images and images that are human, deities and animal things that are deified. I mean, this is like this. And so the city of Ephesus was very entrenched in this. And the thing about it, when Paul preached and so many people became converted to Jesus, I mean, there was a riot among the silversmiths who had a lucrative trade in making shrines to this goddess, Diana. Bert, I've, I remember reading Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin. Do you remember?

>> Bert Harper: I do, yes.

>> Alex McFarland: He was on the radio many years ago. frankly, raised up very prominently during the Jesus movement of the 70s. But Walter Martin said, and I really think it's true that behind all of the pagan deities or statues or idols, is really demonic influence. And I would agree. And some of these ancient goddesses that, oddly enough, people are trying to, learn about and gravitate toward today. I mean, if you go in major secular bookstores, M. Bert, there there's just books about witchcraft, Satanism and ancient paganism. And, so into that context, Paul successfully evangelized a lot of people. And, we're called to do the same thing today.

>> Bert Harper: We are in difficult times, hard times, all the Eastern religions, again, you Can. If you listen to these ancient gods that they worshiped and see how these Eastern religions work, you say they're on the same track. Let me put it that way.

This is a prison epistle that Paul wrote

One or two other things highlights, before we get into the details, I guess, as you've already said, this is a prison epistle that Paul wrote. We find that in chapter three, verse one, and listen to his words. For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles. And then in chapter four one, which I read earlier, I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord. And then finally in chapter 6, verse 20, as he closes out, he says, for which I am an ambassador in chains. And Alex, again, the reason that is so important here he is a lot of it. He's talking about the riches that you have in Jesus Christ, which, when he is, you know, under house arrest, he's a prisoner. And so we find that also two or three other things I wanted to mention. You know, I'm going to count words, at least 35 times you have a reference to the term in Christ. Now, maybe in him or with him, or with Christ, but 35 times. And that's what he's referring to. And most of it's in the first three chapters. As you said earlier, his position. Two other things real quickly, and I'll throw it back to you, nine times, he refers to the Ephesian Christians as saints. Now, again, set apart, in our day, we have a wrong opinion of what, quote, sainthood is. Sainthood is your position in Christ. You've been set apart by him. One more. And that is he mentions grace 12 times. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

>> Bert Harper: The book of Ephesians is a book of God's great grace, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it really is. And in the very first sentence, Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God to the saints who are in Ephesus and faithful in Christ Jesus, grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This is one of the prison epistles. You know, Bert, people, whenever they talk about, you know, Paul was in a Roman prison when he wrote so many of his letters. And I. I've always heard it said there were three, but there were really four. Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, but also Philemon, you know.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah.

>> Alex McFarland: And, but. But you're right. in Christ appears, almost three dozen times. chapter one. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who. Who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, just as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love. Verse 5. Having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, by which he made us accepted in the beloved. Now, Romans 8:29 says that we are, predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ, if you're a born again Christian. But here it says, adopted God's good pleasure, God's knowledge predestined. Now, Bert, if this were the only verse we had, Ephesians 1:5, we might not see the full picture. I'll say this. As Spurgeon said, the Bible unequivocally presents the sovereignty of God, but also the responsibility of man. if we hear the gospel and understand it, we really are duty bound to receive it and accept it. Now, how does human free will, dovetail with God's providence? I don't know. I just know they're both in the Bible, don't you?

>> Bert Harper: They're in the Bible. I read this several places and I don't know who were the first I heard it was a professor. I'm sure it's in seminary. Says, try to explain election and you may lose your mind. Try to explain it away and you might lose your soul. They work. They do, Alex. Only God Listen. The mystery. Not mystery, but the mystery of the power of God is best illustrated in sovereignty and free will. Praise God that he's given us that opportunity to know him.

Brant is thankful for Medishare and the healthcare bill

Hey, I'm Brant and her name is Shari. Hello. She's a friend of mine whom we were just praying for because of a surgery she just went through. Yes, and I am very happy about something you actually talk about all the time, which is Medishare.

>> Alex McFarland: That is right, yeah.

>> Bert Harper: so what was your experience like with Medishare and the healthcare bill? Honestly, Brant? Seamless. And what a blessing that is when you're already nervous about a health issue, which I was. Members shared my expenses.

>> Alex McFarland: There were zero problems.

>> Bert Harper: And let me tell you, having people pray with you when you call in

>> Alex McFarland: with your need, that is just.

>> Bert Harper: It is refreshing. Yes, that's what it is. But I keep telling people, people love Metashare and they love saving tons of money too. The typical family can save 500amonth. I am very thankful for Medishare. It is so different.

>> Alex McFarland: And I mean different in a very, very good way.

>> Bert Harper: It is good. Different. Call now. They're easy to talk to and you can get a price within two minutes. Call 83344 Bible. That's 83344 Bible. 83344 Bible. Dr. Tony Evans says growing old and growing up are, two different things, especially when it comes to our spiritual maturity. He'll tell us more about that today as we spend two minutes with Tony.

The word complete means mature. Let me ask you a question. Many of us know grown folk who are still babies

The word complete means mature. It means grown up. the word means to have reached a, mature stage in your Christian experience. God didn't save you and me to stay babies. We all know it's possible that your chronological age doesn't necessarily equal your maturity. Many of us know grown folk who are still babies in terms of, how they live and the decisions that they make. They are, they have not matured with their ages. Let me ask you a question. If I had a magic wand in my hand and waved it over the crowd, and it was to reflect the relationship of your physical age to your spiritual age. If I waved the wand, how many would be sitting here in diapers. Because you've not grown, up spiritually? To stand before the Lord complete or mature means that you have become a spiritual adult and have not remained a spiritual toddler. Dr. Evans has an extensive collection of messages online. Something to speak to all the growth areas in your life. Browse our library today by visiting [email protected] and be sure to join us next time.

>> Alex McFarland: Time for two minutes with Tony.

>> Bert Harper: From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea creations revealing your majesty.

>> Alex McFarland: From the colors of fall to the fragrance of m spring.

>> Bert Harper: Every creature unique in the song that it seeming indescribable, uncontainable. You place the stars in the sky.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen.

Bert Harper talks about listener testimonies during Sharathon

Welcome back to exploring the word indescribable. You know, we are in the book of Ephesians and I'm getting ahead of myself. But Bert, one of the things I've loved about, the book of Ephesians, how it talks about the body of Christ. One body, one holy spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism. And this is, it's not a long book, but it's a great, great foundational book for the believer of any part of the journey. If you're a new believer or if you've walk with the Lord for decades, Ephesians is great. And Bert, before we resume that, let's talk a little bit about listener testimonies. I'm very blessed on the road every weekend, like just this past weekend, I was at A great church in South Carolina, and so many people came up, and they just. It's very humbling. They say how they love the American Family Radio Network, and they love exploring the Word, and they ask questions about Bert and, you know, everything. But the listener testimonies really do, they encourage us, don't they?

>> Bert Harper: They really do. And the reason we want them is not because we are wanting you to brag on afr. we want the Lord to be bragged on. And we're having Share a Thon. It'll come up next month. And so what we do during Share a Thon, it's my favorite part of Sharathon, if you want to know the truth, is listening to the listener testimonies of about what God has done in individual's lives. And so right now, you can start calling. Let me give you the number, and I'll give it to you again. This is separate from the number you call to ask questions. This is the one for listener testimonies. So write it down, put it in, pray about. Okay, God, do you want me to do that? and share what God's doing? and so here it is. 877-876-8893. That's the number you want to call. 877-876-8893, and leave a minute or two listener testimonies. You can write it out, you can plan it, and do it any way you do. would share, but we would love to hear that. You may get to hear your voice on afr, and, somebody would say, man, my voice sure does sound a lot. A lot better than Bert Harper's on there. And Brent, agrees here.

>> Alex McFarland: He's.

>> Bert Harper: He's shaking his head yes, but we would love to hear from you. So make that call. 877-876-8893.

Bert says we don't hear enough about God's grace

Alex, before I hand it back to you, I got something to say to you.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay.

>> Bert Harper: Happy birthday.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, thank you, Bert. Thank you very much. and yes, today is my birthday, and I am thankful that God gave me life.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. You know, great day. We have a friend, Dave. He. He let me know this morning that it was your birthday, and we appreciate that. We call him birthday Dave around here because he keeps up with our birthdays and lets us know about it. And so. But happy birthday, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, thank you, and, praise God for life and the privilege of serving the Lord Jesus. you know, it says in verse three that he has, blessed us with every spiritual blessing. And that's true. let me pick it up at verse 7, regarding Jesus. It says, in him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace, which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Himself. First of all, redemption through the blood of Jesus, the forgiveness of according to grace. Salvation is by grace, not works. I'm sure everybody's heard this acronym, G, R, A, C, E. God's riches at Christ's expense. And, Bert, when we realize it's grace, we didn't deserve forgiveness, but he loves us so much, he offers it to us. Bert, I've got to say, I think we don't. At least in the circles where I travel, I don't think we hear enough about grace. It's not performance, it's not something earned, but it's God's love. Even though we didn't deserve it, it is.

>> Bert Harper: And that is who God is. He's the holy God and loving God. Now, that's his characteristics. If I had to say. The two big, big characteristics of our God, regardless of power or anything, is his holiness and his love. He combines those in Jesus Christ, and that's it. Now, Alex, one more thing about this, first chapter. And again, notice it, and you see it three times. And I think it's referring to the riches of his grace. That's the last phrase in verse seven, the riches of his grace. And I think it's unfathomable. I think it is just immeasurable. His grace is that strong now, he's holy. That doesn't diminish the holiness of God. It does not diminish the fear we have of God that knowing that God is God and we're going to answer to him, the Creator, the Redeemer. But notice this. In verse six, it says, to the praise of the glory of his grace. Then if you look down in verse 12, and we hadn't got there yet, but notice this. It's kind of like an outline, verse 12, that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of his glory. It doesn't end. Look at verse 14, the latter part. The redemption of the purchased possession. To the praise of his glory. When Paul opens this up to the church at Ephesus, he's letting them know of God's grace. His. The praise we have for what? His glory. His grace demonstrates his glory, Alex. That's. That's how glorious his holiness demonstrates his glory. And, we call it The Shekinah glory of God. And so, Alex, we are to live in that. And that's what he. I think that's what the book of Ephesians is trying to get across. He demonstrates, like you said earlier, the first three chapters, our position in Christ that brings him glory. And then our practice, because of his grace, his mercy, his power is to demonstrate, to show his glory. Alex, that's what we're.

What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy him forever

What was the catechism, the Westminster Catechism, about?

>> Alex McFarland: What is the chief end of man?

>> Bert Harper: That's the first thing, isn't it? That's the first one they, tell us, isn't it, in that catechism?

>> Alex McFarland: And you know what? Let me just say I think I might have heard this when I was in about first grade, because I grew up Presbyterian. And we were taught to memorize the Children's Shorter Catechism. And, the word end, E, N D. We always think of, like, the. The stopping of something, like it's the end of the road. But really the word end has purpose or. Or, intent or teleos is the word. What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and enjoy him forever. And, Bert, I remember I was a little kid, didn't know anything about anything. And I thought, to glorify God. Okay, I think I know what that might mean, to praise God and enjoy him forever. And I remember thinking, enjoy God. How would you do that? And, you know, for one thing, you know, one of the ways that my soul, overflows with gratitude and worship is that God created me and all of us. Think about it. I mean, the Lord didn't have to create any one of us. And let me. Let me just say this. And I want to do something with verse nine in philosophy. And that was. I, was very privileged to get a philosophy degree from a very godly school, Liberty University, under people like Norman Geisler and Gary Habermas and JP Moreland. Brilliant, godly, godly people. In philosophy, they say the greatest property or attribute is existence. I mean, you could imagine something or, you know, hypothetical this or hypothetical that. But, you know, one good deed is better than a hundred good intentions. You know, Existence is the most valuable of any property, life, L, I, F, E. And here's the thing. God endowed to us the two greatest, most desirable things. One life or existence. And then salvation.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: And, you know, like you say the catechism. I mean, just reflect on this, folks, maybe before you go to bed, like, you know, Lord, what would you have me do. That's what Saul asked. And Samuel said, speak, Lord, Thy servant heareth. I mean, God gave us life, and every life has a purpose. And the number one purpose is to know Jesus. But then he takes us with all of our background, our makeup, our experiences, and he uses us for his glory and our blessings. And let me segue here. Verse, eight talks about God made us to abound in all wisdom and prudence. Now, verse nine, having made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, in which he purposed in Himself. Bert, I read that the word mystery occurs in the Bible 27 times. I mean, there is the mystery of iniquity. That's in second Thessalonians 2, verse 7. evil is in this world. Why doesn't God just snuff it out right this minute? But then there is the mystery of Israel's blindness. That's Romans 11:25. why didn't they see their Savior? But there is in so many places, like Ephesians 1, Ephesians 3, Romans 16, Colossians 1, the mystery of Jesus Christ, the Gospel and the church. And what's so beautiful, Burton, I'll throw it back to you. Is how God has revealed to us things the human mind could never have come up with on its own. how Jews and Gentiles are united into one body in Christ Jesus. God's redemptive plan with what he's revealed and the deep, secret, hidden things of the mind of God, he has revealed to us these divine, hidden truths. Isn't that a blessing?

>> Bert Harper: It is. And, again, Alex, when you say that, it is just beyond anything that we can know him and he is knowable. The words, that really gets my attention. Verse nine's got so much in it. I mean, you know, we can't even. We would spend the rest of the week, really on this.

Wesley: We are adopted in Christ, but we're accepted

But there's one, two words that really, grab me. According to.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay, amen.

>> Bert Harper: According. Not according to me. Not according to what a church might do, but it's according to his good pleasure. What is his pleasure? His pleasure is for us to know him, that we love him and come into this relationship with Him. He's talked about this relationship earlier. You know, he talked about two words. And now, I want to go back to it just a little bit. Not to go back in detail, but to refer to. We're not only adopted, but we're accepted. The two big A's, I call it. We are adopted in Christ. In other words, we were born again but adoption means we get the benefits. Now, when you're born and you're a baby, you don't get all that we do, but because of our salvation, that we have adopted. And it's ours that God has made known to us and given to us. And we're accepted. Not only Alex, he accepts us. you know, like, The only word I can say is like something that's been bought by a precious price. And we're accepted in Him. He accepts us on his merit, not on our own, but, because of faith. He accepts us. How does it feel to be accepted and put it with these words, according to his good pleasure. Here it is. I want to use the three A's, and this will preach in one sermon. You have adoption accepted and. And according to his good pleasure.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: That's what we have in Christ, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it is. It is. Verse 6. I've always loved this phraseology, the way it's worded, accepted in the beloved. And the word beloved is capital B. Not just accepted into the family of God, but who is the beloved? It's Jesus. It's Jesus. And, you know what's amazing is this. it goes in verse 10. In the dispensation of the fullness of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth in him. Now, one O, N, E. there's a phrase Chuck Colson used to use a lot about what is Jesus doing restoring all things? And I think perhaps people think, well, the work of Christ was on the cross, which it was. I mean, and we will, in just a matter of weeks, be celebrating Easter. And that's so precious and so special, and I hope you'll reflect on it deeply. But let me say this. Even before the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem, God was planning for salvation. In the 33 years when Christ was here on earth, he was paying the price. And now, during the church age, and it seems like a long time, 2,000 years. But look, I think about all the gospel has gone around the world. Israel is back in their land. the gospel, from the printing press to the radio towers, God has revealed his saving message to the world. And Bert, I think it's just amazing that you and I and everybody listening. Listen, folks, if you're a believer, you've put your faith in Christ, then rejoice in the security. It's a done deal. He is gathering all things to Himself. Now, the world, as dangerous and violent and crazy as the world is Sometimes you might think the train is off the tracks. Don't believe it. Christ is on the throne. He is in control. His will is being carried out, and we are secure in him, gathered as one to Christ Jesus, the King of Kings. I get encouragement for this, Bert. We're not going to do like John MacArthur and spend one year on one verse. Although we just about could, couldn't we?

>> Bert Harper: We really could. One last thing, by the way, he purposed in us and in Him. What a purpose, that number. 885-898-8840. It's the day of prayer. We would love to hear your prayer request. Triple 858-98-8840. Hello, my name is Andy Miller, and I'm the president of Wesley Biblical Seminary based in Ridgeland, Mississippi.

>> Alex McFarland: We are developing trusted leaders for faithful,

>> Bert Harper: and we do that based on the authority of scripture and in the reality that Christians can be transformed. We do that also through bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. We'd love for you to learn more about Wesley Biblical Seminary at wbs Edu, where we're developing trusted leaders for faithful churches. We don't have to be like the 10. That said, it can't be done. It's too big. The giants are too big. We need to be like Joshua and Caleb and say, you know what? There are giants. This is a massive problem when you have a nation that is ignorant of the. Of the principles that produce a free society. Start where you can. It's the only way I know. It's a little bit at a time. Join Walker Wildmon and Rick Greene as they tackle today's issues from a biblical and a constitutional perspective. At the core. 1pm Central, weekdays on AFR.

Walker Wildman: American Family Radio don't stop praying. Don't stop believing

This is Walker Wildmon with AFR and we're sending Bibles. Here's Micah with Bible League International. The Zuleika refugee camp in Malawi, Africa, is a place of total chaos. There's 60,000 women, men and children packed into this camp designed only for 10,000. There's poor sanitation, violence among people, groups that hate each other, even murders. But enter the hope of the gospel, where 50 Bible studies have led to a thousand people coming to Christ in recent months. And there's a sense of calmness and order coming to that camp. M one of those new believers, Miriam, is a young widow praying for a Bible to lead her children to know and love. In many cases, these are women whose husbands had been killed and really feeling completely hopeless. Easter is coming, and this month. Help us bless 4,000 Bibleist believers. $5 sends one Bible yes, that's $5 for one Bible. $100 sends 20 and 500 sends 100 Bibles. Give generously at 800 yes word, 800 yes word. Or visit sendbiblesnow.org sendbiblesnow.org Just as ah, sin came into the world through one man and death through sin and so death spread to all men because all sinned. My name is Abraham Hamilton III and this is the Hamilton Minute. A, popular effort in social revisionism is happening where racism, which is better described in biblical terms as skin color based partiality, is a crime of which only people of lighter skin color can be guilty. Lets be clear, factions, divisions and dissensions, including those based on skin color, are the fruit of the sinful flesh. The root cause of partiality is sin. Every person, regardless of the quantity of melanin in their skin is capable of partiality. The only remedy for sin is the blood of Jesus Christ. Listen each weekday from 5 to 6pm Central for the Hamilton Corner with Abraham Hamilton III, public policy analyst for the American Family association.

>> Alex McFarland: For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed,

>> Bert Harper: we have a building from God, an

>> Alex McFarland: eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2nd Corinthians 5:1.

>> Bert Harper: American Family Radio don't stop praying. Don't stop calling on Jesus.

>> Alex McFarland: Don't stop praying, don't stop believing. Hey, welcome back to Exploring the Word on the American Family Radio Network. I want to give the telephone number if you've got a Bible question and also on Tuesdays we call it a day of prayer. And if you have a prayer need, we would love to join you and agree with you in prayer. But the number toll free, it's triple 858-98-80. That's 888-589-8840. Bible questions, prayer requests. We would love to hear from you. hey Bert, can I share a question that came in online and by the way, we'd love to hear from you. You may email us if you want to email Bert and myself. and it will get to us. That's wordfr.net may I share one that came.

>> Bert Harper: Go right ahead man. You bet.

>> Alex McFarland: Somebody, emails and says is being saved a one time event. Question mark? Is being saved a one time event? Bert, comment on that, would you please?

>> Bert Harper: Jesus told Nicodemus you must be born again. That is my. That's a one time event. There was the conception, there was the growth, but then there is the birth. It is an event. listen, been there with three Sons. And it is an event. Yes, it is an event followed by, It's not an event that stands alone. I'd say it that way, Alex. It has. It has growth afterwards. If it's real, go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: And, you know, we've often said this. There's Christian birth and there's Christian growth. Christian birth is that moment when you put your faith in Jesus. And so, to everybody listening, if you're, you know, wondering and make, sure today, just no matter where you are, just in the privacy of your own heart, you can call out to Jesus. You say, lord, I admit that I'm a sinner. I'm sorry for my sins, but I believe Jesus is the son of God, as he said. Lord, when. When you went to the cross, Lord, I believe you did that for me. And, dear Jesus, come into my life, wash my sins away, and help me to follow you. Bert, there's a number of ways you could say it, but being saved is when you confess your sin. You put your trust, your belief in Jesus, and you ask him, and he's promised if you ask for salvation, he will forgive you.

>> Bert Harper: He will. He has me. And read the Book of Acts. Look how Paul was saved. listen to how the Philippian jailer was saved. I mean, you know, it is an event that God brings about in his time. The Ethiopian eunuch, how many times it's filled with it. So, yes. And experience that grace that only God can give.

Two prayer requests from M. Thomas Landry. And first, here in Mississippi is Thomas

Well, let's go to the phone lines. And first, here in Mississippi is Thomas. Thomas, thank you for calling. Go right ahead. Thomas, are you there? Oh, yes, sir. Hello, guys? M. I heard a ding, so it kind of blocked out what y' all were saying. Go right ahead, man. All right, well, I've got, two prayer requests. the Landry family, the head of that, Colby, just found out that he has lymphoma. They don't know what specific type. He's getting a biopsy for that, but he will need chemo. He is having a chemo, port,

>> Alex McFarland: surgically put into him.

>> Bert Harper: So please pray for the Landry family with him. And then also, his wife's currently pregnant with their sixth child.

>> Alex McFarland: They've got a lot on their plate.

>> Bert Harper: And then, another family that I'm very close with, the BB family. my friend Catherine just lost her grandmother, and she was, very, very close with her family. And I'm, thankful unto the Lord that she had saved.

>> Alex McFarland: But, just that that's hit them very, very hard.

>> Bert Harper: So please pray for both of them. Thomas, thank you. Thank you for concern for. Isn't it awesome to have friends? It's. Pray for you, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. And the, the first one, the. The gentleman that's, got a chemo port and cancer. What was his name?

>> Bert Harper: What he was it Thomas? I couldn't. Colby. Landry. Landry. Okay.

>> Alex McFarland: Okay. I'm writing this down. We certainly will pray.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Go ahead, Alex. Yeah.

>> Alex McFarland: Let's pray. Father God, in the name of Jesus, thank you that you are the healer and Lord, you invite us to bring our needs and petitions. We especially lift up the Landry family and Colby with this, diagnosis of cancer and wife, pregnant, carrying their child. Lord, give this family just added strength. Just a double measure of your grace and strength and hope and joy. And Father, in the name of Jesus, I pray for Colby that he would get healed, Lord, in Jesus name, whether you miraculously deliver him or use human medical treatments. But Lord, we pray for health, for vitality, and that this cancer is vanquished in Jesus name. And then I pray for the Beebe family. They lost their grandmother. And Lord, we rejoice that she is with you. But comfort the bereaved. And no doubt there are many others listening. So many bereavements, and deaths. Lord, may we find our comfort, our consolation in you and point others to you as well. In all of life's situations. We lift these things to you in Jesus name. Amen.

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

Robert Dabney wishes his friend Alex happy birthday today

Well, let's go to Tennessee and talk to Robert. Robert, thank you for calling in today. Today. Go right ahead. It is so wonderful to talk to you guys. And I just. I heard that Alex had a birthday today. I wanted to wish him a happy birthday because, it is so nice to be able to have a

>> Alex McFarland: birthday together with Alex, because it is, it is my birthday as well today. Well, happy birthday. God bless you all the March 10th people. Happy birthday. And. And hold that thought, sir. Don't leave. But I got to give a big shout out to a long time listener. And if AFA ever had a great friend, it's Birthday Dave, Dave Dabney. And he sent me a recording of Happy Birthday that he sang. And so, thank you, sir, and thanks to Birthday Dave. But what else you got there, brother?

>> Bert Harper: Oh, just Genesis 6:3. God said that, he's holding everybody to 120 years. And, I have made it to the halfway point. Amen. Well, happy birthday, Robert. May God give you many more.

Sarah wants prayers for her dad Bill who is going through multiple health issues

Hey, Brent, did you say we had, a prayer request by word Or Facebook. First off, we have birthday, wishes for Alex from Nancy and Hannah. And then we have a prayer request from Sarah. She wants prayers for her dad Bill. He's going through multiple serious health issues. Also, her Uncle Richard had an aneurysm and is slowly healing from it. Okay, let me pray for those. Father, I thank for Sarah calling and I do pray that you would be with those loved ones. Father Bill and Richard, God, they stand in need. And it's awesome when family and friends gather together and, and they ask and they come to you praising you first for life. As Alex said, to have life and then to have redemption from you, Father, both of them come from you. And I pray you would restore these. Help them in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you again.

Susan's trip to Israel was canceled due to war with Iran

Let's go to Susan in Virginia. Susan, thank you for calling. Well, happy birthday to Alex. and I wanted to. I actually have a praise first. I think it might have been about a month ago. I was struggling with, walking a long ways because of an injury. You all prayed better. Excited about our trip to Israel, which

>> Alex McFarland: of course was canceled, But I was

>> Bert Harper: one of 18 people who, were going on both, parts of the, So, now they were able to get us on a flight, but we're not together with the other people going through Germany. We'll be going through Turkey. So I do have a little bit of concern there. So could you pray for the 18 people? I don't even know them, but I'm one of them, one of the eight. Okay. What happened? going to Israel. Alex and Angie were going, but things happened that's going on. And that brings us continue to pray for our military and their operations that are, taking place there in Israel and Iran and pray for those Iranian believers. Strict. But Susan, Alex, they're going to get to go to the second part, which is Greece. So, we want to pray for Susan that she'll have, all the strength and also for her connections flying, don't we?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, we really do. And Tim Wildmon and I were going to be teaching in a number of locations in Israel. And just, it happened that the, the war with Iran came about. So the Israel thing is not going to happen. But I rejoice that they are the ones that were going to go and do the footsteps of Paul in Greece and such. I'm thrilled, they're getting to do that. And let me pray, Father, in the name of Jesus. I pray for safety, Lord, as they. Lord, give them just traveling mercies, airplanes, connections, passports These things and Lord, just let it be a great time. As they go and they see places, Greece, where you've done mighty, mighty works. And I pray they would bring the, the fire and the zeal back to the usa and you'll do a great and mighty work here. And we lift all these travelers, Tim Wildmon and Allison and the whole tour group. And Lord, we do pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Psalm 122, verse 6. And Lord, when it's your time, we'll do our best to get back over there to the holy city, Jerusalem. and Lord, we commit it all to you in Christ's name. Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Thank you so much, Susan. Have a wonderful time.

Alex: Danny, thank you for calling, exploring the word

Let's go to Kansas. Danny, thank you for calling, exploring the word. Go right ahead, brother Bert. Alex. Yes. Love the show man. Real. Really been a blessing to, to me. I stumbled upon it probably like six months ago and. And I'm addicted to it. You guys do a great job. Thank you, Danny. Hey, there are good addictions, Alex. Thank you, Danny. Go ahead man, go ahead.

Danny M. asks for prayer for his wife Nicole who has kidney stones

But my prayer request is for my wife Nicole. she's ah, got like two 3 centimeter big kidney stones and she's going in to have a procedure done and I just would like you to lift her up because she's. Her faith is lacking and, and it's a. It's a struggle for her. So I just, I just want you guys to lift her up and pray that everything goes according to plan. We'll do it. Listen, pain has a way to work its way into difficulty and doubt. I tell you, it really. Where are you, God, when you're in that pain? And I know the kidney stones is one of them. M. Danny, we're going to pray for you right now. Father, I thank you for Danny, I thank you for his love for his wife that comes across in this request. And I pray for Nicole. I pray God that you would as he said that the procedure would go as planned and they were able to take care of this pain, this issue. And God, we trust you. And I pray that her right now, it's, you know, sometimes our faith is weaker. And thank God that we have husbands and children and brothers and sisters and friends that when we are down and not able to do all that, that we have those that lift us up. And God, I pray that you would lift Nicole up and meet her need of taking care of this. In Jesus name. Amen. Thank you, Danny. Appreciate that.

Alex McFarland: Moses definitely went to heaven when his body died

Well, let's go to the state Home state of Alex McFarland, N.C. and talk to Micah. Micah, go right ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, sir.

>> Bert Harper: Just wanted to say that enjoy, you guys show. Watch it or listen to it every, every day on the way home. That's what I listen to. But, I had a question. My wife and I were discussing it. We have a home church that we do on Sundays, and then we have a conference coming up this weekend, that we do every year. But my question was I know the life of Moses and, some of the good things that he did. And you know, I was just. I had heard and I couldn't find it in the Bible or I probably just overlooked it, that he didn't make it to heaven. He got a glimpse of it, but he didn't.

>> Alex McFarland: He didn't get into heaven.

>> Bert Harper: So I just wonder if that was true or where I could find it in the Bible. Well, let me tell you this, and Alex, you do the full answer. He got a glimpse of the Holy Land. he got on that Mount Pisgah, and he could look over and see the land that God had promised him to go into, but because of sin, he didn't get to go there. That's not true about heaven. Go ahead, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, I do. Moses went to heaven. And I think I can, document that. But in Deuteronomy 34, he dies on Mount Nebo and he sees Canaan land afar.

>> Bert Harper: Ah, off.

>> Alex McFarland: He did not at that point get to enter the promised land, but he definitely, when his body died, he went to heaven. Because when you get in Matthew 17 over in the NewSong Testament and Peter, James and John are on the mount of Transfiguration with Jesus, Elijah appears. The. The glory of Jesus is displayed. But guess who's also there, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: Was it Moses?

>> Alex McFarland: It was Moses. So, yeah, he lost his temper and he sinned and he struck the rock which really represented Christ. So he, after leading the children of Israel 40 years, he didn't get in the Promised land humanly. But I believe his soul definitely did go to heaven and we'll see him there.

>> Bert Harper: I agree with you, Micah. Thank you. And I pray that you all have a good conference with, the meeting that you got coming in.

Robert Thornton: Pandy in Texas calls asking for prayer for aunt with Alzheimer's

We're going to try one more time for one more person. It's Pandy in Texas. Go right ahead. Yes, hi, I'm just calling to find out if you can pray for my aunt. She's in Delaware and she has Alzheimer's. And my cousin says she's probably in her final stages. She sent her to respite this week. But she's immobile, talking gibberish. And she doesn't recognize me. She thinks I'm her sister, her mom, my mom. And just, just praying for the family. My.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, my cousin who's 10 years older

>> Bert Harper: than me, has been taking care of her and her older sister has unforgiveness in her heart. So she doesn't, help her. We're going to pray for that pandy. We will. We running out of time. God, I. I pray that you would help this lady. God, it's tough. It's tough on the family. Hard when it's like that. But you can have dementia of some kind, but have clarity in your soul. And I pray that you would help the family. And we pray this and believe this. In Jesus name. Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Well, Alex, hope you have a continued happy birthday, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, thanks. And thanks everybody, for listening to Exploring the Word. Read on in Ephesians, chapter 1, verse 10. We'll pick it up tomorrow. In the meantime, tell somebody about Exploring the Word, but most of all, tell everybody about Jesus. The views and opinions expressed in this

>> Bert Harper: broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio. Faith, Family, Freedom. American Family Radio. Where can you access instruction and inspiration from scholars, apologists, authors, preachers and activists to deepen your Christian understanding? You could enroll in seminary, but a better way might be the AFA Cultural Institute. You'll find a collection of more than 50 informative, inspirational video lectures with more to come. Visit stream.aca.net to experience the AFA Cultural Institute. This is American Family Radio, a listener supported ministry of the American Family Association. American Family News. I'm Robert Thornton.

The Middle east conflict carries on as more oil refineries are hit by Iran

The Middle east conflict carries on as more oil refineries are hit by Iran. Here's Fox's Lucas Tomlinson. The largest oil refinery in the Middle east hit by Iranian drones. The United Arab Emirates says the Ruiz industrial complex has suspended operations. Nearby in the Strait of Hormuz, tanker traffic has ground to a halt. President Trump says US warships will escort

>> Alex McFarland: ships through if needed.

>> Bert Harper: The UAE has been Iran's main target

>> Alex McFarland: since the war began 11 days ago.

>> Bert Harper: Iran has fired twice as many projectiles here than it has at Israel, while the UAE has intercepted the vast majority

>> Alex McFarland: of drones and missiles.

>> Bert Harper: On Tuesday, a quarter of the drones slipped through Emirati air defenses in Dubai. Lucas Tomlinson, Fox News. U.S. officials told CBS that Iran may be getting ready to deploy mines in

>> Alex McFarland: the Strait of Hormuz in an effort

>> Bert Harper: to further disrupt the key shipping lane. President Donald Trump posted on Truth social today. If Iran has put any mines in the Hormuz Strait and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed immediately. About 140 troops have been wounded in the Iran conflict, including eight severely.

>> Alex McFarland: The new figure is the first insight

>> Bert Harper: into the broader toll of injuries that

>> Alex McFarland: have been sustained by US Troops in the wake of retaliatory rocket and drone strikes from Iran that have also claimed

>> Bert Harper: the lives of seven soldiers in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. An expert on Communist China believes the

>> Alex McFarland: United States show force in Iran is serving as a deterrent to Chinese aggression against Taiwan.

>> Bert Harper: More from AFN's Chad Groening A week into the US Israeli military operation against the Iranian regime. And the conflict has spread and directly impacted at least 14 countries across the Middle east and surrounding regions. And the rogue regime is not making any friends lately. But there's one country far from the action that's also getting unsettled by the latest developments. During an appearance on Washington Watch on American Family Radio, Gordon Chang, who is a senior fellow at the Gatestone Institute, weighed in one thing Beijing must be looking at our running down our stocks of ammunition, but I think they're also more importantly looking at President Trump's exertion of will. And that when the United States wants to do something, neither China nor Russia can stand in our way. And what we're showing the world is that we are the world's sole superpower. And China right now I think is a bit deterred. And Chang, who is author of Plan.