American Family Radio takes your Bible questions live on American Family Radio
>> Alex McFarland: 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.
>> Bert Harper: Stay with American Family Radio for the
>> Alex McFarland: next hour as we study God's word and take your Bible questions.
Exploring the Word focuses on remembering great American soldiers on Memorial Day
Welcome to Exploring the Word.
>> Bert Harper: Thank you for listening to Exploring the Word on this Memorial Day. It's a special that we are able to do with you and it is a pre recorded program and but we think it's very, very special. Hope you'll enjoy it. And if you do, tell others about it, matter of fact, tell others about this program and tell them they can go to afr.net and look up podcasts and they can listen to the Exploring Words programs for years back. But not just ours, but others as well on this great, great network. Well, Alex, Memorial Day is a great day. let me see. Memorial comes from memory, doesn't really does.
>> Alex McFarland: And it is a great day. And you know, it's one of those holidays that I'm just proud to be an American about. I mean it's sad how many people have had to give their lives to guard our freedom and purchase and preserve our liberty. But we thank God for all of the people that have been willing to give their life in the service, pay the ultimate price for this free nation.
>> Bert Harper: One of the things that I've loved to do, I'm from northeast Mississippi and I've read about three different biographies of men, who went off to fight and they came back to tell their story. But they also tell the story of those that stayed home, doing the work here, the rationing that was going on here in America, the workforce that had to change because of it and just so many things. But today we want to just not remember our great American soldiers that have given their lives and given their service to, to, to a great, great country. But we decided that we would go into the Bible and look at some of the great soldiers in the Bible. Now Alex, I, I just tell you two of my favorite, one I miss, my favorite is Joshua and Caleb. Now I'm a Caleb fan and I, I do that. I, he is one of my favorite characters in all the Bible. But I, I, you remember they're part of the 12 spies that God told Moses to send into the land. One from each tribe. Now here's the Bible question and I warned you I was going to ask you a very difficult Bible question. Can you name one of the 10 spies that gave a minority report can you name one of them off the top of your head?
>> Alex McFarland: I don't think I can. I have to confess ignorance that I know we know Joshua and Caleb that gave the good report that we can do this. But, And I know they're mentioned, but I have to tell you, I can't call their names.
>> Bert Harper: I cannot either. I had to read. And, I have asked that, in many churches, and I have as yet to get an answer for that. I mean, now let me ask you this. would you rather be a part of the majority that is forgotten or part of the minority that is remembered for they were following God?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, you know, in a way, I was going to say this, Bert. I think it's not, accidental that they are kind of forgotten. Although the word of God does give their names, nobody really remembers them because they were the naysayers, they were the doubters. And let me just say we all have something that we need to be a good steward of, and that's our influence. Because, you know, the 10 spies that doubted and they, you know, said, oh, we're just grasshoppers in the eyes of all the people of the land, the 10 naysayers, in a way, because they had such a negative influence on the other people. I mean, Bert, is it fair to say that they're worth forgetting? Aren't they?
>> Bert Harper: They are. And matter of fact, if I've. I've checked it out and I've checked with other authorities, they're not mentioned again. Their name is not brought up again. They're mentioned this time. And that's it. We. Whereas Joshua and Caleb, they're remember. Especially Joshua is remembered again and again and again. And you'll find this story in the Book of numbers, chapters 13 and 14. and this is the beginning of it. And Joshua had served under Moses. Moses was a great leader. But Joshua would become a leader and a warrior. Now, that's a pretty good combination. You know what I mean? A warrior and a leader. I know some people that were great warriors, and I know some men that were great leaders. But when you can combine those two attributes, let me see. I think it kind of like the Lord Jesus Christ, you know, he was, he was the lion and the lamb, if you want to put it that way. And so here's Joshua and Caleb, especially Joshua, being a great, courageous warrior, but also a great leader. That is some combination, isn't it?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, it really is. And you know, each one of us in a similar way, although we're not, you know, spying out the promised land. But we've. We've got a call on each of our lives to be courageous for Christ and stand up for truth. And, you know, Bert, studies have been shown. when I was studying psychology in graduate school, they did, you know, observations. They'd put people in a room, and they'd get one or two people to say something that they knew wasn't true. Like, you know, there's red marbles in a bowl, and people would say, no, they don't look red. They look some other color. And it's funny how when people have the minority report, very often human nature can be not always that people will cave in and go along with the crowd. And. And let me just say this, that we Christians, we are called to stand for the truth, Humbly but consistently stand for the truth, even if we're the only one in the room speaking truth. And, Bert, you and I could do a whole show on the truths, the realities that are under attack right now. It's been said that our nation is in a crisis of truth, but we are to stand for what is right, what is biblical, what is true, even if we think we're in the minority. Because chances are some of the people that are going along to get along, deep in their heart, they know what's true and false. But very often, for lack of courage or lack of conviction, people just cave in. And it can take, just like in the case of Joshua and Caleb, just one or two to boldly, courageously stand for what is right. And it'll have a good influence on the. The watching crowd. And of course, you know, so much in not only the word of God, but history itself talks about the bold truth tellers. And, Bert, we've got to be committed to truth, even if we think we're in the minority.
>> Bert Harper: Exactly right. And. And these spies, they were given instructions, specific instructions to go into the land and to check it out, bring back some of the fruit of the land. But you was talking about being strong and courageous. Guess what God told them. And Moses carried it out. And again, this is numbers 1320. Find out whether the land is rich or poor and whether there are forests there or not. Be of good courage and bring back some fruit. Be of good courage.
Bert: Truth and courage should be parallel with one another
I just want to share with you. Truth and courage should be parallel with one another. When we know truth, it should give us courage that we're standing on truth. We're standing on that firm foundation. Now, these men went up and they were to spy out the land, and they were gone for 40 days. 40 days is significant in the Bible. Yes, and here it is again. So they had completed their task, and they came back from spying out the land, and they showed them the fruit, and they said, it's a land that truly flows with milk and honey. This is the fruit. Now, let me share with you all 12 spies said those things. They all agreed. And it says, nevertheless, there's giants in the land, and it's a strong land. And there's people there. The Amalekites, the Hittites, the Jebusites, all the ites that were there. And they were kind of getting excited. And I love what chapter 13, verse 30 says. Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overtake it. Now, this is Caleb. Now, I want to say this and see if you agree or not. It seems like although Joshua was the leader, he was named first, and you could tell he was an understudy of Moses and he would be appointed by. But here it seems like Caleb is taking the initiative about saying, this is what we need to do. Let us go upwind at once. Caleb knew delay would cause doubt, and he said, we gotta go up now. that's pretty courageous. And he's right on with the truth with that, isn't he?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, amen. Amen. And I love this. I'm so glad we're talking about this right now, because, you know, Bert, our nation so desperately needs people that, they have a love for God and country and a willingness to share truth. And, you know, when Caleb, like you say from Numbers 13:30, Caleb quieted the people. Some translations will say silenced the people or stilled the people, but he quieted them down. There's something calming and reassuring about composure. You know, he wasn't, you know, flying all apart, but he says we should go up and take possession of the land. We can certainly do it. Bert.
Every decision I've ever made out of fear, I've come to regret
Every decision I've ever made out of fear, I've come to regret. And, there have been some things that I, you know, to save money or what if. You know, what if this or that happens. But I want to tell you, even though I've had to walk by faith, everything I've done in obedient faith. And it might seem intimidating, but obedient faith yields good results. The decisions I've made in fear, which have been very, very few, thank the Lord, But I've done a few things. But all the stuff I've ever done, asking myself, what if? What If I've come to regret now those 10 spots. What if the people of the land overtake us? What if the Canaanites? Well, Bert, I fear sometimes that the work of the gospel doesn't go forth out of fear of what ifs.
>> Bert Harper: I'm afraid you're right. And that's why I, mean, you've been talking about the characteristics of America. We as, followers of Christ should not fall into that category. We may be in the minority. Jesus said, broad is the way that leads to destruction. And many there go in. And few are the way that finds the narrow way that go in. We have been a minority. Yes, we are. But we still stand on truth. We still speak the truth. But these 10 spies, they said, listen to these words. But the men who had gone up with him said, we are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we. Alex, you just see a pathetic, anti faith, anti truth, doubting filled men. We are not able. I agree with we. But God is able. Matter of fact, isn't it true that God had already given them, that land? All they had to do in was go and claim it. Now, claiming it might cost some, some difficulty, might cost some, some lives. But the land was theirs. And it's. I'm going to go ahead and say it. It's still theirs today, regardless of what people want to say today. And he said, but they said we're not able. They're stronger than we are. Doesn't most of the time, doesn't the world always look stronger than we look? Jesus on the cross. He died on the cross. Oh, man. You remember the two on the road to Emmaus? You remember what they said? We had hoped he was the one, you know, but listen, we're standing with God. That, that makes a big difference, doesn't it?
>> Alex McFarland: absolutely, absolutely. And, and I've got to say this, and I love the church. Goodness I do. I'm in a different church almost every weekend. But Bert, we in the church in America, the remnant, however many it might be, people speculate how many born again Bible believing Christians are there in America. I don't know, some say 100 million. But it doesn't matter the number. It's not the size of the congregation, it's the size of their faith and obedience. We need some big courageous faith nowadays.
>> Bert Harper: We do. And that's what exploring the word and AFR is all about. We want you to be built up in the faith of the Lord Jesus Christ. We're going to come back. And we're going to look at Caleb and Joshua some more as they march on to victory. The AFR app is a powerful tool, but it does have limitations.
>> Alex McFarland: You can't use it to change the
>> Bert Harper: oil in your vehicle or get rid of carpet stains.
>> Alex McFarland: It won't walk the dog, won't pick
>> Bert Harper: up the dry cleaning or take the kids to practice. But while you're doing those things, you can listen to your favorite AFR content through the app on your phone, smart device, or Roku. Just go to your app store or visit afr.net Listen to AFR wherever you go with the AFR app.
Bert Harper and Alex McFarland discuss patriotism on American Family Radio
>> Alex McFarland: Welcome back to Exploring the Word on American Family Radio. You're my defender, you fight for me. I will remember you're all I need. You are my healer. Welcome back. This is Exploring the Word, a very special day, in, in honor of Memorial Day, a special program and Bert Harper and Alex McFarland are here. This is not a live show, so we can't take your calls today. It is a pre recorded show, but we invite you to re enjoy it and other great AFR programming on the website afr.net but, Bert, we're doing two things today that I really love. For one thing, we're looking at some of the great figures in scripture, like Joshua and Caleb and Moses and others who we all love. You know, there are a lot of leaders you read about in scripture and we're going to talk about some of these. But we're also talking about the United States of America. And I love this country. I really do. and I love patriotism. You know, my dad and my granddad were all veterans and I've been to a number of the veteran cemeteries around the country. And, it's inspiring to me because as an American and yes, as a Christian, first and foremost, my primary loyalty is to the Lord. But I'm an American. And you know, that's a special identity to be an American citizen. And I hope everybody realizes that to be an American is a gift from God.
>> Bert Harper: I would agree with that. And with that gift comes responsibility. And for every believer, we're to be stewards. We've been talking about that in the book of, 1 Corinthians that we have gone over. We're talking about we're to be servants and we're to be stewards and a manager of everything that God has given us. And God has given us a great country here in America. And as a citizen of this country, I'm to be a steward of Everything that God has given me to, not just in the area of redemption, but in the area of creation, in the area of society. And so God has given us that responsibility, and we are to do it well. We're to do it with truth, and we're to do it in love. And so to speak the truth in love is not just talking about scripture that every preacher and Sunday school teacher, group leader ought to do, but speaking the truth in love ought to be the way of every leader that's in the realm of government. Speak the truth and speak it in love and motivate people. And that's exactly what Caleb and Joshua would try to do in chapter 14. Listen to this. they've already said we can't go up. And they said, let us select a leader and return to Egypt in verse 4. But listen to what Caleb and Joshua said. And it goes here in verses six and following. they rent their clothes, they tore their clothes. And they said, the land we pass through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. Now here's what they say. If the Lord delights in us, then he will bring us into this land and give it to us. A land which flows with milk and honey only. Do not rebel against the Lord, nor fear the people of the land, for they are our bread. Their protection has departed from them. This is past tense. Their protection is already gone and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them. That was their admonition. This is Joshua speaking up, Caleb speaking up and saying, we can't let fear. As you opened up with Alex in the first segment, we cannot make this decision on fear. We're making it on who God is and what he has given us. Alex, I still think we need to make decisions based on those things as well.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. And you know what? for one thing, Bert, I hope everybody listening is a part of a church. if you're a born again believer, you're supposed to be a part of a church and traveling as I do, I've been in a lot of churches that were pondering things like outreach programs or do we build a new building or add onto the building, you know, if it'll help you reach people for Christ. I've told this story, but I was in church, well, Nags Head Baptist down on the coast, and I was visiting preacher, and they were voting on the acquisition of a piece of land beside the the church. It was like an acre and a half or something. And this is 20 years ago, but this acre and a half was it was going to be like 50 or $60,000. And, clearly they, the sentiment was, let's not do it. Goodness, that's a lot of money. And, and so I sat there and I stood up and I said, forgive me if I'm out of order. I know I'm just a visiting speaker this weekend, but, let me just say, you can always raise money, but land, especially land adjacent to your property, that just doesn't come along every day. And forgive me if I'm out of school here, but go for it. Believe God will provide. Do you know, that's been 20 years ago, Bert. And every time I go back to that church, which is about every other year, they say, oh, my goodness, thank you. Because a decade later, they wanted to build a new sanctuary. And had they not had that little sliver of land, they couldn't have built and gotten the permit they wanted. And, I said, well, you know, I'm not a genius or anything. I just, I thought you all were kind of on the tipping point point. And I wanted to give a little word of encouragement. And it's been said, Bert, that the, the biggest obstacle to any dream is fear of failure. So I hope you're in a church. I hope you're using your gifts and abilities for the Great Commission. I hope your church is a church of big faith, believing God for big things. I hope the body of Christ in America, Bert, can believe God for a national revival. And maybe you're an intercessor and you know how to pray. Or maybe you're a soul winner and you know how to share the gospel. Or maybe you are an influence and you can point others to the good. But like Joshua and Caleb, we, could give a thousand applications here, but part of being a Christian is to be a person that understands we serve a miracle, working giant, slaying dead, raising mountain, moving God.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Amen. Alex. Preach it, brother. And matter of fact, this is what Caleb and Joshua are getting at. And why would we spend time on this is because God has not changed. And God is still looking for that man, that woman, that teenager of great courage that will stand up and be and say what God would have them to say. and this is what takes place. The children of Israel in majority reject Caleb, reject Joshua, reject what Moses said, and they wanted their own way. And, let me tell you what takes place here in chapter 14 and verse 18. listen to what Moses would say. The Lord is long suffering and abundant in mercy, forgiven, inequity, transgression, but he by no means clears the guilty. Visiting the iniquity of the fathers that ended on, the children to the third and fourth generation. Now, what that means is when this generation makes this decision, it's going to affect generations after us. It's not like, okay, I'm going to condemn you because you were born to this generation, not this generation.
Some decisions, many, Alex decisions have an effect on the ultimate
But no, this. Some decisions, many, I would say most, Alex decisions have an effect on the ultimate. And what one generation does is look at the immediate. They only look at the immediate. And they get fearful, they get discouraged, and they go a different way. God wants us to look at him and look at the future through him. I am the one that is with you. I'm the one that has told you you can have this land. And it says in verse 19, pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of your mercy, just as you have forgiven us this people from Egypt, even until now. Here is Moses interceding. We're talking about, in a way, he was a soldier. Joshua and Caleb were more hands on, but Moses was like a general and he is leading them. Then the Lord said, listen to this, verse 20 of, chapter 14 of Numbers. Then the Lord said, I have pardoned according to your word, but truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. Because of these men who have seen my glory and the signs which I did in Egypt and the wilderness, and have put me to the Test now these 10 times and have not heeded my voice, they certainly shall not see the land of which I swore to their fathers, nor shall any of those who rejected me see it. But my servant Caleb. I love those words, Alex.
>> Alex McFarland: I like that too.
>> Bert Harper: He has a different spirit in him and has followed me fully. Fully. I'll bring into the land where he went and his descendants shall inherit it. Now, Alex, I get chill bumps. I honestly do. Reading my servant Caleb, because he has a different spirit in him. We need the spirit of Caleb in our lives. In 2022. You were talking about our country, you were talking about our churches. We need a different spirit in us, led by the Spirit. Notice what it says. He followed me. How? Partially incompletely? No, fully, man. We need to have a heart for God and follow him, don't we?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, we really do. We really do. And you know what? we've talked about it, quite a number of times. M. But shortly after this, you know, I was reading earlier in numbers, 13, where God, you know, had told them that they could possess their promised land. Well, there's, this, the desert of Zin z I n. but there's a place there called Kadesh Barnea. And Bert, this K a D E s Kadesh Barnea. Very, very significant spot because there is this debate that goes on there. now some people think that Kadesh Barnea means holy place, holy place of the desert. But here's the real, fuller context. The holy place of desert wandering. Now, I remember, when I heard this preached on for the first time. And it dawned on me, and of course, this is where the pastor was going, that there are in every, every person's life a number of, shall we say, Kadesh Barneas. Imagine, cross the river, go across, trust God for his promises. Possess the land. But what happened, even though there are two pretty famous occurrences of this one, there was the people's unbelief and they couldn't follow Joshua and Caleb and Moses. And then there was another time in Numbers, chapter 20, where the people were at Kadesh Barnea, and they didn't have enough water at that moment. And they grumbled and kind of got mad at Moses. Both of these times it was unbelief. But whether it's unbelief and disobedience or whether it's ingratitude and a hard heart and disobedience, when life presents you with a Kadesh Barnea for the Christian, I'm saying we have to go across. And there is blessing. Now, Bert, for some people, being able to go and forgive somebody and get right with somebody, that's a step of obedience. A Kadesh Barnea, you need to cross over. For others, it's to repent of a sin. And there's something in your life and you know, it's not right, it's not pleasing to God. And you need to step across into obedience and be set free from, from that thing. Or maybe it might be somebody listening, Bert. And it's a call to ministry and to use your gifts and abilities to serve God. but I think it's just brilliant how the word of God has this occurrence at, Kadesh Barnea. Because, in my life, and I think in the lives of people, families, churches, there are more multiple, multiple Kadesh Barneas where you're either going to trust God and obey, or you might set yourself up for some years of wandering around.
>> Bert Harper: That's exactly right. It is a time of decision. they were wanting to go back to Egypt where they were slaves. You know, that was their Desire. They were so weak. Go ahead.
>> Alex McFarland: Forgive me for interrupting, but see, here's the thing. Momentary decisions can have decades long implications.
>> Bert Harper: That's it. That's it, Alex. And here it did. That's why that passage that I read in verse 18, your decision will, will affect the third and fourth generation. They will be affected by this decision. For good or bad, they'll be affected by your decision. Right now, the decision America is making, we will affect the future. And we need to look past that and look to see what God would have us to do now, what will happen when they go in fighting the battle. I'm getting ahead a little bit. They were to tear down, but they were to build up. They were to tear down some and let others stand. And this reminds me of when we started with COVID 19. And, the president, then President Trump, made a wise and very wise statement, and he said, we don't need to let the cure be more harmful than the disease. And so this is the whole idea here. They, had some things to do, but they let fear. They didn't even enter into it.
Alex: Don't let fear, bitterness, and anger stop God's work
Now, one more thing I got to get in in chapter 14, and it's what's going to what the Lord spoke to Moses and Eryn and said about this evil congregation. And he says to them, verse 28, say to them, as I live, says the Lord, just as you have spoken in my hearing, so I will do to you. The carcasses of you who have murmured against me shall fall in the wilderness. All of you who were numbered according to your entire number from 20 years old and above, except for Caleb the son of Jepneel, and Joshua the son of Nun. You shall by no means enter into the land that I swore I would make you dwell in. Alex here's 20 years old and above would wander for 40 years, and each morning everybody would get up and say, who's died last night? you know, the whole idea, that's what they were waiting for. They were waiting for a whole generation to die out before they could move forward. I just want to say this, and you've done an awesome job of applying this to us today. Don't let your life be one of those that has to die before they can accomplish something great for the Lord. You know, don't let that be a part of. Don't let fear, bitterness, and anger. You gave a whole list earlier. Don't let these things cause you to make things have to wait and stop until you die. No, be a part of what God is doing. Be a Caleb, be a Joshua and say, the land is full. Yes, the enemy is strong, the walls are tall. But guess what? They're nothing compared to our God. Alex, our God is greater, isn't he?
>> Alex McFarland: Absolutely. Folks, you're listening to Exploring the Word on the American Family Radio Network. We've got a brief break. Stay tuned on this Memorial Day. More inspirational truth and reality from God's word when we come back. Don't go away.
Preborn Ministries fights for the babies. To donate, dial pound 250
>> Bert Harper: If we've learned anything from this election, it's how important it is for us to fight, fight, fight. We also learned how desperately the left wants to fight to take babies lives. Which is why every day PreBorn Ministries fights for the babies. PreBorn's network of clinics are positioned in the highest abortion areas. Fighting for mothers deciding between the life and death of their child. Preborn welcomes these women with God's love and offers them a free ultrasound to introduce their precious baby and hear the beautiful heartbeat. This amazing encounter gives her baby a fighting chance and the majority of the time, she'll choose life. Would you join PreBorn in the fight for life? One ultrasound is just $28 and $140 will sponsor five ultrasounds. Babies are worth fighting for. To donate, dial pound 250 on your cell and say the key word baby. That's £250, baby. Or visit preborn.com afr that's preborn.com afr all gifts are tax deductible and PreBorn has four star charity ratings. Fight, fight, fight for the babies.
Bert York: Open your heart to Jesus today on Memorial Day
>> Alex McFarland: Welcome back to exploring the word on american family radio.
>> Bert Harper: Oh, my.
>> Alex McFarland: Thank God that yesterday's gone. All my sins are forgiven. Caleb quieted the people before Moses and we must go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it. Some translations say we are well able to overcome. And friend, you are too. step one in life, obviously to know Christ as your savior. And if you've never trusted Jesus and been born again, for sure, that's Bert. And my message to you is open your heart to Jesus today. He's as close by as a prayer. But Bert, I, love Daniel 11:32. That says the people who know their God will be strong and do exploits. I mean, isn't that something that those of us, if you're a born again believer. Look, it doesn't matter what the world says and what anybody thinks about what constitutes ability or power or value. Listen, you're a person in whom the spirit of the living God dwells. You've got the truth of God's word. Written in your mind and your heart. You can do things that count for eternity. Bert, just like Joshua and Caleb, aren't we to be, just, pioneers and trailblazers and truth tellers for the living God?
>> Bert Harper: We are, and we're not. The step back we, you know, it talks about, the man who puts his hand to the plow is not worthy the kingdom of God. If he looks back, he can't help but think of Lot's wife looking back and longing for that life. And here's the children of Israel looking back and longing to go back into slavery. I mean, listen, what God has for us and what God has, it's not one. He says, oh, it's going to be a bed of roses. No, he just gives us the victory. Alex, can I tell you something? There's no victory without a fight.
>> Alex McFarland: That's true.
>> Bert Harper: And that's what they were wanting. They were wanting the victory without the fight. And God says no. If we don't appreciate what God has given us by struggling to see him and to follow him, we'll value it very little, you know?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, it's a bit of a cliche. I know. There's no. No pain, no gain. You know, there's. There's no, prize without a price. And it's been said, this is not original with us, but the only place that, success comes before work is in the dictionary. And, you know, Bert, what an adventure in life. Sure, to know the Lord and to know that whenever we leave this world, we'll go to heaven. But to get involved and do things, to, do things for the glory of God and the good of our country, you know, and. And, let me say this. Obviously, the hierarchy of priorities is our personal walk with Jesus and then our home and our family and then our local church. But I believe Christians are also to be citizens. And let me just say this, and I don't mean to get us off track, but just as Joshua, Caleb, Moses, and the godly people were called to possess a land, we, the people of God, are called to possess this land. we are called, like Habakkuk, too, to work for, pray for, invest for the knowledge of the Lord, covering the earth as the waters cover the sea. I think Christians need to run for office. I think we need to be salt and light in our communities. And sometimes it's, you know, starting programs that help people, but that becomes an avenue by which we can share about Jesus. And I'm just calling for Angie and me and for Everybody listening. Yes, we are Christians, but we're citizens. And on this Memorial Day, as we think about those, they gave their life for liberty. and I've been in, like I said, a lot of veteran cemeteries, and there's, yes, images of the flag, but all over the veteran cemeteries are images of the cross, because our best and greatest throughout our history understood the connection between liberty and godliness, the connection between America and Christianity. And so, Bert, might this Memorial Day be a reminder to not only be good Christians, but highly invested citizens?
>> Bert Harper: I agree with you fully. He's talking about soldiers. Let's talk about one in America. His name is Alvin York. He's one of my heroes, World War I, and, the greatest decorated World War I warrior that was there. And he, a godly, Godly Christian. He got saved before, he was drafted and went into the army. And then he struggled whether he could shoot anyone or kill anyone, because the Bible says, thou shall not kill. But when he came to understand, he still didn't want to kill, even in the midst of, war. But, he read the Scriptures. If you ever see the movie, you ought to see the movie. It's a great movie, Black and white. Gary, Cooper, great actor, but it shows him leaving, the army base, going back home, taking with him his Bible and a history book, the history of America. And it shows him reading that out on a mountaintop and looking at it. And he came back ready to fight because he was able to see that as a. As a believer, you're a citizen of the country that God has given you. Now, there's always been conflict. There was conflicts in Germany in World War II. There were Christians who were drafted and put into the military that were put in hard places fighting for the Nazi, regime. And, man, they were reluctant to do it. Some of them would not do it. Some of them died not doing it. Alex. And so there's. There's. You've got to look at the cost. Is the Christian country, country that you're looking for and the cause that they're fighting for, is it worth giving that? And I think that's where the Holy Spirit, the word of God, came into Alvin York and led him and showed him. And he saved hundreds of lives, just himself. And, so we've. We've got a great heritage as Christian, leaders in the military to demonstrate, I would say, that balance between truth and mercy. And God is able to do that. And I think he did that with Joshua and Caleb. when we come to Joshua, chapter 11, we find out that they have taken the land. We're not going to go over that. It's battle after battle.
We could spend time at Jericho and AI. Jericho was the most difficult to take
We could spend time at Jericho and AI. this is fun. I think I want to bring it up. Jericho was the one that was the most difficult to take. And they took it by marching around it, one time, each day for six days. And on the seventh day, they marched around seven times, blew the trumpets and shouted, the walls came down, and they were able to take the city. The next place they went to is AI. AI was a less dominant city. It was less than Jericho. It was weaker than Jericho. But there they met their defeat.
>> Alex McFarland: I hate.
>> Bert Harper: I'm not laughing, but that's what we do. In Jericho, their dependence was upon God. At AI, their dependence was on themselves. And we start depending upon ourselves in anything rather than God as followers of Christ. Listen, we're going to meet our Waterloo. We're going to meet our AI. And, so, Alex, the battle would take place, but Caleb and Joshua, guess what? They would stay true. They would stay faithful all the way to the end. Brother.
>> Alex McFarland: Amen.
Even in times of great success, we need to trust the Lord, Bert says
I want to read a scripture. And this is very appropriate for trusting in the Lord, not ourselves. And, we can't just depend on anything human. But ultimately, even in times of great success, we need to trust the Lord. Bert, it might be harder to, manage success than failure, even. But Psalm 33, one of my favorites. And this is certainly my prayer for our country to. Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance from heaven. The Lord looks down and sees all mankind from his dwelling place. He watches all who live on the earth. He who forms the hearts of all who considers everything they do. No king is saved by the size of his army. No warrior escapes by his great strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance. Despite its great strength, it cannot save. Now, Psalm 33:18. Listen to this. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine. We wait in hope for the Lord, for He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you. Now, Bert, that passage, Psalm 33:12, 22, that's my prayer for the United States of America on this day.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. And I want to tell you, God, being faithful as he is, rewards faithfulness. Now, the reason I wanted to get to this, it's in Joshua. And, Caleb is still alive. All of his and Joshua's contemporaries have died. They stand alone as patriarchs. They stand alone as the elder rulers. And here's what happens. Caleb has been faithful. Joshua has been the leader. Caleb has played second fiddle, for 45 years. And it says that they came into the land and listen to what Caleb says. This is chapter 14 of the book of Joshua. And the children of Judah came to Joshua, to Gilgal. And Caleb, the son of Jepnuah the Chazonite, said to him, you know the word which the Lord said to Moses, the man of God, concerning you and me at Kadesh barnea. I was 40 years old when Moses, the servant of the Lord, sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spout the land. I brought back word of him as was in my heart. Nevertheless, my brethren who went up with me made the heart of the people melt. But I wholly or fully followed the Lord, my God. So Moses swore to me, saying, surely the land where your foot has trodden shall be your inheritance and your children's forever, because you fully follow the Lord. And now, behold, the Lord has kept me alive. God has given me these 45 years. Ever since the Lord spoke this word to Moses while Israel wandered in the wilderness. And now here I AM this day, 85 years old as yet. I am as strong this day as I was on that day that Moses sent me. Just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war both to go in and come out. Now, therefore, give me this mountain which the Lord thy God had promised me. Verse 31 says Joshua blessed him and gave him Mount Hebron. Now, here's the title of a sermon. A mountain climber at 85.
>> Alex McFarland: That would be a good title.
>> Bert Harper: It is. And listen. That's it. He followed the Lord holy. And notice he gives God the glory. This is a testimony, he says. God has kept me alive. God is. He has seen all of his contemporaries die, Alex. They've gone their way and trying to relate it to us. if we live long enough, we're going to know more people that have gone on than those that are still alive, that are close to where we are in our age. But guess what? We are to stay faithful. How long, Alex? To the end.
>> Alex McFarland: As long as we live.
>> Bert Harper: That's Caleb's story. What a story, brother.
Find out what God's call is for you. Find out what your spiritual gifts are
>> Alex McFarland: Well, as you know, as I, get older every year, maybe. Maybe I'm just flattering myself. But more and more, I really try to take to heart that old saying that age ain't nothing but a number, you know, I've told this, forgive my repetition, but Mark Lowry, that, when Angie and I got married, we were at Liberty and Thomas Road, and of course, Mark Lowry and his dear mother, Bev Lowry, she is in heaven. And his dad, Charles Lowry. But, Bev Lowry, Mark Lowry's mom, became a psychology professor at Liberty. But she never even went to school till she was well up into her 50s. And she had often shared the testimony how she always wanted to finish college and she would ultimately go on and get graduate degrees and become a faculty member like in her 60s. But she was saying to her husband one time, I'd always, want to go to school. And he said, well, do it. And she goes, well, you know, do you know how old I'll be in four years? He said, well, how old will you be in four years if you don't do it? In other words, time is going to keep on ticking, so we might as well do it. So don't, live a fruitless life due to self imposed limitations. And Bert, we often say, but what if I don't make it? Look, find out what God's call is for you. Find out what your spiritual gifts are. Bert, another again, another subject for another day. But I think one of the most beneficial things that any believer can do is to know what their spiritual gifts are. Because those strengths, those abilities, and yes, even desires, the things you care about, the Lord's put those in you for you to bear fruit. And Joshua and Caleb, they bore their fruit. We need to know our gift and have the courage to start out, even if there's a long journey ahead of us, because the days are going to tick away anyway. let's make use of those days and become who we're going to hope to be way down the road.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. So that when we stand before God, he can say, well done, thy good and faithful servant, all the way to the end. Not until you got to be 60 and retired. Not until you got to be 70 and quit. No, you were faithful to the end. What a statement.
Exploring the Word concludes with Joshua on Memorial Day
Now, we've got to finish with Joshua. We're coming close to the time of ending this special Memorial Day program where we've looked at what it means to be that, person, to be a part of a country that we are today, looking at Caleb and Joshua and what it meant to be them, a part of the nation of Israel and their warrior and their leadership but listen this. This is in Joshua, chapter 24 and it says, now for fear the Lord, serve him in sincerity and in truth, put away the gods which your father served on the other side of the river and in Egypt, serve the Lord, and if it seems evil to you, serve the Lord. Choose for yourselves this day day whom you will serve, whether the gods which were fathers served and were on the other side of the river, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But listen to this declarative statement. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Alex, that is a declaration on this Memorial Day that I want to make as well. For me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
>> Alex McFarland: For God and country, we're going to do it well, folks, thanks for listening to Exploring the Word. May God bless you. May God bless America. Keep our nation in prayer. Tell someone about the American Family Radio Network. Most of all, tell everybody about Jesus. The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast do not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
