National Farm Security Action Plan aims to safeguard US Agriculture from foreign countries
>> Alex McFarland: Recover from this.
>> Bert Harper: Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter's daughters were also attending the Christian summer camp and made it out okay. President Trump is planning to visit Texas at the end of the week. In Washington, Ryan Schmelz, Fox News. Top Trump administration officials announcing the rollout of a new initiative from the Department of Agriculture to protect American farmland. The National Farm Security Action Plan aims to safeguard US Agriculture from foreign countries like China, whose investors own hundreds of thousands of acres of land across the country. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem calls this a national security issue that needs to be addressed. We will continue to make sure that we have the systems in place, the people in place, the experts in place and the policies in place to make sure that this country always feeds itself and that we always have the ability to grow our own food and that we rely on no one else to feed the people of the United States of America. President Trump has sent out letters to other countries declaring new tariff rates on goods entering the U.S. more from Edward Lawrence. The, Council of Economic Advisers here at the White House did a new.
>> Alex McFarland: Report and they found that the specifically imported goods price actually slightly fell From December of 2024 through the latest data. This is counter to what some economists and the Federal Reserve chairman is saying.
>> Bert Harper: The Council of Economic Advisers broke out.
>> Alex McFarland: Goods in both the PC inflation which is favored by the Federal Reserve as well as the CPI inflation which is more widely used. The White House is using this report to p on the Fed chairman, the.
>> Bert Harper: Trade deals and those tariffs.
>> Alex McFarland: The president posting letters to 14 countries on truth social lists. The additional tariffs each will be paying starting on August 1st.
>> Bert Harper: Celebrations continue over a Supreme Court decision involving South Carolina and Planned Parenthood. Chris Woodward reports.
>> Alex McFarland: The case is known as Medina v. Planned Parenthood. South Atlantic justices ruled 6 to 3 that South Carolina or any state can withhold Medicaid funds from Planned Parenthood and other so called health care providers. Alan Parker of the Justice Foundation.
>> Bert Harper: They only provide abortions basically, maybe a few other things on occasion, but they should not. The states have the right to decide who's qualified.
>> Alex McFarland: And South Carolina absolutely said there's lots.
>> Bert Harper: Of other people who are providing good quality services in our state that people can use as their provider.
>> Alex McFarland: The justice foundation represented 138 women heard by Planned Parenthood in this case.
>> Bert Harper: And these were women who had the courage to give us their testimonies about how they've been hurt.
>> Alex McFarland: And then we gave those to the United States Supreme Court because Planned Parenthood.
>> Bert Harper: basically ends up hurting women. And then we filed a second brief on the merits. And we presented the women's testimonies about how badly they were hurt by Planned Parenthood abortions and did not feel they were qualified medical providers.
>> Alex McFarland: Chris I'm Chris Woodward.
>> Bert Harper: Stocks are mixed in trading today, a day after a broad sell off following the Trump administration's decision to impose new import tariffs. More news online@afn.net and download the AFN mobile app for your Apple or Android device. I'm Rusty Pugh. 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.
>> Alex McFarland: Evil plans will fail. Your gift to AFA Action allows us.
>> Bert Harper: To stay vigilant against their onslaught.
>> Alex McFarland: And if you give this month, you'll.
>> Bert Harper: Receive access to the Cultural Institute video When youn Faith is Illegal by Frank harbor on AFA Stream as our thanks. You can make your gift today@,
>> Alex McFarland: Afaaction uh.net the Bible.
>> Bert Harper: 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: We want you to be convinced that you can trust the Lord
Welcome to Exploring the Word.
>> Alex McFarland: Have you ever seen a, time when people have experienced, answered prayer? They've seen the hand of God and undeniably the Lord has been with them. And yet they wouldn't or couldn't believe anyway? Well, that's almost like numbers 14. And we're going to get to a number of great verses. And the Lord said unto Moses, how long will this people provoke me? And how long will it be ere they believe me? For all the signs which I've showed among them, you know, Bert, the children of Israel, they're out of Egypt, they're en route to the promised land. They've seen signs and proofs of God's power and faithfulness. maybe we wouldn't have been any different, but I'd like to believe with the faithfulness of God so much on display that we would have believed and trusted in him. And that's what we should do, isn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It really is. And there are individuals that have done that and do that. When you look at the, in Hebrews, we find out a great group of people that had faith in the Lord, they did not turn back, they did not turn away. And that's what we want our listeners to do, as we do that Alex. And so, and they had four guys that stood the test of time. Moses, Erin, Caleb, and Joshua. And what you have in chapter 13 and chapter 14 is the two guys that had seen the land, seen the fortified cities, seen the giants. They said, God is able. And we talked about what Caleb said exactly yesterday. But today, what. What, Joshua does. By the way, Joshua is the son of Nun. Okay, that's one of those trivia. Who. Who. Who is the son of Nun? It is Joshua.
>> Alex McFarland: Yes.
>> Bert Harper: so his parents. He had none. No parents. But anyway, he did. That's just the name. But notice what he says in verse seven. He says, the land we pass through to spy out is an exceedingly good land. 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, and the Lord is with us. Do not fear them. Now, Alex, I just want to tell you, Caleb and Joshua did everything they could in order to convince these people to trust the Lord. we want to do that. We want those of you who are listening to be convinced that you can trust the Lord. He is the one. He's the one that can bring you through. So, Alex, when I read that. And verse 10 is so sad. And all the congregation said to stone them with stones. Now, the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of meeting, which was all the children of Israel. And then the Lord said, how long? that is repeated over in the book of Revelation for different reasons. And it's talking to God. How long will we suffer? You know, but here God is saying, how long am I going to put up with this people? And so. But Joshua and Caleb, Moses and Erin, they stayed true at this time, did they not?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, they really did. They really did. And, hey, for everybody listening in North Carolina, Bert, forgive me, I love North Carolina. I've got to give a little bit of North Carolina trivia. In, 1585, there was a man named Ralph Laine, L, A N E. And he called North Carolina the goodliest land. Goodliest. But what he was doing, he got that phrase, really from Numbers 13, Verse 7. An exceeding good land, that in the Old English, they phrased it the goodliest land. And, you know, North Carolina, it's pretty good. It's not the promised land that Israel was headed to. But you're right. Joshua and Caleb, they were trying to persuade the people, hey, this is an exceeding good land. And you know, the Lord, if he, if the Lord delights in us, he'll bring us into this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. Now that's become kind of an axiom or a saying. And the phrase milk and honey really connotes just blessings beyond description. Well, but verse nine, do not rebel against the Lord, neither fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Bert, isn't that something? You ever heard that old saying, and I don't mean to be colloquial or flippant here, but what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger. I mean they're acknowledging that there are people in the land and there might be some struggle and there might be some fight, but bread is nutrition. Bread grows and makes you stronger. What Joshua and Caleb are saying is, look, the Lord is with us. Do not fear the people. It's only going to strengthen us spiritually, physically, and we're going to take this land. I've loved that confidence of verse nine. The people are bread for us.
>> Bert Harper: amen. And the next line really gets me as well. I agree with you. The protection has departed from them. In other words, what you're looking at, the fortified cities, what you're looking at their height, their strength, it's departed from m them. And you know, in other words, God's going to lay them waste. They're bread for us. And the Lord is with us now here. I think that's the bottom line and that will be the bottom line in our lives. The Lord is with us. It does not mean, oh man, no fighting. It does for them. Yeah, they got to go into the land.
Alex: I think of Jesus crossing the Sea of Galilee in storm
It doesn't mean no difficulties. No, there'll be some mountains to climb and valleys to traverse. Alex. But guess what? God is with us. When I see that, I think of Jesus in the boat and them crossing the Sea of Galilee and they get out there in the storm M is raging now, at least four of these are fishermen and they knew what a storm was to be on the Sea of Galilee as long as they'd been fishermen, I'm sure. But they were fearful, they were scared and they went and wake Jesus up. Are you not, do you don't care that we're going to perish and Jesus was with them. Now what are the chances of that boat they were in sinking if Jesus was with them? Alex?
>> Alex McFarland: I would say zero.
>> Bert Harper: So Jesus with us? You think we're going to make it?
>> Alex McFarland: We're going to make it and more. Not just Survive, but thrive. And, you know, let me just say that, the old saying, you plus God equals a majority. You know what, Bert, was it? Hudson Taylor, when he had been, you know, going to the mission field, and he was going through customs in England, and they said, do you have any thing to declare? What do you have on you? He said, 10 cents. And all the promises of God. You remember that?
>> Bert Harper: I do. Amen.
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. So the Lord is with us. Fear them not. But all the congregation bade stone them with stones. And the glory of the Lord appeared in the tabernacle of the congregation before all the children of Israel. Remember in Acts, when Stephen was getting stoned, the glory of the Lord appeared. Now, I don't know. I have to smile. Verse 10. It's not funny. But here they've passionately shared the opportunity and the calling and the faith and the confidence. And what do the people say? Execute these men. Stone them with stones.
>> Bert Harper: They do. But God, I think he was verifying his promise to those guys when the glory of the Lord appeared at the tabernacle of meeting. and then Moses intercedes. Listen to this. And the Lord said to Moses, as you've already alluded to, and read this, and it is a statement. How long? I love to put the emphasis there. How long, Alex, you know, how long will these people reject me? And how long will they not believe me? With all the signs which I performed among them, I will strike them with a pestilence and disinherit them. I'll make of you, Moses, a nation greater and mightier than they. And Moses said, okay, God, let's do it. That sounds good. I've been waiting on it. That's not what Moses, the most humble man that the Bible talks about in the world, said. Here's what he said. Then the Egyptians will hear it. By your might, you brought these people up from among them. And they will tell it to their inhabitants. This land they have heard that you, Lord, are among these people, that you, Lord, sent face to face, and that your cloud stands above them. And you go before them in a pillar by day and a pillar of fire by night. Now, if you kill these people as one man, then the nations which have heard your fame will speak, saying, because the Lord was not able to bring this people to the land which he swore to give them, therefore he killed them in the wilderness. And now I pray, let the power of my God, my Lord, be great. Just as you have spoken. The Lord is longsuffering, abundant in mercy, forgiven iniquity, Transgression, but he by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers to the children of the fourth and fifth generation. Pardon the iniquity of this people, I pray, according to the greatness of your mercy, just as you have forgiven this people from Egypt even unto now. Alex, what an interceder. I'm not sure. And you disagree. I'm not sure there's a greater example of any individual except Jesus Christ greater than Moses at interceding for his people.
>> Alex McFarland: You know, I was just going to say that, Bert, that's a great observation. Intercessory prayer is to really beseech God on behalf of somebody else or a people group. And I was just moved by this and even how Moses sort of reasons, hey, Lord, these people deserve it. But if they die out here in the wilderness, the people will slander your name. And they'll say, the Lord got them out of Egypt, but wasn't able to bring them to the promised land. You know, Yesterday, in verse 13, verse 32, chapter 13, verse 32, the people, the ten spies, brought an evil report. And the word is really slanderous, like slandering the name of God. And here I think Moses is praying against that. You know, Lord, we don't deserve it, but we need your help and your intervention. Verse 19. Pardon, I beseech thee. The iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people from Egypt even unto now, in verse 20. Is this so touching? And the Lord said, I've pardoned according to thy word, but as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. Moses intercession. It bore fruit, didn't it now?
>> Bert Harper: Yeah, it did.
Take it to heart the promises of God's word and to pray Scripture
Alex. Can't help but this. I thought you were through. I'm sorry I interrupted. But verse 18 is Moses quoting back to God the Father, what God had said to them in Exodus, chapter 34. Let me read that. The Lord passed before him and proclaimed the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of fathers upon the children of the fourth, third, and fourth generation. So he brings this back up to the Lord. Does this sound like in our prayer life? it would be good to pray Scripture and the promises of God.
>> Alex McFarland: Oh, amen. Amen. I love to, Really? I'll put it this way. Take it to heart the promises of God's word and to pray Scripture. And Bert, I was thinking about as I read this, James 5:16. James 5:16 says, Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. James 5:16, the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. And I would say, even though this is Old Testament, not New Testament, Moses is the personification of James 5:16. Here he, was confessing, he was interceding for the people, and his prayers were fervent, and they certainly were effectual, weren't they?
>> Bert Harper: And they were answered immediately. Now I want to come back. We're going to talk about the third and fourth generation. We're going to see how the decisions of the people here who said we can't go up affected the next generations. What is your decisions? What is it doing to those who follow you? We'll be back with more right after the this break.
Tomorrow Clubs help kids and teens in forsaken places follow Jesus through discipleship
Wherever the gospel goes, lives are changed. Lives like Sonia's. When Sonia came to a Tomorrow Club, she had little reason to hope for a better future. As Armenian refugees living in a remote community in the Republic of Georgia, life was desperately hard for Sonia and her family. The recent death of her baby brother had made things even worse, and her mother had fallen into a deep depression. At the club, Sonya heard the gospel and her faith began to grow as she attended weekly club meetings. Soon, a small church grew out of the Tomorrow Club, and Sonya prayed her mother would come to the church. Sonja's prayers were answered. Her mother came, surrendered her life to Christ, recovered from her depression, was baptized, and now leads the Tomorrow Club, where her daughter found Christ. Partnering with local churches, Tomorrow Clubs help kids and teens in forsaken places learn to follow Jesus through long term discipleship. To learn more about how Tomorrow Clubs are reaching young hearts and minds For Christ, visit TomorrowClubs.org that's TomorrowClubs.org all gifts are tax deductible.
>> Alex McFarland: Dr. Tony Evans says even though we're.
>> Bert Harper: Residents on Earth, we're citizens of heaven. He'll explain how to keep those two realities in balance today as we spend.
Tony Evans: A dress rehearsal is preparation for the show
>> Alex McFarland: Two minutes with Tony.
>> Bert Harper: In any production, whether it's whether it's on Broadway or Las Vegas production, here's what comes with that. A dress rehearsal. The dress rehearsal is not the show. It is preparation for the show. But because there is a show, you need a dress rehearsal so that when the show comes, you're ready for the show. Now the dress rehearsal is done with the show in mind. You're only thinking about that day when the performance will be made public. But to get ready for that day, you gotta rehearse today. Now, along the way in the dress rehearsal, you will make some mistakes. Along the way in the dress rehearsal, you're gonna forget some lines. But if you keep looking at that day, the next rehearsal is gonna be.
>> Alex McFarland: Better than the last rehearsal.
>> Bert Harper: Cause you want to be your best self on that day. Guess what? My life and your life now is a dress rehearsal for that day. When we stand before the Lord. And yes, we will have missed some lines and missed some cues and made some mistakes. But if every time we came to rehearsal, we were better than the last time because we lived in light of that day today, that our expectation will transform our behavior and eternity will give us victory in time. May God help us to live with an eternal perspective. Tony has a powerful 10 message CD series on this subject called the Eternal Perspective, available online@tonyevans.org check it out today. Then join us next time for two minutes with Tony.
>> Alex McFarland: Come and go with me to my father's house. Come and go with me.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Thank you, Brent. there's another one. It's not quite as upbeat as that one. It's more children, but it's about a girl singing. I heard you had a big house. And, listen, there's plenty of room at the foot of the cross. If you've never come to know Christ as Savior, Alex and I are asking you, come to him, today. Don't put it off tomorrow. We have no idea what tomorrow may bring. And so make sure you're saved. If there's been a time in your life when you thought you may have been, but you don't know for sure, make sure today say, lord, I'm a sinner. I'm lost. There's nothing that I bring to you. I have nothing to offer to you. And I know that Jesus died on the cross. He gave himself willingly as that sacrifice buried and rose again on the third day, overcoming sin and death, my two greatest enemies. And today I'm asking you to forgive me of my sin. And I'm asking you to become Lord of my life, now and forever. I pray that you would do that. If you haven't, and if you need help, there's a number you can call. Triple 888 Needham. And there's some people there that can help you. And they will pray with you. And Alex, listen, knowing Jesus Christ as Savior has gotten me through so many things. That difficulty. Hey, when you Go through life, and you're a husband, you're a father, you're a grandfather, and things happen, and illnesses come, disappointments come. Jesus has been that constant friend that stays closer than a brother. How about in your life, brother?
>> Alex McFarland: Oh, my goodness. He surely is. I mean, to be a Christian is just, the rock, the foundation, the unshakable hope and strength to get through every day. And, Bert, maybe you've heard this, story. It's, true from early church, but, during the Roman persecutions and there were several plagues, but one of the Romans remarked that the Christians certainly die well. And, you know, I think about the tragedy of the floods in Texas.
>> Bert Harper: The.
>> Alex McFarland: The whole nation is grieving, and certainly our prayers are with everyone in Texas. By the way, Tuesdays, we do pray. We take prayer requests. And later on in the show, in the third segment, if you want to call in, by the way, the number is 888-589-8840. We would love for you if you just would share your prayer request with us, and let us join together in pray, praying and praying in Texas with Jesus. even though tragedy comes and there are things in life that are deep valleys and they stretch us, but we know that we have the promises of God, we have the presence of God, the provision of God, the protection, and Jesus Christ is our sustenance. Bert, I was a little kid in summer Bible school, vacation Bible school, and it would be years before I fully understood what this meant, and I'm learning it every day. But it says that Jesus is the friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
>> Bert Harper: Hallelujah.
>> Alex McFarland: And folks, if you want that friend in your life, he's as close by as a prayer, you can begin your relationship with Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Call out to him today. He'll forgive your sins. You just ask him, believe in him, put your faith in him, and he is absolutely trustworthy, dependable. And you'll find that the love of God and his strong hand will be what carries you through every day.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. I know it's used, but I still love it. And that's the footprints in the sand about. The guy, you know, had that dream, he was before God, and he saw two sets of footprints in the sand, except at the most difficult times of his life. And he saw one set, and he said, I got to ask God, why did he leave me during those times? And he asked God that, and he said, oh, son, you don't understand, man. That's not your footprints, that's mine. That's when I was carrying you. Alex. he'll bring us through, won't he?
>> Alex McFarland: He really does. He really does.
Chapter 14 speaks about people having trouble trusting God, Harold Towns says
And in numbers, chapter 14, the people are having trouble trusting, God. And we get to something that's very famous, which is the wandering in the wilderness. And it's really. Let me read on. God says, I've pardon these people according to thy word. In other words, verse 20. Moses, you prayed and you asked for me to have mercy. Okay. Verse 21. But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. Because all those men which have seen my glory and my miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these 10 times, and have not hearkened or listened to my voice, surely they shall not see the land which I swear unto their fathers. Neither shall any of them that provoked me see it. But my servant Caleb, because he hath another spirit within him and has followed me fully him will I bring into the land where into he went, and his seed shall possess it. Now, the Amalekites and the Canaanites dwelt in the valley tomorrow, turn you and get you into the wilderness by way of the Red Sea. And the Lord spake unto Moses and Erin, saying, how long shall I bear with this evil congregation? the wording there in verse 27. This evil congregation, I think I've preached in a couple of those churches. These that murmur against me. I've heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me. Say unto them, as truly as I live, saith the Lord, as you have spoken in mine ears, so I will do to you. Now, let's talk about this for a second. The people said, o stone. Moses and Erin, they've brought us out here to mean us harm. And we're going to die. And the people are too much for us. And this promised land we can't possess. Let us go back to the Egyptian servitude and slavery. Well, it wouldn't be Egypt, but they would be enslaved by their own unbelief. So verse 28, it really speaks about the repercussions of lack of faith and disobedience, doesn't it?
>> Bert Harper: It really does. Now, there's one thing I feel like we need to look at. According to the King James and its translation in verse 22, about tempting me. And the Bible talks about, you know, the Lord cannot be tempted. This word is test. And in the new King James, it brings it across and have put Me to the test. God's not tempted to do evil, but he. It does test his patience with us. That's not temptation. That's a different thing. The other thing that I would love to look at is Caleb. And, he has a different spirit. And yours is other. He has a different kind of spirit. And Alex, again, I know I said it yesterday. I'm going to bring it up today. He maintained that kind of spirit all through the wanderings. So when he came to the time after they had gone into the promised land and they had captured most of the land, he went to Joshua and he reminded Joshua that Moses had promised him that mountain that he was. He had climbed 40 years earlier. And now he's 85 years old, and he'll say, and I still want that mountain. I would say to you and m. Me and everybody listening. I want that kind of spirit in me, Alex. One that continues, that doesn't bail out, doesn't throw in the towel, does not let all the things that go wrong discourage you. Because things are going to go wrong. They're not going to go smooth. They're going to be difficult. But Caleb having that different kind of spirit, he. And I'm going to use this vernacular, he stuck to the stuff, Alex. He did not waver, did he?
>> Alex McFarland: He really didn't. And, you know, that's. That's a key of leadership. and let me say everybody. You've got a degree of leadership that's been entrusted to you, in that. I mean, everybody influences somebody. And, you, know, I don't know if everybody remembers this, but, this was a big deal. Dr. Jerry Falwell founded Liberty University, one of the biggest Christian schools in the world. And the dean for 40 years, the academic dean was Dr. Elmer Towns. He's still living. One of the original professors was Dr. Harold Wilmington. Now, Jerry Falwell and Harold Wilmington are long since gone to heaven. I knew them both very well. Dr. Wilmington preached my ordination. Elmer Towns is 95, I think. And, in those early days, Liberty had so many financial struggles. And the newspaper, and Angie and I were living up there during those years when they were trying to get going and start up. And Bert, I believe I got a fantastic education at Liberty. But the newspaper would mock and make fun. And one time I asked Dr. Townes, I said, did you ever see Jerry Falwell discouraged? He said, never, never. I, mean, he was always. I mean, the newspaper could have some dire headline that Liberty was going to close up. And Dr. Falwell was always, praise God. The Lord is with us. We're building a school that will fulfill the Great Commission, Elmer Town said. I asked Jerry Falwell one time, said, were you ever discouraged? And he said, never on the outside. Now that's leadership.
>> Bert Harper: Amen.
Bert says people need to stay hopeful because God is faithful
>> Alex McFarland: And it might be, folks, within the confines of your heart, you have to cry out to God. but I think because God is faithful. His Word is the infallible, perfect, inerrant Word of God. And we have, you know, 66 books full of incredible promises. And then we have prayer. And then hopefully you have loved ones around you, spouse and family, or at least your friends at church. You can pray together. I think we have every reason to stay positive and stay hopeful and even joyful. And God's people need to be a happy people because we serve a faithful Savior. Don't you think, Bert?
>> Bert Harper: We do. He is faithful all the way through. Not one jot or tittle is not remembered by God. Every detail, he does. And so when Moses reminded him that he was a, great God, filled with mercy, you know, God responds to that. So we go to him and we say, lord, I've met yout. You saved me. You didn't leave me here all alone. Your Holy Spirit's with me. Your Word of God. The Word of God speaks to my heart, Lord, I need you at this time. There's going to be times in your life when you really are desperate for Him. there'll be smooth sailing. Praise the Lord. Peter talked about it in having the seasons of life. Sometimes they come and they're difficult and hard, but then they'll be a little let up, and they won't be the winds against you all the time. And so you trust the Lord through and through, never giving up, never turning around, never stopping. And so here it is. Verse 29 says, the carcasses of you who have murdered 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 and Joshua, everybody. Ah, else they're going to drop by the wayside if you're over 20. Now, Alex, what I said before we went out was third and fourth generation. This decision affected those that were 20 years old and younger, the next generation, to what? Delay, delay, delay in what was theirs that they could occupy. But they had to travel with those who had rebelled. They had to stay with those who had, gone against God and disobeyed Him. Sometimes that's what we do. We have to stay in a difficult situation with some difficult people who, because of their decisions, it's affected what we can do. That's what they did. But there is that. But God is still at work in their lives. He's going to show this younger generation, listen, as I was faithful back then in Egypt with the plagues, as I was faithful in the wilderness to supply the manna, the water supply, the leadership, I'm going to be with you. So, Alex, we don't have to just say, oh, that's the way it was with the former generation. We can learn from them the things they did right, but also we need to learn from those things they did wrong, don't we?
>> Alex McFarland: Well, we really do. And, if you look at numbers 14, 18. Numbers 14 18. I also want to read Jeremiah 32, 18. it says, God shows his steadfast love to thousands, but you repay the guilt of fathers to their children. After them, O great and mighty God, whose name is the Lord of hosts. Bert, have you ever heard the term generational sin?
>> Bert Harper: Oh, yes, yes.
>> Alex McFarland: And here in Numbers 14:18, the Lord is long suffering great m mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgressions, and by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children under the third and fourth generation. We've had this question about generational sin. I want to be clear, and you correct me if I'm wrong here. For one thing, salvation is a personal matter. Just because your parents were godly doesn't mean you're automatically going to heaven. you might have the most godly parents in the world, but you yourself as an individual need to accept Christ as well. on the other hand, maybe you had very ungodly parents. and that doesn't necessarily mean that you're life is going to be characterized by those things. But I think what it absolutely does mean is that the effects or the ramifications or the repercussions of sin, they have a ripple effect. That's why those of us right now, for one thing, maybe you come and your family has a history of bad things and sin and pain. But it can stop right now. a new page can be turned right now as you turn your life over to Christ. And moving forward, you and your family, from this moment forward, you're living for Jesus and it's a new day. But on the other hand, we need to remember that our actions have consequences.
>> Bert Harper: Yes.
>> Alex McFarland: And sadly, and Bert, as a pastor, and I'm sure you have too, we've counseled with families where, they were decimated by alcoholism or infidelity or domestic violence or just verbal abuse and things like that. And we need to remember, and I'm talking as born again believers, that our actions, for good or for ill, there's a ripple effect, isn't there?
>> Bert Harper: There really is. And we can be more than conquerors. We can overcome. I love the so my chains are gone. I've been set free. Listen, you can break those chains or the bad decisions that were made in your past, you do not have to be bound by them. Set free in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and be that overcomer. And listen, that's what Caleb did, what Joshua did. They went into the land. So we're going to take phone calls. That number 888-589-9884. It's a day of prayer. If you have a prayer request, we want to hear it. Or your Bible question, we'll take it as well. Here on Exploring the Word. If we lose this cultural war, we're going to have a hedonistic, humanistic society. Discover the story of the culture warrior Don Wildmon and how he went head to head with Hollywood playboy, the homosexual agenda and the Disney empire. The movement Don started paved the way for Christians to boldly stand for truth and righteousness in a hostile culture.
American Pastors Network is raising funds to help persecuted Christians in Africa
Watch Culture Warrior today for free. Visit culturewarrior movie hello, I'm Sam Rohr, president of the American Pastors Network, a ah growing national network of pastors committed to the authority of scripture and preaching the whole counsel of God. We believe biblical obedience is the foundation for revival and impacting our culture for Christ is our duty. For too long the pulpits of America have been silent on the important issues such as marriage and family and assault on liberty. Join us in the battle for truth on stand in the Gap weekend Sunday evenings at 6pm on American Family Radio. And visit us@american pastorsnetwork.org Here's a very critical update from Bible League International. The news story last week of 200 Christians massacred by radicals in Nigeria that includes children, women and the elderly simply because they believe Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. These believers that endure persecution, they're not asking for our pity. They're asking for the precious word of God. Today, sometimes as Christians, we look the other way and we say God will look after them. You suddenly realize how critical it is for Christians not just to assume God will look after their brothers and sisters, but that they will be prepared to walk with them. AFR Listening Family we have until Monday, July 14th to meet the incredible need for God's word all over the continent of Africa. Will you bless a persecuted believer by sending them their very own copy of God's Word so that they can be reminded that God knows them intimately? At $5 a Bible, $100 sends $21,000 sends 200. Listen, pray about it and give generously by calling 800 YES WORD. 800 YES WORD. That's 800 YES WORD or give it sendbiblesnow.org and ah, will you do it by July 14th? Hi, I'm Jan Harper. If you are a pastor's wife, come.
>> Alex McFarland: Be encouraged and renewed as you share your challenges and stresses you need to.
>> Bert Harper: Pastors and their wives. The AFA Pastors and Wives Fishbowl Retreat.
>> Alex McFarland: Is coming October 28th through the 30th.
>> Bert Harper: You're invited to join us at Pickwick Landing State park in Counts, Tennessee for three days of encouragement, renewal and worship. Once again, brother Bert Harper, AFA director of family and pastoral ministries, will host.
>> Alex McFarland: The retreat along with his wife Jan. Our special speaker will be J.J. jasper.
>> Bert Harper: Of American Family Radio. If you've attended in the past, we'd.
>> Alex McFarland: Love to see you again. And if you've never experienced a fishbowl retreat, we especially invite you to be refreshed and renewed. The per couple admission price includes lodging, meals and materials.
>> Bert Harper: Visit repairingthefoundations.net to learn more and register.
>> Alex McFarland: That's repairingthefoundations.net the AFA pastors and wives Fishbowl Retreat. We'd love to see you there.
>> Bert Harper: Search me, God, and know my heart Test me and know my anxious thoughts.
>> Alex McFarland: See if there's any offensive way in.
>> Bert Harper: Me and lead me in the way everlasting Psalm 139, 23 and 24. American Family Radio.
>> Alex McFarland: Don't stop praying don't stop calling on Jesus name Keep on pounding on. Welcome back to Exploring the Word. I love those lyrics, Bert. let your knees wear out the floor don't stop pounding on the door. Hey, folks, on Tuesdays, we take your Bible questions. We welcome those calls. If you've got a question about anything we're studying or any kind of Bible question. But also on Tuesdays, we tend to to take prayer requests. And, Bert, there's just something powerful about bringing things before the family of God. We agree together in prayer. If you want to call in with a prayer request, we would love to hear from you. And the number is 888-589-8840. That's 888-589-8840. And if you've never called in. Don't be shy. We just have a really good time. This is just a big old family of people across America. We love the Lord. We love each other, and we'd love to hear from you today.
>> Bert Harper: We do our best to teach, treat it like a small group or a Sunday school class. And, people, you know, we ask questions the way we do now, and also prayer requests. So that's how we treat it. Alex and I enter into it like that to make it as personable as we can, and Brent helps us do that by keeping up our Facebook and all those things he does. And we understand. We have a prayer request that came through already. She sent it, on Facebook. It's gonna be a mama, Leanne. She's asking for prayers for her children's salvation. Amen. Resolutions of a family conflict. Okay, man. Family conflicts. Let's get. If you got one, do everything you can to get it right. you can do what you can. You can't make a decision for others, but you can do what's right. Leann's children, those of you that are prayer warriors, write that down. And the conflict that's in her home while we're doing that. Alex has already mentioned it, but let's not forget those in Texas, those that are there now, they're still going through all the piles of trees and mud trying to find anything or anyone. I, know Samaritan's purse is on the ground there.
>> Alex McFarland: Praise God.
>> Bert Harper: Mercy Chefs, are there, these Christian ministries. Eight Days of Hope is getting ready. They can't go in until the search and research and all of that's over. They're ready and setting, ready to go. So, Alex, that's the difference we make. But we got people that are on the line. They're ready for their prayer requests and questions. so write these down that are prayer requests, those of you that are prayer warriors and pray for them, especially in the next 24 hours.
Ernestine Roberts from Mississippi has daughter Betty on kidney dialysis
Ernestine from Mississippi. Ernestine, thank you for calling. Yes, I have a daughter, Betty Roberts, in the hospital there at tupelo.
>> Alex McFarland: She's 82 years old, 62 years old.
>> Bert Harper: Excuse me. And she's on kidney dialysis.
>> Alex McFarland: She's in very bad shape.
>> Bert Harper: She's in God's hands, and she knows that. But we still appreciate the prayer request of whatever God's got in mind for this situation. Amen. My, my wife's sister is out there. Her name is Joan. She's out there as well, and we're praying for her in the same hospital that Betty's in. And, Alex, let's take time out to pray for Leanne and her children being saved and the conflict being resolved. And for Betty and for Joan. Would you lead us in that prayer right now?
>> Alex McFarland: Let's join together, folks. Let's pray. Dear Lord Jesus, we praise your name and, we thank you for your love and your. And the Bible says, as a father has pity on his children, so you have pity and compassion for us. And, Lord, I just pray for Ernestine, this mother that would be lifting up Betty, her daughter. Lord, in the name of Jesus, we pray that you would intervene. And like Ernestine said, it's in the Lord's hands. Lord, I thank God for great, great medical care, hospitals and doctors and nurses, and humanly, we are grateful for these resources, but ultimately, it's in your hands. So I would pray in Jesus name for a healing and restoration in Betty's life and body. I pray for Leanne and her children to get saved. Father, in the name of Jesus, these children, please keep them alive physically till they could be born spiritually. And I know we all, everybody listening. We've got folks that we care about that need to open their heart to Christ. So may the Holy Spirit of God descend upon this nation and just sweep millions of people into the family of God, as people would put their faith in you. And let us be a witness and encourage them to do that. All these things and more, we pray in Jesus name. Amen.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. Thank you, Alex.
John: Verse 2 of John 17 seems to indicate sovereignty of God
Well, let's go to Louisiana. John, thank you for calling. Go right ahead.
>> Alex McFarland: Yes, my question is on John 17, verse 2.
>> Bert Harper: As thou, hast given him power.
>> Alex McFarland: Over all flesh, he should give eternal.
>> Bert Harper: Life to as many as thou, hast given him. Hm. So this seems to indicate the sovereignty of God. And so this is repeated in verses 6, 9, and 24 of John 17. So my question is, how does this.
>> Alex McFarland: compare with, whosoever will, where.
>> Bert Harper: Salvation is available to everybody that repents and believes? So how can we, put these two together, understand them, the sovereignty of God, in verse 2, 6, 9, and 24 of John 17, with whosoever will? Okay, thank you so much, John.
Bert: Whoever calls in the name of the Lord will be saved
Alex, let me say this. When does the Father give them to the Son? Is it after they have trusted Jesus Christ as Savior and they're securing him? Is that an answer?
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. And you know what? I was looking at this right now, and the caller is right. I mean, the Greek word you have given him, and it really means, delivered up to Him. Now, I want to say this. If this was the only verse we had, about salvation, maybe we might conclude that some humans were given to be saved and some were created for or given to be lost. I think in light of all those scriptures that we've got, whosoever will may come, whosoever will let him take of, the water of life freely. Whoever calls in the name of the Lord will be saved. All right, we definitely know the sovereignty of God, but we also know the responsibility of man. And I think what this means, really, in light of other scriptures like John 10:28, that where Jesus said, all that the Father has given will come to me, and none will pluck them out of my hand. Bert, I think what this means is that once a person trusts Christ, they are secure in Christ and they're predestined to be preserved and will ultimately have glorification. But I don't think what this means is that there is only a group that's elect, and then there's a group that is non elect. Double predestination. I think it truly means whosoever will may come. And everybody listening right now. If you're not sure where you stand with God, you can put your faith in God. It's like Spurgeon said. Listen to this, folks. Charles Spurgeon, he said, funny thing, the more people I witness to, the more I bump into that turn out to have been elected. you can come to Christ if you haven't done so already.
>> Bert Harper: Amen. And let me share two things with you. When you start trying, and I was talking about this somebody yesterday. When you trying to start looking at each detail of our salvation and you start trying to okay the sovereignty of God about, him determining who's saved and who's not. And then, the free will of m man and accountability of man, how it works together, how the Trinity is one, but yet they're three. And yet they are not diminished when one is separated from the other. It will blow your mind. That's all I got to say. And I know it, I trust it, but completely understand it. I just know they work together. The Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, they work together as one, and yet they have each part. And I know the sovereignty of God and the free will of man, I know we separate them, but God in his power, uses them together. Alex. I've come to that belief, and I stick with it. Thank God for it.
Linda in South Carolina is seeking a permanent location for ministry
Let's go to Linda in South Carolina. Linda, thank you for calling. Well, thank you for this opportunity for Prayer time. I work with a ministry that is prayerfully seeking a permanent location for which we can serve God and reach out to the community. We do have a building that we would love for God to help us.
>> Alex McFarland: Secure for that purpose.
>> Bert Harper: But, it hasn't happened yet. And if all of your listeners would pray for God's will and God's direction and God's provision for that, I would greatly appreciate it. Okay, Linda, thank. Alex.
Would you mind telling the story about David Jeremiah in Shadow Mountain
Would you mind telling the story about David Jeremiah in Shadow Mountain? Am I putting you on the spot or you.
>> Alex McFarland: No, I remember that story.
>> Bert Harper: Okay, Linda, listen to this story, and then we're going to pray.
>> Alex McFarland: Yes. you know David Jeremiah out there in California. It's the San Diego area. I think it was Scott Memorial Baptist Church. Wasn't that the name of it?
>> Bert Harper: Yes, it was. And that's, Tim, LaHaye was pastor. Yes.
>> Alex McFarland: And so they were wanting. You're right, Tim LaHaye. In fact, one of my best friends in the ministry came to Jesus under Tim LaHaye. But anyway, they were, wanting to build, but the land, there was a big mountain, kind of almost a foothill. Bert. I was out there about eight years ago, and, I mean, it was not a small thing. And, anyway, the zoning wouldn't go through because they had all this earth to move. And just the grading alone was going to be millions of dollars. So David Jeremiah preached a sermon on if we ask in Jesus name, according to his will, he'll do it. And this little old lady came up, ah. At the vestibule, and she said, well, let's just ask in Jesus name. Say thou to the mountain be removed. So let's go speak and tell our mountain to get removed in Jesus name. And David Jeremiah said, you know, oh, my goodness, I preached that sermon. But, I mean, God can't really do that. And he didn't want to throw cold water on the faith of this dear little old lady, he said. So with no faith at all, he kind of prayed a perfunctory prayer. Lord, Remove this mountain so that we can build our building. We can't afford the bulldozers and the grading. please somehow miraculously remove the mountain in Jesus name. Well, like a very, very, very short time later, the city of San Diego called and said, hey, we hear y' all have this piece of land. We need all this fill dirt. Is there any way. Would the church. And we'll do it at our own expense. Could we have hundreds and hundreds of dump truckloads of Fill dirt. Would you let us grade off your land so we can use the dirt elsewhere and without costing any money? Yes. The dirt and this mountain was miraculously removed. And I've been to that site.
>> Bert Harper: Hallelujah.
>> Alex McFarland: So God answers big prayers. I do want to pray because I can relate. May I pray for this news?
>> Bert Harper: You go right ahead, Linda. And you all write her name down. Location, praying for God to open it up. Go ahead, Alex.
>> Alex McFarland: Father, in the name of Jesus, we pray for a building for this ministry. And, Lord, we just ask for your, miraculous intervention to provide a physical location and, Lord, even the money that they say, God's will, God's bill. So, Lord, provide and this and all other ministries to share the gospel to the maximum degree possible. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
Brent: Let's pray for Tammy Mask's son in Mississippi
>> Bert Harper: Brent, do we have another prayer request? Would you share that? It's actually some friends of mine in, in, Pontotoc, Mississippi. The Mask family, they just, had a loss of a, father, grandfather. his name was Tony. Okay, we write that down. Okay, thank you, Brent, so much. Let's go to Tammy in Mississippi. Tammy, go right ahead.
>> Alex McFarland: Yes, I'm requesting prayer for my son. At one point, he believed in the Trinity.
>> Bert Harper: Now he doesn't believe in the Trinity anymore, and I'm just really concerned about that. Okay, well, listen, there's a lot of people that have gone through that struggle about understanding, and when they don't understand, they turn away. So be praying for him and asking God to show him some things. Tammy, that's what we're going to pray for. Go ahead, Alex.
>> Alex McFarland: Brother Brent, are you there?
>> Bert Harper: I am, sir.
>> Alex McFarland: the article that Bert and I did, did you put it on the Facebook page? You remember that, the article on the Trinity?
>> Bert Harper: Yes, it is, it is pinned to the top of the page.
>> Alex McFarland: It's at least about once a year we circle back to this article, don't we, Bert?
>> Bert Harper: We really do. And it's so important that we can believe it. Listen, it is. It is beyond. I'll say this, Alex. It's beyond my complete explanation. We've heard a lot of people do it, but yet every explanation I've ever thought me taking and being, quote, devil's advocate and say, what about this? And it comes short, but God in that whole idea, why. Go ahead, Brent. You're talking about the Bible facts about the Trinity, correct? Okay. It's going to be. If they'll go to the, exploring the word Facebook page. It is pinned to the very top of the page. It's there all the time. Okay, let's pray for Tammy's son. Father, I thank you. For Tammy, a mom. These moms, how mom's prayers. How many times we've heard about men and women coming back to God or coming to him. And many, many times it was the mothers who were praying and fathers many times who were praying, family members that are praying. So we're praying for this son, God that he would understand that he can trust you, even though he may not completely understand even after reading that. I pray God that he would trust you. In Jesus name. Amen. we're really,
Alex: I was wondering if you knew when John the Baptist was in prison
Well, I think we can go to Karen in. Is it Michigan? Karen, we don't have a lot of time. State your question real quickly.
>> Alex McFarland: I was wondering if you knew when John the Baptist was in prison and he sent that message to Jesus. about are you the one or.
>> Bert Harper: Should we look for another?
>> Alex McFarland: Is there any indication of how long John was in prison when that.
>> Bert Harper: I think it was probably weeks and months. It wasn't real long because he would die quickly after he got it there. Right, Alex?
>> Alex McFarland: That's true. And you know, he was in prison. Some have said it's maybe two months at most. About a year and a half to two years. But I tend to think kind of.
>> Bert Harper: The shorter amount m. I do too. Because he was anxious to get rid of him. Why delay Herod?
>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, yeah. because John the Baptist had preached some pretty hard preaching about Herod's sin, didn't he?
>> Bert Harper: He really did. Robert, Karen, others, I don't know who all. Ah, we. We would love to gotten to your questions but we'll be back tomorrow with more of exploring the Word. And listen, we're not through with numbers 14. It's one of the greatest chapters I think in the Bible concerning God and you can trust him. We'll be back tomorrow with more of exploring the Word.
>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this.
>> Bert Harper: Broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.
>> Alex McFarland: Faith, Family, Freedom.
>> Bert Harper: American Family Radio. The enemy has pulled out all the stops to try to destroy the family for a very long time. That's why the American Family association stands boldly in the gap to protect and strengthen this God breathed institution. Visit afauh.net today and discover the resources available for you and your family. And if you would please take a minute to show your support. That's afa.net this is American Family Radio, a listener supported ministry of the American Family Association.
