Transcript

Next hour as we study God's word. And take your Bible questions

>> Bert Harper: The Bible.

>> Alex McFarland: It's the word of God.

>> Bert Harper: Sharper than any two edged sword.

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

>> Bert Harper: And contains all that's needed for life and godliness. Stay with American Family Radio for the.

>> Alex McFarland: Next hour as we study God's word.

>> Bert Harper: And take your Bible questions.

Burt Harper: Death toll from Texas Christian camp tragedy climbs to 95

Welcome to Exploring the word. Isaiah, 41:10 says, fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. If you read that, you'll see I am that I am. And then he says, I will. I will. I will. This is our God who is able. And we thank God that he loves us. This is Burt Harper along with Dr. Alex McFarland. And today on Exploring the Word, we are recognizing the pain that so many people, people are in down in Texas and even around the United States. As of last time I checked and this was the source, 10 minutes ago, there were 95 deaths that they have know of and they've recovered bodies and identified dozens are still missing. 27 of those are children, at least from the mystic camp there for the girls. So we want to be praying for them. We bring this to your attention. And Alex, our hearts go out. I mean, it has to really hit you when you have seven different camps all during the summer. And what, could happen unexpectedly at a Christian camp like this is just catastrophic, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it is. And Bert, it's, it's great to be with you, brother. And we welcome everybody to this edition of Exploring the Word. You know, all weekend long, Bert, as we were, we were watching the death toll climb. You know, my heart and Angie, our, our hearts were just aching for the folks of Texas, because, you know, Christian camp is so joyful and happy and a tragedy like this deserves a lot of prayer and acknowledgment. And, we're going to do that right now. And, there's a couple of verses I might share in just a moment. But Bert, when I was looking at, where it was on the map, I instantly thought of my dear friends in San Angelo, Texas. It's been my great joy to preach throughout Texas. And down in San Angelo we have a lot of really, really great friends, devout Christian folks that are just, wonderful Americans, one of whom is a dear brother named Lee Puckett. And Lee, is a realtor and a Christian leader in that part of the world and a listener. And I called him up and, we've got him on the line. Even now, and he knows this part of the country, and I think he can give us some insights on how to be in prayer. But, Mr. Lee Puckett, are you there with us, sir?

>> Caroline: I am. Hi, Burt. And Alex, it's a pleasure to be with you.

Lee Puckett of San Angelo, Texas, offers condolences on Texas flooding

>> Alex McFarland: Well, first of all, on behalf of Americans everywhere, condolences on the loss of life there, but could you give us some, insights about the flooding and, of course, the Christian camp that suffered such a great loss? But we want to be in prayer for Texas, and so would you just give us what you know about all this, Lee?

>> Caroline: Sure, Alex. it just absolutely catastrophic. And you kind of have to understand Texas and the geographic location of all of this. in the Texas hill country, when you go further west, you get up into a lot of big hills and huge canyons, and it's all rock, it's all limestone rock. So when you have, a storm like Barrie that comes in and dumps 6 to 10 inches of rain up in all that rock in those canyons, it's going to be coming down. And that area is really kind of known as a flood alley. And it happens from time to time. And, it's just absolutely catastrophic, though, that it hit on July 3, when, when all of those campers and all of those girls at Camp mystic were down there. And our heart does go out to, to all of those who have, suffered so much loss. And we had friends down there that had, girls in that camp, and luckily they were, they were able to get those girls out of there. And, and I, think there was around 250, more or less, girls in that camp. And, it just, our heart just goes out to them.

>> Bert Harper: Lee, when we hear this and we know about this, you know, those that are closest around, you know, they, they can sense, the hurt and the pain that goes with that. And, when the counselors, how many of them died trying to save. And one of the greatest stories, and I, I, I still want us all talk about it, was the camp director and part owner of that camp. He died trying to save those children. And, Lee and Alex, Alex, you comment and then go to Lee. That is the heart of, of people who give themselves to these Christian camps. They're there to help them grow and mature, and something like this, they do give their lives, in this case, literally give his life trying to save the lives of these children.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, it's a great illustration of the gospel. And Jesus talked about how blessed it would be for somebody to lay down their Life, on behalf of another. And, Lee Puckett, our guest right now, of San Angelo, Texas.

>> Caroline: Mr.

>> Alex McFarland: Puckett. That's exactly what that camp director did. He gave his life in the quest to save other lives, didn't he?

>> Caroline: No doubt about it. You know, and, you know, we can't comprehend. We, we can't even comprehend the loss that, that these parents and these loved ones have had. But, you know, at the same time, we can't comprehend God either. And, and how, how loving and how caring our Lord is for us. And, it's just a, really, really tough deal to go through this. But we got to know that God's there for us. God, created us, and we're in his family.

American family radio listeners throughout all 50 states are praying for Texas flooding

>> Alex McFarland: Lee, before we pray, have the floodwaters abated, or are there other people that are in immediate danger?

>> Caroline: No, I believe it's gone down. Of course, you know, they're still calling for some rain, but, I know that these flood waters have gone down significantly, and you can see a lot of that on, you know, on television right now.

>> Bert Harper: What we need to do in addition, praying for these families, pray for those ministries that will be heading that way as soon as the doors open for them to set up the opportunity for them to be there to help. And, we know they'll be there. They're always there. And so we're praying for them, for wisdom to know where to place these, places, these stations that will help people, feed them, help minister to them. So we know that going to happen. And so we pray ahead for them and praying for wisdom. Where to set that up?

>> Alex McFarland: Alex and Lee, just please convey our sincerest condolences. American family radio listeners throughout all 50 states are praying for Texas. And, you know, we love Texas, and there are so many wonderful, godly people down there. And our prayers are absolutely with you. Lee and Bert, would you lead us in prayer? And folks, join in. And let's lift up the state of Texas before the Lord.

>> Bert Harper: Father, we come to you on behalf of brothers and sisters in Christ that are suffering now because of the loss of family members. And Father, I pray that you administer to them as we said in Isaiah, that you would, uphold them with your righteous right hand. Father, what is over our head? Water is under your feet. And we understand that. And we don't understand all that happens. We do not know, but we trust you, and that is the bottom line. And we're like the apostle, Peter, when Jesus asked his apostles, are you going to go away as well? Like the others who have left me and Peter said, to whom would we go? You have the words of life. So, Father, we know you're the one that we come to and we bring these people to you, those that are hurting. And Father, may the ministries that will be there, they're going to be helping. They're going to be, striving to minister to people physically, spiritually, emotionally. I pray you'd give them all that they need. And Father, we thank you for heroes that Coast Guard man that had just been certified and completed all the training that he would save at least 165 people. Father, I thank you for men that will do that and women who will sacrifice themselves to try to help others. And Father, there's nothing greater than what your son did. And you did as you gave your son as a sacrifice for us, that we could have forgiveness of sin, your righteousness being met and your love being demonstrated where they met on the cross. We thank you for this. We bless your holy name in Jesus name. Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

Alec: Lee Puckett from San Angelo shares Samaritan's Purse donation

Well, Lee Puckett of San Angelo, Texas, thank you so much for being with us today on Exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: Okay, Alec, thank you so much. And if some of your listeners are looking, I know that you love Samaritan's Purse. Samaritan Purse does have a fund set up for Texas Relief. And also San Angelo Area foundation has one also.

>> Bert Harper: Thank you, Lee. I started to mention Samaritan's Purse and I said, but I didn't check on it first. So thank you, Lee, for sharing that.

>> Alex McFarland: Brother that is, sir. blessings to you.

>> Caroline: Okay, thank you both.

>> Alex McFarland: Thank you.

Samaritan's Purse has multiplied under the ministry of Franklin Graham

You know, Bert, I've got the privilege of being here in North Carolina, where Samaritan's Purse is based, and they are absolutely fantastic. they really are. And wherever there's pain and suffering around the world or here in America, I mean, faster than just, I guess, anybody, Franklin Graham and his dear folks are on the ground, aren't they?

>> Bert Harper: They are. I was just reading about it this weekend because I knew they would be there. And Franklin, Graham is president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. He's also president of Samaritan's Purse. But when I started reading and this was from a secular source, I wanted to see what they'd say. They'll say it has multiplied. Samaritan's Purse has multiplied under the ministry of Franklin Graham. And it started to tell and about the money that they're spending to help others. So praise the Lord for that. Listen, Jesus said if you've done it unto the least of these. You've done it unto me. And right now those people in Texas are hurting beyond measure. So listen, let's. Let's step up and let's be a part of what God's doing in ministering and serving. Alex, I, I agree with you. Samaritan's Purse out of Boone, North Carolina, that town, I think it's 17 to 18,000 people. And right there they have that ministry. It's sort of like Tupelo, Mississippi, our, our town here and what we have ministry here. One of them's afr. But so much more. We thank God for these, I, I would say smaller communities. But out of these smaller communities comes awesome and great ministries, don't they?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, hey, I gotta tell you this, in the Greensboro area and you know, Angie and I have been around Greensboro most of our life, but, there was a retired missionary named Dr. Bob Foster, and he's long since in heaven. His biography was called Sword and Scalpel. And he was a medical doctor. And they went all over Africa, you know, setting up hospitals and winning people to christ. But, Dr. Bob, we called him, this is 40 years ago. And I was just, I guess, barely a young Christian, maybe, I'm going to say about 37, 38 years ago. But he was on the board of what was called World Medical Mission, which became Samaritan's Purse. And I remember in the 90s when once we had a big birthday dinner for Dr. Bob Foster and he was talking about the shoeboxes they were going to start. And of course Operation Christmas Child has circled the world. But I know many of these people. I've met Franklin Graham quite a number of times. I know his son, Will Graham very well. These are great, great godly people. And I want to say this about Samaritan's Purse. Fearless. They will go anywhere. Listen, whether it's weather, natural disaster, cobra, snakes or lions, it doesn't matter. Samaritan's Purse will get there.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: You know what I mean?

>> Bert Harper: They will. And they have a radio program every Sunday at 8:30 Central Time. That was the slot where we were doing, missions, you know, exploring missions. But it was there, filling that spot until someone else came along. And I couldn't be more thrilled that the one that came along to fill that Exploring Mission spot was Samaritan's Purse and its mission. Well, we're going to be back right after the break. We're going to dig into numbers. The last part of 13 and the first part of 14. You don't want to miss it. Will you take a moment and celebrate life with me?

Last year Preborn helped to rescue over 67,000 babies from abortion

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>> Caroline: Search me God, and know my heart. Test me, know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way. Everlasting Psalm. 139 verses 23 to 24.

>> Bert Harper: American Family Radio.

>> Alex McFarland: Shine, Jesus, shine. Fill this land with the Father's glory Holy Spirit. Shine, Jesus, shine. I love that song. Brent Austin, thank you once again for picking really good music. we're going to be in numbers 13. I invite you to turn there. Alex McFarland, Bert Harper and exploring the word. Now, Bert, that song, Shine, Jesus, Shine kind of reminds me of vacation Bible school. And how many times Angie and I have either sung that or led children to sing that song. But that's a good one, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It is. Hey, I must be a child at heart because I love it. And I was talking to Brent, I said, brent, I got a good song for you to check out. He checked it out and he said, I remember that. I love that part. Blaze spirit, blaze.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen, man.

>> Bert Harper: That's what we're praying for, God. Send a revival among your people. And we want it to just take over people's lives and let God have his way. So, God uses tragedy sometimes to do such things. And I believe God is not causing things, but using things. So many things to get our attention. Lest our only hope is looking to him. And so, Alex, I believe that with all my heart. Let's look unto him, the author and finisher of our faith.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, and you know folks, the secret to health and strength and resilience in the Christian life is the word of God. I truly believe that. And that's what we're in. Numbers, chapter 13. and I want to look at a word here, in verse 31. But Bert, I had the Privilege of being on the Todd Herman show earlier. And Todd Herman has heard on afr, and he was asking me, you know, what's the difference between a church that is strong and growing or even an individual Christian? And look, this world is not easy. Even as a born again believer, we go through struggles and testings and valleys. But, bert, I am 1,000% convinced, as nutrition is to an athlete, is the word of God to the soul and the Christian life. And if you want to grow in the Lord and weather the storms of this world and frankly thrive and have just consistency in your walk and joy in your soul, the key, the secret, is your daily relationship with the Bible. Bert, I believe that.

>> Bert Harper: I believe it, I know it. Matter of fact, you preach. Talking about that, I preached that Sunday at Ozark Baptist Church where I'm interim pastor. And I preached and how I started it out. I read the description of the church at Antioch in chapter 11 of Acts and then chapter 13 where they, God said, separate me, Barnabas and Saul for the work that I've got them to do. And then I read passages from the, the book of First Corinthians, chapter one, chapter five and chapter six. And I asked them, I said, now, which kind of church do you want to be? Do you want to be like the church at Antioch? That is, the grace of God was all over them. They was adding to the church. They were staying in the Word. They were teaching the Word. Or do you want to be like the church at Corinth that had division, that had immorality, that was. They were saying, that's all right, we can put up with it. And then taking each other to court in anger and frustration. Which kind of church do you want to be? And more importantly, what kind of church and Christian does God want us to be? Listen, we need to come and step up to the plate, Alex, and be that person that God wants us to be in Christ Jesus. And I think that's a good introduction to what Caleb does. They come back after 40 days and they say, yeah, it's a great country. But the 10 said, but. And nevertheless, we're not able to do that. But Caleb in verse 30, then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it. Alex. That was his determination.

Bert: There's a lesson in this story about faith and confidence

Now I want to finish this story. That's what he said in here in numbers, chapter 13, guess what he says 38 years later, 40 years later, close to it in Joshua 14, guess what it Says, I want that mountain, yes, I want to do hadn't lessened. And praise God, even after that long as an 85 year old man, he was still ready to kill giants and climb mountains. Praise God for a man like Caleb.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Well, and there's a lesson in that. Don't lose your vision, really.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: And, with God on your side, and you in God's will, you have every reason to keep your vision. But verse 30, Caleb, this is numbers 13. Caleb stilled the people there before Moses and said, let us go up at once and possess it, for we are well able to overcome it. I mean, that's not just faith, but it's knowledge. He had assessed the situation. We are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, we be not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we. Bert, isn't that something in verse 31? And we'll get to 32. But, they had more confidence in the finite human enemies than faith in the infinite power of God, their Savior and sustainer.

>> Bert Harper: They did. And I want to say, I think we do that. I don't think they're the only ones. I think sometimes the giants that they saw, the walled cities that they saw, all the things that they saw, we think, what are we against so much? It's, according to who the we is. If the we includes God, we're in good shape. Alex, I grew up watching cartoons, and back then they were good cartoons. And sometimes it would be Tweety Bird and Sylvester the cat. And listen, do you remember Spike the dog that was always helping? Oh, yes. Okay, guess what Twitty Bird would say, we are all right against Sylvester.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

>> Bert Harper: I don't think it was Tweety Bird. I think it was the dog that he had the confidence. So it's the same way with us. I think Caleb said, no, if it's just you 10 guys and me and Joshua, yeah, we're nothing but the we. When that we includes God and God's commandment and God's promise, we are well able. Alex, I just love this passage. We are.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, that's a great analogy, but, verse 32, and they brought the men, the doubters, they brought an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, the land through which we have gone up to search, it is a land eaten up with inhabitants thereof, and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature. Now, Bert, I've got the King James here Evil. What word do you have in that? They brought an evil report.

>> Bert Harper: Still says they brought an evil report. A bad report or evil report.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, Well, I looked up that word, and it's the word slanderous. To slander. Now, slander is to speak ill of somebody and to bear false witness. In what way was this slanderous? Well, God had said. I'm with you. God had promised Abraham, you're going to possess this land. God had said, I've made a covenant, and it's a, promise. And so when they said, oh, we're helpless, let's tuck and run, that was slanderous because they're basically saying either God was mistaken or God misled us. But it was, yes, an evil report because it basically slandered the God who had made them all the promises.

>> Bert Harper: It is exactly right. Alex.

Bert: There's something to be said for staying positive and trusting God

The next verse says, there we saw the giants. Now, I just want to stop there about Saul. Do you remember what's going to happen later on when they go into Jericho? They're not supposed to take anything. But when Achan saw the money, when he saw the gold, when he saw the garments, he took it. Do you remember when Saul, the king, Saul and David's brothers, when they saw the size of Goliath, they would quake in their boots. And when David saw, he said, man, that's a big target. I can't miss it.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: What do you see? Through whom? Eyes. Whose eyes are you viewing? And, Caleb's eyes was viewing them through the eyes of God. And they were only could see them as far as they could see. So, Lord, give your people vision about what we need to see and how we need to see it. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Well, you know what it says that these are the sons of Anak. Anak was a Canaanite, verse 33. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants, that we were in our own sight as grasshoppers. So we were in their sight. Now, two things. The sons of Anak, he's a Canaanite, but literally in the language. And this relates to an exploring the word hall of fame question.

>> Bert Harper: let me see. Could it be Genesis, chapter six.

>> Alex McFarland: It says, these are the sons of the Nephilim. Isn't that something? Now, I was reading about these men of Philistia that were men of great stature, giants. And I don't mean to get into this to. I'm not trying to open the Pandora's box about what were the Nephilim, but at the very least, they were huge, tall. You know, Goliath was probably, you know, 8ft, 10 inches tall, as far as we're aware. And the people are afraid. but. Verse 14. I'm sorry, chapter 14, verse 1. And all the congregation lifted up their voice and cried. And the people wept that night. And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Erin. And the whole congregation said unto them, would God that we had died in the land of Egypt, or would God that we had died in this wilderness? Bert, let me just say, to be negative, Nelly. Or to go against the clear promises of God, just to give the bad report, that really does, take away a lot of people's confidence. And so let me say this. We're not out in the wilderness of the Holy Land, but everybody's on a journey. Every church is on a journey. I'm not saying just, you know, be blind to reality sometimes, but be positive.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: You know?

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Alex. Preach it, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Isn't there something to be said for staying positive and trusting the Lord?

>> Bert Harper: There really is. And it's not blind faith. It's faith in what God has said. I think you got to put this in the context of where they are, what they have seen already. They had seen the 10 plagues. They had seen God deliver them there at the Red Sea. God had provided for them, manna. God had provided for them water. And some had already died, being negative and going against God. So here they are, the evidence, if you want to look at the evidence. The evidence that they did not consider was what God had already done, Alex. So here they were. They were letting a present obstacle cause them to have a distorted view of, what God wanted to do. And I think that's so true. And you're talking about people looking at things. There's all. There's probably. If you're going to have 50 people, there's probably two or three in there that's going to. Oh, man, we can't do this. Oh, it's going to cost too much. But when those two or three, in this case, 10, influence the whole congregation. man, this is so horrible and bad then. And so be careful. Especially. These are supposedly ten leaders, Alex. Leaders. Because they were chosen to do something. They were leaders, and they come back with this kind of report. No wonder it was scandalous. No wonder it was evil and bad. And, it was. But you know why? It was wrong. Yeah, it was wrong.

>> Alex McFarland: That's true. And listen, I'm not blind. any great project can have. It's going to stretch us. It's going to take work. it's going to take faith. But listen, all around us, every time you see, the little corner church or you see, a great ministry, there were people somewhere, sometime that were obedient in faith.

Bert Harper: Verse four is treason against God

Now, Bert, I'm going to throw something out here, and I want you to feel free to vehemently correct me if I'm in the wrong.

>> Bert Harper: Go at it.

>> Alex McFarland: Alex, there's a principle here, and I think it's almost the first church split in history. And I want to encourage people to not ever be a part of running off a preacher. All right? Now, I'll clarify here in a moment, but. Children of Israel. Oh, we wish we had been in slavery and just stayed in Egypt. And wherefore hath the Lord brought us into this land to follow by the sword that our wives and our children should be a prey? P R E Y would it not better for us to return to Egypt? Now, verse four is really, treason against God. The people said, one to another, let us make a captain and let us return to Egypt. In other words, we got this guy Moses, but we don't like him. So we're going to run off the leader God gave us, and we're going to go backward into slavery. Bert, I think numbers 144 is really one of the saddest verses in the Old Testament. And I know it's Israel is Israel. The church is the church. But this is the mindset of, we don't like the leader God gave us. We don't like the call God has on us. We're going to get a group, and we're going to appoint a leader, and we're going to run off the preacher, and, we're going to change gears on our own. That's kind of the comparison, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It is a good comparison. It is. Disobedience leads to rebellion. Okay? In here, this is complete rebellion. Not against Moses, but against God. Now, again, real quickly, because I don't have a lot of time, and we can come back to this tomorrow. But I can't help but notice Moses and Aaron's response. Oh, you stupid people. No, no, not. They didn't act like Bert Harper. Okay? They fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel. They fell on their faces before God. They knew who this rebellion was against. They knew who they could depend on. They knew who had the power, the strength. They knew that this is what we need to do in our day. We need to know from whence our help comes. Our help comes from the lord who made heaven and earth. Alex. I love Moses and Aaron's response. And, those of you that have had rebellion against the first thing is go to God. Go to God, Alex. Not to the left or to the right, but straight to the altar of God. We fall prostrate before him, saying, God, I'm yours. You tell me what to do.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, that's a wonderful word, bird. And in verse seven, tomorrow, we'll talk about how they. They cast the vision before the people a second time. But we're gonna take a break right now, and we're gonna come back and take your bible questions. We'd love to hear from you. We'll take your calls after this break on exploring the word.

>> Caroline: If we lose this cultural war, we're.

>> Alex McFarland: Gonna have a hedonistic, humanistic society. Discover the story of the culture warrior Don wildman and how he went head.

>> Bert Harper: To head with Hollywood playboy, the homosexual.

>> Alex McFarland: 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.

Alex: We'd love your bible question today, Alex

Watch culture warrior today for free. Visit culturewarrior movie soon and very soon.

>> Bert Harper: We are going to see the king soon and we are going to see.

>> Alex McFarland: The king soon and very soon.

>> Caroline: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Man, Brent just outdid himself today, Alex, with those song selections. And, it is soon and very soon. They. You just heard a promotion, by the way. The number and the lines are completely open right now. No phone calls, so you can be the first. 888-589-8840. Triple 858-98840. We'd love your bible question today, Alex. my wife that just heard those that were listening, repairing the foundations. The fishbowl retreat that Janet and I host each year is going to be October 28th, 29th and 30th. It's going to be at pickwick Landon state park. It's a great facility there. JJ, Jasper is going to be with us. Jan and I will be teaching. We're going to have a special guest that we're lining up and he. We're, And I can just tell pastors and their wives will be blessed by hearing this man's story about what God has helped him do and how. What they've had to overcome. So we're looking forward to that. So go to repairingthefoundations.net and I say this all the time. Be sure you say foundations plural, or you'll just have to learn how to fix Your house when it's falling down. So, so repairing the foundations.net, the fishbowl retreat. Janet and I love that we. This is part of our heart and our desire to strengthen pastors and their wives. And Alex, you know, one of my great favorite authors is Alan Redpath. And now he's not as well known as a lot of folks, but I just. I love him. And he said this while the. While the church is killing mice, the lions are taking the land. And listen, so churches, we need to say, we need to concentrate on the main things. The word of God, family, home, missions. Let's do it. So, anyway, well, Alex, while we were talking, guess what happened? The phone.

>> Alex McFarland: A lot of phone calls came in.

>> Bert Harper: They do. Where did we go to? First brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, and the number is 888-589-8840.

If you have a Bible question, we begin today with Josh in Illinois

If you have a Bible question, we begin today. Illinois. Josh in Illinois. Welcome to the program.

>> Caroline: Yes, sir. I really want to let y' all know I really enjoy it. I just do it just about every day while we're, out here in tractors, so.

>> Alex McFarland: All right, well, thanks, for listening.

Bert says some interpretations of Biblical gender have been misinterpreted

>> Caroline: I had a. You bet. We had a conversation with some people the other night, and they was talking about, you know, the character of God and gender, all this. And they asked me a. Amongst a group of us, you know, if anybody thought that, there was a female, you know, like, if the Holy Spirit could be figured as a female. And, I didn't really have a biblical answer for him and didn't necessarily agree with it, but, you know, we always hear it referred to as He. But I just want to get your guys take on that. I'll listen on the radio.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, thank you, Josh. Listen, when the Bible refers to Lord, it's according to how it's spelled in the King James, capital L, capital R, capital D. It's talking about the whole, the Godhead, Alex. You know, I guess that's a good way to say it. It's always referred to masculine form, is it not?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. well, you know, by the way, Josh, thank you for calling in with this question. And we've lived in a time where a lot of what the text of scripture says has been frankly, misinterpreted, Bert. Not because of any problem with the wording, but just some of the philosophies and ideologies of our time. And I want to get to the Holy Spirit, but, folks, hang with me. One of the, philosophies that is very prevalent is called egalitarianism. And it's wrong. I disagree with it. but it basically wants to make gender, either non existent or fluid. That we can make gender whatever we want it to be. Now, when it comes to God's revelation of himself, and yes, this is the Holy Spirit too, always God is revealed in masculine terms. And it says of the Spirit, he will guide you into all truth. Jesus said in John 15:16, he will testify of me. Now, I want to be clear that in the Hebrew, the word for spirit can be feminine. In Greek, it's neuter. I mean, it's neutral, not, male or female. But really, if you look at the context, God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Spirit. And this is in no way to demean women or to be misogynistic, like male is better. Bert. I think this God made human beings. Genesis 1:26. Male and female created he them in the image of God. It took two human genders to even begin to display the attributes and the power and the love of God.

>> Bert Harper: It does. Yeah.

>> Alex McFarland: God nurtures and God loves and God cares and protects. The Bible uses a part of his speech called a simile, like a loving mother, like a hen. But it doesn't say that God is female. Quite contrary. But I think it takes both male and female humans even to begin to portray the love and the characteristics of an infinite God.

>> Bert Harper: We hope that helps Josh. And it is so true that, you know, God with God, he is so complete in himself that he has traits that causes you to put in natural terms, male and female traits. That's who God is. He is complete with nothing lacking.

>> Alex McFarland: let's go to Missouri and let me pull this up here. Matt in Missouri. Matt, thanks for holding. Welcome to the program.

>> Caroline: Thanks for having me, guys. I enjoy listening to you as much as I can. For sure.

My daughter Grayson has chosen a lifestyle that's sinful, says Bird

Yes, I have a prayer request. my beautiful daughter, her name's Grayson, 19 years old, she's away at college, has chosen a lifestyle that's, you know, sinful. She's decided she wants a girlfriend and to dress like a male and all of this. And she has just completely cut me out of her life. She knows I'm not going to support that. And I just, Just got me out of her life.

>> Bert Harper: We're gonna. That hurts. Let me. We're gonna pray for you. I have Matt, have you watched in his image the, produce movie produced by American Family Studios?

>> Caroline: No Bird, I haven't had a chance to see it yet.

>> Bert Harper: Make. Make the first opportunity you get to get that and you Will see some stories, especially young lady who turned that direction and the love that her mother and father gave to her. Loved her through it all, but stood strong and how she came back. Laura Perry, you'll want to see that in his image. Alex, go ahead.

William asks Jesus to intervene in case of transgender teen in Ohio

>> Alex McFarland: Well, let's pray. And is the name again Grayson?

>> Caroline: Grayson, yes.

>> Alex McFarland: Let me pray. Father, in the name of Jesus, I lift, up this family and this father, and I pray, by the power of the Holy spirit in Jesus name, that Grayson would feel conviction to turn to you and to live, the gender and the calling and the life that you call human beings to live. And, Lord, we know, not only by your word, but by human history itself, plus volumes of research by responsible mental health professionals that, homosexuality and transgenderism is, very destructive. It is against reality, and it is certainly against your word. And so I just believe this is the way that, Satan and a fallen world has, ensnared many lives and turned families against each other. So, dear Jesus, please intervene. I pray this young lady would, feel the conviction to turn to you and live according to your word. Bless this father. Encourage him. Let him know that his prayers are being heard. And I pray soon, and very soon, the day will come that this young lady will build her life on truth, not error. And we lift it up to you and ask for your intervention in Christ's name. Amen.

>> Bert Harper: M. Thank you, Matt, for calling. Thank you.

>> Alex McFarland: yes, we're going to Ohio. William in Ohio. William, thanks for holding and welcome.

>> Caroline: Thanks for having me. Can you hear me all right?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

Bert Williams: Can someone who's truly born again get confused

>> Caroline: Another question about, knowledge of doctrine as far as regarding salvation and the exclusivity of. Of the Christian faith, elaborate a little bit as far as if someone. They need to know some basic information before they can truly be saved. And I know it's God, works different ways, but I'm thinking of someone who. Who hears the basics of Christian faith and is truly born again. And then after that, they. They deny once they learn about doctrines of maybe the Trinity or the exclusivity of. Of Christ. can someone who's truly born again get confused and be misled? Or would. Would a true believer, receive those doctrines once they're taught correctly or. If you know what I'm getting at.

>> Bert Harper: You are, Williams. Good. Good question. Listen, let me share with you. Yes. Believers can become confused. That does. They can be. With all my heart. I think that through discipleship, Alex, they will see truth. and they should, through the power of the Holy Spirit and the Word. Of God be able to weed it out. But I really believe they would come back to the truth.

>> Caroline: Mark.

>> Bert Harper: Now, it was a different reason he left out of the first missionary journey. But, after recovery, Paul said, man, he is valuable to me. Now, I don't think necessarily his was wrong doctrine, but people can get off track, can't they?

>> Alex McFarland: They can. And, you know, there's a difference between being mistaken or uninformed and then overt rejection of what the Bible says. You know, I've, And in my own life, when I got saved, Bert, I believed in evolution. It's what I was taught in public school. I didn't know any different. And I remember the Monday night Bible study. I'd been saved a couple of months, and, they were teaching through the first several chapters of Genesis. And I just remember sitting there thinking, wait a minute, what I've learned in science class about Charles Darwin, evolution is false. So here's the thing, Bert. I think a true believer, when they see the plain words of scripture on the page, I, think things that we're mistaken about, should give way in light of God's revelation. So pray for this person, do your best to disciple them. it's not the opinion of man, but it's the word of God. So, Bert, I think there's a big difference between someone who might be uninformed or somebody who is overtly rejecting what the Bible plainly says.

>> Bert Harper: That is exactly right. Let me give a scripture here. And this is why discipleship is so important. It says we're to make disciples, not converts in the Great Commission. Disciples. Here it is. Second Timothy, chapter two. This is the last book that Paul would write. He said, you therefore talking to Timothy, but be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Now listen to this command and the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses. Commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. This is it. This is God's plan. God didn't leave us here. He left the Holy Spirit. Yes, but guess what he did. He left 12 trained men and at least 500 that had been ready to go out. And then he would call. So that's what we want to do. Catch them early. Let them grow in the Lord early. Get this foundation as quick as you can. Alex, the two things that you need after you get saved, first of all, you need to have this life, this form in you. Add to your knowledge. yes, but the knowledge that you have, you have purity. You have conviction first. And so add to that, but discipleship is, is important. Thank you, William.

>> Alex McFarland: Thank you for being an influence in the life of that person. Chuck in Texas. Chuck, welcome to the program. You're on. Exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: bless you, my brothers.

Matthew 27 talks Jesus, uh, on the cross

just real quickly, Matthew 27, verse 46 talks Jesus, on the cross. My God, why have you forsaken me? how does that relate, to Psalm 22, in the, the same, talking of my God, why have you forsaken me? okay, how would I explain that to a, to a new, convert?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, let me say this. And Alex, you take it away. Time wise, it fleets quickly. But Jesus wasn't saying it just so he could say it. This was his heart cry. This is where he was. It was the same heart cry that David felt when he expressed it. Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes. I got to tell you, when Jesus from the cross cried out Psalm 22, verse 1, as the sins of the world were put on Jesus Christ. And by the way, let me just say this, Chuck. Psalm 22 was written about 1000 BC and this is about 400 years before, as far as anybody knows, before crucifixion existed as a means of execution. And it's a picture of Calvary, because as the sin of the world was put on Jesus, the atonement, was, paid for. The Father turned away from the Son. Jesus, was forsaken. But then you go down there, verse seven, he's being laughed at and ridiculed. Verse eight, he trusted in God. Why doesn't God deliver him? It's almost a verbatim quote. And then he is surrounded by Gentiles. Verse 12, I'm, poured out like water. My bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax. The plural fluid of Jesus, essentially turned to a waxy substance. And in verse 16, he's surrounded by Gentiles. Oh my goodness. Look at verse 18. They gambled and parted his garments by gambling and casting lots. But Bert, one of the big ones that is so huge is it says in Psalm 22 that they pierced his hands and his feet. I mean, isn't that amazing? So I would say when Christ cried out Psalm 22:1, it's almost like it was the most vivid fact of his Messiahship that he could possibly set forth before the Jews watching.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. I would say this, David's heart cry was that. And then it goes into this messianic psalm about the cross of Christ. But it starts out with David, where are you, God? And God and Jesus on the cross. First time. Father, why have you forsaken me? You know? listen, we're going to continue in the Book of Numbers tomorrow and it's still got a lot of good stuff that you need to look at study, and I believe it will bless you. Thank you for listening to Exploring the Word. Keep on praying for those people in Texas and keep on trusting the Lord Jesus Christ.

>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this.

>> Bert Harper: Broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of.

>> Alex McFarland: The American Family association or American Family Radio.