Transcript

American Family Radio explores the Bible with Burt Harper and Alex McFarland

>> Jeff Chamblee: The Bible. It's the word of God, sharper than any two edged sword. This sacred book is living and active and contains all that's needed for life and godliness. Stay with American Family Radio for the next hour as we study God's word and take your Bible questions. Welcome to Exploring the word.

>> Bert Harper: Romans. Chapter 9, 10 and 11 is a lot to do about Israel. Matter of fact, I want to compare something before we dig in. In chapter nine, verse three, here's what Paul prays. It says, for I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen, according to the flesh. And then when he starts off in chapter 10 he says, Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. This is the apostle to the Gentiles and it shows his concern for his own people, Jewish people that needed to know the Lord. Well, this is Burt Harper and Alex McFarland and we know that many out there are praying for loved ones, family members, friends that they would come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. Well, I want to tell you you're in good stead when you read Romans chapter 10. Now we're going to go back a little bit, verse 30, 31 and 32, 33 of, of chapter nine. But chapter 10 has. Alex, let me say this. It's a lot like chapter eight. They, there's some awesome verses that we'll share in chapter 10, aren't they?

>> Alex McFarland: Well absolutely Bert, it's great to be with you.

Alex: Thank you for praying for teens at Trails End Christian camp

And again I bid you greetings from the beautiful, beautiful state of Montana. We're at Trails End Christian camp and it's just a wonderful, wonderful camp. And last night appreciate everybody praying because we had, I don't know, I'm going to estimate 15 or 16 kids pray to accept Christ. It was just really a spirit filled night last night and a great day today. And so Bert, I just want to, as we get into God's word, but I want to also thank everybody for praying for, for God to work in the lives of these teenagers. And we, we want to see God raise up a generation of young people that, that love the Lord Jesus and are going to live for him.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. I have hope more than I ever have in this generation. what all's taking place in many, many places on college campuses with revivals. What's taking place in buying the Bibles and, and studying and reading the Bible in this new generation. so Alex, one more thing before we dig into Romans. How many more camps you got, this summer so people can be praying six after this.

>> Alex McFarland: this is our first. And this goes through Friday. And you know, let me just say this. last night was such a really strong night. I mean, nearly 130 teenagers out here. And last night was fantastic. I mean, the spirit of God was in this place. But, at breakfast this morning, a lot of the adults and some of the youth, we were talking about what is revival and a great awakening. And Bert, 50 plus years ago, there was a great move of God in the late 60s, early 70s. And, folks, if you want to familiarize yourself with just a tiny little part of it, the Greg Laurie movie from a year ago, Jesus Revolution, fantastic movie. And some of the people here that are counselors were talking about how the mood of this moment right now feels like, how it was 50 years ago where young people were hungry for Jesus, hungry for truth. And Bert, I think that we really are in the beginning stages of another great move of God's Holy Spirit. I absolutely believe that. And I think that's very exciting.

>> Bert Harper: I'm seeing it as well. And let me just remind people, they did not know the Jesus revolution, the first Great Awakening, the second Great Awakening, the prayer revival that swept the northern parts, the United States, before the Civil War. They didn't know that it was so great a revival until they were in it. And some even, oh, we were in this great revival. So I'm thinking you're right. I think we may be in it already with God doing a, great work. And so, hey, listen, just because evil is going wild doesn't mean that revival is not happening among people. So that's what took place in 1850. Slavery was real, it was hideous, it was horrible. And yet what God did there in the northern tier of the United States, and you can look at that and see that the sexual revolution that was taking place in the 1960s, but yet God intervened. So we're praying God intervenes in this great way. And so, Alex, we're going to get to this and we're going to talk about it, matter of fact, about prayer.

Salvation is through faith, not works, says Bert Brethren

And, again, we're in chap in Romans, chapters 9, 10, 11. He's taking time out, not really time out, but I think finishing what he talks about God's control. In chapter nine, we was talking about God's sovereignty. But in chapter ten, we're going to be looking at a lot of man's responsibilities. But is it all right for us start in verse 30 of chapter 9 before we go into chapter 10.

>> Alex McFarland: I'm glad you said that. I was going to read that myself.

>> Bert Harper: Well, go right ahead, man. Go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness and have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness, which is of, faith, but Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, have not attained to the law of righteousness. Why verse 32 or wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but, as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone. Bert, this is so powerful. I want to say it. Salvation is through the work that Jesus did. Not the work, not meritorious work that we might try to do, but what we do, we put our faith, our, trust in Jesus, who he was and what he did, God incarnate, who paid it all on Calvary's cross. You. If you want to go to heaven, you've got to be righteous. So how do you become righteous? By faith, not works.

>> Bert Harper: By works is impossible. They could not attain it. Paul writing this, I can't help but believe he was referring a little bit to himself. Because you remember in Galatians, he talked a good bit about what he was before the Damascus road experience, where Christ changed his life completely. Man can keeping the law, man. He was on target on all those, but yet no salvation. So here, in a way, I look at verse 30, 31, and 32. in a way, it's a testimonial, of what Paul had tried to do, and he found out it did not work. But in Jesus Christ and his faith in him, he was set free. And those of you who are listening today, if you still bound by sin, you're still bound by trying to prove yourself by works. I want to tell you, Jesus Christ, turning to him in faith, asking him to forgive you of your sin, asking him to be Lord of your life. And I want to tell you he can set you free to be who God made you to be. And that's what Paul turned into. And he wanted this. let's look at verse 33, because this is what the. The people that were going by the law, they stumbled over it. Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone, a rock of offense. And whoever believes on him will not be put to shame. Alex, this stone, Jesus Christ, they stumbled over him. They couldn't believe. They wanted a military Messiah, didn't they? Not a messianic Messiah that would come and save them.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, that's true. And you know, Romans 9:33 is. Is a partial quote of Psalm 118, verse 22, which Jesus attributed to himself. the stone which the builders rejected has become the headstone of the corner. In other words, the chief cornerstone. but here's the thing. You either come to God through Jesus, or you can't get there no other way. You don't. Yeah. You don't reject the. The cornerstone, the Savior, I mean. And yes, it is true that the religious hierarchy of the day, not all, but most, they missed it. They wanted, what can I do? What can I do? Well, the only thing we can do is respond to the gift of forgiveness offered by the one that did it all. We believe, we accept who Jesus claimed about himself, that he is God incarnate and he paid our sin debt. And so, Bert, I think any true Christian can relate to Romans 10, verse 1. Paul says, Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel, that they might be saved. Bert, I've. I've lifted up many a name of people that my heart's desire and prayer was that they would be saved. Can you relate to that?

>> Bert Harper: I relate to that longing, yes, I do. I'll just share this. My wife's, father was not a believer, just, wayward so many ways. But he had an aunt that prayed for him. We know she is testifying. We heard about it. 50 years for him to be saved. And she died. The last prayer she prayed outwardly that people would hear was her praying for my wife's father. And he was saved later on, right at heart surgery, going into heart surgery where he. He could die if on the operating table, or he would die if he didn't have it. At that point in time, he asked Christ into his life, and it was prayers, many years like that. So some of these are answered prayers.

Alex: Many people say they're all right because they've trusted Christ

But let me share with you. Israel first. They needed. They didn't know they needed salvation. They thought the law was sufficient. So a lot of people out there, they'll say, are you sa. They'll say, well, I'm all right. Well, they're really not all right because they've never trusted Christ. Now, I've heard that a lot, Alex. Well, I'm okay. Well, what makes you okay? Well, I'm, You know, they've. It's only in Christ that you're going to be right with God, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, that's true. And verse two is. Is like a lot of people, Paul said of. Of the Israelites that he cared so deeply for. He said, for I bear them record that they have a Zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. For they, being ignorant of God's righteousness and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. Romans 10:3. That is one more example of where this book is one of the most brilliantly written pieces of language in the history of the world. Like he said, I've had friends. I was in a restaurant sharing the gospel with a man I know. He goes, alex, you don't need to worry about me. He says, I'm. I'm all right with God now. I'm not. I'm not born again, but I'm good. that's what he said. And I said, well, let me tell you what the Bible says. This is not just Alex talking. This is what God says, and you must be born again. And Bert, is that like the Paul says? Hey, all these people, they might talk about how zealous they are for God, but if you don't come to God God's way, you might stay busy and tell yourself you're okay, but you do not have the righteousness of God that comes through faith.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Alex, you know what you call that a righteousness that you're trying to establish? Self righteousness. And none of that enters into hell. No self. Anything to have to do with self is a part of faith. And so, Alex, this is right on. what a verse this is again. This is one of those verses that you go back to being ignorant of God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own. I'd rather do it my way. I want to have it my way. I want to do what I want to do. They have not submitted to the righteousness of God. It is a act of submission of your will. Not mine, but yours. God, I know my way ends in death. Your way ends in life. God, I'm going your way. And it's by faith. It's by grace, through faith. Now listen to verse four. We got 30 seconds before we have the break, but I'll read it. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. In other words, the law may bring you to this point, but it cannot carry you over. Alex. It can bring you to that point, but it cannot take you in into the presence of God. We're going to be back right after this break. Thank you for listening to Exploring the Word on the American Family Radio Network.

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Tuesday is a day of prayer and praise for Bert and Alex

Well, welcome back to exploring the word Bert and Alex here. By the way, this is Tuesday. That means it's a day of prayer and praise. We want to add that to it today. And that means that when we open the phone lines and we'll do that in just a little bit and you call 888-589-8840. now again we don't say we don't take questions, but we take praises and prayers before the questions. And on Facebook, the link on Facebook, Brent has it set up that if you want to send your prayer in, he'll keep it noted to Alex and myself and we can pray for you there as well. We love to do this and we, again we've been doing this and Alex, it's, it's gotten a lot of, of good attention. We've had others that's emailed us and told us how proud they are that we're doing this. So it's a day of prayer and if you have a praise, we'd love to hear that as well. So you can call in at 885-89-8840. It'll be open in about 10 minutes and then you can get on call or you can go to our Facebook page, either one.

For Christ is the end of the law, for righteousness to everyone who believes

Well, Alex, again, verse 4. For Christ is the end of the law, for righteousness to everyone who believes. Now there's so much here but I do want to concentrate on, on everyone who believes. who, who does everyone include? Alex, Bert?

>> Alex McFarland: I think everyone includes everyone. Don't you think will make amen?

>> Bert Harper: Aren't you glad that's there? Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly. And, you know, look at, verse four. I've got the King James. Christ is the end and end. The word end means the. The conclusion of, or the cessation of. The end of what? The end of worrying. Have I really done enough? The end of. Have I worked my way into God's favor? The end of, wondering, am I better than the next guy? Listen, we're all, ah, there's an old saying. The ground is level at the foot of the cross, and compared to Jesus, we've all fallen short. And so, Bert, I think it's liberating. Salvation by grace through faith, not works, but in the work of Jesus, the perfect, flawless, sinless Son of God. Hey, I would think we would, be eager to accept that gift.

>> Bert Harper: I. I agree with you. Because the law brought no satisfaction. It cannot. It cannot complete. Now, I know it says the end of the law. the law could not bring you to a glorious conclusion, an eternal, And this is why verses three, and. I mean, yeah, verse, starting, verse four and following, and especially verse five, you find out they misunderstood the purpose of the law. They thought, okay, the law will help us to be saved. No, the law helps you to know God. It helps you to know his character. It helps you know what he requires. But it was still by faith. Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. And so, Alex, again missing all that. in verses following, Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law. The man who does those things shall live by them. Leviticus 18:5, verse, 6. But the righteousness of faith speaks this way. Do not say in your heart who will ascend into heaven that is to bring Christ down. Or verse seven, who will descend into the abyss, that is to bring Christ up from the dead. But what does it say? The word is near you, even in your mouth, in your heart. That is the word of faith which we preach. Now, Alex, again, he was demonstrating what the law could not do. It could not bring them up. It could not descend. The law was the law. Only faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Notice in your heart, he was bringing the Old Testament scriptures to life for them, wasn't he?

>> Alex McFarland: He really was. And by the way, verse six, there really kind of references Deuteronomy, chapter 30. say not in thine heart, who shall ascend to heaven, that is to bring Christ down from above. Or who shall descend into the deep, that is to bring Christ up again from the dead. Now, Bert, this is a, 30,000 foot view. You know, when you're down on the ground you see things, but when you're up in the airplane, you see things about the landscape you might not otherwise see. I want to make an observation from 30,000ft. That might be helpful. Might not be. It's almost like the first 13 verses of Romans 10 is about Jesus, the cross, the resurrection, salvation. Now remember, Christ promised in John 15:16 that after he rose and ascended, he would send the Holy Spirit to descend. And of course, 50 days after the resurrection, the Spirit of God fell. Peter preached a sermon at Pentecost. And thus began what is called the church age. And here we are in the church age to this day. Now here's my point. in Romans 10, Paul even quotes Deuteronomy 30. He says, look, nobody can ascend to heaven and descend from heaven. Only the Son of God can do that. And no human can descend into the depths and raise God from the dead. you know, eternity, heaven, the grave. Power over those are in the hands of God. We need to trust that. But listen to this, folks. After Christ ascended, the Holy Spirit came down. And here to this day, if you're drawing near to Christ, it's the Holy Spirit drawing you. If you've got strength for this day, power, to live, I mean, it's all by the power of the Holy Spirit. Now here's the thing. Verses 14 and following talk about the work of the church. Really? How then shall they call on him who they have not believed? How shall they believe in him of, whom they have not heard? And how shall they preach except they be sent? All right, I'm going to say this. I'm going to throw it back to you, Bert. Just as the work of salvation and the birthing of the church, that's the work of God the Son, the work of God the Spirit. Jesus came down, the Spirit came down. It's Almost like Romans 10 is in two halves. The work of the Son of God, the work of the Spirit of God.

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, you will be saved

Do you see what I'm saying? That's my 30,000 foot view.

>> Bert Harper: I think it's a good view because it does change in verse 14 to A, A similar, but going in a, making it more clear about how we'd follow up. After Christ has done his work and you have received Christ, then other work begins. And that is being sent. Now, verses nine and ten, I just, we got to read that. It says if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the Dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made to salvation. Now, Alex, again we see the inner working of the work of the Holy Spirit working in us to bring outward the. The knowledge of God. The work that God has done in the heart, one believes to righteousness. Now go back to righteousness. What they could not attain outwardly by keeping the law through faith, they are able to receive that faith inwardly by the heart. We're talking about your mind, your will, your emotions, the innermost being, the real you of who you are. And it says if you will confess through your mouth. Confess has the idea of agreeing with or saying the same thing. So if you confess with your mouth, the Lord Jesus. Jesus as Lord. Okay, when you say the Lord Jesus, you're calling him. He is Lord. So when you confess him as Lord and then believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you're going to be saved. You will be saved. You will have the knowledge of God. Going back to what he said, they had a zeal for God, but not knowledge. Listen, this brings God into your heart of reality of who he is. And for by, the heart, one believes that word believe. And connected with the heart means more than just knowledge. It means trust. It has the idea of complete trust, like rolling over on. In other words, you, you know, you're on a boat that's sinking and you get on that boat that will carry you through. And that's what it means. And it says to righteousness with the mouth. Confession is made to salvation, Alex. That's what we have in Christ Jesus and what the law could not do. Going back to what you already said, the end of the law couldn't bring us through. It brought us to this point. Now Jesus is able to take us from and through and to now get that from through and to. He takes us from where we've come through, what we're going through here upon earth, to heaven. That's God's salvation. Complete salvation. Isn't really is.

>> Alex McFarland: It really is. you know, Bert, I'm just amazed at the beauty and, and the, the symmetry and, and the sentence structure of God's word. And as we're reading this about righteousness through faith, not works, zeal versus knowledge, you know, ignorance versus truth, confession, belief, redemption. You know, the beauty of all this wording reminds me of like 2nd Corinthians 8, verse 9. Paul wrote this. And this is perfect in line with all, this, for, you know, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. That though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor. That you, through his poverty, might become rich. Second Corinthians 8, verse 9. Rich in redemption. and Bert, aren't you. Do you sometimes just have to pause and say, God, I give you glory? Your word is magnificent. You ever think that? I think that a lot.

>> Bert Harper: I do. I. Alex, one of the reasons I admire you is how you do. How that structure. A great writer and. And. And knowing English as you did. I was not an English major. Far from it. Mine was more of the history and the geography of it. And I get into that, man, look where this is. Look what took place before this. And.

>> Alex McFarland: And.

>> Bert Harper: But when you see this structure and how God has laid it out, it is like knit together the Old Testament, New Testament. Knit together to complete this. Just like Jesus would. Would do that. And he fulfilled the law. Well, the New Testament all of a sudden brings about. Ah. Oh. That's what the Old Testament was about. That's what those sacrifices were about. That's what those festivals were about. Yeah, they had the meaning back then. But Jesus Christ filled them up, doesn't he?

>> Alex McFarland: He does. He really does. and one of the things I just love about Paul, he is so logical. you know, I don't know if we're going to see Aristotle in heaven. I hope by some miracle of God. You know, Aristotle is called the father of logic, and even talked about this ultimate first cause that was the Logos, the Word. I mean, how much, a Greek who did not have knowledge of the Hebrew scriptures, how much he could have known about God, I don't know. But I guarantee, if. If by some miracle, aristotle, who lived 200 years before the birth of Christ, if he's in heaven, he and Paul are going to be friends. And, because listen, how perfectly logical this is. Verse 14. How then can they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in him of whom they have not heard?

Today is a day of prayer and praise. That's why we do the Great Commission

And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent, as it is written. How beautiful are, the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things. And. And of course, he's referencing the beautiful feet of those who preach the good news. But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? And that's, of course, from Isaiah 53. So then faith cometh by hearing.

>> Bert Harper: Faith comes by hearing, and he continues in hearing by the word of God. Alex dropped Out a minute. And Brent would do our best to get him back on again. He's in Montana and, at a camp there. So, you know, it can be, you know, where most of the camps are, they're out in the rural areas. And so, by the way, before we go any further, this is a day of prayer and praise. Doesn't mean you can't ask a question, but it means that we take prayers and praise first. So that number is triple. 858-98-8840. Again, here it is. who has believed our report? Verse 17. go ahead, Alex. You got to verse 17. When it says so, then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Take it away.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, that's right. I'm sorry about that. So, yeah, for people to respond to the gospel, C.S. lewis said it. C.S. lewis said, a person cannot decide for or against Christianity until they understand what Christianity is. So if, if they're going to call on the name of the Lord, they have to be told who the Lord is and how they may call on the name of the Lord. That's why we do the Great Commission. And he says, have they not all heard? Yes, the sound has gone out into all the world. That's a reference, by the way, to Psalm, 19. But Paul concludes, and in the interest of time, but I'm going to let you take us out of this chapter. But the Spirit of God, verse 21. All day long I've stretched forth my hands into a disobedient and gainsaying people. Folks, the time to respond to truth is the minute you comprehend it. And if you're hearing this and you're thinking within yourself, you know, I really need to. I need to make sure that I've trusted Christ. You've heard, you know, call on, the name of the lord. As verse 13 says, if you call on Jesus, he will save you.

>> Bert Harper: He will. You know, the Jews, they had creation just like all the world, but they had the law as well. And most of the Jews, they were some that did not. Like Anna and Simeon, they were waiting for the consolation of Israel. They were waiting for Messiah. But you, let's. Let's pinpoint you or what are you waiting for? The evidence is there. The creation is evidence of a, creator and Jesus Christ, who he is, the word of God being sure, trust Christ and do it today. Well, today is a day of prayer. And if you'd call us at 885-898-8840, we would love to hear your prayer request and also praise we would love to do that. You can also go to our Facebook and share that with us as well. We'll be back with a Time of Prayer right after this break.

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We're taking prayer requests for Alex and the six remaining Montana camps

>> Alex McFarland: Did he move every mountain?

>> Bert Harper: Did he part every sea?

>> Alex McFarland: So yes he can.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Yes he did. He overcame death in the grave. Yes he did. Hey, we're taking prayer requests today and that number is triple 858-9884, 888-589-8840. And, and Brent is checking up on Facebook prayer requests that we would get there. And so Alex, before we start getting those, I have a list and we talked a little about it. We want to remember all those folks in Boulder, Colorado where the, that guy threw that firebomb and burned, all those Jewish people there. One was 80 something years old, a Holocaust survival, survivor. We need to pray for them. Want to pray for your camps? Not just this one in Montana, but we want to pray for the six remaining ones. And we're also praying God send a revival. We are saying we're asking for that, aren't we, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: We are. And I appreciate everybody's prayers and like I said, at least 15 and maybe it was several beyond that even prayed to accept Christ last night. We're having a fantastic week already. And you know the number by the way, folks, if you want to call in, it's triple 858-98-80. Triple 858-9840. You know, I give God the glory. Last week on the program, we had a couple of people pray to make sure they had put their faith in Christ, right here on Exploring the Word. And so I know we. Most of the time, we're doing Bible questions and kind of theology, and we'll take some of those calls today, too. But I just think it's a blessing that on Tuesdays, we give some time to intercede for each other.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Well, that's what we do. We talk about it being a Bible study. Like you would be in a small group. It's, we. We think it's the largest small group in the world. And,

>> Alex McFarland: So I like that.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, so we do that. So we've got prayer requests again, if those of you that are praying with us, praying for those folks in Boulder, Colorado, that they would survive and pray for Alex and the camps that's going on, especially the one in Montana, and pray for the revival that's going on. But Andrew from Louisiana has called in. So, Andrew, thank you for calling Exploring the Word. Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: Alex and Burt, I love you guys. Y' all are the highlight of my day. I want y' all to know that.

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, never to God be the glory.

>> Bert Harper: Hey, Andrew, you're becoming the highlight of our day. Go ahead, brother. Go ahead.

>> Caroline: I hate to blow wind all over you, but, man, it's the honest truth. Because y' all give this real word, the spoken word of God. And yalls interpretation of it is not just your interpretation. I believe it's the Holy Spirit working through y' all to us out here. And I hear it. I hear it daily, and I thank y' all for it. But I just want you to know that, y' all was talking about the law, Jesus and the law. Well, Jesus did say he didn't come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Caroline: And he fulfilled the law when he died on that cross. Yet when he rose on the third day, he fulfilled the law.

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

>> Caroline: He was the blood that they sprinkled on the mercy seat. He was the mercy seat.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Caroline: Ah, so, yes, when we him, just like you said in verses 9 and 10, when we accept him as Lord and Savior, we are held to belief, to our belief, his word. And we are bound by his word to his word. And I just want you guys to know that even today, I was still, been going through some stuff here at home, and. And I just really had to kick back and listen to what the Holy Spirit was trying to tell me. And I've just been unthankful, you know? And God is bringing me through this. Me and my wife both. He's bringing us through this situation that we're going through. And he has given us plenty to live on to get. Get us through this. So I had to repent of my unbelief. And we. When we have that spirit of unbelief in us, that is witchery. That is witchcraft.

>> Bert Harper: It does say we have.

Andrew says he's been convicted and he's repented

Well, Andrew, we're going to be praying for you, brother. this is awesome. That, anything specific that we can pray for you about, man?

>> Caroline: Yeah, just be praying that the Lord will give me understanding.

>> Bert Harper: Okay.

>> Caroline: Help me to understand my boys, my family. I'll do it because I'm hard nosed. I've been hard nosed all my life.

>> Bert Harper: Okay.

>> Caroline: But I've just. I've really been trying to open up and understand, but I have a rough time with these new kids these days. So.

>> Bert Harper: We're going to pray for you right now, Andrew. Okay? We're going to pray for you. Father, I thank you for Andrew. Father, he loves you. That comes across clearly. He loves your word and he loves his sons. And Father, I pray that you would help him to be who he needs to be in you. Father. all of us have our temperaments. Gary Smalley did such a great job of describing different temperaments of different people, the combination. And Father, sometimes that combination makes us difficult and hard, but sometimes it's opposite. And I pray through the power of the Holy Spirit of God that Andrew said he's been convicted and he's repented. Father, make him what you want him to be. And I pray that his sons would be who you want them to be. We trust you, we believe in you and ask you to bless in Jesus name. Amen, Andrew. Thank you, brother. Amen. M. Amen.

Brent: We have two prayer requests that need prayer this week

Brent, I know we got one that came in on Facebook. Would you give us a little bit about that?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, we actually have two.

>> Bert Harper: Okay.

>> Alex McFarland: Keep in mind you can send these in all week long. Yeah, you can send us emails. You can leave it on Facebook, on our posts. Send these prayer requests in all week long, not just today, and we'll make sure we get to them. first, I've got Connie. her daughter Catherine has lost her job and she's going through a lot of mental distress. a lot of she can't find another job.

>> Alex McFarland: And.

>> Alex McFarland: And it's really weighing heavy on her. If you'll pray for her. Also, Ayla, her daughter Cadence is experiencing a lot of mental and emotional problems. Won't go into detail on that, but she could really use your prayers.

>> Bert Harper: Connie and Ayla and both daughters. Right.

>> Alex McFarland: Ayla. It's actually Cadence. I'm sorry? Ayla and Cadences. Katie is her daughter.

>> Bert Harper: Okay.

>> Alex McFarland: His daughter's Catherine.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. Alex, you got enough to pray for that?

>> Alex McFarland: I do. And let me add one more thing. There's a different. I've had him on the Hamilton corner many times. Carl Kirby. Carl is a great leader. In fact, he's one of the original board members of Answers in Genesis. Carl is a great man of God, and he went in today for a procedure on his heart.

>> Bert Harper: Okay.

>> Alex McFarland: And, you know, I'm just lifting up him, and I'm hoping to hear good news that he came out of that surgery. Okay. But, let's me. Let, me pray for this if I could. Father. we lift up Ayla and, Lord, all the names out there. We all know people that are battling illnesses and surgeries and things like that. And, Lord, we appreciate doctors and medicine and nurses, of course, but they can only humanly do so much. And Catherine and Ayla and Carl Kirby and countless others. Lord, we. I just pray for healing and health and strength in the body of believers out there. Lord, you are our strength. And we know that, the outward man is aging and wasting away. Inwardly, we are getting renewed day by day. But, Lord, I do pray for prolonged health and strength healing. Raise people up off the bed of affliction. Raise people up off of the. The deep valley of depression. And, Lord, help people, prosper people from financial strain and struggle. And, Lord, if you would, please entrust us with life and health and resources that we may rejoice in you, live for you, and contribute to your great commission. For these names and certainly many, many others that, you know, we lift it all up to you, and I praise you. I thank you in advance because you are our source, you're our healer, our provider, Jesus, you are our all in all. And we make this prayer in your name. Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Thank you, Alex. one more I want to add. You was talking about Carl and mate Carl Kirby. Great guy, Mark, who is also with Answers in Genesis. I was talking with him this morning, and he's gone through some physical issues, and, he is feeling better today, and he was back his jovial self. I. I've never met anybody more joyful than Mark Loy. He's with Answers in Genesis. Genesis at the Ark Encounter the Creation Museum. So he's a mighty man of God, he really is. Love that man. He's been on exploring missions with us several times, and I thank God for him.

We're going to pray for your son and grandson, Judith

Well, let's go to Virginia and talk to Judith. Judith, thank you for calling.

>> Sandy: Thank you so much. First of all, I have to just say thank you for afr. I am a supporter and I just deeply appreciate, along with millions of other people, all that you bring to us, which is the truth.

>> Bert Harper: Thank you, Judith. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your support. I want to just tell you that, that, listen, we have share a thon each year, twice a year, and what God does and raising that money and bringing us to the ability to do what God has called us to do. Judith, thank you. Go ahead.

>> Sandy: You're so welcome. I'm a widow twice. And God is good to widows. I thank him every day.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Sandy: my request is for my son and my grandson. they've never had disagreements, but, Patrick just graduated from college and my son, they've just never been close. Communication, we have to do most of the reaching out and he's belabored. he's probably going through his own issues, but we just pray. We did finally get a, A, brief response to a text message, for taking him out to dinner. And he said, what's good for you? So we praise God for that.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. We're going to pray for you, Judith, and them.

Keep in contact with your family, even if they are not responding

Alex, let me just, while I'm here, a pastoral thought here. A lot of times what you can do when you have this tension between generations and it, it, you never know exactly what it's going to be. Those of you that are reaching out, keep in contact, keep praying, Keep contact and recognize those special days, graduations, birthdays. Do not lose contact, even if they are not responding to you as much. Alex, you keep on trying, keep on going, don't you?

>> Alex McFarland: You do, you do. and it seems like in families, sometimes the, the initiative falls in the hands of maybe one or two persons. And I don't know, folks, keep those family fires stoked, reunions and get togethers, hey there. There's the Lord and our loved ones. I mean, really. And, I will say this. All that you invest to keep your family together and to build those bridges, you will not regret it. It is time and effort well spent.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. I just, matter of fact, we're coming up on a family reunion on my side of the family, this weekend. Looking forward to it. And just praise God. Let's pray for Judith. Father, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we bring Judith to you and we pray, Father, for Patrick, that that connection would be so real that there would be the Holy Spirit of God going before Judith and her family and, Father, that there would be some, caring and reconciliation. Father, that you would demonstrate your love toward them. Father, give Judith wisdom, give, her knowledge of what to say and what not to say. But Father, I pray that this reaching out and striving to help with this relationship. Father, I pray that you would bring success to her. We look forward to what you're going to do. And we're asking you to do that miracle that you can do. In Jesus name. Amen. Okay, thank you, Judith.

We're having voting down here in south Mississippi for mayors and things like that

We got another one in Mississippi. Is it Shell? Yes, Shell, go right ahead.

>> Caroline: I just wanted to call and let you know that, we're having voting down here in south Mississippi for mayors and things like that. And the place where I drive by, there was, a gentleman out there for the one candidate and then there was a gentleman out there for the other candidate. And they were both standing there just like it was any other day. And it was truly, truly amazing to see. And I just wanted to share that because we hear so much about, you know, the negatives. So I just wanted to let you know they were, they knew each other from high school and I know that that had a bit of it. But still, you know, people can be family and not be doing that.

>> Bert Harper: Way to go. Amen.

>> Caroline: M. And thank you very much.

>> Bert Harper: Thank you. Amen. Alex. senility. Back to it. You know, not, attacking the person, but look at the issues and where they stand. Afa, afr that's what we're trying to do. We're trying to, to make sure that this godly heritage, that we have, you got to be strong, but can't you be strong and courageous and kind at the same time? Most of the time I've heard the.

>> Alex McFarland: Word, you know, collegial or, you know, civil. Civility. We need that, we need that. And a lot of examples we could give on that.

>> Bert Harper: Okay.

>> Alex McFarland: And the number.

>> Bert Harper: But hey, we got, we got. Well, I think Brent has one and this will carry us out. I do.

>> Alex McFarland: I have one more.

Sandy wants prayers for Caleb and Mary facing life threatening health complications

>> Alex McFarland: All right. All right.

>> Alex McFarland: Sandy has contact, us on Facebook. She wants prayers for both Caleb and Mary as separate situations in their town. Both are experiencing life threatening health complications. Caleb with, sudden onset of cancer, he's, declining very rapidly. And Mary with a long running illness. And, they could really, really use those prayers.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, we got About a minute and a half left. would you mind praying for, Caleb and Mary? Right?

>> Alex McFarland: Sure. Let's pray together. Father God, I thank you for, Ephesian. I'm sorry, Isaiah 53. Six, that says, by your str. We're healed. And I know healing very, often does come in this life, sometimes in the next. But, Lord, I pray for these names of those with a cancer diagnosis, other infirmities. Lord, heal. And, Lord, even as we go through physical challenges, help us draw near to you because you are not only our healer, but our savior. Indeed, Jesus, you are our life, and we live them up to you in your name. Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Thank you, Alex. Hope it continues to go good out there in Montana. And those of you who are listening, read ahead. We're going to be in chapter 11 tomorrow. And, this. It's a great chapter, and it's the future of Israel. God's not through with them. Everybody wants to know that, Alex. God's not through with them, and he's not through with us. And so keep on listening to AFR and especially exploring the Word. Thank you again, and may God bless you. The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.