Transcript

American Family Radio takes your Bible questions live on American Family Radio

>> 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.

In addition to taking your Bible questions, we also take prayer requests

Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, it's been said that man makes his plans, but God ordains his steps. Hi, Alex McFarland here. Welcome to Exploring the Word. We've got a very special show today, and we're going to continue in the Old Testament, Book of Numbers. And we'll read and comment on numbers, chapter 24. And we'll give a little recap from Yesterday's numbers, chapter 23. But I welcome you. This is a very special day because on Tuesdays, in addition to taking your Bible questions, we also take prayer requests. And so maybe as we get, later on in the show where we open up the phones, we would love to hear from you and we would be very pleased if you would share your prayer requests because we'll pray together. You know, we kind of. Bert Harper often says this is like America's largest, small group. people all across the nation will join together in prayer. We'll agree together in prayer over your needs. Plus, as always, Bible questions. Now, folks, I want you to meet a very special friend and colleague. Bert is out today. Jeff Shambley is out today and with me to gather round the word of God and ponder on, the Scriptures. A longtime friend. In fact, I have known this dear brother, right, at 22 years. We've ministered together. I've sat under his preaching, and he just leads what I think is one of the great churches in America, church for all nations. he does a lot, here in America and internationally. His name is Dr. Mark Coward. And Mark and Linda have been friends of Angie and me for many years. He's with us today on exploring the word. Dr. Mark Coward, welcome to the program.

>> Mark Cowart: Thank you, Brother Alex, it is always a blessing to be with you and I'm just blessed to be able to join you today on the program.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, amen. Amen. Before we get into numbers, chapter 24, give a little synopsis, of the, the Mark Cowart story and, and your ministries today.

Church for All nations in Colorado Springs has doubled in attendance since 2015

>> Mark Cowart: Oh, my goodness. Well, you know, I, I started, really walking with the Lord. He. He really reached out and got a hold of and, you know, I was actually raised in a Lutheran church. I didn't really walk with the Lord, but enough of the word of God got down into My heart and the Lord has always kind of had that hook in my jaw. And, I showed up at this church that I'm now the senior pastor of in 1983, and honestly, doesn't it. I never thought I would pastor, but, I showed up just to serve, and then I started teaching the Word. And we became associate pastors in 1985 for two years, and then senior pastor January of 1987. And we've been at it ever since here at Church for All nations in Colorado Springs.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. You know, not to deviate from, where we are in the Old Testament, but I was talking to a pastor in Iowa today and, talking to a pastor from Ohio yesterday. And what's interesting and I think exciting, the churches that are what we would call theologically conservative, and they preach the Word and they not, try to be woke or anything like that, far from it, but just simply preach the word. They are growing this church in Iowa that I was talking to this morning, and I'm actually going to be in their pulpit on August 3rd. I'll tell you more about that later, folks. But he said since COVID they have doubled in attendance like twice because they're just preaching the word of God. And Pastor Mark, I think people are hungry to hear it.

>> Mark Cowart: You know, they are, Alex. And, and the same experience with us, you know, actually, you know, covet it just unsettled everything. There was such upheaval and, you know, what the devil meant for evil, God turned that around and made it work for good. We grew time, Alex. We've continued to increase. And I tell you, I feel like I could say, honestly, we came through that without the smell of smoke on our clothes, so to speak. And, you know, you're right, the people are hungry for the Word. And that's, that's the point with me. If it's not in the word of God, everything must align with the Word. And, and that's what keeps us safe, and that's what keeps us protected, and it's also what keeps us alive spiritually.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly. Exactly. Folks, I was just at our summer camp yesterday, and I was telling the youth that just like nutrition for the body or, you know, a good, good diet for the athlete, that's what scripture is to the soul. And even if you're a born again believer, if you're not in the word of God, you're just not gonna be all that you could be. You become spiritually anemic without the Word. Now Yesterday, in numbers 23 it was almost humorous how Balak wanted Balaam to pronounce curses on Judah and Israel. And every time Balaam was gonna say something negative or condemning or cursing, God would turn it around. And Balak says, look, I've asked you to pronounce a curse and you pronounce blessing. And Balaam basically says, hey, look, there's nothing I can do about it. Verse 23 of Numbers 23, Surely there is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel. According to this time, it shall be said of Jacob, what hath God wrought? Now here's a beautiful thing. They had the protection of God, even though Balak had malice and evil plotting and planned. And as numbers 23 closed out, Balak says to Balaam, and by the way, I'm not bragging on Balaam so much. He wasn't an exemplary person himself. But, Balak says, well, look, let's go to another place. Verse 27, peradventure. It will please God that you may curse them from there. In other words, if you can't pronounce a curse on Israel, over on this hillside, we'll pick a new hillside. But it turns out that Balaam is not going to prophesy against Israel. In fact, as we get into 24, Balaam really foretells the happiness and the blessing of Israel.

Pastor Mark says being aligned with the will of God is paramount

Pastor Mark, as I read this, man and Satan might have malicious plans, but the will of God will not be overthrown or, or sidetracked, will it?

>> Mark Cowart: No. And you made me think of a Proverbs principle. you know, it says that we have all these plans in our heart, but the counsel and the purpose of the Lord is what is going to really stand. And, you know, we go over into the New Testament and basically he that doeth the will of God is the one that's going to abide forever. So kind of a cornerstone and an earmark of my life and ministry and focus is to make sure I'm aligned with the will of God, because whatever he does will last. And unless the Lord builds a house, we're really wasting our time. And so whether it's ministry or business or a life. And you know, Alex, one of my favorite psalms is Psalm 139. And I encourage entire listening audience to read that song, Psalm often and in different translations too. But basically, when I first gave my life to the Lord, it was a source of strength and comfort for me because that's where it talked about, you know, David talked about the fact the Lord understands our thoughts from afar. And it, it basically says that he knows everything we're trying to present to him. And before a word reaches our tongue, the Lord knows it all together. But the part that I love is, it says all my days are written in his book. And if you look in some different translations, all the appointments that you have for me and what I tell people, I ask us, you know, and I think everybody's going to say yes, we've all missed appointments. And that, that's, that's egregious for me. Sometimes when I miss an appointment, I don't do it often, but one appointment. And the, appointments we don't want to miss are what God has designed for us. And so, you know, what just really boggles my mind about the Lord is the fact that he knows the end from before the beginning.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Mark Cowart: And, and he's planned my life out. And brother, on our best day, we. We would fall so short of what God has for us. And I like, there was a man of God that he had the best definition of vision I have ever heard. And he said, vision is starting what God's already completed. And wow, you know, our lives are precious to God. They're a gift. And, you know, if we get in line with that, speaking, you know, about Balaam and Baylock here, probably one of the key themes I love out of numbers, 23 is, you know, Israel had her flaws, and despite those flaws, the favor of God was still on them. I think we're seeing that in our nation. We've got many flaws as a nation, and yet God has spared us. He's blessed us in spite of us in our lives. If we'll line up with the Lord, even with all of our flaws and shortcomings, I'm telling you, there's something about being in the will of God that no devil in hell can curse what God has blessed. And there's nothing more blessed than the will of God.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen.

Mark Cowart explores numbers 24 on this edition of Exploring the Word

This is so important, and I want to really, drill down deeply into numbers 24. But, mark Sunday, I had the privilege of talking to a pastor that was kind of in a rough spot. And he was, wondering if, you know, maybe the call of God had left him. And m. It wasn't anything horrible. there were just some years of some less than ideal decisions. It wasn't immorality at all. It wasn't. But anyway, I was trying to encourage this brother and, you know, pray with him. And, you know, I was reminded of Romans 11:29. And folks, listen to this says the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. And maybe you think that you've been set on a shelf or you've, procrastinated too long and God's busy with other people now and your time has passed. Don't believe it. Mark. We say this on exploring the Word a lot. We say Jesus is as close by as a prayer and just like Israel. And we're going to get to this. like in verse 5 of Numbers 24, Balaam is in a Holy Spirit trance. Really? It says so, that verse two, the Spirit of God came upon him. And here's a man that was getting paid to pronounce a curse. And he says, how goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, and thy tabernacles, O Israel. As the valleys are, they spread forth as gardens by the riverside, as the trees line aloes which the Lord hath planted, and as the cedar trees beside the waters. And, we'll talk more about this, but my point is, God is so merciful, so powerful, so providential and wise, even when we drop the ball or we blow it, if we're willing, he'll take us back. He'll restore us. He'll get our feet back on the path. And, aren't you glad, brother Mark, that our God is able not only to overcome Satan's schemes, but our own mistakes?

>> Mark Cowart: Brother, I'm telling you, the older I get in the Lord, the more I recognize the grace of God. And the mercy of God is just so prevalent in our lives many times we don't even realize it. But you know, the, the Word says that his mercies are brand new every morning. And it seems like, as the years pass on for me, it seems I've become more aware of just how much his grace is upon me, our family.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Mark Cowart: And I think we'll all agree on our country as well. you know, we have drifted from the Lord. And you know, I was thinking about, you know, we're going to. We're in numbers 24, I tell you.

>> Alex McFarland: Forgive me, brother. We got a break coming up. folks, that's our friend Dr. Mark Cowart, Alex McFarlane, more of numbers 24. Plus your calls, your prayer requests, your Bible questions on this edition of Exploring the Word. Stay tuned.

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

We're back after this brief break.

>> Bert Harper: Will you take a moment and celebrate life with me? Last year, preborn helped to rescue over 67,000 babies from abortion. Hi, this is Burt Harper and I want to thank you for your Partnership. Think about what you did. 67,000 babies are taking their first breath now because of you. Your $28 sponsored one ultrasound that was given to a woman as she was deciding about the future of her child. Once you saw her precious baby for the first time and heard that sweet heartbeat, her baby's chance at life doubled. But preborn's mission is not only to rescue babies lives, but also to lead women to Christ. Last year Preborn network clinics saw 8,900 women receive salvation. Your help is crucial to continue their life saving work.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: And the enemy thought he had me, but Jesus said, you are mine. Oh, the enemy thought he had me but Jesus said, you are mine.

>> Alex McFarland: The enemy thought he hurt me, but Jesus said you are mine.

On Tuesdays we take prayer requests and we believe in the power of prayer

Welcome back to exploring word. Alex McFarland here along with our friend Dr. Mark Cowart. And hey, I'm going to give the number now. We're not going to pick up the phones till the third segment, but if you want to get in the queue, the number is 888-589-8840. That's 888-589-8840. And in addition to any and all Bible questions, on Tuesdays we take prayer requests and we just believe in the power of prayer. You know, they say prayer is the nerve that moves the muscle of God. And so if you've got a need or a situation or maybe you just want to pray for our country, we do that. And Tuesday has become just a very special day as we pray and intercede.

Dr. Mark Cowart says much of God's word would make great movie

Well, as I said, with us today, Bert is out today, but with us is Dr. Mark Cowart of Church for all nations, longtime friend and colleague, and, Pastor Mark I've often thought the Bible, so much of God's word would make a really great movie. And we're going to see in verse 10, oh, Balak has a temper tantrum. And we're going to get to that. I mean, this would make a really good movie because as we went to that break, Balaam, you know, it says the spirit of God came upon him and he took up his parable and said, balaam, the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said. He hath said, which heard the words of God. In other words, he's saying, look, I'm about to tell you what God is telling me. And he fell into a trance, it says, but his eyes were open and he begins to pronounce blessing on Jacob and Israel. Here are these beautiful gardens, like by a Riverside. Verse 7 of Numbers 24, God shall pour water out of his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters, and his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. God hath brought him forth out of Egypt. He hath, as it were, the strength of a unicorn. Now this is important, verse 8, because yesterday in Numbers 23, it says in 23:22 that God had the strength of a unicorn. And since God is the God of Israel, ah, by extension Israel has the strength of a unicorn. And do you know what, Pastor, Mark? I think that's why in passages like Philippians 4:13 of the believer, it says, I can do all things through Christ, who gives me strength. in and of our own strength, we'd be pretty weak, we'd fall away pretty quick. But in the strength of the Lord, you can have what you need for this day, you can have what you need for your journey. And we're getting to some exciting stuff here.

Our focus should be on remaining close to the Lord, Alex says

But Pastor Mark, I want to just camp out on this for a little bit. God's people can have the strength of God. the sustenance, the protection, the resilience, the endurance. Isaiah 40:31 will mount up like wings of eagles. in the flesh we're pretty weak, but in the Lord we're very strong, aren't we?

>> Mark Cowart: Absolutely. And the Word tells us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. And you know, our focus really needs to be, I believe Alex, on remaining close to the Lord and attached to him. You know, just recently I was doing some taping and you had mentioned this. You know, our church name is Church for All Nations. So that gives us a little indication we very strong concerning the Great Commission and the nations, starting right in our hometown, Jerusalem, our hometown being Colorado Springs. But, I was asked to do just a short 15 minute teaching to these pastors. And what I did was I brought a plant on the set and went to John chapter 15. And Jesus just said, I am the true vine and you're the branches. And so we just are going to look at that. And I took a pair of scissors and clipped and this is a beautiful plant. Clip that little branch off and laid it down. And in that 15 minute time, you couldn't tell that it was detached from the vine. But the moment I cut it from the vine, that life, that sustenance, ceased to flow. And so our job, our focus should be to, to make sure we remain focused and close to the Lord. And you mentioned this while ago, you know the Word of God should be like our regular daily food. Jesus said, Matthew, chapter 4, verse 4. Man cannot live, shall not live by bread alone, but by what? Every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. So literally it needs to be our daily bread. And you know, there's a great man of God, he's gone on to be with the Lord, but he said this years ago. I think it's worthy of repeating. He said, you know, it's no wonder Christians feel so weak and are so weak today. He said they. They feed their bodies three hot meals a day and their spirits one cold snack a week. And wow.

>> Alex McFarland: We.

>> Mark Cowart: We need to. To make the Word of God our daily bread, our daily. Susan, I don't know about you, I. I do know. I love the Word, Alex. It's our life. It's. It's everything we need. It's light, it's life. It is the source of knowing the love of God. It's water, it's milk, it's meat, it's a sword, it's a hammer. I mean, it's literally everything. Because in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Mark Cowart: And so that's where our focus needs to be. And if we're not careful, because I've fallen into this trap, if I get to looking at my weakness, brother, I'm sunk because I got plenty of that. And if I focus on the Lord and being attached to him, that changes everything.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. folks, be a Bible reader. You know, I gotta say, a year ago, Bert and I challenged everybody to read the Bible in its entirety in 2024. And those that did that, and there were, I don't know, 55 or 60 that said, you know, I read the Bible cover to cover, and we sent you a really beautiful certificate that we signed. And, I know we're in the latter part of July, but it's not too late. You can read the Bible in calendar year 25 and, you know, we'll talk about it late December. And if you've read the Bible in this year, we'll send you one of our Exploring the Word certificates.

Pastor Mark says we should only speak blessing and not cursing

But let's go Back to numbers 24. And Balaam is just blessing Israel, right? And God brought him forth out of Egypt, gave him all this strength. He shall eat up the nations, his enemies, break their bones. He couched and lay down as a lion, a great lion, verse nine, who shall stir him up. Blessed is he that blesses thee, and cursed is he that cursed Thee. Now, that is really a reference to what God told Abraham in Genesis 12:3. You know, and by the way, that's why I often say the greatest favor any president could ever do the m. American people is to be a good friend of the nation of Israel. numbers 24:9. But this is where it just gets rather humorous almost. Verse 10. Now, just picture this. Balak, who's an enemy of the people of God, is watching and hears Balaam's parable. Blessing. Blessing. Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he hit his hands together. And Balak said unto Balaam, I call to you to curse mine enemies. And behold, thou has altogether blessed them these three times. Therefore now flee to your place. In other words, get out of here. I thought to promote you to great honor, but lo, the Lord hath kept you back from honor. Now, we've got to comment on this, because obviously I would rather have the favor of God than the accolades of some pagan. First of all, Pastor Mark, isn't it just about humorous? Balak is beating his hands together, and he says, look here, Balaam, I'm paying you to curse them, not bless them. He has a tantrum.

>> Mark Cowart: Yeah, I, I think that's what you referring to a while ago. Here's his temper tantrum. And, you know, if looking in verse 12:14, Balaam reminds Balak, he told him this from the beginning. He said, look, I can only speak what the Lord tells me, and, and I love that. And, you know, back to the will of God. That's why it's so important that we are aligned with the Lord and in the will of God. And, you know, one thing, Alex, I'd like to. To throw in here, this has been part of my life story and message, and, and that is that we watch our words, and make sure that we only speak blessing and not cursing, because I know none of us would get up and curse, and, you know, speak. Speak curses and things. But Proverbs 18:21 has been something I've referred to often, where it says, death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. And, you know, and I don't know if I ever told you this, but when I was 18 months old, my dad came down with a very severe cancer. it was a lymphoma. And we were just Lutheran people. Now, I didn't know this, obviously, till later, because I was only 18 months old, but mom and dad told me. But here's one thing I know about my dad. He always spoke the word. He spoke positively. And he literally had friends visit him in the hospital and say, richard, you look like you got one foot in the grave. And this was just my dad. He said, well, you know, I'm gonna outlive every one of you. And by golly, he did. And I. I think that you know Balaam's final word to Balak. He said, look, I can only speak what the Lord tells me. I've been challenged with this before what would happen in my life if I only spoke what the Lord would have me to speak. because we have to be careful. The tongue, according to the book of James, is like the rudder in life. And he uses the ship as the analogy that. That little bitty small rudder, likening it to the tongue, though it's on one of these big, massive ship, it steers the whole boat. And I honestly believe that's why God give gives us his word, Lord, let the words of my mouth, the meditations of my heart, be acceptable in your sight, Lord. And, sometimes we may not think in the context that we've got an old wicked king trying to get us cursed. The body of Christ, we'd never do that. But, boy, we need to speak the word and only speak what the Lord tells us to speak.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen.

Balaam says in verse 13 that he cannot be bought

I love verse 13 because we find out that Balaam cannot be bought. And Balak had said in verse 11, listen, preacher, I was going to promote you, but you keep, the Lord has kept you back from honor. Well, let me tell you, if serving Jesus Christ cost you the world's trinkets and honors, you made the right choice. Stay with the lord. And verse 13, here's what Balaam says. If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord to do either good or bad of mine own hand, but what the Lord saith, that will I speak. That should be our posture, folks. there's nothing the world could dangle in front of me that would get me to compromise what my dear Savior has called me to. And Sid. And folks, people ask, you know, when would America have a revival? frankly, I think a revival is beginning. I promise you, I do believe a great move of God is building. And, Pastor Mark, I could tell you stories of being with a thousand teenagers all summer, and I've never seen young people so excited about the things of God.

Something comes out in Daniel that is a messianic prophecy

But let me go on down here. this is really important because something comes out that is a Very messianic prophecy. And it is believed that Daniel in Daniel 02:48, when he was governor over the wise men of Babylon, when Daniel was a slave, among the many scriptures that he told to the magi might have been numbers 2417. So there's this blessing on Israel, and it's talking about a star. I shall see him, but not now. I shall behold him, but not nigh. There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel and smite the corners of Moab. And it goes on down there. verse 19. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion and destroy him that remaineth of the city. Now, let me say this, and Mark, I'm going to throw it back to you. This is probably among the scriptures that motivated the wise men to make that trek to Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus. Because a star, okay, when Christ was born, the star in the sky. and then a scepter. Who holds a scepter? Well, a king holds a scepter, and the one that will have dominion and of his kingdom and of his reign, there shall be no end, brother Mark, here, even in this Old Testament circumstance, there. There's a messianic prophecy right here. So I always tell the students, to understand the Bible, look for Jesus. do you see that here, brother?

>> Mark Cowart: Absolutely. In fact, you know, in my notes that I have here, this is one of the key themes and takeaways out of this chapter. is the messianic hope and the star out of Jacob. That. That's the coming deliverer, a king who will reign. We know who that is. That's our Lord Jesus. And you said something a while ago I want to reference. And this is, this is what we need today is believers that cannot be bought, believers that will not be compromised. And you know, that enemy comes in and puts pressure on us to give up, to give in, to let up, to back off. And I, I've said this many times. You know, gold is tried by fire, but men are tried by gold.

>> Alex McFarland: And, oh, wow, that's powerful.

>> Mark Cowart: We just, we just need to be that. The Lord is our exceeding great reward. That's what the whole blessing of Abraham was. That, he, the Lord told that to, Abraham. And we're part of that lineage there, brother. He said, abraham, I'm your exceeding great reward. I'm your shield. I'll bless those that bless you. I'll curse those that curse you. And that goes back into verse nine. That comes right out of that Abrahamic blessing that The Lord, you know, gave as a promise to Abraham. And, brother, we're right out of that line, for goodness sakes. And, this is such a rich chapter here, but bottom line, God protects his people and he will determine the future, of other kingdoms and, you.

>> Alex McFarland: Know, forgive me, brother. Forgive me. We gotta take a break, folks. This is exploring the Word. We're gonna come back with your prayer requests, your questions. You will get through. Call us 888-589-8840. If we lose this cultural war, we're going to have a hedonistic humanist society.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Disc 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.

Don't stop praying. Don't stop believing. Keep on pounding on heaven's door

Watch Culture Warrior today for free. Visit CultureWarrior Movie.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

>> Jeff Chamblee: 1 Peter 1:3American Family Radio.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Don't stop praying. Don't stop calling on Jesus name. Keep on pounding on heaven's door. Let your knees wear out the floor. Don't stop believing. Cause mountains move with just a little faith. And your father's heard every single word you're saying. So don't stop praying.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Don't stop praying. Alex McFarland here along with Pastor Mark Cowart on Exploring the Word. And, hey, we're going to go to the phones and your prayer requests in just a moment. The number, if you want to call in and join in on the show, it's 888-589-888-88-589840.

Please continue to pray for all the folks in Texas following devastating floods

And let me encourage people, please continue to pray for all the folks in Texas. of course, several weeks ago, the tragic floods, and I forget, maybe 170 deaths. Very sad. And, the Christian camp where a lot of children and some teenagers passed away. And we, know God can bring good even out of tragedy. But still, there's a lot of pain. And I know the prayers of God's people are very much needed. And then, of course, I hope you're praying for our country. And, you know, our country, it's not about the economy, it's not about, the job numbers. Those things are important. But what our nation needs, Proverbs 14:34 says that righteousness exalts a nation. So I hope you are praying for revival in America and You know, before the break, Pastor Mark was talking about feeding on the Word and, you know, walking with God. Pastor Mark I really do think that a vital part of everyone's spiritual growth is to be a part of a local church. And listen, I'm not legalistic, I am not a legalist, but I just think a born again Christian should be in church on Sunday.

>> Mark Cowart: You know, brother, you are so spot on. And it goes back to Hebrews 10:25, not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together as the manner of some is so. There's a lot that do that. But you are so spot on. And you know, I'm a pastor, so you're striking a big chord in my heart on that one.

>> Alex McFarland: Folks, no matter where you live, try to find a church. A church that, believes and preaches the Bible and lifts up Jesus Christ.

Chris from North Carolina needs prayer for getting into seminary

I have another prayer request too. last night in our camp in South Carolina, we had about 15 students pray to accept Christ. And these are high schoolers and maybe some middle schoolers. And just if you would, folks, pray that they'll really take root and walk with the Lord. And you know, John Wesley talked about what they call the habits of holiness. And by that beginning your day in prayer, being in the Word, you know, I feel like this. And Pastor Mark, I can only give God the glory. It's certainly not me, but somehow another. When I was 21 and I got saved, I was in college, just from the get go, I had this insatiable desire to read the Bible. And I was not an especially studious kid, but I just began to read the Bible. And 35 years has gone by and I've never stopped. And here's the thing. I completely, if there's any fruit or anything good in my life, I think the Holy Spirit of God from day one just impressed on me that I was supposed to read the Bible every day. And I mean, this was five years before I would feel a call to the ministry. I was just a, born again, 21 year old. And let me encourage you folks, the Bible, the role of the Bible in your life will be the difference maker for Christianity, that is just sort of there versus a, Christianity that thrives in your life.

>> Mark Cowart: Yeah. You know, Alex, can, can I share a scripture along that line? 1st Samuel 12:23, where it says more over. As for me, far be it for me that I should sin against the Lord and ceasing to pray for you, but I will teach you the good and the Right way. Have you ever thought along that line? It's. It's actually a sin to not be praying.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. M. Yeah, that's true. there is a sin called prayerlessness. And, you know the old saying, why worry when you can pray? Hey, folks, I got to tell you something. I'm looking at the call screen software, and we've had. We've had quite a number of calls, but they drop, I don't know, once in a blue moon, we get a glitch like this. And, so you might be wondering why we haven't picked up the phone yet. And I will say this. If you want to email your question in, you may do that. We get a lot of great emails. And that email is, wordfr.net, w o r d, wordfr.net, and of course also on the Facebook page. And it wasn't long ago that we passed 10,000, friends on Facebook. And so exploring the word on Facebook. Now I'm going to try to pull a call up here. Let's see here. Is this Chris in North Carolina?

>> Alex McFarland: It is.

>> Alex McFarland: Hey, thanks for holding. you got through, brother. And even though there's, ah, maybe there's a lot of traffic on the net today, but welcome, Chris from North Carolina.

>> Alex McFarland: I absolutely appreciate you. I enjoy listening to y' all every day on my way home from work.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Thank you.

>> Alex McFarland: I am just starting in seminary. I'm 49 years old, and it's been a quite a chunk to bite off. But I definitely feel like God is pulling me into an evangelical type, top speaking role. And I'm just needing prayer because, I seem to be struggling getting into the schooling.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, I will be praying for you. And listen, 49, brother, you are just in your prime. indeed I want to say this, and I'm going to ask Pastor Mark to pray for you. You, can do it. Christ will give you the strength. I started when I was about 28 and, financially, intellectually, just, managing family, marriage time didn't. I was working two and three jobs. And yet. The Lord will help you. And Chris, we, encourage you. I applaud what you're doing, brother. You just hang in there. And, Pastor Mark, this, seminarian who's embarking on the gospel ministry, would you pray for him?

>> Mark Cowart: I would love to. Father, we thank you for Chris. Thank you for his hunger for you. And we know that's a, that's a work of the Holy Spirit. It says, your word tells us it's you that work in us both to will and to do of your good pleasure. And Lord, I just pray for his studies, Lord, as he begins to dig into your word. And, and it's going to be that time of reading and studying. But I thank you, Lord. This is what Paul told Timothy. Study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. And I just thank you for giving, our dear brother Chris here. Supernatural recall. Lord, as he opens your word and as he studies, cause the light of your word to shine in his heart. And Father, we all agree here today he will come into the fullness of your divine purpose for his life in Jesus mighty name. Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. Chris. We're praying for you, brother. And I commend you for your obedience to God's call.

Alex: Have you ever studied when Jesus says he is Alpha and Omega

We're going to go to Mississippi, David in Mississippi. welcome to exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: Thank you, brother Alex. I listen to you guys a lot. I was just curious. I've been doing a lot of studying the Greek and Hebrew and stuff like that and trying to learn how to read the Hebrew language.

>> Alex McFarland: Mm

>> Caroline: And I was just wondering, have you ever studied the, you know, when Jesus said, I am Alpha and Omega?

>> Alex McFarland: Mm

>> Caroline: you know that's the Greek first letter and last letter of the Greek, Alphabet, right?

>> Alex McFarland: It is, it is. That's in Revelation 1:11. Jesus says I'm Alpha and Omega. Yes.

>> Caroline: Well, the equivalent of that in Hebrew is Aleph Tav.

>> Caroline: And I was wondering if you'd ever.

>> Alex McFarland: Studied that, in the Hebrew, not really. Not really. I've heard that comparison. What you got there, David?

>> Caroline: well, I was studying it and in the first, very first verse the Bible, it says in the beginning and right there in between beginning and God, it says I left of So I mean, Jesus says I am M Alpha and Omega. He's saying I am Aleph Tav.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

>> Caroline: In the very first verse of the.

>> Alex McFarland: Bible, brother, you get an A for the day. That is a good, that is a great observation. You're right about that. You're right about that. And also, let me say this, like Colossians 1:17, it says, by him Jesus were all things created, and by him all things consist. You know, we were having. And by the way, folks, we have time for some more calls and prayer requests if you want to. Seems like the phones are working. It's 888-589-8840.

Pastor Mark says the four forces that hold the universe together are mystery

Pastor Mark, a physicist was saying to me that, there are four forces. The strong nuclear force, the weak nuclear force, the first, the law of gravity and magnetism. And this physicist, he said, the four forces that hold the universe together are a mystery. Nobody knows why it is that way. And I said, well, I do. And he said, really? And I said, well, Colossians 1:17 says, By Jesus, all things consist. Jesus holds it together. in the book of Job, it talks about the bands that secure the stores. I believe it is the word of Jesus. Everything is upheld by the word of his power. He spoke it into existence. He sustains it to this very minute by his power. it might be a mystery to the physicist, but not to the student of God's word.

>> Mark Cowart: Oh, that's so well said. And, you know, we have to remind ourselves the God of the universe, of all creation, the most high God, he is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. And I don't know if you've ever taken time and done a little sea law kind of pondering on that.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

>> Mark Cowart: You know, that's incomprehensible, actually, in my mind anyway. And that creation declares the glory of God and what you just shared. I remember when I first came to Christ that, you know, there was, those little trucks that they used to sell that I used to buy them, and. And that scripture was in there that it does. Why does everything hold together? And it quoted that verse in Colossians and brother, without God, there would be no creation. Things would be total chaos and totally blown apart. But to think that we are the object of his love. And the fact, you know, Scripture tells us his. His love passes understanding. But, brother, we can know it. We can actually know it. It's beyond our ability to fully comprehend. And I was actually on a missions trip in Costa Rica and was down at the ocean. And the Lord just started as I pondered at this incredibly beautiful ocean. Mark that. That's ocean that you could never take it all in, but yet you can get in it, you can know it, and you can experience. And to me, that's love of God.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Mark Cowart: That he desires to walk with us and talk. And because of today being a time for prayer, what an incredibly glorious invitation that the Lord has invited us to come boldly to the throne of grace so we could obtain mercy and find help in time of need. That's just awesome.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen.

Exploring the Word goes to Becky Turner from North Carolina

We're going to go to Becky in North Carolina. welcome to Exploring the Word. Becky.

>> Caroline: Hey, Alex, can you hear me?

>> Alex McFarland: I can. Glad you called.

>> Caroline: Hey, I'm sorry. Alex, can you hear me?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, I can hear you. Can you hear me?

>> Caroline: Hey, are you there?

>> Caroline: I, can hear you. Can you hear me?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes. Yes.

>> Caroline: Yeah. Okay, I got you now. I got you. I just. Alex is Becky Turner from Littleton. You spoke at my church not long ago. but I just wanted to offer encouragement to you call a while ago. you know, I was almost 50 before I went, before I answered the call. And I was, about 53 before I actually started seminary. And I just want to offer him encouragement. and I have, I personally have found the beautiful home at Wesley Bible Seminary and it's online. But I can't say enough good about the, my experiences there with the classes that I've taken.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Becky. I remember now. I do remember you. It was a, rainy night and I had the privilege of going down there to your church and preaching. That was a great honor. And folks, I had the privilege. This is about 20 years ago. A, 74 year old man that earned a doctorate and got ordained began the gospel ministry at 74. And I was part of his ordination service. Becky, blessings to you.

Mark Cowart: I have a question about starting a conversation with a stranger

We're going to try to squeeze in a couple more calls. Let's go to Texas. Tina in Texas. Thanks for holding.

>> Caroline: Hi, can you hear me?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, we can.

>> Caroline: Okay, thanks for taking my call. I have a quick question. I went to a restaurant today to order some food and ran into a young lady there. maybe like a early, I mean, late teens or early twenties. She had bats tattooed on her and skeletons and skulls and bones and stuff like that. And I think the Lord has laid her on my heart. How can you start a conversation with someone, that young? And, and I would be like a grandmother to her age.

>> Alex McFarland: Why?

>> Caroline: How would you recommend where I don't turn her off or whatever?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, you know that. Let us pick that up tomorrow because I do have about how to begin to have a conversation with a stranger. Tina, I appreciate you. And we're gonna try to pray for this young lady with some dark tattoos. Diana in Texas. Please call tomorrow. We'll get to you as well. Pastor, Mark Cowart, Church for All Nations. what's your church's website, Mark?

>> Mark Cowart: Churchforallnations.com or you can go to markcort. Com and those both tie to each other. Tell us all about us.

>> Alex McFarland: Hey, thanks for being with us. And folks, thanks for listening. I want to say thank you for your support, for exploring the Word and listening. And you continue in numbers 25. We'll pick it up tomorrow. Hey, tell somebody about American Family Radio. But most of all, tell everybody about Jesus. The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of.

>> Caroline: The American Family association or American Family Radio.

>> Mark Cowart: M.