Transcript

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

>> Bert Harper: The Bible.

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

>> Bert Harper: 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.

Exploring the Word Isaiah comes from chapter seven, verse 14

Welcome to Exploring the Word Isaiah. chapter seven, verse 14. Therefore the Lord himself will, will give you a sign. Okay, what is that sign? Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son and shall call his name Emmanuel. Well, this is Exploring the Word. Bert Harper along with Alex McFarland who will be joining us in just a few minutes. as most of you know, Alex travels quite a bit and sometimes he'll try to set the record straight, but they they want to use him so much, speaking that they'll lap him over. So he's going to come in just in a few minutes.

National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child is this week

But before we start in the scriptures, I'll do this because this is an important week. It's National Collection Week for Operation Christmas Child. And right now they're collecting these boxes all over America. And hopefully you've already packed yours. And if you have packed yours and you want to know where to go to take it because you may not have dropped it off at church or your business business or your own home, you can go to Samaritanspurse.org occ that's Samaritanspurse.org occ and you can find a drop off location probably close to you. There are so many in America. And it started out just one place and now all over America, even in the world. And this year we're looking at 12.6 million children receiving a shoebox. Now think about that. 12.6 children. And inside of each one of those shoeboxes are not only the toys and items that they need for school and for cleanliness in their health, but also the message of Jesus Christ and how he could save their soul. They not only hear it, but most of the time they take it home, the family hears it, and so be a part of that. Again, it's Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week. you got to do it now. It's one of those times when you do better not delay.

Isaiah chapter seven deals with king making alliance with others against Judah

Again, we're in Isaiah chapter seven. Now yesterday we covered chapter six, which was, Isaiah's call. And now we find out that he kind of switches in the first five chapters before he got to chapter six. In his call, he dealt with people's personal relationship and Israel's personal relationship with God. But in chapter Seven, there's a little bit of a switch and it's more of a national issue. The king making alliance with, with others and the countries that are trying to come against Judah. And so it's a intrigue, it's kind of a governmental, militaristic, intrigue. So in chapter, seven, we're introduced to the individuals that, that Isaiah will be speaking to in chapter seven, verse one. Now it came to pass in the days of Ahaz the son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, that rezin king Assyria and Pekah the son of Remalah, king of Israel, went up to Jerusalem to make war against it, but could not prevail against it. Now this is really, really interesting because we find out, the northern kingdom aligning with Syria coming against the southern kingdom. And what do, do they want to put their own king and have a, I would call it a triad because Assyria, is growing in power and they're trying to have an alliance that will help them hold down their position. So it says in verse two, and it was told to the house of David saying, serious forces are deployed in Ephraim. Now Ephraim is another reference to the Northern kingdom Israel. Ephraim was one of the sons of Joseph. And Joseph got a double portion m his sons Manasseh and Ephraim. And Ephraim became very strong. And so the northern kingdom sometimes was referred to as Ephraim, as it is here. So his heart and the heart of his people were moved as the trees of the woods are moved with the wind. Let me put it in our vernacular. They're shaking in their boots. They're fearful that, these people are coming against them. And then the Lord said to Isaiah, okay, notice Isaiah gets a word from the Lord. Go out, meet Ahaz and his son. It is sheer Hashub at the end of the aqueduct. That's where the water comes in from the upper pool on the highway to the fuller's house. Say to him, now listen to these words. Take heed and be quiet. You know, sometimes that's exactly what to do. We, we wait upon the Lord. we don't trust in chariots. We don't trust in horses. Our trust is in the Lord. So he says, take heed and be quiet. Do not fear or be faint hearted. For these two people who are trying to reign. Now listen to what God tells Isaiah. These two kings are now. It's not a compliment, by the way. Two stubs of smoke and firebrands for the fierce anger of resin and Syria and the son of Ramallah. Listen here. He says they're just stubs smoking, their stumps that smoking. That's all there are. They're going to be gone. They're still there, but not much of them left. And they're being destroyed right now. So he says, don't, don't be fearful of them. Be quiet, be steady, do not be faint. Don't you love that word faint hearted? you know it means you're growing weary. You doubtful, don't do that. Stay wholehearted. That's how we're to serve the Lord. Not double minded, not faint hearted, not stiff necked, but wholehearted. We're to follow the Lord. W H O L E. We're to wholly follow the Holy One. and it says they have taken evil counsel against you. That's not unusual. God's people, it's not unusual for individuals to form alliances to go against us. It's happening right now in America. When you see those that are socialist, communist and those that are Muslims and they're forming an alliance, how horrible is it is pretty horrible. And that they would do that. But they're forming an alliance because what they want to stand against Western civilization that was founded upon the basis of the Ten Commandments and the Jews and the Christians coming and having this man that we're made in the image of God and therefore there's freedom in that. And so they're coming against it. The alliances has always been and will continue to be that way. Notice it says in verse six, and this kind of brings it to the end. Here let us go up against Judah and trouble it, and let us make a gap in its wall for ourselves and set a king over them. The son Tabel, they've already set up the guy. They've already isolated him, identified him and said he's the one that we can sit there. And I believe it means that he would be a puppet in their hands. He'll do what we tell him to do. They don't want somebody in there that's going to be as powerful as them. They want someone that they can control. And again that's the way the alliances are. If you see two coming together like that against one, you find out that is the truth. And then the Lord said to them in verse 7, it shall not stand, nor shall it come to pass. For the head of Syria is Damascus and the head of Damascus is resin. We within 65 years Ephraim will be broken so that it will not Be a people. Now, again, these years is about 7:34. When Isaiah makes this 7:32, there's the failure. 7:22, you would find out that the northern kingdom would, would be isolated. And 65 years later, you wouldn't even be able to identify them because they've been taken captive. They. They've been, the Gentiles came in and entered marriage with those that were left in the northern kingdom. The others had been shipped out. And no longer do you even have an Israel. No longer do you even have an Ephraim. They will be dissipated and gone. And so the head of Ephraim is Samaria, and the head of Samaria is Ramallah's son. If you will not believe, surely you shall not be established. In other words, if you don't believe this Ahaz, you won't be established. You need to believe God's word. Trust in the Lord and not in alliances with the world. that's still true for believers today. We've been bought with a price, and we're to glorify God in every way we can. We don't second guess God. We trust God.

There will be an immediate promise and then an ultimate promise in the Bible

We. We know that God's promises are sure. Do you like that? My promises are sure. He'll see you through. He'll guide you. He'll be your strength. You rely upon him, and not your own alliances, not your own ways. Now again, verse 10 says, Moreover, the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, now here it is. Here's that double, promise. It's an immediate and an ultimate. Now, in the Bible, those are the two things you really need to look at. Many times it will be in the same paragraph. Sometimes it will be in the same chapter that we divide our chapters into. There will be an immediate promise, and then there will be an ultimate promise. Like in Psalm 22, when the Psalmist would say, my God, my God, why have you forsaken me? That was true. He felt that way. But we know it was also messianic, because Jesus Christ on the cross would repeat those words because of, God the Father, letting Jesus pay the price by himself. And so here it says, here it is. Ask a sign for yourself from the Lord your God. Ask it either in the depth or in the height above boat. Ahaz said, I will not ask, nor will I test the Lord. And Alex has joined us. And Alex, we're in verse 10 and 11. We've gone through the first part, and now we're right. You waited to get on right? At the very best time, brother. I, was hoping you wouldn't miss this because I knew Alex McFarland. We got to go back and cover verses 11 through 16. These are powerful verses that have an immediate. An immediate promise, but also an ultimate promise, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes. And, yes. Thank you for cueing this up. this is so wonderful, Burton. I appreciate you going through this. And, we're in Isaiah 7, right?

>> Bert Harper: Yeah, that's correct. We got. We were here ready and asked for a sign. Yeah.

>> Alex McFarland: either in the depth or in the height above. But Ahaz said, I will not ask, neither will I tempt the Lord. That. That sounds good, doesn't it? You know, a little bit of humility there. And he said, hear ye now, O house of David. Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also? Now, this is so powerful. Of course, we'll sing about it in Christmas songs. We'll commemorate it. Therefore, the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Emmanuel. And before we go any farther, In Matthew, chapter 1, verse 23, Luke 1:31, 34, this is quoted because this one, conceived by the virgin, born of a virgin with no sin nature. It is Emmanuel, which means God with us. Isn't it, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. And the immediate one is Isaiah's son. His first wife's going to die. He's going to remarry and have a son, and they're going to. That will be some of his name. Now, the difference in this, A, virgin conceiving, in Isaiah's case, it was with Isaiah being the Father, in Jesus case, the God man, that which is conceived in you, Mary, is of the Holy Spirit. And so here it is. You have this double promise, an immediate promise and an ultimate promise. Now, Alex, a, lot of times, God's promises, He says, I'll never leave you. I'll never forsake you. That's immediate. But it also, wow. It has a blessed hope that he's going to see us through an ultimate fulfillment. It is. It really is. Well, we're going to come back to chapter seven. It's a day of prayer. So you're going to get ready to make those phone calls. We'll open up in about seven or eight minutes, and you can have your prayer request ready, because we want to have a day of prayer here on Exploring the Word. But we'll be back with more here in Isaiah 7.

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>> Alex McFarland: I have.

>> Caroline: I'm going to have a strong finish.

>> Alex McFarland: I have.

Bert says with 66 books of Isaiah, studying Christmas can take time

Welcome back to Exploring the Word. We are celebrating Jesus. We're in a, wonderful messianic prophecy of the old testament. Isaiah 7, 14, of course. And, you know, Isaiah is our study. And Bert, you know, with 66 books of Isaiah, we were kind of jokingly, we're talking the other day about how long it might take us. we'll try. I'm generally the one that drags us down and slows us down, but with Christmas coming, we thought it would be appropriate because there's so much in there that relates to the incarnation, the coming of Christ, the birth of Jesus.

>> Bert Harper: It is, Alex, it is. And listen, I'm, I, I, I like to go through, but I always tell you there's some places you got to just drill down. And, we're in one right now. Isaiah 7 and this messianic promise. His name will be called Immanuel. Now, Alex, I'll give you, a test here. What does that mean?

>> Alex McFarland: Emmanuel means God with us.

>> Bert Harper: Hallelujah. Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Oh come, oh come, Emmanuel and ransom captive Israel. You know, Bert, we've often talked about how the Christmas songs, well, really many, many of the old hymns had just really good, biblically faithful, just deep theology, didn't they?

>> Bert Harper: They really did. And that's the reason, with all my heart, I just want to suggest this. There's some that they only do contemporary and I've been in churches that do just the older hymns. Listen, I think you're missing out on it. I think you do both, man. God gave us a new song, so new songs are being written. And the old songs, man, they're lasting. And, so just. Just seeing treasures about Jesus and about who God is. Alex. And, some of them are testimonial about what God's done in my heart. Some of them are just that, of praise of who God is. And so, just. Just praise the Lord in song. And so, I love Christmas music. When the Christmas. Or, excuse me, when the worship wars quote was going on 20 years ago, everybody. Oh, brother Burt, what's your favorite music? And I just say Christmas, and they all. You don't want to answer? I said no. I love Christmas music. I really do. So here it is. You shall call his name Emmanuel. God with us. Jesus and Emmanuel. I don't know if you get any two better names of Christ. All of them are great, but Jesus, Savior, and here, Emmanuel. God with us. Alex. What a name.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

This prophecy echoes what was prophesied 750 years before Christ was born

Well, and, you know, when the angel appeared to Mary and said, you will bear a child, and you will call his name Immanuel, for he will save his people from their sins. Also, let me just say this. Do you remember? It talks about Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man. this really does echo what was prophesied 750 years before Christ was born. Isaiah 7:15. And following, a virgin will conceive and call his name Immanuel. Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know how to refuse the evil and choose the good. For before the child shall know to refuse the evil and choose the good. The land that thou abhorrest shall be forsaken of both her kings. Now, there's a lot here. Let, me say this. I wonder about the butter and the honey. You know, the word of God, the spirit of God. But at the very least, in verse 15 and 16, there is the concept of what we call the age of accountability, that a, child grows up, and there comes a time when the moral light comes on and a child begins to realize the obligation to do good and refuse evil. And even though Christ is the sinless son of God, that moment, that realization of God, truth, our accountability, that realization came in Christ's life, too, didn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really did. And when you get into verse 16, you get into the more immediate promise. because he's already talked about the two Kings in verse four that's going to be like two stumps smoking. And here it says, before the child shall know the. Refuse the evil and choose the good. Maybe 12 years, whatever it is, the land that you dread will be forsaken by both her kings. Now, what are those two kings? That's Rezin that you know of, Syria. And it's also, Pekah or Remala of the Northern Kingdomnomics. And so this is immediate. And so this is what I. Here's what it is, Alex. Let me, I'll run this past you. I've been trying to think how can we make this so real for people to see, okay? The relevant, the immediate today and the promise of tomorrow. That's what makes it relevant. And that's the Word of God. It has something to say for us today, although it's looking toward the future, but also it has something to say for us today because it took place hundreds of years ago. That is the power of the Word of God in, in a, in a person's life empowered by the Holy Spirit guiding. And so here it is. It has something to say for them in that day, immediate. But it also has a promise for them as well as those of us who came after them. does that resonate with you?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes. And so much about the Word of God is like that there is this dual fulfillment. It was applicable to them in that day, like you talked about Isaiah's Son, but prophetic for us. well, Christ came 750 years after this was written, and then he is coming again. So as, as Warren Wiersbe said, there was the now and the not yet.

>> Bert Harper: That's it. Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Verse 17. The Lord shall bring upon thee and upon thy people and upon thy Father's house, days that have not come, from the day that Ephraim departed from Judah, even the king of Assyria. And it shall come to pass in that day, says the Lord, that the Lord shall hiss for the fly that is in the uttermost part of the rivers of Egypt and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria. Now, basically, what this is coming about is judgment, and destruction. It's kind of like the prophecy of, of plagues, isn't it? Whenever I think about bugs and the rivers of Egypt, I think about plagues and judgment, don't you?

>> Bert Harper: It is. And that's what. And he doesn't stop there. He continues with this. They will come. And all of them will rest in the desolate valleys, in the cliffs of the rock, and on all thorns and in all pastures in other words, this land is going to be laid waste, in the same day, the Lord will shave with a hired razor with those from beyond the river, with the king of Assyria, the head of the hair of the legs, and will also remove the beard. Shame. Got that, Alex? Yes. Shame that's going to be upon them. And, and they're going to, emasculate them. They're not going to be anything that's going to be of great significance left. They're going to be judged severely, aren't they?

>> Alex McFarland: This is just some of the most amazingly poetic language. Now, I'm sorry it's talking about judgment, but God will shave with a hired razor, you say? What does that mean? Well, the Assyrians that are going to attack, they're working for God. You know, God doesn't just have to send lightning bolts or something. Assyria, is going to attack. And while they have their own schemes and agendas, God allows it to happen, because of the sin of the people. And, I don't know. I've always thought that was just an amazing. I realize it's a negative connotation, but they're going to get shaven with a hired razor. Even the wrath of man works for God's purposes and praises God, doesn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really does. And listen, God, while God is working for the good part of that is demonstrating his holiness and, and speaking to sin.

Every day can be a day of prayer, but Tuesdays especially

By the way, it's, a day of prayer, and we're going to open up the phone lines and if you have a prayer request, we want you to get in. Tuesdays have just become great days of people. We've got some that we're going to share with you that sent them in, and, we're going to pray for them. But also, if you got a prayer request, that number 888-589-8840. Now, if you have Bible questions, go ahead and call them in and we'll try to get them in as well. And, so we want to do it all, but we do concentrate on prayer. Every day can be a day of prayer. But Tuesdays especially. Alex, verse 21. It shall be in that day that a man will keep alive a young cow and two sheep. So it shall be from the abundance of milk they give that he will eat curds, butter, but curds and honey, everyone will eat who is left in the land. In other words, there's nothing left. The, the, the. I think what it's talking about, the fly, the bee, the judgment, and left it wasteland the only thing that's left seems like kind of hunting dairy products, you know, not anything left. And how is that going to do? Well, it's a severe judgment.

>> Alex McFarland: You're not going to be slim pickings.

>> Bert Harper: Exactly. Not a sufficient diet. we need a sufficient diet physically. But also I'm going to spiritualize. You always say, bert, I want a spirit. I want to, We need a sufficient diet spiritually, too, don't we, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, we really do. And, you know, there's not vegetation and it goes over there. That, it shall come to be that every place where there were a thousand vines and a thousand silverlings, it shall be for briars and thorns, verse 24 and 25. With arrows and with bows shall. Shall men come there, because all the land shall become briars and thorns, and on all the hills that shall be digged with the mattock, by the way, we use a mattock to this day. there shall not come thither the fear of briars and thorns, but it shall be for sending forth of oxen and for the treading of lesser cattle. In other words, They had spent centuries cultivating this land, creating farms and vegetation, and they're having to start over. They're going to have to take the mattock, clear the land. Eventually some cows and livestock can walk on it. But, Bert, what I read in verse 25 is they're back to square one.

>> Bert Harper: They are.

>> Alex McFarland: Sin does that to people, does it?

>> Bert Harper: It take what it. Let's. Let's try to get this cliche. Sin will take you further than you want to go, cost you more than you want to pay, and keep you longer than you want to stay. Yeah, and I, know it's a cliche that is said, but some of these cliches are powerful, Alex, and that they really, Is it demons? It's demonstrated here. Ahaz, is trusting what he's trusting in worldly alliances for something only God can do now. Yeah. Here's what we're asking you. When you look at your life, are you trusting? Well, there's some amount of trust we have to place in brothers and sisters and do some work with others, but not our salvation trust. But we have to make some financial trust that way. I understand that, but the eternal trust, Alex, the only one is the Lord Jesus Christ. No one else can we trust for eternity, can we?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, that's true. And let me just say about this. What sin. Sin will cost you more, leave you farther. Proverbs 6, 26 says that, through a prostitute, a man is reduced to a crust of bread. And you know what? I have seen it in the lives of men that we've counseled that, you know, decades. You know, it's been said that the reputation of a lifetime is proven by the conduct of one hour. And, here's the thing. We've seen it in politics. We've seen it certainly in the celebrity world, but maybe you've even seen it in your own neighborhood, that a life and a legacy and a career and a family is just reduced to nothing by sin. And, folks, one of the wisest things you can do, one of the greatest favors you can ever do for yourself is to forsake sin. Because, John Piper, the radio minister, he said, too many of us are in the business of sin management rather than repentance.

>> Bert Harper: Wow.

>> Alex McFarland: and this Isaiah 7 reminds me, you know, no vegetation. They might have a cow left or a little bit of milk, but no vegetation. Briars. They're back to square one. That's what Satan loves to do to people, is to tear their. Their legs out from under them, by their own decisions and their own disobedience and sin.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, I think we can go to 8, 1 through 4, and we see a little bit of the fulfillment of the immediate. Let me do that real quickly, and then we'll take a break and take phone calls.

Exploring the Word features documentary that proves God is real

The last segment. Moreover, the Lord said to me, take a large scroll and write on it with a man's pen concerning Mayor Shalah Hashbaz. That's the name. And I will take for myself faithful witnesses to record Uriah the priest and Zechariah the son of Jeriahchiah. Then here it is, verse three and four. Then I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Here it is. You shall bear a son. This is the immediate. And you shall call his name mshb. I'm just going to use those initials. For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, my father and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of, Samaria will be taken away before the king of Assyria. Alex, he's telling again. This is the third time he's referred to this alliance that Syria and Israel have had to try to overtake them and said, they are going to be a smoldering dust. I'll take care of them. Don't trust in Assyria. Trust in me. Is that. Is that the gist of what he's saying?

>> Alex McFarland: Well, you know what's interesting is Isaiah 8 and 9. Here a little trivia question. The two longest names in all of the Bible, seriously are in Isaiah 8 and 9 that Maher Shalal Hashbaz. Now, now, that name means quickly to the plunder. Okay? Now after you know, the birth of Emmanuel, another child is mentioned that this son of of Ahaz, is, is going to be born quickly to the plunder because Samaria, Damascus, the king of Assyria, they're going to come and they're going to plunder, aren't they?

>> Bert Harper: They really are. Well, listen, we're going to take prayer requests. We're glad that Larry and Joshua waited. Get your name on that list and that number 888-589-8840. It's a day of prayer. If you've got a question, we'll get to it as best we can. Thank you for listening to Exploring the Word.

>> Alex McFarland: As we watch world events unfold and fulfill scripture, it's hard to believe anyone.

>> Bert Harper: Could doubt God and his Word are real. And yet there are so many who either question or completely refuse to believe it.

>> Alex McFarland: The God who speaks is a 90.

>> Bert Harper: Minute documentary that hits the doubt head.

>> Alex McFarland: On with evidence that proves God is real and his Word is the ultimate authority. Watch it anytime and invite others to watch with you. Just visit stream.afa.net that's stream.aca.net 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.

>> Bert Harper: That song means it's a day of prayer. We usually get it at least one time on Tuesday. And but the first song I appreciate Brent, he, he doesn't just haphazard pick songs out. He looks and seeks and he says, man, this has got a message. And the one that played before this, Alex said if you're going to finish, well you better. You're going to have to do it by faith. Now I'm paraphrasing it and, and that is you. What does it say? Keep the faith and you continue in trust in the Lord.

Larry from Illinois calls Exploring the Word seeking ministry guidance

Well, we've got people that's called in. Alex, where did we go to first?

>> Alex McFarland: We're going to begin in Illinois with Larry. Larry, thank you for calling and welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: Well, thank you gentlemen for taking my call.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, how are you today, Larry?

>> Caroline: I am just too blessed to be stressed.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: There's another one of those cliches that I like. Larry, way to go. Go ahead man.

>> Caroline: Well, My wife and I are at a crossroads in ministry. we were recently, being fruitful in the ministry, and that door closed, and we're just waiting on God now. hey, there's a. We trust him. And I, like I said, I'm too blessed to be stressed. But, you know, we do want his guidance. So just praying for open doors.

>> Bert Harper: We'll do it.

Alex: Let me pray for Larry and his wife in Jesus name

Larry, Alex, Larry. Let me ask you guys this in place, you know, finding God's will for our life. I am. I know we search it, but I found out it's revealed more than it's found. Now, there's not a lot of difference in those words, but they are. God reveals it to us. I, And it's been revealed unreal, kind of for me. now we're ready for it, and we looking. But God. I believe God will reveal it to you. And sometimes it may be a little bit different than what you were looking for. Alex, take it away.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. I want to pray for you, Larry. I know what it is. I mean, you know, it's been said the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord. The stops of a good man are ordered by the Lord sometimes. So let me pray. Father, I pray for Larry and his wife. Lord, they have served you faithfully. They want to serve you more. And so, Lord, they're. They're at a. At a. Just a moment of, rest and maybe a little bit of, time off even to get, you know, their second wind. So just like you said to the prophets, here is the way. Walk ye in it, Lord. Show them your next chapter of life and ministry for them. And no doubt there are many listening right now, and they want to serve you. So, Lord, speak. Your servants heareth. Lord, we are listening. Please reveal to Larry and to everyone out there the ways that they can serve, the ways that they can be used. And, Lord, make it with unmistakable clarity. Guide and speak and use us all we ask in Jesus name. Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Larry, before you go, you don't have to. Would you mind giving us your wife's name? Because I write these down and pray, and I love it when I have a first name.

>> Caroline: I'll give it to you off the air if you don't mind.

>> Bert Harper: It'll be fine. that's the reason I always ask. And, I tell you what, put it. Put him on hold and talk to Richard, and he'll give me your wife's first name, if that's all right. But those of you that Are listening. Write Larry down and his wife down. Where to next, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: In the state of Indiana, Joshua. Joshua. That's a Bible name. Welcome to the program.

>> Caroline: Amen. Yes, it is. Funny story about that, but I'm not going to get into that right now. how you guys doing tonight? It's good to talk to you. Thank you guys for serving the Lord. I appreciate everything you guys do. And if we had. We had more men like you, the. The world be a different place. That's for sure.

>> Alex McFarland: God bless you. To God be the glory.

>> Bert Harper: He's the one. It's him. It's all about Jesus. Go ahead, Joshua.

Alex recently started a job as a foreman in construction

>> Caroline: Well, I recently started a job as a foreman. I work in construction and, had a couple people, you know, challenging, my authority, give me some problems. And it wasn't too long ago before this, I was drinking alcohol every day and, And I wasn't a good. In a good place in my life. But, the Lord has turned that around for me. I got back into my Bible. I've gotten back into the Word, Praise God. and, the Lord's really working a miracle in my life. It's not the first time he's done this. But, you know, in the Bible, it says if we draw nigh unto God, he'll draw nigh unto us. And, so I just need prayer to, to be able to have patience and to be humble at work and to be able to deal with these things that I know doesn't come from above. It's coming from the evil one. Because anytime, anytime God does something good for you, you know, the devil wants to destroy it. So I'd ask prayer for that.

>> Bert Harper: If Joshua. Alex, let me say something.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

>> Bert Harper: When I heard Josh talking about these guys, what you used to be First Peter, chapter four, came to my mind about men. And it says this. It says in regard to these that you used to walk with, drink, carouse, all the things. They think it's strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation. And they even speak evil of you. They, want to bring you down and that Satan wants to bring you down. Joshua. But let me share with you what chapter four, verse one says. This is powerful. I preached, on this Sunday night at Ozark Baptist Church. It says Christ suffered for us in the flesh. Arm yourselves also with the same mind. And that word arm, it means put on it and it's heavy. It's the armor of God. So you arm yourselves for that job, your new job. You're arming yourself with the criticism, from the criticism. So it's arming yourself with the same mind of Christ. Philippians, chapter two. So, Alex, God, he set us apart that we could arm ourselves and be a strong witness of the difference that Christ has made in our life. Sounds like that's where Joshua is, isn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. And you know, brother, this will be a time of growth. I know it. It seems stressful, and it is. But navigating this in the power of the Lord, with the Holy Spirit, this I truly believe. You're going to look back and see this was a time of major growth in your walk. And at least in that regard, it's a blessing, isn't it, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. And we're going to pray for you. Before we do, we've got lines open, so if you've got a prayer request, you can call 888-5898, just like Joshua did. And, that prayer request, we want to hear it. And so let me pray for Joshua and then I want to tell.

We got one that, uh, Brent has for us that we want to hear about

We got one that, Brent has for us that we want to hear about as well. Father, I thank you for Joshua. I thank you for the new position he has. Leadership is hard. a lot of times when those are not in leadership, everybody looks at it and they criticize and they think they could do so much better. But, Father, being that leader, I pray that Joshua would be that servant leader. And that's exactly what he was requesting. That he would have the patience, that he would have the knowledge and wisdom and strength, the humility. Father, that's exactly what you want in a leader. And I pray you would help Joshua fulfill that. And like, Alex said, this time of difficulty and testing, I pray that you would help Joshua arm himself with the armor of God. That when they think it's strange that he doesn't act the same way he once did, that it's not because he's been elevated in position at, a work, but it's because he has set a new path walking with you. And I pray they would see that and they would be ready to turn to him and ask of the faith that's in him. We pray this in Jesus name, Amen. Alex, real quickly, Brent, said Mark had emailed in and wanted us to pray for he had a sciatic nerve so bad that he's missing work and he can't take the medicine. So we write Mark down. Mark, we're praying for you, and thank God that you would let us know about that, that you, man missing work. It's bad anytime, but. So we're praying for you, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: In Jesus name that nerve pain would go away.

Anthony in Tennessee prays for his brother Clark who is unemployed

We, West Virginia, Clark in West Virginia. Clark, welcome to the program.

>> Caroline: Thank you very much. I enjoy your show and enjoy your network very much.

>> Alex McFarland: Bless you.

>> Caroline: thank you. I've had a situation here. About a month ago, I was, on the verge of being. I'm in the verge of being kicked out of a place I'm renting on the technicality. I've done nothing wrong. And, I am jobless, trying to find a job and trying to find another place to live. And I feel a little bit like Josh, in Indiana, being challenged. And maybe this is something God's trying to let me go through before he pulls me out, I don't know. But I'm a little frightened, a little scared. And I'm trying very hard to look for that comfort and perfect peace the Lord always talks about to try to be able to sleep and function. so if you could double, up on your prayers.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Alex. Go ahead, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. I want to pray for you, Father. In Jesus name I lift up Clark to you, Lord. give him peace and please keep a roof over his head, Lord. losing a place that he's renting to stay. Lord, I just pray, Lord, for all of his needs. Lord, you've met the spiritual needs, salvation, forgiveness. But I know there are a lot of people in similar situations. There's job, there's just enough money to pay the bills. So I pray for my dear brother that as he navigates each day, Lord, you be his provider. And Lord, please for your children everywhere, amply come through and provide and keep shelter and the needs of life met. And Lord, we know you've made. You've met the greatest need, forgiveness. And you'll meet those other needs as well. We lift up Clark to you for peace of mind and every provision in Jesus name we ask it, Lord. Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Tennessee, Anthony in Tennessee. Do I have. You're in Tennessee, right, Anthony?

>> Caroline: That's right.

>> Alex McFarland: Welcome. Thank you for holding.

>> Caroline: Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you for your time here today and enjoy about every workday listening to y'.

>> Alex McFarland: All.

Anthony was rejected for a job for a well known ministry

>> Caroline: But I have a request for today. I am retired, ah, from the Army. Active duty, 21 years. I served as a chaplain for those 21 years. Just, under three years ago I retired and I'm a bi vocational pastor now. And I work in the school system. My Wife is a full time teacher. But I was, going through the process of interviewing, for a job for a well known ministry. They have a national and international presence and they kind of get busy this time of year with a lot of boxes. So. But I was called today and I was told that, that I have been rejected for this job and the difficulties that my wife and I thought very much that this is something the Lord was leading us to. And I just found out about an hour ago and I have to tell my wife that, that this is not going to be the path for us and kind of feel like I've let her down and just this, like a little prayer for guidance.

>> Bert Harper: Anthony, listen, that's hard. I know we're going to pray. All you who are prayer warriors write Anthony and his wife down, the direction they wanted to go. And it's, it's difficult and hard, especially when you already have a heart and a desire for it. Alex is artif. I pray for Anthony.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, lead us.

>> Bert Harper: Father, I thank you for Anthony. I thank you for the time he spent in, as chaplain, military, his service there. Thank you for his work as a, pastor, bi. Vocational, what, what a task that is. And I pray for him that you would help him as he shares with his wife the disappointment. And Father, it's hard. I, have a whole sermon on when God says no and when God says no on some of the things when the heart is there, it is tough and it's hard. But I pray that Anthony would wait upon you. I pray, Father, that you would direct him in the direction that you have for him. I pray it's better than. And I pray that the vision he had, the heart that he had for the ministry that said no. Father, I pray that you would give him that vision and that, that direction for what else you have for them. We trust you and we pray for him telling his wife just in a short time that she would be able to receive it, even though it's disappointing that she'd say, the Lord gives, the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. In Jesus name, Amen. Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: amen. You know, our hearts just go out to people everywhere. They've got needs and concerns, but God is faithful. We wait on him.

Two men call with prayer requests regarding family relationships

D in Kansas D welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: Thank you, Alex and Bert. I listen to you every day and have been for about five years. Alex, I recently bought. But you're in Bird. I bought your books and just in the last three years I have really been going through the Bible with a group of women and my life has changed so much. God has moved my heart.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Caroline: The reason I, the reason I'm calling today is my, I didn't, I married. My husband is my first husband. I'm his second wife. He lost his first wife the cancer and he has adult children and grandchildren and one of his sons is married. the, In the last week, my daughter in law did something that was inappropriate and I tried to approach her According to Matthew 18:15 and she absolutely refuses. And it isn't, it isn't like she doesn't know the Bible but I don't know about her walk with God.

>> Alex McFarland: Hey, forgive us, Dean. We're just about out of time. but family issues. We will be in prayer, Bert, won't we?

>> Bert Harper: We will, Father. Help Dee. Help her help her daughter in law to see clearly. And Father, you work. Tito, we didn't get to your call but we're praying for the sons and that relationship with them again. Family relationships, Dee and Tito. Alex. Family relationships can be difficult, campus.

>> Alex McFarland: Absolutely. We know there are many other prayer requests. God knows what they are folks. God knows what they are. Trust in him. We're going to continue on in Isaiah 8, Tomorrow and then I'll be back tonight on the Hamilton Corner at 6pm Eastern. In the meantime, tell somebody about AFR, but tell everybody about Jesus. Bless you all. The views and opinions expressed in this.

>> Bert Harper: Broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.