Fire Away Friday is your chance to ask us your Bible question

>> Alex McFarland: It's Fireaway Friday on Exploring the Word. This is your chance to ask us your Bible question at 888-589-8840. That's 888-589-8840. You can also email your [email protected] or visit facebook.com exploring the word.

>> Caroline: Exploring the Word.

>> Bert Harper: It's Fire Away Friday on American Family Radio.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, in the book of Genesis finished his creation over and over, he says it is good. And I wish you all could see what I'm seeing and you would agree in the beauty of God's creation. Alex McFarland here along with Bert Harper. This is Exploring the Word. And, Bert, I'm coming to you from the North Carolina Baptist Conference, center, at Fort Caswell. And I've got the privilege. In just a couple of hours, I'll be in front of about a thousand teenagers to share the gospel. But, but right now, I'm in a historic old building that is, dormitory now, and I'm staring at the Atlantic Ocean, and I'm just. I'm praising God for the beauty of his creation.

>> Caroline: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Ah, that is. Has to be great, A great place to have a setting like that with the youth there. I'm praying it goes great. Nearly a thousand. Somewhere around a thousand. Little over. They say a little over a thousand. Okay. Well, Alex, we're just thankful you made the trip from Georgia to North Carolina. And, man, you're ready to go now.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, yesterday I was in Greensboro and, have had a very full day, a very good day. But, folks, this is fire Away Friday, and I want to give the number because we invite you to call in with a Bible question. And we will do our best to field any and all questions. We just wrapped up the book of Colossians, but anything on your mind, we'd love to talk about it from the perspective of scripture. And that number is 8885-8988-4088-8589-8840. And, as the calls begin to come in, Bert, are you in a pulpit this weekend?

>> Bert Harper: I am. I'm at Ozark Baptist Church, where I'm interim pastor. I've been there about 10 months now and just, enjoying it and looking forward to what God's going to do. You was saying a scripture that I wanted to use today, and we had it yesterday. That young boy, our girl that asked the question, when I'm afraid, what will I do? Listen to Psalm 71. O Lord my God, in you. I, put my Trust, that's what you do. I don't care where the circumstances are. I put my trust in the Lord God, and I pray those people who are listening, if you're fearful, afraid, if you're anxious, listen, put your trust in the Lord. listen, you can, you can depend on him, and, we're praying for it.

First caller for Fire Away Friday is Rhonda from Texas

Well, Alex, those. Those phone lines, they're stacking up. You ready to go to them?

>> Alex McFarland: Let's do it on, this edition of Fire Away Friday.

>> Bert Harper: Okay. This is Rhonda in Texas. Rhonda, first caller for Fire Away Friday. This Friday. Thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hi. Thank you for taking my call. I'm so excited.

>> Bert Harper: We're excited about people calling. Our fear is on Fire Away Friday. Nobody calls now, but. So you have relieved that fear. Go right ahead, Rhonda.

Alex: I would say grief in heaven will not be continual

>> Caroline: Hey, so, I'm not sure how much we actually can really speak on this, but I'm just curious if there's anywhere in the Bible that maybe you could lead me. if it talks about grief in heaven, and if we experience that.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, I would say this grief in heaven will not be continual if it's there at the beginning. Okay. wiping away those tears to me has a lot of meaning. You know, we sing the song no Tears. No tears in Heaven. That's not quite right. There's no continual tears. there may be tears of grief, but I believe you won't go through the five steps of grief. I think what you do, if it happens, Jesus gonna wipe it away and you're gonna be settled in heaven. What would you say?

>> Alex McFarland: I would agree. And, we talk about this in our brand new book on 100 Bible questions and answers on prophecy. But, you know, when it talks about in the book of Revelation that he will wip every tear, you know, that kind of presupposes that there were some tears to be dried and wiped away. but heaven is going to be bliss, joy, worship, the greatest happiness that we could comprehend. But there, I don't know, Bert, Maybe in the very beginning, once the euphoria, ah, sinks in. We're in the presence of Jesus. Oh, but where was this loved one? Or where was that loved one? and I do think, you know, C.S. lewis, when he wrote the Chronicles of Narnia, there was, Lucy, Susan, Peter and Edmund. And at the end of the series when they're all in heaven with Aslan, who represents Jesus, they said, wait, wait a minute. Where is Susan? And they say Susan was never a friend of Narnia. and, you know, she had been on all the trips with them, all the adventures, but in her heart, she was not a believer. And that was a fictional story. But I will tell you, I remember when I read the Chronicles of Narnia, and Susan was never really a friend of Aslan. It was like a gut punch. You know what I mean?

>> Bert Harper: I do, I do.

>> Alex McFarland: But every tear will be dried, ultimately, won't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really will, Rhonda. We hope that helps. And, that book that Alex was telling you about, it, you can go to the resource center here at afa and, you can get that if you would like it. It has 100 answers to questions that people that called in here on exploring the word ask. Many of them, most of them. And so it's available. Thank you, Rhonda.

Bert says there are many ethnicities that speak to some visual characteristics

Let's go to John in Alabama. John, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Yes, sir. Hope everything's great with y'.

>> Bert Harper: All. It's good, real good. Thank you, man.

>> Caroline: Look, I was just. I've always been curious, when Adam and Eve sinned, and it was just Adam and Eve, what did different races, like, you know, the white and Mexican and, you know, American Indian and, you know, Latinos. how did. How did that come about?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, John, thank you for your question. Now, honestly, when you talk about race, and Alex and I say this quite often, there's one race, honestly, and it's the human race, and then you have the pigmented of the skin and alternation of different qualities. But, Alex, can you go back to Noah, Hamshem and Japheth and answer some of that?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. thank you for the call. This is great. And you know what? Really only Christianity. Well, Judaism and Christianity have the answer for the genealogies of the human race. And do you know What, Bert? About 10 years ago, Science.com had an article that said every human being on the planet and they. They studied mitochondrial DNA, and I don't even really understand it all, but basically, science.com completely secular article said every human being is descended from a single female mother. And the Bible tells us in Genesis 5 that the sons of Noah. well, we. We read about Shem, Ham and Japheth, and all of the sons of Noah give birth to the different ethnicities. Now, you're right, there's one race, there are many ethnicities that really all it does is speak to some visual characteristics. like my friend Abe Hamilton III and I, we talk about the different amounts of melanin. you know, I'm pretty pale skinned and About January, February. I'm about the color of a ream of copy paper. I'm very pale, don't have any melanin. And then other ethnicities have much, much melanin and different characteristics about our. Our eyes and our hair. Do you know what, bird I was thinking this morning? Aren't human beings beautiful? You know, I mean, all of the ethnicities that God, our creator, our savior, the artist God has made, Black people are beautiful. Hispanic people, Asian people, European people, Chinese, Indian people. I've met people and human beings. God has made every ethnicity beautiful.

>> Bert Harper: I would agree with you fully. And what is amazing in that is each one of those characteristics, they. They have their own way, and it's expressed in their life. And you can see that. And I really do. I don't know if this registers or not, but, you know, I have been in Rose Gardens. Okay. if they're all red, oh, man, that's nice looking. If. If they were just one color, it'd be nice looking. But when you get the. Have you noticed I, Now a lot of people prefer a dozen roses, whatever color. M. But, man, I love those that have a mixture of different flowers, different colors. It brings depth, it brings richness. And so I. I believe God, when he let there be these different ethnicities, that he was bringing richness to it. Alex. And, I. I look at it that way and thank God for it. John. We hope that helps, brother.

Michael turned into an alcoholic and went to rehab

Let's go to Arkansas and talk to Michael. Michael, thank you for calling, Fireway Friday today. Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: Yes, sir. I'm, driving. I'm fixing to go get a load of cotton. And, I wasn't fighting back in my lifetime. I'm 61 years old, and I was kind of needing a, little advice and watch the Lord say that, I gotta pull over. Here's the funeral. Here comes the funeral. Here comes the wagon.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, man. Yeah. Hey, pull over. Yes.

>> Alex McFarland: Be safe.

>> Bert Harper: Be safe. Go ahead. Michael.

>> Caroline: I want to know.

>> Alex McFarland: I'm.

>> Caroline: I'm, I'm. I turned into an alcoholic. And I've been praying. I went to rehab, and I'm 61 years old. And, you know, one time I was listening to you guys, you know, I was talking about alcoholism, and I was wondering what the Lord says about that.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, well, I want to tell you, Michael, God really condemns drunkenness. That's just the bottom line. And the Bible says in Proverbs, he who returns to the drink is not wise. And so, we're saying alcohol. Paul Said to Timothy, take a little alcohol or wine for your stomach's sake. Now, it was always in moderation. It was for a purpose. And so there is a purpose for it. But to misuse it is wrong. It's not wise. But praise God. Michael, I've seen, observed, and watched God deliver people from, the drunkenness of alcoholism, and he's done it immediately. I know those. It was gone away immediately, and I know those that went through the steps, Alex. But it was ultimately God. And if you don't put God in the equation, you're just going to probably replace one addiction for another. Go ahead, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, you know, in First Corinthians, chapter 6, 9 and 10, it talks about those that do not inherit the kingdom of heaven. And included in this list, are drunkards. but it says in verse 11, as such were some of you. But you are washed, you're sanctified, justified in the name of the Lord Jesus. And here's the thing. Satan, wants to destroy us. And, anybody can be saved. drug user, drunkard, upright, moral, tax paying, religious citizen. You know, we need to believe in Jesus. But I think one of the reasons that there are such stringent warnings against the abuse of alcohol is because, like it says in First Corinthians 6, 9, abusers of themselves. I mean, to drink to excess and get drunk is just to destroy yourself. And the Lord wants to protect you from that. The Lord wants you to live long and be healthy and have a clear mind that you can grow in the Lord. And alcohol inhibits that, doesn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really does. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, don't be brought under the power of anything other than Jesus Christ. Do not. That can be. It can be drugs. It can be alcohol. Only be under control. Be filled with the spirit. That means he fills you. He controls you, he directs you. And so I would say this, brother, listen, go to him. Let him work in your life. Replace all that desire for alcohol for the desire of the word of God in fellowship with him. And I want to tell you he will lead you in a straight path. We'll be back with more of Fire Away Friday right after this break.

Preborn Network clinics help women choose life through a free ultrasound

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>> Alex McFarland: My cup's about as empty as this wilderness I'm in I lost.

>> Caroline: My way with the loss of love.

>> Alex McFarland: But came to a bitter end so far from running over so close to giving in it's gonna take the hands.

>> Bert Harper: Of Amen he can make you whole that's, that's what he wants. W H O L E and he also says, be holy, for I am holy. H O L Y so, let's walk with Jesus, Stay with Jesus. And if you haven't ever received him, I pray right now that you would ask him to forgive your sin and ask him into your heart as Lord.

Alex: Operation Christmas Child is one of the greatest mission projects ever

Well, Alex, we're during the promotion of Operation Christmas Child. what an opportunity it is to participate in missions. You know, the other program that I do on exploring, is exploring missions on this network. Nathan and I do that and we're talking about missions. I really put Operation Christmas Child as one of the greatest mission projects in, in the last, I would say 50 years that I know anything about man.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, I mean, millions and millions of the shoeboxes have gone out. And millions of people, not only children, but ultimately adults too, have made a decision for Christ. And, you know, I think about that, that those shoeboxes, we don't know this side of eternity, we're just not going to know where all they go. But they go to the very ends of the earth. And so Operation Christmas Child. You have time to get one of those green and red shoeboxes and put some items in it and, some, you know, a, bath cloth washcloth and soap and toothbrush, but a toy, and something a child would love. Something for a little boy or something for a little girl and be a part of that. Virtually every church, well, every church I go in has the Shoeboxes. But maybe, just about, I bet 90% plus of all the churches in America do this. And that's why so many, many millions of people are being reached.

>> Bert Harper: It is so true. And if you need more information, it's samaritanspurse.org OC OCC samaritan's purse.org OCC it gives you the opportunity to look to see the items that you can buy, some you don't want to put in there. And that would help for you to know that. But also, the EU can. They can pack it for you if you want to send them money or put it anywhere. But the joy of packing it yourself, especially with children and grandchildren, what an opportunity it is that samaritans purse.org occ well, Alex, we get questions at word. We get questions, on Facebook, and we've asked Brent to give, us a question. It's come in. And while he's giving that question, if you have your question here, you can call 888-589-8840.

Brent Austin: Type of prayers should Christians avoid praying out loud

But what's the question of the week? From email, Brent Austin. Well, thank you guys for having me. Yeah, man, I've always wanted to say.

>> Alex McFarland: That, writes in from, on.

>> Bert Harper: The email, and she had heard you guys recently talking about silent prayers and praying out loud.

>> Caroline: And, she wants to know what.

>> Bert Harper: Type of prayers should Christians avoid praying out loud. Okay, great. Let me put this in here real quickly, Alex. And you take it away. Praises out loud. Praise God. man, go down the highway driving and just praising the Lord, what you did.

Alex: Satan cannot read our minds. He's a limited foe

Okay, to open this segment, you said you were there in North Carolina. You praised God for a safe trip. You praise the lord for over 1000 students going to be there. And then you said, I, praise God. I'm here and in a room looking out the Atlantic, looking at the Atlantic Ocean. Praise, Praise. Now, those are great and they're good. But we praise God for two things. Who he is and what he does. We praise God that he is good, that he is holy, he is loving. But we also praise God for what he does for us. But Alex, sometimes when we're in need and some things are going on in our life, it needs between you and the Lord. Satan cannot read our minds. He is a. He's a limited foe, isn't he?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, I want to make that clear that, the devil cannot read our mind. In, Hebrews 4, verse 12, it says God judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. the devil cannot read our mind. but He's a very keen observer of our life and our actions. And when we were saying some prayers that we might, not want to pray out loud, for one thing, and I'm really kind of, just from the heart right here. I haven't researched it a whole lot, but I don't think we should, out loud, verbalize, something that necessarily we're fearful of or something we are tempted by or, if we have unconfessed sin in our life. And maybe, you know, Proverbs 15:26 says this. Listen to this verse, folks. The Lord detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure, are pleasing to him. So clearly, it's the Lord and the Lord only that can read our thoughts. But like, for example, something you're fearful of, or something that you're tempted by, or something maybe that you have stumbled and fallen into, or if you're harboring anger against a person, the inner life of your heart and soul. The devil doesn't need to know about that because I think he would conspire to trip you up. And again, he can't read our mind. But he is a wicked strategist, and the less he knows about what's truly in our heart, the better, don't you think?

>> Bert Harper: I agree with you fully. And, praise him with a loud voice.

>> Caroline: And.

>> Bert Harper: And so we want to do this.

Alex McFarland calls from Florida about brother dying of kidney cancer

So let's go back to the phone lines, and we go to Darla in Florida. Darla, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: I'm here.

>> Bert Harper: Yes, go right ahead.

>> Caroline: I am on my way to South Bend, Indiana, from Florida. And I am going to see my brother who is dying. He is 48 years old and has been on dialysis for the last 11 years. And, he's had kidney cancer and all kinds of different cancers. And the issue is, the crux of the matter is, is that he is a homosexual. And I know that he is going into eternity. And I'm praying that the Lord will give me one more opportunity to speak to him about the Lord.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Darla, do you mind giving us.

>> Caroline: I'll do what I can say two things.

>> Bert Harper: We want you to. We'll do that. But could you give us his first name? You don't have to. We're all right with not. But if you can, it would help.

>> Caroline: His name is Charlie.

>> Bert Harper: Charlie. So here's what I want to do. And, Alex, you might take it away from here. Those of you who are prayer warriors that. Listen, write the name Charlie down. And then pray for Darla that She'll have a safe trip and get there in time. And God would give her words that would say would be truth with compassion for Charlie. Alex, go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Darla, will you see him later this evening or will it be like tomorrow?

>> Caroline: It will be either tomorrow or Sunday. Before I get there, I have to pick up another sister on the way.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes. if you would, on my website, which is just Alex McFarland dot com. Alex McFarland dot com. There's a tab on there and it says, what does God say about my relationship with him? And I want to encourage you to read that. It won't take you just a couple of minutes, but read about, there's a part of that little booklet that says God's word explains salvation. And I want to encourage you to focus on Jesus and as the conversation allows. And the spirit of God will give you discernment about how to do this. Say, you know, Charlie, I love you. And hey, I gotta ask you, Darla, are you the big sister or the little sister? Are you older?

>> Caroline: I'm the big sister. I am.

>> Alex McFarland: were you and Charlie close growing up?

>> Caroline: Yes. And, we, I basically did everything for him.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, well, you know, talk to him and say, you know, I'm your big sister and I've. I've never. I've never lied to you, have I? well, I'm telling you the truth. The Lord Jesus loves you very, very much. Jesus Christ loves you and Jesus died for all of us. And do the do me this favor before we say goodbye, because, you know, any of us could say goodbye at any time. But say, look, I want to hear that you've put your trust in Jesus and Bert, I wouldn't, I wouldn't jump on the issue, you know. Oh, by the way, you know, here's the thing. We all know that we're sinners, really, and maximize on the fact that Christ paid our sin debt. And if we say, lord, I admit that I'm a sinner and I believe you died for me. And I rose again. I'm putting my trust in you, dear Jesus, please save me. Let the spirit of God be the one to point out the specifics. He'll know what it is in his heart. But I think, and I'll put it this way, and I'll throw it back to you, Bert. when, if somebody is drowning or something, just throw them the life raft. And, you don't need to really get too specific. if somebody's drowning, they'll reach for that life raft. And, Bert, would you agree that to keep it all about Jesus and his love and forgiveness, which is as close by as a prayer, that's probably the more compelling message at this moment. Bert, what do you say?

>> Bert Harper: I would agree. And I would say turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. Turn to him, using those words or asking him, because what you do, Darla, you're asking him to turn from his way. And you don't have to bring it up. I had to turn from my way to the individual, but make it about Jesus. Turn to Jesus. Look into his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and his grace. So I pray he would turn toward the Lord Jesus. And we're praying, Father, I pray you would give Darla safe travel as she picks up her sister. As they go, may they have a, fellowship of prayer and concern for Charlie. And I'm praying right now, where Charlie is in hospice, that right now you would just work in his heart. Draw him to yourself. Let him see that his life has been empty up into this point, and he's been trying to fill it with something that. That would. Would not bring peace. And, Father, if there are some individuals there in the hospice unit that are testimony of your grace and mercy, I pray they would even start now speaking the way concerning who Christ is. And, Father, we pray this and believe this in j name. Amen, Bert.

>> Alex McFarland: And, let me pray. Father, in the name of Jesus, bless this sister who is caring for the soul of her brother. And in Jesus name, in Jesus name, I pray, Lord, she will hear with her own ears the words as her brother accepts Christ. We lift up Charlie to you, save him. And we give you the praise and the glory for how you're going to work in this man's life and heart. In Jesus name, we ask it. Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Thank you, Darla.

You've got thousands of people praying for you and Charlie and your sister

And we are, You've got thousands of people praying for you and Charlie and your sister right now. Just know that. Amen.

>> Caroline: Thank you, Burton. Alex, thank you so. All the time. And I just. Thank you so much.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Amen. Hey, this is. Let me just put it this way. I know we got calls. We want to get to them, but this is what this is all about. We were talking to Michael early about the alcohol and how God is able to deliver. We're talking now, Charlie, whom God is able to deliver. And if you're out there with whatever sin it is, whatever addiction you're dealing with, our God is able. He is able to do above and beyond all that you could even ask or think. And so, man, turn to Christ. Don't put it off. Do it now. Amen. Let's go to Texas and talk to Stephen. Stephen, thank you for waiting. Go ahead, brother.

>> Caroline: Hey, thanks. Grab my call. I tried to call you all last week, but I called too late.

>> Bert Harper: Well, I'm glad you got in. Go right ahead, man.

>> Caroline: No, well, I got a comment and then I'll make my questions following right after.

Bertrand Russell: I just can't get my head around a thousand year reign

But I want to thank everybody, I mean everybody at the afa, stumbled across this station quite a few years ago and it's really helped me out a lot and keep me balanced and keep me grounded. Now my question is in the book of Revelations, which I listen to David, Jeremiah every morning on my way to work. And he does explain it really well and he's helped me grab, you know.

>> Bert Harper: A lot of it.

>> Caroline: But there are still some things that I just can't get my head around, one of which is a thousand year reign. The way I understand it, is this at ah, the end of tribulation or the other half of tribulation, the three and a half other three and a half years. He's let loose for a while, but then he's pinned up for a thousand years. But then he's let loose again. So I just don't quite understand.

>> Bert Harper: Okay.

>> Caroline: Of the thousand year.

>> Bert Harper: We got you Alex. We don't have but about a minute and 15 seconds. Take it away and do your best. We may have to hang it over, but go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, thank, you. You know what's interesting is at the end of the seven year tribulation battle of Armageddon, Christ returns. And thus begins a thousand year reign of, of Christ. Well, there are some people that go into the millennial era alive and there will be children born during the millennium. And what's amazing is this will be the most revelation the human race has ever had. And you might ask, well, if Satan is bound up, why for just a second let him out near the end of the thousand year millennium? Because there will be people just think Christ is physically present, ruling and reigning from Jerusalem. We know the Bible has just been true, accurate down to a T. And eternity proper is just about to begin. And when Satan is loose, there will be yet another rebellion. Because there'll be people in the millennial era that they're going through the motions outwardly, but inside they've never given their heart to Jesus in spite of the fact that he was here with us. And so it shows the fallenness of the unredeemed heart. Doesn't it, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: It really does. Stephen, I, know that helped. It helps me. We'll be back with more. Stay tuned.

>> Caroline: The American Family Association's mission is to.

>> Alex McFarland: Inform, equip and activate individuals to strengthen.

>> Caroline: The moral foundations of our culture. We also support the church.

>> Bert Harper: Our goal is to be a leading.

>> Caroline: Organization in biblical worldview training for cultural transformation. AFA aims to evangelize the lost and disciple the believer.

>> Alex McFarland: We aim to strengthen biblical marriages and equip parents to raise godly children. Thank you for standing with the American Family Association. My cup's about as empty as this wilderness I'm in I lost my way with the loss of love that came to a bitter end so far from running over so close to giving in.

>> Caroline: It'S gonna take the hands of oh.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes Jesus makes us whole and he makes us holy. Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Hey, by the way, this show is [email protected] as in americanfamilyradio.net and this one and other ones. you might want to listen again sometime or you might want to share it with somebody. And, check out afr.net all the great programming that the Lord allows this network to broadcast.

Alex: Bert says the prayers of a godly mother are powerful

Well, Bert, let's, go to the phones on this fireway Friday. And where shall we, repose to next?

>> Bert Harper: Let's go to Iowa, where we have a new station that opened up the first day of this week there in Des Moines, Iowa.

>> Alex McFarland: Praise God.

>> Bert Harper: Praise the Lord. And Laurie is from Iowa. Thank you for calling, Laurie.

>> Caroline: Thank you. I have. I'll make it short. I've got four grown kids. I didn't get saved until my kids were older. And, I thought that my three boys had all accepted the Lord. And, only one of them is following the Lord. Are my kids saved?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Laurie, here. Here it is. only. I don't know how to say this. In other words, only, and I'm not being flippant. God knows, he does know their heart. If they're not, he's not going to give up. He's going to continue to work in their life to draw them. And, yes, there's those that have a false confession. There's those that make a true confession and then fall away and then come back. And we, don't know. I don't know. And that's the reason. There are certain things, Alex, we can make observations and judgments about. But let me see. it says when Samuel was looking for the next king, that he looks on the Heart. you know, everybody else is looking, look at David's brothers, how big and strong they are, how good looking. But God looks at the heart. So God knows. And sometimes we can't even judge, when they're doing right. We don't know for sure the motives, do we?

>> Alex McFarland: That's true. You know, all we can do is, sow the seed and put people under the sound of the gospel. And but, I got to tell you, I think one of the strongest, most, powerful things in the universe are the prayers of a godly mother. And I will tell you, I've. I've talked to probably hundreds and hundreds of people, especially men who really, there comes a point and they get, they get right with God and they live it and they walk it and they say it was my praying mother that brought me to Jesus. Bert, wouldn't you agree that the prayers of a godly mother is just about, as powerful as anything in the world?

>> Bert Harper: I would agree fully. And I'll put it this way. My mother and my mother in law. When my mother died, I knew one of the people who was praying for me every day was in heaven. Then when my mother in law died, Jan's mom, Jeanette McBrayer, just a godly woman and, she listened every day and she was praying. I knew one of my prayer warriors were gone. Godly mothers praying. So, Laurie, here's what we're going to do. We're going to pray for your sons right now. Father. For Laurie's children, the one that is looking and walking with you, we thank you, but the two that right now. Father, there's questional about it. Father, we trust you and Laurie can trust you. And thank you for Laurie being concerned that she would call in. And man, we're, we're adding to our prayer list today, Father. All those prayer warriors that listen to exploring the Word, they're adding to their prayer list and we're praying for her two sons that they would come and walk with you either the first time or come back to youo. Father. We're going to trust yout for it and believe youe in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Amen. Thank you for that.

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, says Chris from Texas

The next person, that we're going to call is, is here in Texas, and it's Chris. Chris, thank you.

>> Caroline: Yes, sir.

>> Alex McFarland: How y' all doing?

>> Caroline: I just had a question about the, it says, do not grieve the Holy Spirit. I was wondering what the original text was and because I'm trying to get from A human kind of a human perspective.

>> Bert Harper: How.

>> Caroline: How God feels like. Because there's different kinds of grief.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, this grief, if I remember it, Alex, I haven't got the. Looking it up, the Greek, but I remember preaching on this because we can grieve the Holy Spirit, we can quench the Holy Spirit. And that's believers that do that. Believers do. Those unbelievers, resist the Holy Spirit, turn away from the Holy Spirit, but we want to be filled. Grieving. If I. It has the thought of an irritation, you know, like something in your eye, irritating. And it grieves you until you get relief. Do you remember or can you look that up?

>> Alex McFarland: The word in Ephesians 4:30 is the word Lupeo, the Greek word. And it says, you know, do not grieve the Holy Spirit who seals you to the day of redemption. And I looked up this word, ah, the variant of Lupeo. And it says to cause grief, to cause. To be in heaviness or sorrowful, to cause distress or sorrow. Now, the Spirit of God is the third member of the Trinity, full deity. the holy has all the power, all the wisdom. But you're right, it's like, a sorrow. Not so much of an anger, like, I'm going to exact retribution on you, but no disappointment. and I think part of it is when we get in sin, we are robbing ourselves of blessings that God wants to give us. And, you know, so the spirit of God is in us. And Bert, I know you've heard illustrations like this where, you know, we say, would you take Jesus to this or that place because he's always there with you. would you say this or that, do this or that, if you knew Jesus was right with you? Well, he is. If you're a born again believer, your body, your mind, your heart is the temple of the Holy Spirit. So let's think about that. Regarding what we think, say and do.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Chris, we hope that helps. And it does mean that it is serious. You, don't want to grieve him. You want to please him. Let's go to Mississippi and talk to Lorraine. Lorraine, go right ahead.

>> Caroline: Hey, how y' all doing?

>> Bert Harper: Doing well. Go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Good. Welcome.

>> Caroline: That's good.

Alex: Deuteronomy M28 talks about Israel being enslaved and scattered

I was, reading, Duma Romy 20, 28, 64, I think the 64. And I would like to know what do that mean? That I read the whole thing, but I just want to give y' all that, that chapter.

>> Alex McFarland: Like verse 64.

>> Bert Harper: Yes. Then the Lord will scatter you among all the peoples from one end of the earth to the other. And there you shall serve other gods which neither you nor your fathers have known. Wood and stone. That's it, Alex. Go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: yeah, you know, God's God has made this covenant with Israel, and that he would raise up the nation of Israel, bring them into their land, and, you know, when they fell into sin, they got scattered. But in verse 68 of Deuteronomy M28, and the Lord will bring you into Egypt again with ships. By way whereof I spake unto you, thou shalt see it no more again. And there shall you be sold unto your enemies for bond men and bond women, and no man shall buy you. Bert, I think this was, prophecy, of course, about Israel being enslaved. And they were in Egypt and they were in Babylon, and there were times when, the people got scattered. But, you know, one of the most amazing miracles. Oh, my goodness, what a miracle is that after nearly 2,000 years of dispersion, the Roman, you know, attack on Jerusalem in 70 A.D. but in March, on May 14, 1948, they were brought back to their land and reestablished. That is a miracle. But there were periods of enslavement and bondage, weren't there?

>> Bert Harper: They really were. Chapter 28 is divided into two sections. A very short section and a long section. The first one is in verses 1 through 14, and it's the blessings of obedience. Okay. And then in verse 15, it changes and says, but it shall come, to pass if you do not obey the voice of the Lord. And it goes through the rest of the whole chapter. And verse 64 is toward the end. And it seems like the greater they go, the greater the. The. The curse of the disobedience. So that's one of them. And Lorraine, we hope that helps.

Michael Walters calls Alex McFarland to discuss young Earth controversy

Let's go to North Carolina. Michael, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hello. How are you doing?

>> Bert Harper: Doing well, thank you. From North Carolina. Go right ahead, brother.

>> Caroline: I'm actually from Charlotte, North Carolina, and I kind of went to school under. Alex McFarland. This is Michael Walters.

>> Alex McFarland: Hey, Michael. Yes, I know you, brother. how have you been?

>> Caroline: Well, it's been a roller coaster, but, I would like to talk to you sometime. Are you in Greenville now? Are you in Texas?

>> Alex McFarland: Greensboro. Greensboro. But, hey, yeah, give me a call. My email is super easy. I'll give it. Everybody can hear it. [email protected]. so that, that's how to email me, folks. But Michael Walters, what a dear friend it's good to reconnect. Tell us your question, brother.

>> Caroline: Well, I don't want to start a war or controversy. There's a controversy out there about, young Earth or old Earth. And it certainly, from what I understand, is not a salvation issue, but it is not a good witness issue. And, I, took class under Ted Wright, and I, His. His stuff was incredible. And he showed evidence of the flood, and obviously there was a flood. But if creation was actually. Was actually short earth, six days, why.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, we're going to go with it. Mike, Hope you can connect with Alex. this is one of the areas that Alex and I tell you better have grace. And, they all start with E. Okay. And it's eschatology, election, and earth, the older new. Alex, take it away.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. I do believe in what many would call a, quote, young earth position. And Michael, thank you for bringing this up. And you're right, it's not a salvation issue. And I would never, you know, burn any bridges over it.

Alex: The hermeneutically responsible position is young Earth

But let's talk, hermeneutics, the handling the scripture. We were. I don't know if you were there, Michael, but in 2012, we had a big conference in Charlotte, and we had even, there was an old earth. We had two PhDs. Old Earth and two PhDs. Young Earth. Even one of the PhDs, that was there defense, defending the old Earth position. Billions of years. He said on stage, he said, well, hermeneutically, if all you take is the biblical text, there's no way you would get an old Earth. If. If you're just looking at the text of scripture alone, the. The hermeneutically responsible position is young Earth. And I clapped and I was like, super. because we look at evidence, and this is key, and I'll throw it back to you. There's all sorts of evidence, and I think there's evidence for young Earth, a lot of evidences. But here's the thing. Ultimately, we must stand where the Bible stands. We do not let the outside world shape our view of scripture. We let scripture inform our view of the outside world. That's my position, Bert.

>> Bert Harper: It's mine as well. And again, when you study, and I love the ark and the Creation Museum, go see both of them, because it gives you good answers when you put them together. If you are trying to study one without the other, oh, man, how does that work out? But when you put them together, Alex, I think it is more consistent biblically, But I would say this. I think it's more specific scientifically. As well. So, anyway, thank you, Michael.

Alex: Three talents in the Bible teach stewardship and responsibility

Let's go to Kentucky over here. Yeah, the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Patricia, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Hi.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes.

>> Caroline: Ah, I was just, Good morning. I was just calling to ask you about the men that. The three talents, in the Bible. What exactly did he mean by that context? Especially with the one that hid. Hid it out of fear. What exactly does that mean?

>> Bert Harper: It has to do with stewardship. It really does. And the numbers, I don't think that's my opinion. They're not spiritual any meaning. It's just where it's at. But it does tell you what you are to do. It teaches stewardship and responsibility for sure. Doesn't it, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: It really does. And this is In Matthew, 25. you're right. One talent, five talent, ten talent. I think what your skills and competencies and talents are, you begin to develop an understanding of that. But with, with great blessing comes great responsibility. And, you know, the Bible says, cast your bread upon the waters, and after many days it will return to you. That's one of those sayings that says, you know, get involved and attempt great things for God. And, listen, there. There could be somebody just, get up this Sunday and establish the habit of going to church. That might be a step of faith. And you're being a better steward of your time and your heart and mind. Sing in the choir, volunteer to be used by God. And Bert, along the journey, you do a lot of things with the church and for God that are not necessarily what's in your interest area, but service is a blessing in itself. And folks, it's time that we get off the bench and into the game, by that, don't you think, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Now, the talents that they're talking about was an amount of money. But the. But the whole application that when you look at it and you look at it in an explanation way, you look at it, okay, this amount of money, this amount of money. But when you expand it and apply it, it applies to everything that we have is to be given back and to use for God's glory and God's honor. So whatever it is, you need to use, it for his. Have you ever heard if you don't use it, you'll lose it? That sure happened with a guy that had one talent. You remember it was taken away from him and given to the one that had 10. And so, so what? God has given you money, time, talent, whatever you. He use it for his glory. Well, Alex, looking forward to next week as we'll dive into another Bible, book. And we'll discover what all God has for us. But preach the word to those 1,000 young people there in North Carolina, brother.

>> Caroline: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: thanks for listening to Exploring the Word and tell somebody about this show. Most of all, we always say tell somebody about Jesus. But, hey, be in church on Sunday and be in the house of God, and let's know Christ and make him known. Blessings to 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.

It's Fire Away Friday For November 07, 2025. Today we answer questions on grief, race, alcoholism, praying out loud, the 1,000 Year Reign, children's salvation, talents and young earth vs. old earth 

 

 

✍️ Episode References

Alex McFarland
https://alexmcfarland.com 

Bert Harper
https://afa.net 

Operation Christmas Child
https://samaritanspurse.org/occ 

The Chronicles of Narnia
https://www.cslewis.com 

100 Bible Questions and Answers
https://afa.net/resources