This is your chance to ask us your Bible question on American Family Radio

>> Alex McFarland: It's Fire Away 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 exploringtheword exploring the word.

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

Exploring the Word Monday through Friday with Bert Harper and Alex McFarlane

Welcome to fire. We're glad you questions the whole hour and we hope answers along with those questions. this is Bert Harper along with Alex McFarlane and it's our joy to be on Exploring the Word Monday through Friday at this time. And, we hope that you're having a great, great day. That number, if you want to ask us a question, a Bible question, triple 858-9884-088858-98840. that is the number. Alex, always look forward to Friday.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, we do. Every day is special and we've been in the book of Isaiah and we hope you'll keep on reading in Isaiah and we'll pick it up on Monday. But yes, as Bert said, Friday is the day that it's all questions all the hour. The number, if you've got a Bible question of any sort, we'll do our best to give you an answer. The number is 888-589-8840. If you call and, get in the queue, we will get to you. The lines are open, so we're just. But, ah, as you dial that number. 888. 589, 88, 40.

Operation Christmas Child collects shoeboxes for needy children this week

Bert, before we go much farther, I do want to say a word about something very special. The very sight of it warms my heart. And they are green and red shoeboxes. Now, what does that mean?

>> Bert Harper: Oh, man. You know what I think just about m. Most people, at least in churches, if they saw a red and green box, a shoebox, they would know what it was. It's operation Christmas child. That means that those boxes have been packed. Hopefully you did one. And now this is the week that they're collecting them. There's over 5,000 collection places all over the United States. So there's got to be one near you. And if you want to find out where one is, you can go to Samaritanspurse.org occ that Samaritanspurse.org occ and now listen to this. To be a part of 12.6 million shoeboxes delivered to children with all those great gifts in it, plus the knowledge the gospel of Jesus Christ. What a gift. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. You know, Bert, I had the privilege Wednesday of being on a zoom call, for a certain meeting with Will Graham and the Billy Graham ministry. We were having a zoom call and Will Graham was saying how his dad, Franklin Graham, is just, you know, very busy with thousands of staffers around the world and that it really is going to be a banner year and just how much, they all appreciate the way that Christians throughout the world, but mostly, mostly in America, we get these shoeboxes together for children and some items that will bless the life of a little boy, a little girl. But the gospel is in there too. And I'm just so thrilled. This is truly a global movement of the gospel. Operation Christmas Child. the shoebox, everybody knows. And aren't you so glad that American Family Association, AFR radio, we're a part of it?

>> Bert Harper: It is one of our great privileges. We partner with a lot of people. but one of the greatest is Operation Christmas Child. I do believe, Alex, that it's going to be one of the greatest mission efforts in all the world. And, I really, I really do believe that. Listen, 12.6 million shoeboxes this year and it's over 230 something million since 1993. And that's how many it is. So praise the Lord and, pray for them. Don't, don't just quit. It's a year long process for a lot of churches. They start back in January collecting to fill those shoeboxes. And so we. What an opportunity it is. So let's have that collection and then we'll get a report from what God has done.

This is Fire Away Friday on exploring the word

>> Alex McFarland: Well, let's go to the telephones. we're going to begin in Ohio. This is Fire Away Friday on exploring the word. The number 885-898-8840. And our first call of the day is Kari from Ohio. Kari, welcome to Fireaway Friday.

>> Caroline: Hello. Thank you.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, thank you for listening.

>> Caroline: Absolutely. Love you guys.

A caller asks about Jesus going into the realm of the dead

My question is in 1st Peter 3:19. for Christ also suffered once for sins the righteous, for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison. And so what I can't make sense of is who are the spirits and what is the prison?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, great question. Matter of fact, we went over first Peter, and you can go back in our archives and look at it. You can go to afrt.net and get on the podcast and go to exploring the Word. And a few weeks ago, we were in First Peter, and we talk about that. Alex, two things, and I said it to you, and her version's right. In King James and NewSong King James, it says preach, and it's okay, but it's a pronouncement. It's not proclaiming the gospel. It is a pronouncement, and it's right. It's spirits and not souls. So that gives us a little bit of a hint, doesn't it?

>> Alex McFarland: It really does. I'm holding in my hand, for those watching online, the hundred Bible questions. This is our first book that we did. And on page 114, we address this question because, people ask this just a little bit, that Jesus went into the realm of the dead. you know, let me just say this like you said, he preached or proclaimed. Now, it wasn't that the lost souls that died in a state of unbelief could walk the aisle and get saved. But, two, there were two compartments. In the realm of the dead. There was paradise or Abraham's bosom, where the saints of old, the believers of old, were there awaiting Christ's death and resurrection. They were led. And, you know, Psalm 68, references this and Psalm 16:10, and also Ephesians 4, 9, 10 talks about this. But, the key passage, as the caller references 1 Peter 3, 18:20, Jesus took the saints of old to heaven, but to the lost in Sheol and the grave, there was a proclamation not of salvation, but really condemnation that, you know, I'll say this, I'll throw it back to you. Old Testament saints in faith looked for the Messiah that would come. We look back at the Messiah that did come. But the unbelievers, they rejected the Messiah that would come. People today, some sadly reject the Messiah that did come. But, Bert, eternity is forever, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It is. And whether which side of the cross people were on the old or the new, guess what? It was still by grace, through faith. It really was. Abraham believed God. The word is faith in God. And it was counted unto him for righteousness. And so this is the way. There's not two plans in the old and the new, as you said, you look to what Jesus, who Jesus was, what he did, and what he did for us. And so praise the Lord, Kari. We hope that helps.

>> Alex McFarland: Jim in Texas. Jim, thank you for holding and welcome to Fire Away Friday. Hello, Jim? Jim, are you there? Okay. well, let's try Arkansas. Tanya in Arkansas. Tanya, are you there?

>> Caroline: I am. Thank you. All for taking my call. And thanks for doing what you do and just talking truth all the time.

>> Alex McFarland: I appreciate that we're excited about Jesus.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Caroline: Heck, yeah. There's nothing else to be excited about, you know? Exactly one. All this stuff, and we just get to win with him. We just got to endure.

Tanya: Three questions you should ask when searching for a new church

But my question is, like, what are three? And I'm just putting the number three to kind of make it shorter. Like, good questions to ask a new church. Because the other church that I was attending for 20 years or so several years ago, just. It's so legalistic, and I just couldn't anymore. And I need to find a new, you know, because we're supposed to. To gather together. We are. And I gather together with people at work, you know what I'm saying? And I make sure to talk about Jesus and, hey, we work for Jesus. We don't actually work for our work because it says in the Bible repeatedly, work for me. You don't work for your slave master. But, we're supposed to gather together. And even though that. That happens for me, I still feel like maybe a church home would be a good thing to have. But what are, like, three good questions that I could ask to really get at soul of a church?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Tanya, thank you for that. And that question is a good question because, Alex, we get that, not on the, you know, radio so much as we do in emails. They'll move somewhere and they'll say, I'm looking for a church. What do we need to look at? Let me say this. If it's a church and they have a website, what you want to do is go to that website and see if they've got a document that says we believe these things. And. And you go over that and you look at what they say, concerning salvation, who Jesus is, what they say concerning the Bible, Is it authoritative? let me tell you, I would attend. Here's what I would do. Now, you may do it different, Alex. I would attend for at least a month. And if I found something that was completely offensive during that period of time, I'd say, no way, I can't put up with that. But I would attend at least a month and then develop my questions from there, Tanya. And ask them about, okay, how does this. The Word of God does. and me, I would ask about their missions. If they're not missional, they're not a NewSong Testament church. Alex, go with yours, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: God bless you, Tanya. And, you know, let me say, I respect some of the big churches, the mega Churches I've preached in a number of them. But folks in your search for a church, don't rule out the quiet little corner church that doesn't have all the lights and lasers. Some of the most on fire, spirit filled churches that I've been in that are winning people of all ages and truly fulfilling the great commission are not the big, flashy big box churches. And nothing against the big churches. I've been in great large, large churches. I've been in great little bitty churches. But I would say three things and I would love to elaborate on this, but here's a question. Is Jesus Christ the one and only way to heaven? that's a non negotiable Jesus, a born again relationship through faith in Christ. That is the, and the one only way to be saved. The other thing is, is the Bible the, the authoritative infallible word of God for our origin, our purpose, our destiny? Do we believe not merely that the Bible contains the word of God, but that the holy Bible is the word of God? And then Bert, I think thirdly, in this day and age, and yes, missions is important, but is marriage still God's design for the family? Marriage between one man, one woman for one lifetime? Because I guess morals, marriage, gender, this is where the battle rages in our times, don't you think, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: I would agree. And what you could do, you could have some sub points when you say is the Bible authoritative word of God? And add to that even in marriage, you know, and I, I would agree though Jesus, the Bible, marriage in our day. Alex, I think that's exactly right. And let me just tell you, if you don't believe that, then your mission that you're doing is not on target. If Jesus is not the way the Bible authoritative and that family, God's family is right, you're missing the mark. Hey, we'll be back with more of Fire away Friday right after this break. Preborn's whole mission is to rescue babies from abortion and lead their families to Christ. Last year Preborn's network of clinics saw 8,900 mothers come to Christ. Please join us in this life saving mission. To donate go to preborn.com afr.

>> Caroline: Right now Want that mountain to move right now Want the ocean apart right now God, I'm looking for you and I'm wondering where you are but why do I worry? God, I know you haven't failed me yet.

>> Bert Harper: why do I worry?

>> Alex McFarland: You prove it over and over again every, every, every time. Jesus, we can trust him Every time situation.

Alex and Bert welcome back to Exploring the Word with Roxanne

Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Alex and Bert. Here it is. Fire away Friday, and we've got calls. We'll do our best to get to each and every person. Roxanne in Louisiana, welcome to the program.

>> Caroline: Thank you very much. I appreciate y' all show. And I want to ask God to please bless each one of you for the knowledge that y' all give to us. I was driving down the road and always turn on your show on Fridays, and I was thinking about forgiveness. And I know God says he forgives us as far as the east is from the west. And then I thought to myself, well, if it's gone, and I know we deserve to be punished, and we are punished for our sins, but if we're forgiven from our sins, the east is to the west, how does he know to punish us?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, let me just share. This is in Psalm 103. Matter of fact, I'm preaching Sunday, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, I'm preaching from Psalm 103. All those folks at Ozark Baptist Church that's listening, they're getting a preview. But it talks about all the benefits. And the first one, it says in Psalm 103, verse 3, who forgives all our iniquities. And then what you were saying earlier, Roxanne, is in verse 11. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our, transgressions from us. Once we receive those forgiveness, they're not remembered against us. Now, Alex, we may be reminded, so it can help us. You know, the Holy Spirit can call, okay, an experience to our mind, when here I was, doing my own thing, going my own way, because in the. Especially the Old Testament, he reminds them of their mistakes. Now, he doesn't hold it against them, but he removes them. As far as east is from the west. And I'm glad it's east from the west. I said this several times. You can't measure east from the west. You can measure from north to the south. So he doesn't remember them, against us, does he?

>> Alex McFarland: He doesn't. It says he's blotted out the handwriting that was against us. Now, God knows all things. God is omniscient. And God, you know, the Bible says the Holy Spirit knows all the thoughts of God and all the thoughts of man, but the guilt is removed. And in the eyes of Jesus, in the eyes of the Father, the believer is as Holy as Jesus, because his righteousness is accredited to us merely by faith, and we are right with God through faith in Jesus. That's Romans 5:1 and Romans 8:1. God bless you, Roxanne.

Elle in Ohio says burning sage cleanses negative energy in homes

Let's go to Ohio. Elle in Ohio. Elle, thanks for holding. Welcome to the program.

>> Caroline: Hey, guys, thanks for taking my call. and thank you for sharing your knowledge of the Bible with everybody. I wanted to know what the Bible says about burning sage in regards to. To, like, cleansing a house or, like, a place of, like, negative energy. So to kind of cleanse the energy. I heard a pastor last week say that, he paired that he called it demonic, burning sage. Specifically burning sage. He paired it with, like, people who worship crystals and people who follow that go to psychic mediums and stuff. I don't do that stuff, but I have burnt in the past. Sage to clean. Cleans the energy in a home.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Alex, if have. Now I've moved into a home, I've lived in both homes. Two homes that we purchased that other people lived in before us. And Jan and I did a walk through prayer time. Okay. Praying and saying, lord, if there's any demonic spirit that was here and is stubbornly hanging on, Father, we ask the Holy Spirit to override and to be away in a new home. We go through it and we prayed and say, God, this is your home. Every room is yours. We don't need to burn sage. We don't need to do that. We need to call upon the Lord for his cleansing, do we not?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. and let me, on the one hand, I'm absolutely with Bert and with you about commit, you know, dedicating an area to the Lord. We want our homes to be filled with the Holy Spirit. We do not want our homes to have any unholy spirit. And so every house that we've ever owned, Bert, you know, I would open the doors in a window or two, and I would invite the Holy Spirit in and cast unholy spirits out. Angie and I fixed up 123 year old house one time, and, inside one of the walls, we found some writing that was very ungodly on the walls. So we prayed Jesus in and Satan out. Now, let me say, though, and I just. I want to gently and respectfully disagree with you about the burning of sage. And I'll tell you why I don't know that it's in the Bible. And in fact, in Exodus 38 and 9, it talks about Moses and Eryn burning incense before the Lord. And that was part of worship but Exodus 30:9 says, you shall offer no strange incense, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering. And the idea of, burning sage, to quote, ah, cleanse the negative energy, you know, I think that's a little bit amorphous and vague. I think all we need to do as believers is we say, look, this house belongs to Jesus Christ. We belong to Jesus Christ. Christ populates my heart and this home. In the name of Jesus, Satan, and any demons, be gone. Holy Spirit of God. You are welcome here. Jesus. You are Lord here. And, that's all the dedication you need. I promise you, you dedicate your home and your heart to Jesus, and he will be there, and Satan will have to flee. Bert, do you agree?

>> Bert Harper: I agree. Great answer, Alex. Appreciate it. Let me share something else. Just an added to this. Elle, you can. Jan does this great in our home. She decorates the home with, like, verses of scripture and things that would help and just tell about Christ. Somebody walk into our house and they start reading what's in there. they'll know Jesus is Lord now, whether they receive him or not, that's theirs. But you not only do that, but you decorate it accordingly. And you, was talking about what's inside your walls. While we were building our house that we're living in now, while it was before it was Sheetrocked and all up, we went over every door and every window and wrote Bible verses. So one of these days, and I make. When Sheetrock goes out and paneling comes back in, those of us that are my age, we know what I'm talking about. And they pull that Sheetrock off and they see those Bible verses, they're going to see a witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. So make your home through prayer, through decoration, no matter if you what it was before. Make it a witness of the Lord Jesus Christ. And you can do that, Al.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Wonderful. Chris in Arkansas. Chris, welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: Good afternoon, gentlemen.

>> Bert Harper: Good afternoon, man.

What are Yalls favorite Messianic verses in the Old Testament

>> Caroline: Hey, my questions fairly straightforward. What are Yalls favorite, Old Testament.

>> Bert Harper: Messianic verses as far as. Great.

>> Caroline: Start thinking about it.

>> Bert Harper: Thank you, Chris, for asking. Hey, we're in the book of Isaiah. we've already gone through two of those, Alex. Six, nine. Listen, you know, he's wonderful, counselor. I mean, I just love those. And the other one is in Micah, you know, Bethlehem. I remember walking the streets of Bethlehem at night and just, remembering that verse that was given 400 years before Christ would ever be born. Those are my favorites now. they are my favorite, Chris.

>> Alex McFarland: for me. Well, one of them is Psalm, 22 that is just so messianic. And Psalm 22 was written about a thousand years before the crucifixion. But it talks about, you know, that people surrounded the Messiah and they mocked him and that his bones are pulled out of joint. And it says, they pierced my hands and my feet. I mean, if you read Psalm 22 surrounded by dogs or Gentiles, it's almost a picture of the crucifixion. And in fact, from the cross, Christ quotes Psalm 22, verse 1, Eli, Eli Lama Sabachthani. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And so, Bert, I've just really thought that that is one of the most vivid pictures of what Jesus did. Very messianic, isn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It is. Am I right, Alex? That, crucifixion had not even been brought about when that Psalm was given.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly.

>> Bert Harper: And you know, that's how powerful the prophecy is. You can have. Listen, if you read the Messianic psalms and see what all was said years and years and years, hundreds of years before Christ was born, lived and died and rose again, it'll put spiritual iron in your blood. I want to just tell you. Yes, that blesses me as much as anything to see those specific 30 pieces of silver. Just God, he brought it about. He told what would happen. Thank you.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, and also Psalm 22, verse 18, it says that they cast lots and gambled for my garment, which is exactly what happened. But, so there are so many, so many of those Old Testament prophecies that depict Jesus who came. Thank you, Chris.

Lindsay from Arkansas talks about once saved, always saved doctrine

Let's go to Lindsay in Arkansas. Lindsay, thanks for holding. Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: Yes, sir. Thank you all for taking my call. so recently I was talking with my 17, year old son and 13 year old daughter regarding once saved, always saved. And we do believe that if you do put your full faith in Jesus Christ, says Lord, that you will never be plucked from his hand and your name will never be erased from the lance book of life. My daughter then asked, well, what about Satan? Because he was God's angel and God cast him from heaven. And so how does that relationship, you know, differ from ours? And I just couldn't explain it. So I told her I would ask the professional.

>> Bert Harper: Thank you, Lindsay. Alex, I'm going to bring this up. You do ah, so good a job of explaining, but it all has to do with redemption. Lindsay. We as followers of Jesus Christ, lost, undone, have that divine vacuum in our heart that only God can feel through Jesus Christ, we can be redeemed. And what he has redeemed, if we have been redeemed, truly redeemed, he keeps us, not Lucifer. He never has been redeemed. He made that one choice at one time. Forever. And that was his choice, wasn't it, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. For human beings and for angels, there was a test. Now, for us, the test is, will you accept Jesus Christ in this life? For angels that were in the presence of God? Now, angels were created. Angels are not eternal. There was a time when they were created, but somehow, and the late, great Vance Havner talked about this, that their test, was would they stand true to God, or would they fall with Lucifer's attempt to overthrow heaven? And so, there's a fixed state. The decision you make for Christ in this life. You accept Jesus while you have an opportunity, or you reject Jesus. But when you die and you leave this world, you enter eternity. the concrete has set. And as Vance Havner said, when you leave this world, what you are is what you're going to be forever. Now for the angels, at some period, I believe, prior to the Garden of Eden, Bert, one third of the angels foolishly, tragically joined Lucifer in a failed coup attempt of heaven. Two thirds of the angels stood true to God. And there is no plan of salvation for fallen angels. You know, isn't that something that is true? And so Lucifer became Satan. The angels that followed him are now demons, but their destination is the lake of Fire. And so, I think we can be aware of these things, but we don't have to be paranoid about it. if you're a born again believer, listen. We are victorious. And in the name of Jesus, Satan and his minions will have to flee.

>> Bert Harper: And, I know it's once saved, always saved. And we've talked about this, Alex, you and I both. If you're saved, if. And make sure, you know, trust the Lord. You're not trusting in anything else. You're trusting Jesus Christ when you just placed all your faith on him lock, stock, and barrel, no reserve. I'm following him, Lindsay.

>> Alex McFarland: Thank you, Carol. In Louisiana. I think it's Louisiana. Carol, are you there?

>> Caroline: I'm here. And I have two questions. Are there still apostles, today? Or, were they the original 12 disciples plus Paul? The second question is, I believe that only men should be ministers or preachers. Is that a biblical position? And why?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Carol, we'll do it. We got about a minute and a half. Alex, you Take this one on, because time may run out for both.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, there was the apostolic age, and now we're in the church age, sometimes also called the times of the Gentiles. look, there are many, many disciples, but I do not think there is an apostle now because an apostle really is someone who was with Jesus or who saw the risen Jesus. And while we know Jesus, there's nobody alive now to my knowledge, that has seen the risen Jesus. and in terms of the senior leadership, the pastor that is male according to the NewSong Testament. Bert, would you agree?

>> Bert Harper: I agree fully. And it talks about it in every place about the man. listen, that is the leadership, what God did. And, the apostles were men. It didn't exclude women from being followers, missionaries, great staff members and servants of the Lord. But that lead position, it is a man in the Bible. Hey, we'll be back with more of your questions right after the break.

The God who speaks hits the doubt head on with evidence that God is real

>> Alex McFarland: As we watch world events unfold and fulfill scripture, it's hard to believe anyone could doubt God and His Word are real. And yet there are so many who either question or completely refuse to believe it. The God who speaks is a 90 minute documentary that hits the doubt head 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.afa.net.

>> Bert Harper: We're going to go ahead and go quickly because we want to get to as many calls as we can. We love the music, but sometimes we say let's get to the questions. We have a question from a lady named Stephanie, she may be hearing right now. And she related it to, to us through Brent, and that's his wife, matter of fact, his much better half, Alex. And she asked the question about Revelation 1:7 when he comes back and they look upon him and it says, who, who, who was pierced. Who he pierced. Who was pierced by them? Who's their piercing? is it just a few or is it all of us who have sinned? And he died for all of us and we our sins put him on the cross, didn't they?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, I think revelation, 1 7, it says, every eye will see him when he comes in the clouds. And they also which pierced him. And all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. It's all of us. Now, the Roman soldiers that drove the nails and the Jewish Sanhedrin and Pharisees that call for his crucifixion, they've Long since died. But really it was for all of our sins that the Lord went to the cross. And so I think it's the human race. There will be millions and millions alive on the day that eastern sky opens up and Christ returns, won't it?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Stephanie, if you're listening, thank you for that. Good question.

>> Alex McFarland: David in Texas. David, welcome to Exploring the Words.

>> Caroline: Hey, Alex. Yeah, this is David from, Dayton, Texas. I had the privilege of going to lunch with you that time with, with you and my family.

>> Alex McFarland: I remember that. I hope y' all are doing well.

>> Caroline: Yes, sir. Hey, good talking to you.

Bert says sexual sin is especially detrimental spiritually, physically

hey, I wanted to, get some backup. I, When in regards to sexual sin outside of marriage, I know it's obviously to flee from your sin, but give me some backup when it talks about fleeing from the people that make you stumble.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Go ahead, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, you know, I think one of our role models was, Joseph in the Old Testament, back in Genesis 37 through 45, Potiphar's wife was after him and he fled. You get the implication? He tore his clothes, he was running out. And you know, the Bible says that we are to flee fornication because, see, there is an overlap. Spirit, soul and body. And the Bible has a lot to say about how sexual sin and the breaking of moral boundaries, it not only involves our body, it definitely involves our mind. It really also involves our spirit. Now, Jesus forgives. And for those that have, involved themselves in immorality and sexual sin, I'm not trying to shame anybody, ask forgiveness, receive Christ's forgiveness, and move on. But, Bert, and I think that's why the devil so uses it to ensnare people. Sexual, you know, telling a lie. That's bad. You know, stealing something, that's bad. But, sexual sin is especially detrimental spiritually, physically. I mean, it's, like a wrecking ball in our life, isn't it, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: It really is. Let me share, three things real quickly. I give no room to Satan. In other words, when you recognize that you have a certain weakness with certain areas of your life, give no room. What you do, you stay away from it. I heard this guy say, oh, there's a billboard that I go by to work every day, and there's a scantily, clad woman on there, and it causes all kind of confusion in my mind. And went to the pastor and said, what should I do? He said, go to work a different way. make no room for Satan. And then secondly, Guard your heart. How do you guard your heart? When you guard your heart, you're putting into your mind and life things that are wholesome. Philippians 4. 8. Think on these things. You think on those things. Try to look at anyone like a female. Look at them as a sister in Christ. Not. Not just somebody that you know. No, they're a sister in Christ. Especially if they're not a sister in Christ. You look at them as someone that needs to know the Lord. And finally, anytime you. You have this thought, you're giving a piece of your heart away, and you need to serve God with all your heart. We need to love our wives and our family with all of our heart. Do not share it with another. Alex, I, think you can have victory in those areas.

>> Alex McFarland: I want to give folks two verses, and we're going to move on. First Corinthians 6, 18, and 19, First Thessalonians 4, 3, 5, First Corinthians 6, 18, 19, and First Thessalonians 4,3,5. Speaks about overcoming lust, temptation, unhealthy, ungodly passions. Ah, David. God bless you. Thank you for caring about holiness.

Mona in Kentucky wants to hang crucifixion in her home

Let's go to Mona in Kentucky. Mona. Ah, welcome to the program.

>> Caroline: Hi. Thanks for taking my call. Yes, I do have a question. I inherited a crucifixion. Very large, maybe two feet, wooden, handmade from. It was my great grandmother's and my grandmother's. And I am a, evangelical believer and believe in the empty tomb and the empty cross. But I wanted to hang it in my home because it comes from my family. but I also feel conflicted because, you know, I attend a church where we have an empty cross. So I was just wondering, is there anything scripturally that would prohibit me from having it in my home? Does it cause any conflict if I do?

>> Bert Harper: Let me ask Mona. It sounds like, I'm just being very honest here. And I don't mean it sounds like you're in conflict already. And when you have that conflict, what you do, you go with truth. He is not on the cross. Now, I'm not saying you discard that. Throw it away. It's meaningful to you and your family. but, scripturally, listen, I think you're in a good place. Yes, it is the empty tomb and the cross with him not on it. Alex, go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. You know, the Bible says whatever is not of faith is sin. And that's, in Romans 14:23. yeah, it does sound like you've got a check in your Spirit about that. You know, I love religious art and there's a lot of great classic religious art and, it reminds us of Jesus and, all that he did. We don't want anything to be an idol. And certainly, Bert, a lot of people as I've traveled have given me wooden crosses. They've made. Some are quite beautiful and some I've donated to churches. But that object is not like something, ah, with power. It's not like a talisman or a charm or anything with power. Now, as long as it reminds us of Jesus and his love, fair enough. But if something, you think, oh, I've got power in this object, be very careful. That's not something I think a Christian would want to, let have a place in their home.

>> Bert Harper: Mona, listen, I pray that God would give you wisdom about that. but again, it is difficult what family has for you and what they've been given to you. Okay, what do I do with it, though, hey, listen, I stress over what you're trying to go through, but you do stick, with, as Alex said, a check in your spirit. I think that's enough to let you know, hey, I need to think about this and pray about it. We'll pray with you for it. Father, I pray for Mona that you would give her the knowledge that she needs in order to do what you would have her to do. I thank you that she would listen and hear, hear this program and, and even ask us for as our biblical knowledge and what we know. And Father, I pray you would help her in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you, Mona.

>> Alex McFarland: We're going to move on, but, Bert, we've had some bibles that are 150, 200 years old we've had. And I love to give things like that to churches to, to have, enjoy. It's fine to have some things in our home, but, you know, maybe give that cross to a church and it would hang on the wall there. Ginger, in Mississippi. Ginger, welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: Thank you.

My question is about a show called Testament on the Angel Network

My question is about a show that's on the Angel Network. I don't know if y' all are familiar with it, but it's a show called Testament and it's about the, Acts. But it's done in a modern term with modern times rather than in biblical times. But it's supposed to be the same, you know, and I've followed along with it in the verses that they say in it are, you know, I haven't found any discrepancy or anything, but I Just wondered if y' all had heard of it and what your thoughts were on it.

>> Bert Harper: Well, I know of the Angel Network and the people that I know who use that give it high, remarks. Alex. I do not know this specific, show at all, but Angel Network. I've heard quite a few strong Christians talk about how the programming is strong and good.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. and what it is, it's really kind of the Book of Acts, but it's set in kind of story form in the modern times, as far as I know. And I know we've interviewed some of the people from Angel Studios, and I found them to be very trustworthy. Bert, a couple of years ago, there was a movie that was really kind of, the Book of Jeremiah. Worked out in the Old West. And in adapting scripture to story, sometimes artistic license is taken and people might kind of push back on that. Testament is not a substitute for the Book of Acts, but I don't think there's necessarily anything wrong in trying to do that and use the arts, whether it be music, theater, or screen, to tell biblical stories. I don't think there's a problem with that, really, as long. But know the Bible so that if there were a discrepancy, you could spot it.

>> Bert Harper: Okay, Ginger, hope that helps you. Sorry, we don't know everything. We could tell you, but it sounds like you got some good guidance from Alex there, especially, let's go to.

Two ladies wanted to bring comfort dogs to church, but churches are exempt

>> Alex McFarland: Tennessee Cindy in Tennessee Cindy, welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: thank you. I have a comment and a question for y'.

>> Alex McFarland: All.

>> Caroline: I go to a small Baptist church. Been going there, for 68 years. All my life. we had a situation to arise. M. Two ladies, two church members, wanted to bring comfort dogs to church. What do you all ever encounter that?

>> Bert Harper: I have. And, it would be the same thing, like a CNI dog. I've been there where that dog would serve, and, man, it came in, it would lay there, and it was. I'll put it this way. And I know how Alex loves dogs, especially one in particular. I don't find that offensive myself. Alex, what about you?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. Okay. There is this ada, it's called the Americans with Disabilities act, and businesses are required to allow service animals. And, churches are exempt from that. So, you know, every church really has its own discretion as to what they do or don't allow. Now, like, for a blind person, obviously you like a seeing eye dog. That's a blessing. I will say this. comfort pets, and I'm only speaking for myself, And y' all pray for me if I'm out of school here. Bert, when I taught, there was a major Baptist university that I taught at for eight years, and literally, literally dozens of students wanted to bring comfort pets to class, to their dorms. And it really got out of hand. And, you know, here's the thing. And I'm just a old bad guy. I guess there comes a time when you're grown up, and, if it's truly an assisting animal, like helping a blind person, that's one thing. and every church is going to have to make the decision. This is one of those things where somebody's probably going to get their feelings hurt. But, comfort pets. There's even restaurants where people are bringing their comfort pets in grocery stores. And I don't know, Bert, I'm just thinking sometimes maybe, it's not a place where an animal. It's appropriate. Now, like I say, truly a service animal, that's one thing. But comfort pets here, there, and everywhere, I wish we weren't at that point in our society.

>> Bert Harper: We don't. We don't need to be there. And sometimes. Alex, I see what you're saying, and I'm saying you are. You're exactly right. enough is enough of that. Let's try to get one. Okay. Getting out of hand. And, Brent, is commenting on this one. He says it can get out of hand quickly. And. And, he said he tried to bring, what you tell us, Brent. I was just saying that this gets out of hand in some respects, because there was a story not too long ago where a man claimed he had a service peacock and tried to bring it in an airport. So I kind of see where the caller's coming from with that, because I've experienced some of the, news stories about the comfort. Okay, hope we help there. Sandy, let's go. One more call. We don't have a lot of time. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Joseph in Texas. Joseph, welcome to Exploring the Word. All right, thank you.

>> Caroline: Thank you for having me.

Alex: Christian should hang Christmas tree if Christ wasn't born

my question is about, Christmas lights and Christmas trees. Is it okay for Christian to be.

>> Alex McFarland: Hanging that in their home? And also, if Christ wasn't born.

>> Caroline: On the 25th of December, when do y' all think?

>> Caroline: Christ was born.

>> Bert Harper: Alex. Don't have a lot of time. Let me just say our Christmas tree is already up.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Lights are on it and ornaments are. And let me give this suggestion. I. I just want to tell you. And then, Alex, you take it away. Our Christmas tree is. We have a lot of children, grandchildren. Jan buys an ornament each year, and it's put on there, and it's like a memory tree, praising God for while all is done. It's a great idea. Go ahead, Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: let me say this. Jeremiah 10 is not talking about Christmas trees. There's some language in the King James Bible that sounds like a prohibition against Christmas trees. Sir, I think Christmas trees are wonderful. Martin Luther came up with the evergreen for everlasting life. The candles on the tree represented Jesus as the light of the world. I think Christmas decorations that are godly and precious, the coming of Christ, I think they're a great picture, an object lesson that enable us to share the gospel this time of year.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. And talking about December 25th. listen, my birthday is on a certain day, but I've celebrated it on different days. We don't know exactly when Jesus was born. We know he was, but we celebrate his birth on December 25th. What a celebration. Alex. Hope you have a great weekend, brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Y' all, too, folks. Thanks for listening. Tell somebody about exploring the word. Most of all, tell everybody about Jesus. The views and opinions expressed in this.

>> Caroline: Broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of.

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

It's Fire Away Friday

✍️ Episode References

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

Billy Graham
https://billygraham.org 

Preborn
https://preborn.com 

American Family Association
https://afa.net 

Exploring the Word
https://afr.net/exploring-the-word