A Day Of Prayer & Colossians 1:15-26: The Preeminent Christ

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

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

Alex McFarland: We resume our study of Colossians

Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Alex McFarland: If you're a born again Christian and somebody asks, how are you doing? You know what you could answer like it? It's written in Colossians 1, 10 and 11. How am I doing? Well, I'm increasing in the knowledge of God, strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness, giving thanks unto the Father. Well, with those verses, we resume our study of Colossians. We're in chapter one. We invite you to turn there. Alex McFarland here along with Jeff Chamblee. And, Jeff, thank you for being with us this week. Just moments ago, I spoke with Bert Harper and he sends his regards to everybody. And he is downstairs from where I am. Angie and I are at the Pickwick Landing State Park. We're at the lodge on this beautiful Tennessee river. And Bert and dozens of people are downstairs busy, busy, busy, and having a great time at the Fishbowl Pastors Retreat. And that's why Bert can't be on with us today because he's leading the Fishbowl Retreat for pastors and their wives. And, I'm honored to be here as well. But Jeff, a lot going on. All good. And we're rejoicing in the Lord and in his Word.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Amen. Amen. You know, he has such a ministry to, pastors and their wives. And I know he's in his element. I know that there's a lot of encouragement going on, and I think you're going to be a blessing to those, those men and women as they're there.

Tonight and tomorrow I will speak on the importance of truth

What are you speaking? Is it tonight or.

>> Alex McFarland: well, tonight and tomorrow I've got the privilege. And the theme is really standing, courageous, being courageous. And you know, this is a word for everybody because we're living in times where we so much need courage and we need people that know the truth and are committed to it. And so tonight I'm going to be speaking on a little bit about the war of the World views. And my message is going to be about, what to do in a crisis of truth. And so, so anyway, I'll be talking about standing strong. And to everybody listening, let me say we know that Jesus is the truth. The Lord Jesus is truth personified. God's word is truth. That's John 17. 17. And then we, if you're a Christian, the rest of our life as believers, we really are on a mission for the truth, to live and role model and proclaim truth and really to call others to truth. So that's kind of what I'm going to be talking about tonight, is the importance of truth.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Amen.

Jeff: There are a lot of fake Jesus in our culture today

Well, you know, as we look at this passage In Colossians chapter one, I think we'll pick up around verse 15, the image and the picture that Paul gives us of the Lord Jesus. You really can't overestimate or over describe the magnitude of him as a divine being. And Paul really paints that picture so that when you talk about the truth and living for the truth during these ages, there's no better source supply of strength and power to live that truth than our Savior, the Lord Jesus.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly. And verse 15, just to queue it up, I'm going to read 14. Jesus in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Praise God. Now who is this Jesus? Well, verse 15 of Colossians 1. The image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature. For by him were all things created that are in heaven, that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created by him, and for Him, He, Jesus is before all things. In other words, prior to everything. And by him all things consist. Jeff 15 through 17 here. I mean there is a library of theological truth here. Let's go back to verse 15. It says Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Folks, if you want to know what God is like, look at Jesus if you want to. If you've ever wondered who is God, how do you find that out in Jesus? Because he is, is quite literally God incarnate.

>> Jeff Chamblee: The, the Word. Yeah, it is the word image. you can think of that as an imprint or actually the word that we, we get the word icon. He is the manifest representation of God. there are a lot of fake Jesus in our culture. I saw a headline the other day of one that's an AI talking Jesus, where you could go in this app and talk to this supposed, ah, computer representation of Jesus. That's the real danger is when we begin to try to imagine a Jesus that is less than the exact representation and manifestation of God. And those temptations are really all around us, I think today.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, and yeah, I mean to have you know, ah, an app or a program that you could interact with that Wouldn't necessarily be bad as long as it is, you know, uploaded with biblical truth. But I mean if, and there are people that have done this. I don't, I don't even want to talk too much about it, but people that have made an AI Jesus that will simply parrot what we want to hear.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Yeah, that's the danger things.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, that, that is such a danger.

7 out of 10 high school students say smartphones are harming their academic performance

And by the way, Jeff, I was reading this morning, I was actually prepping for what I'm going to say at the fishbowl retreat. And I will not deviate from Colossians 1, but there was a headline this morning and it warned, now listen to this folks, because Bert and I have probably talked about this for 15 years. they are, they're, ah, sociologists, educators, psychologists, not necessarily preachers, but I'm talking about secular trend watchers. says we are entering a post literate society as book sales plummet and students lose comprehension skills. And here is what a sociologist from Ireland said about the research. and this was, in the Times of London Today. Now get this folks, brace yourself. Today's students will spend 25 years of their life on mobile phones. A study cited by the Times of London says students today in grade school will spend one third of their lives glued to a smartphone. Gen Z most of all. And here's what Glenn, Stevenson from Ireland said. This research is a mirror. It forces us as a society to confront an uncomfortable truth. We unknowingly handed powerful addictive technologies to children during their most formative years without fully understanding the risks in doing so. And at this point, 7 out of 10 students, high school and college, say their smartphones are harming their academic performance, but they really feel powerless on how to break free of it.

>> Bert Harper: Wow.

>> Alex McFarland: Now, last thing, and we'll get back to Colossians. Catherine Vautrin, who is, one of the leaders in France, maybe the prime minister, I'm not sure, but she has proposed to make it illegal to put toddlers in front of screens. Now here's my point. back to God's Word. I really think as the world gets more and more addicted to digital content, which may or may not be true. I mean, it's been estimated, the Pew Research Forum back in the summer, Jeff, said they estimate that, well, over 50% of everything on the Internet is false. Isn't that amazing?

>> Jeff Chamblee: Yeah, it is.

>> Alex McFarland: we need to be readers of God's Word. And I'm not one of these technophobes. I use computers, I use my smartphone. I mean, we're all the time using content in good ways. But folks, there's something about reading, well, first of all, reading the Bible, but handling the printed page and that it's well documented that we have better comprehension, we have better recall, we remember. And so as the world is, just addicted to screens and very often are misled thereby, let's not forget the printed page and of course, the most important printed volume of all, God's word, the Bible. Now 15 through 17, you're right. Jesus is the representation, the eternal God took on a human body and then, the power, the deity of Christ. For by him, verse 16, were all things created. I mean, that's amazing. Jesus Christ spoke it into existence. The physical world, the planets, the solar system, the human race, angels. By him were all things created, things visible and invisible, created by Him. And for him, Jesus Christ is the Lord of all creation, exists for his glory.

>> Jeff Chamblee: No mistaking the fact that Paul is pointing to the deity of Jesus at this point in his letter. at Colossae and in, in the Greco Roman world at this time, there was a pre Gnosticism that was creeping into the church that was seeking to categorize Jesus as one of many spiritual emanations that have come from God. Jesus, is fine. He's good, but he's just one of many things. But Paul here is deliberately setting him apart. No, no, he's not like the angels. As a matter of fact, he created the angels. And so Paul is correcting this great error that we even see today when people say, well, yes, I think, you know, there are benefits to following Jesus. I heard a, quote or a headline that Joe Rogan had made the comment that there were, there were benefits of following Jesus. And I thought, well, that's, that's a good statement. But that's really underneath. That's really underestimating what, what's really there. You know, we're not adding a little bit of this great teacher to our lives. He's the Lord of all. And that's the picture that Paul is, is painting here. He created everything, whether thrones or den, dominions or powers, and it was created for him. And so right away, he puts Jesus equal to God in this passage.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. and Vance Havner, the preacher of old, he said, either he is Lord of all, or he is Lord not at all. And we have to ask ourselves, is Jesus an accoutrement that enhances our life? Or is he, savior, God, master, Lord and King of our lives as he should be verse 17. He is before all things. In the Greek, it's the word pro, which really means prior. and by him all things consist. Jeff, when Jesus was before pilate, in John 18:35, he made an amazing statement. He said, for this cause, I came into the world to bear witness to the truth. And see, none of us could say that. I mean, we had nothing to do with our conception and birth. How could Jesus say that he intentionally planned his entry onto the stage of human history? Because, as Colossians 1:17 says, he is before all things, and by him all things consist or hold together. And, the word there is the word from which we get the word cohesion, that it hangs together. not only he is sovereign over history, which he is, but even matter, the molecules of matter, the bonding, it's holding together by the word of his power.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Yeah, everything is being held in its present state by the power of Jesus. You think of what that means, what you just said, to consist. Everything is held together. The power of the atom is held together so that if Jesus were to release, his control would either dissolve or go into complete chaos. Can you imagine the unlimited power that it takes to sustain everything right now? And the thing that occurred to me, Alex, as you mentioned, standing before Pilate, Jesus stood before his enemies that were. That were crucifying him. He was even holding them together at the time that they were mocking him.

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly.

>> Jeff Chamblee: You know, and that's the amazing thing.

>> Alex McFarland: Well, I was thinking about this. When he hung on the cross, you talk about multitasking. As he hung on the cross and suffered for us, the wood and the nails, he was holding it together. That's how much he loves us. and this is Exploring the Word. Jeff Chamblee, Alex McFarland. We have a brief break. We're going to come back in Colossians 1. Plus today your prayer requests on this Tuesday edition of Exploring the Word. Stay tuned.

Preborn Network helps women choose life through a free ultrasound

>> Bert Harper: We're living in a time when truth is under attack. Lies are easy to tell, easy to spread, and easy to believe. But truth, truth is costly. And nowhere is the cost greater than for mothers in crisis. When a woman is told abortion is her only options, silence and lies surround her. But when she walks into a PreBorn Network clinic, she's met with compassion, support, and the truth about the life growing inside her. That moment of truth happens through a free ultrasound, and it's a game changer. When a mother sees her baby and hears that heartbeat, it literally doubles the chance she'll choose life. PreBorn Network clinics are on the front lines, meeting women in their darkest hours, loving them, helping them choose life, and sharing truth. Friend, this is not a time to be silent. It's time for courage, for truth, for life. Just $28 provides one ultrasound and the opportunity for a mother to see her baby to help her choose truth and life. Donate today, call £250 and say baby. That's £250, baby. Or give online at preborn afr that's preborn.com afr.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: The Lord is my savior so why should I doubt my victory? Why would I question the rod in the stop that conquers me? He quiets the water he quiets the the storm inside of you. So what could be better than walking with him without.

Operation Christmas Child's shoebox collection week coming up November 17-24

>> Jeff Chamblee: Welcome back to Exploring the Word on American Family Radio. I'm Jeff Chamblee along with Alex McFarland. M. I want to remind you that Operation Christmas Child's shoebox collection is coming up, the week of November 17th through 24th. It's an exciting time. I know that individuals and churches are getting together and packing these shoeboxes. There are 5,000 plus drop off locations in all 50 states. and if you'd like to be a part of that, we encourage you to do that. Kids are being blessed all over the world. They're being encouraged and they're hearing the gospel through these. So Visit the website samaritanspurse.org occ that's samaritanspurse.org Occ National Collection Week coming up November 17 through 24. Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Thank you, Jeff. We love the shoebox ministry. It's so great and I hope everybody will participate.

Jeff Pleroma talks about how Jesus holds everything together

Well, before the break, we were talking about how Jesus holds everything together. He wills everything together. And, if his sustaining hand were lifted, I mean, reality itself would unravel. And he holds it all together. verse 18. He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he might have the preeminence. By the way, Jesus rose from the grave first. You and I, if you're a born again believer, you too will also conquer your grave one day. And he is the firstborn. And you know, they talk about the first resurrection, how the believers will get the glorified body, that in all things he might have the preeminence. You know, it's not that Jesus will be king. He is the king. Now, one day everyone will acknowledge that. Philippians 2 says that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess. But, he already is king of Kings and Lord of Lords. And let me say this about the church. look, I'm concerned, you know, church attendance in the west and in America in many a, place has been dying off. But Jeff, remember the Lord said in Matthew 16:18, I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. And if he can sustain this universe and the planets, the solar system, the stars, everything in their orbits and the human race, he can sustain the church. He can sustain each one of us. Maybe somebody's listening and, you know, today is our prayer request day. If you want to share a prayer need, we'll intercede together that number and we'll get to that in a, in a few moments. But it's 888-589-8840. And you might be just wondering, you know, how am I going to make it? maybe you've got a diagnosis or an issue or a money problem and you've got concerns on your heart. We all do. Maybe a loved one is ill. Remember this Jesus M. He holds everything together, and he holds us together. He is the King, the sovereign Lord and a merciful Savior. That's quite a comfort, isn't it, Jeff?

>> Jeff Chamblee: It is. There's nothing that we'll encounter that Jesus has not already made available all of the power and the sustaining grace to get us through those things. We have such a Savior and, Paul is painting such a great picture of that. You know, when it says he's the head of the body, he is the source of all the authority, authority and power to judge and to rule and govern his church, which means that he supersedes all church councils. He supersedes and outranks all denominations, bishops and pastors. All of those derive their lesser authority from him. So anytime that you see a pastor, and we had an example of one maybe yesterday, from a listener who's not following the word of God, who is, who is not really honoring Christ's Word. Well, Christ has the ultimate authority over everything in his church, including His Word. So it's important to remember.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. You know, when I, when I taught at the COVID last summer, I just had such a great privilege to do that. And I went through in about a two hour session, 200 names of Jesus in the Bible. You know, things like Alpha and Omega. The second, Peter talks about, he is the bishop of our souls. And when I, I read verse 19 regarding Jesus. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell. And the word there for fullness is A word. It's an interesting word. Pleroma. P L E R O M A in the original language. And it means, that which fills up everything, you know, really, Jesus is fully God, fully man, but not fallen man, the most unique life ever lived. and that was why he was able, not only able, qualified, but also willing to pay our sin debt on Calvary's cross. Because he was, you know, fully deity God in human form, but had a human nature, not a fallen nature, but he was the perfect man. And, you know, like we say, I mean, we can't, We really don't have the vocabulary adequate to convey what this means. That in him dwells the fullness of God. The Godhead in bodily form. That's another word, is incarnation. And having made peace through the blood of his cross by him, to reconcile all things unto Himself by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven. Jeff, we have peace with God through the blood of the cross. And if that be the case, without the atonement, we wouldn't and don't have peace with God in Jesus. Reconciled to God. If you don't have Jesus, m. Anything else aside, you're not reconciled to God unless you have that relationship with Jesus.

>> Jeff Chamblee: That is a cornerstone truth of the Christian faith. We cannot approach God. No one can approach God without a mediator. And Jesus death on the cross made that bridge to God possible. And so you cannot have any relationship, any saving relationship with God apart from Jesus work on the cross. And, that atonement had universal, or one commentator said, cosmic effects because he's redeeming and reconciling all things, whether things on earth, earth or things in heaven. And so everything in all of creation is being reconciled through him by his blood on the cross. That's an amazing, truth that we have to declare.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, I think with, software and a point and a click, people can do this. But, early in our marriage, Angie taught me how to reconcile the checkbook. And there's. Reconciliation is a powerful word. And, you know, we didn't have a lot of money. but when you could make the checkbook registry and the bank statement agree, it was reconciled. And we knew where everything was and where everything. That every bill paid, where it had gone. Verse 20 says that by the blood of his cross, the resurrection, and by his person and work, Jesus has reconciled all things unto Himself. Now let me say, you know, there's a reckoning for the saved, its connection, redemption, the peace with God. The presence with God. But to those that reject Jesus and to the fallen and the lost, the unsaved, there is a reckoning. It's not necessarily reconciliation, but there's a reckoning coming. You know, all things in earth and heaven. And verse 21, you that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works. That's what sin is. And apart from Jesus, Augustine said, even our. Our best efforts are merely splendid sins, said Augustine. Wicked works. Yet now, thank you, Jesus. He hath reconciled verse 22 in the body of his flesh through death to present you holy and unblameable and unreprovable in his sight. And that's the only way. I mean, imagine, standing before Almighty God the day that we face the Lord. But in Christ, I mean, there are a lot of words the New Testament uses.

If we believe in Jesus, Christ's righteousness is imputed to us

Forgiven, converted, redeemed, saved, regenerated, born again, alive in Christ. We will stand before the Father, holy, unblameable. In other words, no charges against you. The charges, you know, I guess we could in an earthly way, say, hey, praise God, the charges have been dropped. Actually, the charges weren't dropped, but they were given to Jesus. I mean, there's a great exchange that took place. And Romans chapter four says, if we believe in Jesus, Christ's righteousness is imputed or accredited to us. Our unrighteousness was accredited to Him. His righteousness, which we didn't deserve, was accredited to us. And we stand before the Father redeemed. I mean, like I said, Jeff, we could try and expend our vocabulary on this, and we still couldn't do it justice.

>> Speaker F: No, no.

>> Jeff Chamblee: I think the exciting thing about that, one of the most exciting things is that the believer will be presented holy and blameless, above reproach in his sight. That's because of the work of Christ in our lives through His Holy Spirit. It reminds me of that great doxology in Jude where he says now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. Why are we faultless? Because of the righteousness of Christ that has been imputed to our account through faith. And that's the good news of the gospel. There's no sin too great, no conflict or relationship that's too difficult to reconcile and to redeem, that the power of Christ can't supply everything that's needed for that. And that's just good news.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Verse 22, in the body of his flesh through death. That's what he did. He died for us now, if you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you have heard and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven, whereof I, Paul, am made a minister. So, you know, I don't want to get off track here. Salvation. We're not saved by works and we're not kept saved by works. Ephesians 2, 8, 10 talks about the fact that it's by God's grace. Jeff, I've always thought about this. Whenever it talks about continuing in the faith or persevering or as they might say, stay with the stuff, that's not what gets us saved. However, if we are truly born again, there's a continuity. There's this old saying, consistency validates authenticity. I want to say that again. Consistency validates authenticity. And when Jesus has become your Lord, your life is changed. and hey, if you've come to Christ, stay with Christ.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Yeah, don't turn away. And that just underscores the fact that there is a direct relationship between our faith and our lives. I mean, a true saving faith because of the indwelling Holy Spirit, that Spirit of God that dwells in you, desires the things of God. And it is impossible to squelch that or to suppress that. I mean, a believer is a believer because the Spirit indwells us and gives us that power to continue. But here we have a warning, and I think it's a valid warning for everyone. Continue in the things of the faith. Don't turn away from belief in the gospel. And that's always a warning even for believers, to get us that so that we don't turn away.

>> Alex McFarland: And it doesn't mean that we don't. You know, sometimes we're, we're not discouraged. Born again, godly faithful Christians can get discouraged. Can, you know, there's times that, look, life is hard, life stretches us. there are times that we, you know, stumble and we do things that we know we shouldn't do. But I, really don't think that a truly, truly born again Christian would apostasize or denigrate the faith that he wants affirm. If somebody can just absolutely turn away, I don't think they knew Jesus in the first place, really.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Yeah, I think you're right. There's a scripture First John 4:13. There's many of them. He says, by this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of His Spirit and that inward confirmation that we belong to him is in every believer.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. And Paul, he says, you know, at the end of verse 23, this great message and ministry whereof I, Paul, and made a minister. He's going to say that again. Who rejoice now in my sufferings for you and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church. In other words, Paul says, this is so important and I'm so committed to it that, suffering, struggles, pains and all, I'm willing to do this for Christ and for the church. Verse 25, whereof I am made a minister according to the dispensation of God, which is given to me for you to fulfill the word of God.

Bert Harper: Let me define the church this way, Jeff

Let's talk about this. I've got the KJV here. Jeff, what translation do you have?

>> Jeff Chamblee: New King James.

>> Alex McFarland: Does it use the word dispensation?

>> Jeff Chamblee: the word stewardship.

>> Alex McFarland: Stewardship, yeah. Do you know in the original Greek, and there's much has been said and written and speculated about the word dispensation. In the Greek, it's the word for economy or administration. It's, oikonomai, but we get the word economy or arrangement. When you think of the word economy, you think of the, you know, cash flow of dollars and cents. But it's, it's a stewardship, it's an administration. And what is this, arrangement that we're living under now? Well, Christ has risen. He, has given the church the body of believers. And let me define the church this way, Jeff, you feel free to agree or disagree. The church local and the church global. and the church historical. We are the born again believers banded together for the purpose of world evangelization. Is that a fair definition of the church?

>> Jeff Chamblee: Yeah.

>> Alex McFarland: Born again believers banded together for the purpose of world evangelization. And Christ has risen. Christ has ascended. And he basically said, until I return, this is what the church is to, ah, ever be about. Proclaiming the gospel to the ends of the earth, making disciples of all nations. Paul did it. We're trying to do it. That's the, the administration we're under right now. The church age.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Well, we will continue in just a few moments with your prayer request. The phone number is 885-8988-408885-89840. Stay with us.

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

>> Jeff Chamblee: You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah. 29:13.

>> Jeff Chamblee: American Family Radio don't stop praying don't.

>> Dr. Jessica Peck: Stop calling on Jesus name Keep on pounding on heaven's door Let your knees well out the floor don't stop believing.

Exploring the Word asks for prayer requests ahead of a pastors' retreat

>> Alex McFarland: Welcome back to Exploring the Word. We're going to take calls and if you have a bible question, as always, we welcome the Bible questions and Jeff Chamblee and I will do our best to give you a factual biblical answer. But Tuesdays we kind of take a lot of prayer requests too. And so, just Jeff, I want to give God the glory that, Angie and I made it to Tennessee on time. We got to Pickwick Landing State park and I would ask everybody to pray. Bert and Jan Harper, they do an incredible ministry to encourage pastors and their wives. And the ministry is glorious. The ministry is great. It is also very time consuming and very stressful. And we want God to call more and more men to the pastorate. We want, pastors and their wives to, you know, have the resilience to go the distance. And so, so I'm going to ask everybody to pray because, today through Thursday, Bert is doing what he does so well, which is really mentoring the next generation of pastors and families. And I'm just profoundly honored to speak tonight and tomorrow. J.J. jasper is here to give some humor. He is just so, winsome and funny and just brings a lot of wisdom too. So, the fishbowl retreat is now, so please everybody be lifting that up in prayer. The Holy Spirit would just minister to all of us this week at Fishbowl.

We need to pray for Congress to end the 28 day government shutdown

>> Jeff Chamblee: All right, well, let's go to our first caller. Andrea is calling in from Indiana. Hi Andrea. Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: Hey, it's nice. First time I've ever called into a radio station.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Well, welcome.

>> Caroline: I am just very, very burdened about the state of Our country with our military and, government workers and many people. Congress is getting paid and they, they. The one. They're the ones that need to be taken, every one of them to the woodshed. But in the meantime, we have people that depend on that. Certain food, certain programs, the military. My brother's an air traffic controller. It's just heart wrenching to know politicians can just be so, It just seems out of touch with reality of what it takes to feed a family or to run a car or to even have a car. So it's. I know there's millions of people that listen to your radio show, and I hope that my call will just inspire them to. Yes, yes, we all have got to petition God for his hand in this stupidity called politics. Get it settled so that people can go back to work.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, yes, thank you for saying that. And we really do need to pray. The Bible tells us to pray for leaders. And Jeff, as you might have seen, today it was in the news that the 28 day government shutdown, it was about to be resolved. But Senate Democrats today blocked the Republicans 13th attempt to reopen the government 13 times. And I know, it's going to take just a move of God's holy Spirit to reunify our nation. And, people are hurting. People are hurting. And so, Jeff, let's pray about this. Jeff, would you lead us in a prayer for our government? And folks, let's unite in this because, we're a nation divided. And you know, as the Bible says, a house divided against itself cannot stand. So Jeff, would you lead us in prayer?

>> Jeff Chamblee: Let's pray. Father in heaven, thank you for the privilege of prayer and for the open door that we have to your throne room. Through the blood of Jesus, Father, we lift up, this prayer need that Andrea has mentioned. And Lord, I thank you for putting this upon her heart and bringing this to our, memory and remembrance today. Lord, we pray for our government. We pray for the leaders in Congress, especially as they negotiate and find an end to this government shutdown. Father, you have commanded us to pray for our leaders, that we might live in peace. Father, there are families that you know of who are doing without and not being paid because of all of this. And so, Father, we pray that you would move by your spirit on the minds and hearts of our leaders to bring about an understanding, an agreement, a reconciliation, Lord, that, that business as usual in our government, that in terms of the paying of the employees would continue. Lord, we pray this that you would receive the Glory in Jesus name. Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. The number is 888-589-8840. If you've got a prayer request or a Bible question, we'd love to hear from you. Jeff, where should we go now?

Crystal from Tennessee is going through a difficult divorce

>> Jeff Chamblee: Next up, let's go to Tennessee. Crystal, welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Caroline: Hello.

>> Caroline: Thank you for taking my call.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Yeah, you're on the air.

>> Bert Harper: Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: I just wanted to pray for, I'm going for. Through a difficult divorce. I stayed with a man for five years and we were unequally yoked. And, so I want to pray for him and also for myself. I had. We, lost everything in a house fire and, so just financial provision and also that the Lord would touch his heart and help me during this difficult time.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen. Jeff, are you still there?

>> Jeff Chamblee: Yeah, yeah, I'm in. And thank you, Crystal. Go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: Thank you. I, wasn't sure if my computer kind of hiccuped. Yeah, you know, we need to pray. There's so many relationships, and I'm thinking right now of a couple that we know in North Carolina that, are going through a very acrimonious divorce. And the husband, just a professed Christian, a leader in a church, decided that he was going to, leave his wife and kids for another woman that was another man's wife. I mean, just terrible. But, Forgive me, Jeff. What was the caller's name?

>> Jeff Chamblee: The name is Crystal. Crystal from Tennessee. And there was a house fire as well. Yeah.

>> Alex McFarland: Yes. Okay, let's pray. Father, in the name of Jesus, we intercede for the American family. And so many marriages have, gone through a rough patch, if not an absolute disintegration. I pray for Crystal and all of her needs and pray for her family. And by the power of your Holy Spirit, we pray that you would protect and provide and just help all the people, really be in your will and we lift up this divorce situation. And Lord, the family that I'm thinking of, I'm not going to use their names on national radio, but you know who they are in North Carolina. A marriage. And I pray for some teenage children that are just, just blindsided by their father's abandonment of his marriage and his parenting and his role in the church for temptation. Lord, I just pray for people to stand strong as Satan tempts people. And Lord, there's no way that such behavior can be legitimized. And Lord, many, many even professed Christians are throwing away commitments they've made because of temptation to sin. Holy Spirit of God, fall on our nation. Send a revival, Lord. Rebuild broken lives, mend broken hearts. And Lord, please restore struggling and even broken marriages. Lord, your will be done. We, know the family is very much under attack because marriage and the family is such a picture of. Of Christ and the church. So we intercede on behalf of these things. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Amen. Thank you, Alex. Thank you, Crystal, for calling in.

Could you please pray for my mother who has skin cancer

Let's go. here in the home state of Mississippi, and I believe it is. Is it Jose who's calling?

>> Speaker F: Yes.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Okay, go right ahead. You're on the air.

>> Speaker F: Yes, could you please pray for my mother? She's 89 years old, and she has, been treated for skin cancer. She. And it's just getting worse. And she has kidney issues, heart issues. And, we were just talking last week and she was talking about that she heard that there's like a shot that you can take, and little by little, they put you to sleep and you die. Mom, you're not there yet. But she says, well, life is, you know, there's no quality of life. And. And, you know, they put, you know, animals out of their misery. And I, I just, you know, I'm not happy. you know, I'm just living in pain and, and alone and all that. And so just pray for the. God will give her. You know.

>> Alex McFarland: Jeff, we, we will pray. And, I've got a friend and a colleague in the ministry that everybody has heard of, Johnny Ericson, tada and she has spoken for us in our conferences. And Joni Eareckson has been paralyzed from the neck down for many decades. And in the last decade especially, pretty much lives in chronic, chronic pain. And yet, let me say this. one of the pillars of the Christian worldview is that human life is sacred in every context. And, this thing of just ending it. And I know life is hard sometimes, but, the idea to euthanize human beings just to end it, like, we might put down an animal that's not of God. And, one of the things that the church must do, and that's in every one of our lives, is to stand and have a high ethic of life, human life, because we are made in God's image. We're sinners for whom Christ died. A Christian is a believer, in whom the spirit of God dwells. And so, Jeff, I know people go, life can result in some very painful, hard circumstances. But with the help of God and for the glory of God, every day, that we're alive. It is a gift to be alive. And let's not even, dabble in thoughts of. Of ending it, no matter the circumstance.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Amen. Amen. Shall we pray for her? Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Would you lead us, Father in heaven? Thank you for Jose and for, Lord, the concern and the love that he has for his mother and God. It's obvious she's in despair and depression and Lord, certain pain, because of her cancer. But Father, I pray that you would intervene in her thoughts and in her mind and that you would impress upon her the value and the worth of her life and that she would sense your presence. And Lord, would you send believers to her who would surround her and encourage her and minister to her. And Father, I pray that you would sustain her, Lord, just commit her into your care, Lord, that you would heal her if that is your will. But God, that you would take away this despair and discouragement that she is consumed with. We pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Amen.

Let's go to Oklahoma and welcome Donna to the program

>> Jeff Chamblee: All right, let's go to Let's see. Let's go to Oklahoma and welcome Donna to the program. Hi Donna, you're on Exploring the Word. Go right ahead.

>> Caroline: Good afternoon. I was busy m all morning and I almost forgot to turn you guys on. I try to catch it every day.

>> Alex McFarland: thank you.

Two of my younger sisters husbands are in very, very serious condition

>> Caroline: My I have a prayer request. I told her I didn't have prayer.

>> Caroline: Requests, but I really do.

>> Caroline: two of my younger sisters husbands are in very, very serious condition. one of my sister's husband had just retired as a teacher. Had back surgery, two weeks ago. He is in horrible pain. He is home, but he cannot do anything. And he is really suffering. He's having trouble with his pain medications and the pain medications make him itch all. And you know, you leave the pain medicine off or you, or you itch. they say you can take something like Pepto, or something like that and that helps the itching. They told us that once in the Oklahoma City area, you know, when my sister had surgery and the pain medicine did that. But his name is Donnie. And then my other. This, I know this sounds silly, but their name's Rhyme. My other brother in law's name is Fonny F O N N y And he went in three weeks ago yesterday for a colonoscopy. Routine colonoscopy. Never been in the hospital his whole life. He's 72 years old. he was adopted at birth and his parents are gone. He Lost his only sister, who was also adopted, this year and everything. And then he's been trying to take care of all of estate and goes in the hospital and they accidentally cut a huge hole in his colon and had, to rush him back in for emergency surgery. He stayed in our local hospital in Western Oklahoma for a week. In icu, he began hemorrhaging in the middle of the night. at the end of the week, was metaflotted to Oklahoma City to OU Medical Center. is there now. Has been there all week. had major surgery, is not a long time from going home. Just was taken, to regular room from ICU Sunday night. these guys are really hurting, and they're really scared because they've never been sick.

>> Bert Harper: Yeah.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Donna, thank you for calling. Yeah, go ahead.

>> Alex McFarland: I know that can be very serious. Just, over the years, I've met. Met people that have had similar situations, and, when they have to sew the colon back there, there can be what are called adhesions that, really interfere with the digestive process. But, let us pray for this situation then. I've got one that's come in online. Father, in the name of Jesus, bless our dear sister in Oklahoma. We pray for Ronnie and Fonny for their. Their health issues and especially this complication from a, surgery. So, Lord, reach in there in these. These bodies that you have made and give healing. And, Lord, not only, physical progress, but spiritual growth as well. And we lift them up to you and we pray there would be no complications and there would be healing. And, Lord, we commit them to you, and we thank you that you are the great physician. In Jesus name I pray. Amen. Jeff, we've got a listener in North Carolina that was incarcerated. just. And I know who this person is. He was January 6th. Person just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Finally, after charges and incarceration was pardoned, and we, says he's now, you know, there are financial issues, just rebuilding his life after the January 6 debacle. We lift this person up to God as well. Jeff, thank you for being with us.

>> Jeff Chamblee: Thank you.

>> Alex McFarland: take us out. It's been a great day on exploring the Word.

>> Jeff Chamblee: All right, we'll continue with the Book of Colossians again tomorrow. Tell someone about, afa, but tell everyone about the Lord Jesus. See you later.

>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this.

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

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