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>> Bert Harper: 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 and Bert Harper discuss Isaiah in Exploring the Word

Welcome to Exploring the Word.

>> Alex McFarland: You know, there's so much in the book of Isaiah that is very, very quotable in, in fact, in Matthew 21:13, the Lord Jesus quotes Isaiah in a number of places. He does, but very famously, Jesus says, my house shall be called a house of prayer for all people. Hi, Alex McFarland here along with Bert Harper. That is from Isaiah 56, 7. And we're gonna get into Isaiah 56 today and even beyond that. Now perhaps this is exploring the Word. And that's just what we do. We read and we study and, and we try to take it to heart, the word of God. And we are coming kind of burnt towards the end of Isaiah. But it's been a great study and every chapter just seems to be better and better.

>> Bert Harper: It really is. Alex, I've been just overjoyed at what benefits I have received by preparing to share from Isaiah. And that's what happens. I mean the one that is teaching is the one that gets the most out of it. But chapters 56 and 56, 57 tend to go together. By what I mean that you have two groups of people, large groups, and then they're broken down into smaller groups. It's those who are pleasing to the Lord and then those that are not pleasing. So let me try to do a little bit of this. Go ahead. And that way we can look at what we're thinking about. Chapter 56, verses 1 and 2 is the just and the righteous. They are, God says they're acceptable, they're great. And then in 56,3 he introduces us to the Gentiles who have gotten right with God. And then in verses six and eight it's called, I love the way he says this. It's so strong. Son of the foreigners. And then in verse six, sons of the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord. But that's another group. And then there's the eunuchs. And it's very small amount there, but it is there. And it says they have been dedicated to the Lord. And then in chapter 57, the part that really contributes to everyone, Jew or Gentile, is in verses 14 through 21, those with a contrite heart. And Alex, you bring that up quite, often about a heart of contrition. But then there's those that are godless, and there's just two groups of them. This is horrible. But it's the religious leaders, chapter 56, 9, and 12, and then finally the idolaters of Israel. That's the most of chapter 57, verse three through 13. So I believe these two chapters, they kind of tie themselves in those that are right with God, those that are not right with God. Do you catch what I'm, trying to get across?

>> Alex McFarland: Yes, absolutely. And here in the latter words of chapter 56, there's really the sin of presumption as well. But, hey, you know, in verse four. And by the way, these are kind of some of the shorter chapters of Isaiah. Just a dozen verses in 56, and, only 21 verses in 57. But. All right, listen to this. For for thus says the Lord unto the eunuchs that listen, keep my Sabbaths, choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant. Okay? There was behavior that is shaped by beliefs and convictions. these people, they have kept the Sabbaths. In other words, they're doing the things that are, commensurate with the people of the Abrahamic covenant, and then choose the things that please me. Those are priorities and the ordering of one's life according to God's will. But take hold of my covenant, Bert, These things, this constitutes saving faith, doesn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It really does. And that's what I noticed in verse three, even. It talks about the son of the foreigner who has joined himself to the Lord.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. And here's the eunuchs. And. And these are basically outcasts you catch. You know. Oh, we don't want any of those foreigners in here. no, these are foreigners who have come to the Lord and are living in that society as people that know the Lord. And so here and then the eunuchs that were looked on as, you know, not, as they should, and strong, and they're saying, no, they're not outcasts. I accept them to them.

Bert Wildman: Isaiah says salvation is for all people

And I couldn't help but notice this. Choose, though it pleases me, and hold fast my covenant. and it's all started. Half of it's looked at. They're honoring the Sabbath the right way, which honors the Lord. Doesn't that agree with what they're saying?

>> Alex McFarland: Exactly. You know, a couple of years ago, all in the space of one day, I found myself sharing the gospel with a Jewish person, a very observant Jew and a Muslim man. And, of course, the Jews are The children of Isaac and the Muslims are the children of, well, Ishmael. Okay, now. And both of them. And I'm not saying this, out of anti Semitism, because everybody knows or should know, we love and support the Jewish people. But this particular person I was, witnessing to, and I said, you need Jesus, and Jesus is the Messiah. And he was a little bit cocky, and he said, look, we are God's people, the Jews. Well, Christ has risen and everybody has to be born again. We have to put our faith in Jesus. And then later on that very same day, this Muslim man was just very, very cocky and talking about how Allah was God and, the Qur' an was scripture, not the Bible. And I was sharing the gospel with these people. Let me read verse five. All right. The Gentiles, the foreigners outside of the nation of Israel, and then the eunuchs, which childlessness and, maybe, birth defects were indicative of someone who didn't know the Lord. But anyway, it says they're going to take hold of the Lord. Verse 5. Even unto them will I give in my house or within my walls, a place and a name better than of the sons and daughters.

>> Bert Harper: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: In other words, people who come in by faith even have a higher name than the religious Jews that were not believers. A. Ah. Name better than the sons and daughters. Now, here's the thing, and I'll throw it back to you, Bert. being saved and being in a relationship with Jesus is not a bragging match. It's not, oh, I've got a better name than you. But here's the thing Isaiah is putting forth is that salvation is for all people. And it's not about outward rituals. It's not about the family you were, born into as a baby. Knowing the true and living God is about receiving in your heart his salvation. And what is that salvation? It's Jesus Christ who died and rose again. And God says in verse five, this is so precious. I will give them in my house a place. And I'll say this, folks, there's a place for you in God's house.

>> Bert Harper: Alex, you can't help but, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cut. I thought you was through. Sorry.

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah, go ahead.

>> Bert Harper: I couldn't help but think of. Yeah, couldn't help but think of John 14, where he says, I go to prepare a place for you.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen.

>> Bert Harper: And that is open to everyone who believes. And here it is. The sojourners or the foreigners, the eunuchs. And then in verse six, it continues. Notice these terms and I'll throw it back to you because. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. No, you're good. Who join themselves to the Lord to serve him and to love the name of the Lord, to be his servants. Everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath and holds fast my covenant, even I will bring to my holy mountain, make them joyful in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar. For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all. Here it is, nations. The Lord God who gathers who the outcast of Israel says. Yet I'll gather to him others besides those who are gathered to him. Alex, you see that? And you remember when God called Abraham, he blessed him so he could bless what all the nations. God has a heart for all the nations, doesn't he?

>> Alex McFarland: He really does. You know, back in Isaiah 49, 6 and 7, it says that the redeemer of Israel is the light to the Gentiles. Isn't that amazing? And the idea that non Jews could get in on the Abrahamic covenant and the new covenant, really to be born again and to know God. And ultimately I love it in verse 7 of Isaiah 56 that God will bring them to his holy mountain. I've got the great privilege in about two or three weeks with, Tim Wildmon and the group. We're going to the Mountain of God. We're going to Jerusalem. Good. Lord willing, in fact, folks, please keep us in prayer as we make that trip. And yesterday Tim Wildmon was, sending me some, things that I need to be prepared to speak on. And we're going to go to some of these places over there, all around Jerusalem and Capernaum and all that. But, but Bert, every born again believer is going to one day be with Jesus Christ in his city, the mountain of God. I'm excited about that, aren't you?

>> Bert Harper: I am, Alex. And what a beautiful thing. It's his city, his mountain. It is his, and he has made it available to us by faith. it's by grace, through faith, that we can come to know Him. It was then and it is now. They entered into that covenant with the Lord to serve him and to be his.

Bert and Alex discuss the Christmas message in Isaiah chapter 56

I love verse 8 that he gathers the outcast of Israel. Now, when I saw that outcast, I could not help but think of the incarnation the angels went to. Who first, those a. Those shepherds outcast. And Mary M. Because she quote, according to what they thought there in that city of Nazareth. Oh, she is having a child out of wedlock. Outcast. Joseph even became an outcast because he. They suspected him. And again, God specializes. I'm going to just say it. I, want you to comment on it. On gathering outcasts to himself. Doesn't he.

>> Alex McFarland: He does. You remember the historian Josephus? And his collected works is called Antiquities of the Jews. And, much about what we know of the ancient world we know from Josephus. And he, wrot that it was said there is no more detestable job than that of a shepherd. and yet it was to those shepherds that were breeding lambs for the temple sacrifice. The angels announced to those shepherds the birth of the Lamb of God. Bert, isn't that just a beautiful reality on so many levels?

>> Bert Harper: It is, and it speaks to our hearts. That's why the Christmas story, the Christmas message is so powerful. Yes, Easter and Christmas, but they run parallel. How important they are. The last line in verse eight. Those who are gathered to him, we gather to him, but one day he's going to gather us to him, when he comes back and raptures the church. And then the dead in Christ will rise first get in their new spiritual bodies. Alex. Gathering, That's a beautiful term. I, mean, it hit me as I was reading this how beautiful that is. The church, what gathers, it gathers together. A family, a gathering. And here God is saying the nations. My house is a house of prayer. For what? All nations. It's a place to gather, to honor him and to know him well. That's chapter 56, 1 8. And it's righteous. But before we go to a break, it takes a, different turn with verse nine. Yes, we won't spend a lot of time there, but when we come back, notice verse 10. The watchmen are blind. They're ignorant. They're dumb dogs. They cannot bark. Sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yes, they are greedy dogs. that's not a real complimentary thing to say about some people, is it?

>> Caroline: No.

>> Alex McFarland: And the Watchmen should have seen the wild beast coming and the danger on the horizon, because they were charged with helping protect the people. Well, hey, we're going to come back and continue in Isaiah, on this edition of Exploring the Word, Bert and Alex, plus Take youe Calls. So stay tuned. There's a lot of show left, and we want you to be a part of it.

We partnered with Preborn to introduce mothers with unplanned pregnancies to their babies

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>> Alex McFarland: Lord of all creation, of water, earth and sk. The heavens are your tabernacle. Glory to the Lord on high.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. It's just hard to stop these songs for me, Alex. I have to admit, gets me going. But thank you for that.

Alex: Verse 11 says it real powerfully. And it talks about the rebuke of those wicked

Again, we're in isaiah, chapter 56, and we're looking at 9 through 12. And it talks about the rebuke of those who are wicked. And he gives it strong. The shepherds, as you said, the watchmen. They are not doing their job. Verse 11 says it real powerfully. Alex. Yes, they are greedy dogs which never have enough. They are shepherds who cannot understand. They all look their own way. Everyone for his own gain, from his own territory. Alex, again, greed. We're talking about using position, that they have for who. Not serving, but self serving, self serving. And in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and the name of God. God strongly condemns that, doesn't he?

>> Alex McFarland: He really does. He really does. And, you know, it's sad to think about that. I mean, let's remember those of us that are in ministry, but really every Christian, you know, it says we are our brother's keeper and we are to be looking out for, yes, the welfare of those around us. I mean, that's love, selflessness. But the souls of people. The souls of people. And, I heard an evangelist say that the church is. Now think about this. Because we need a revival in America. We really do. The church. One evangelist rightly said, we are the custodians of the presence of God. In other words, we ought to be able to not only carry the message of the gospel, but we really ought to be able to carry the presence of God into our relationships, our community, even our nation. You say, how do we do that? Well, we walk with the Lord, hopefully. we know and believe, follow and proclaim his word, I hope. But we also pray and intercede, and these watchmen weren't doing that. And there's a word here at the end of verse 11 in my Bible. I got the King James, and it says, everyone looks for his own gain from his quarter. And, Bert, I was looking at a commentary, and it said it really means from their own point of view. In other words, the quarter or the part of the room that you're in, you're looking from that point of view. Well, we all need to be living and looking and behaving from God's point of view, shouldn't we, brother?

>> Bert Harper: Amen. listen, give me my father's eyes. by that I mean to look at everything through his eyes. People, events, situations, no matter what. and you do that by staying close to God, knowing his word, getting sin out of your life, because sin distorts our view. And so, Alex, verse 12 says, it come one of those. Say, I will bring wine. We will fill ourselves with intoxicating drink, and we're going to party, Hardy. And tomorrow will be as today it will matter and much more abundant. Listen, if that's your worldview, you're going down the wrong road. And that view, no matter how it may look to you as you're going down, it ends in destruction. So here it is. No way. You, want a clear head. You want a clear eyes and a pure heart.

Alex: The Bible says the righteous perishes and no man takes it to heart

And, Alex, that does bring us to chapter 57, which says the righteous perishes and no man takes it to heart. Merciful men are taken away, while no one considers that the righteous is taken away from the evil, he shall enter into peace. They shall rest in their beds, even as one walking in his own rightness. Alex, what a contrast. They shall rest. That the comment that got me most in that one. It may not, I know, I love, enter into peace, but the one that got me, they shall rest in their beds. Real rest. Isn't rest a really important word, in the Bible?

>> Alex McFarland: It. It really is. It really is. And do you know what I was just reading, a journal article about two days ago? The devastating toll that lack of rest takes on our body and our mind. You know, and so rest is a gift from God. The Bible Says he gives sleep to his beloved. And so, yes, I mean, there is 57. There's no peace for the wicked. This is what it's saying. verse two, like you said. They'll rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of an adulterer and the whore. Now, that's harsh language, but it's, a critical situation. Against whom do you sport yourselves? And against whom do you make a wide mouth and draw out the tongue? Are you not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood? And, Bert, as we know in the Bible, your family lineage was very significant. You know, the seed of the righteous will not beg bread. The seed of Abraham. Well, to be called a seed of falsehood, your whole life is a lie. And, Bert, I gotta tell you, and I love people. I do. But I read and see so much, and we all do in the news. And the way that this lost world just, flaunts everything in the face of God. I want to tell you, there is a lot of lostness in our time. And when I read about these people of, impurity, and even their very lineage is sin and unrighteousness, it sounds to me like the 21st century, Bert.

>> Bert Harper: It really does. And so Ecclesiastes said, there is really nothing new under the sun. It has been around since Isaiah's day. It is here today. It is magnified because there is more of it. There's, more availability to know about it. So we do. But it is there. And it is. It seems to me it's like a snowball. It's gathering speed. And I would say mass as it goes down the hill. Verse 5. Notice this. And you may want to go back to others, but notice this really got my attention. And what I wanted to do, verses 3 through basically 13, is highlight all these pagan practices that false teachers and all these idolaters were leading to. Here it is. Listen to this. Inflaming yourselves with gods under every green tree. Again, we're talking about nature. We're talking about worshiping that which is a false God. Now listen to this. Slaying the children in the valleys, under the clefts of the rocks. Here it is, Alex. Child killing children has been around for years, centuries, and here it is, slaying the children in the valleys. Alex. No. Any society, any government that sanctions killing children born and those that were preborn, judgment of God is on them.

>> Alex McFarland: Oh, yes. Oh, yes. And, you know, you think about. And we could. We could talk about this at length. But the precious, fragile, helpless, beautiful gift that is a little baby and to killing children, I mean, it's just unthinkable. God was against it then. God is against it now. And it says, in verse six, among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion. They. They are thy lot. Even to them that thou hast poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these. God says, look, your offering is not going to assuage your sin. And you're going to be like the rocks at the bottom of the river for the sins that you've done. I know this is kind of like pictorial language, but says, you know, what is your lot, not the mountain of God, but you're going to be like rocks at the bottom of the river.

>> Bert Harper: You really are. And it is going to be run over, taken away. You have nothing to gain. Now, again, it goes. Now notice what it mentions here. It mentions under the green tree. Then it mentions the smooth sown of a stream. Now, verse seven. On a lofty and high mountains you have set your bed. Notice, Isaiah is, giving a lesson, in geology. Okay. A little bit. And there's no place what you do when you practice these pagan and ungodly, you know, practices in your life or in our nation's life, there is a price to pay. And here it says even there, you went up to offer sacrifices. But, Alex, if you read the rest of it, none of those sacrifices were acceptable to the Lord, were they?

>> Alex McFarland: No, they really weren't.

Isaiah says you can't get right with God by human effort

And he says, like in verse seven, you think you've got yourself up on a high mountain, but, behind the doors and also the post, has thou set up thy remembrance, for thou hast discovered thyself to another other than me. In other words, God sees what you're doing. God knows what goes on in the quote, unquote, secret parts of your life. And you think you, can go to the king with ointment. In other words, appease yourself, make yourself presentable with perfumes or makeup or anything like that. And you've debased yourself even unto hell. Now, you can't get right with God by human effort. salvation is not about how much money you've got or how pretty or handsome you might think you are, or you can't bargain with God. You and Bert, you know, Jack Wurtson of Word of Life, you, remember that ministry?

>> Bert Harper: Oh, yes, I do.

>> Alex McFarland: And, Jack Wurtson had A famous saying, and a lot of people say it now, but I think it was original to him. But he said, before you can get some people saved, you have to get them lost. In other words, you have to, with the help of the Holy Spirit, help people comprehend how dire the situation is. And Isaiah, here talking about people that they've debased themselves even unto hell. You know, all that's left is the last heartbeat. And they're almost already in hell. The situation is dire. And there is one hope, one salvation, one recourse you've got, and that's to call out to, Jesus. There's no other way.

>> Bert Harper: There's no other way. And he declares that 10, 11, 12. He continues that you've grieved me, you've hurt me. I've held my peace for a while, but, it will be made right. Verse 12, real quickly. I will declare your righteousness and your works, for they will not profit you, what you're doing, even though you're making a half hearted, advancement toward pleasing me with your sacrifices, you are not. It will not work. It will not profit. When you cry out, let your collection of idols deliver you. Listen, you're trying to have me and them too. No. Come out from among them and be ye separate. It is God and God alone who can deliver. But the wind will carry them away. Breath will take them. But he who puts his trust in me shall possess the land and shall inherit my holy mountain. Praise God for the last two lines in verse 13. Alex. Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: amen. You know, there's something here that is so beautiful. and again, like you pointed out, the idols can't save them. Cast ye up. Cast ye up. Prepare the way. Take up the stumbling block out of the way of my people. Verse 15. For thus saith the high and lofty one who inhabits eternity. And 1o and e is capitalized. This is God. God is the high, holy, lofty one who inhabits eternity, whose name is holy. I dwell in the high and holy place with him also, that is of contrite and humble spirit. To revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. For I will not contend forever, neither will I be always wroth or angry. For the spirit should fail before me and the souls which I have made.

Today is the day of prayer and that number is 888 589-8840

All right, I want to point out one thing, Bert. I'll throw it to you. Where do souls come from? God. God makes the soul. You know, at the moment of conception, yes, a baby is conceived, but a soul is Born, really. And Bert, they've even through. I've seen video of this. There's a flash of light.

>> Caroline: Ah.

>> Alex McFarland: When conception occurs, there is. It's a miracle. The miracle of life. And, you know, really, to be very clear, we are spirit, soul and body. the spirit is that part of you that exists everlastingly somewhere. And that's why we need to be regenerated, made alive, saved. Because, listen, you can believe it or not, you can like it or not, but you will exist everlastingly. And death, the grave, is not the end, is it, Bert? And theologians have wondered, what's the origin of the soul? God makes the soul, doesn't he?

>> Bert Harper: He is the one and only. he's the one that created Adam and Eve. He is the progenitor of it all. He is the beginning of it all. And, Alex, when you read this from 16 all the way through 21, you see that God is wanting to make people right. he says it clearly. the people that went on backsliding, there was a price to pay. But those that come to the Lord, he'll restore with confidence. He really will restore comfort to him. The comfort of the Lord. I create the fruit, verse 19. The fruit of the lips. Peace. Peace to him who is far off and to him who is near, says the Lord. And I will hear him. Alex, listen. His hand is not shortened. That he cannot save. His ear is not dumb. That he cannot hear. If he hears that person, even today, that is, feels like man. They've done too much. They've gone and wasted too much time. Is there hope for them, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: There is hope. If you're in, We've often said this. If you're still in the land of the living, if there is breath in your lungs and presence of mind about you, you can be saved. And, people frequently say, but you don't know what I've done or this or that in my past. God knows, and he loves you. And his arms are open. I quoted Erwin Lutzer yesterday. I love this quote. He said, there is more grace in God's heart than there is sin in your past.

>> Bert Harper: Hallelujah.

>> Alex McFarland: we serve a kind Savior, and he's calling out to people, even Albert. I think there's probably somebody listening right now. And you're wondering, if I died, am I really ready to meet God? You can get ready by calling out to Jesus today. And the one who comes to Christ, he will not reject.

>> Bert Harper: So what is the last warning after he gives all this? He says, come to me. There's no peace, says my God, for the wicked. You're not going to find that peace and that joy in drink, in possessions or location. You find it in the person of Jesus Christ. It's the day of prayer and that number. 888 589-8840. Give us a call. We'd love to hear from you today. The AFR app is a powerful tool, but it does have limitations. You can't use it to change the oil in your vehicle or get rid of carpet stains.

>> Alex McFarland: It won't walk the dog, won't pick

>> Bert Harper: up the dry cleaning or take the kids to practice. But while you're doing those things, you can listen to your favorite AFR content through the app on your phone, smart device, or Roku. Just go to your app store or visit afr.net Listen to AFR wherever you go with the AFR app. Don't stop, praying?

>> Alex McFarland: Don't stop calling on Jesus name Keep on pouting on hey, heaven's door Let your knees wear out the floor?

>> Caroline: Don't stop believing?

>> Alex McFarland: Cause mountains move with just a little faith? And your father's heard every single word you're saying?

>> Bert Harper: So don't stop praying?

>> Alex McFarland: Don't stop praying. Welcome back to Exploring the Word. Hey, here's the phone number. Listen to this triple 858-9884. That's 888-589-8840. On Tuesdays, in addition to taking any and all Bible questions, we also take prayer requests. And if you have a prayer request, we'd love to hear from you.

Two days ago, I was sitting in Atlanta airport praying for a young man

Bert, I got a. I have a praise. Really? Two days ago, I was sitting in the Atlanta airport. I was just thinking, and a name popped into my head that I hadn't thought of in a while. It was a neighbor. They were having some trouble with their. Their teenage son, who's about 19 or 20. And, I just felt led to pray. and I hadn't thought of this family. And in probably a year, they had called, and they were having a really, really tough season. And so I was sitting in the Atlanta airport and I prayed for this young man. Well, just an hour ago, Angie and I were having lunch, and we ran into this family. And I said, wow, I was just praying for your son. And the mother said, it's a miracle. He's gotten off of drugs. He's reading his Bible again. He's cleaned up. He's been sober for a year. And, she said, we were having a hard time and we can't believe How God has turned his life around. And I said, two days ago, the Holy Spirit brought him to mind. I was praying, and Bert, here's my point. God answers prayers. The hopeless situation. folks, there is hope, and it's in Jesus Christ.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Alex, good word, man. That thrills my heart. And, first you think of him, and then you get to meet them and you hear this good report. that's awesome. Alex, you got the phone lines. You want me too?

>> Alex McFarland: could you try m. I can't get my computer to work on the. Folks, we have this software where we can answer the telephone off of a computer, and most days it works. Today is not one of those.

>> Bert Harper: Well, yesterday it was the phone lines not working. But let's make up for it. Go with as many as we can. Ivy in Texas. Go right ahead. Ivy, are you there?

>> Caroline: Izzy? Yes.

>> Bert Harper: Easy. Okay, yeah, go ahead. I'm sorry about that.

>> Caroline: That's not a problem, sir.

Every human, then and now, is a descendant of Adam and Eve

talk. When Cain, killed Abel, he said unto the Lord, my punishment is greater than I can bear. You have driven me out to stay from the face of the earth, and I should behead. I should be a fugitive and a vagabond. And it should come to pass that everyone that find me shall slay me. Who was he referring to? Because there wasn't anybody else on the earth born at that time. Am I correct?

>> Bert Harper: Okay, let's you partially correct. But, God doesn't tell us all of the children that, you know, Adam and Eve had made. And the vagabond, he was wondering he'd be out on his own. The vagabond has idea of being on his own. He is leaving a. A safe situation, going into a difficult situation, not only with people, but also with the wilderness and everything else that was waiting out there. Wasn't he, Alex?

>> Alex McFarland: Yeah. you know, answers in Genesis. Ken Ham has written extensively about this, and it's really good. But in Genesis, 5, verse 4, says the days of Adam after he had begotten Seth were 800 years. And Adam begat sons and daughters. The language of it really is many sons and daughters. Now, the immediate story talks about Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, but by this time, scholars believe that there could have been thousands or maybe even hundreds of thousands of people descendants by the time that Cain left. So I want to say what it does not imply. It is not implying that there were other races of people on the other side of the globe. Ah. Because every now and then, evolutionists will say, well, see over here on the Other side of the planet. Life had evolved over there. No. Every human, then and now is a descendant of Adam and Eve. Aren't they, Bert?

>> Bert Harper: They really are. And, it's even been proved, Alex, you've referred to. It goes back to, where it started. You know, a, single, mother and a father started from there. And we have the knowledge of who it was. I pray that helps. Let's go to Texas. Stan. Thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: How are you guys doing this, afternoon?

>> Bert Harper: Doing good. It's good day to be alive, Stan. Go ahead, brother.

>> Caroline: Yes, sir. I just wanted to say that I've been listening to you guys off and on for a few years now. But when I first started listening to you guys, afr. I love afr. And I started listening to you guys and I said, oh, my God, these guys are so religious. I just can't believe it. But I kept listening and I kept listening, and then one day it dawned on me and it's like these words just came to me. It's not that they're religious, it's that I'm so backslidden.

>> Bert Harper: Well, Stan, I can tell you this. Alex McFarland loves the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word. I tell you that. Yeah, he does.

>> Alex McFarland: And Bert Harper as well.

>> Bert Harper: Well, Stand, are you growing in the Lord now?

>> Caroline: Brother, I am seeking, I'm spending more time in, my Christian worship music. And I've been. I've been a Christian for a long, long time, but I went through some serious struggle and backslid badly. And I say I'm working my way back, but I know we don't work our way back, but, it's just kind of been a step by step process for me to get back to where I want to be. I still don't have the joy that I'm looking for. I don't feel like I have the victory I'm, looking for, but I'm, I'm looking in the right places, until I make it well, keep on

>> Bert Harper: growing in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. He will. He will. Make sure you look for a local church to be a part of that teaches the Word. And if you can get in a small group in that church where accountability and encouragement happens. And, And Stan, thank you for that call. And we appreciate you, brother. We really do. Thank you so much. Let's go to Texas and talk to Donna. Donna, thank you for calling today.

>> Caroline: Hi, Bert. How you and Alex doing?

>> Bert Harper: We're doing well.

>> Alex McFarland: Thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Good.

Alex: Would you pray for my grandson Ulrich going into the military

I just got A prayer request from my sister. Trish has been abused by her husband. He's in jail and they have a two year old. So would you pray for her and them? Would you pray for my grandson? Ulrich is going into the military on the 5th. I've encouraged him to journal and he doesn't believe in God. But that's just a temporary sit.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Believe that Donna. Well Alex, you got enough that you could lead us in prayer for Donna and her request. Go ahead brother.

>> Alex McFarland: Let's pray. Father God, we thank you that we can join in prayer and agree together and call on your name and bless Donna and these requests. And Lord, Lord, I pray for this man that he's been abusive and he's in jail and that's where ah, an abuser should be right now. And Lord, I pray as he's hit bottom that you would work in his life and he would be saved. We pray for this little two year old child and we pray for the mother that she could heal and that every individual in question that would find their healing and their life and their foundation in you Jesus. And then we pray for the young man going into the military. What an honorable thing that is to serve our country in that way. But Lord, we ask for by the power of your holy spirit that he would come to know you and believe. And Lord, that he would take you as his savior. So thank you for all the things Donna has brought to us. We agree and we bring them to you Jesus. And we thank you in advance for how you're going to work in all of these lives. In your name we pray Lord. Amen.

>> Bert Harper: Amen. Thank you Donna. Thank you for calling. Let's go to Alabama and talk to John. John, thank you for calling. Exploring the word. Go right ahead brother.

>> Caroline: Thank you very. Yes, I have a brother in law is really, really struggling with life and had a sudden side accident two years ago. And he's just, he's struggling really spiritually and physically and financially. But he's just, he really needs prayer.

>> Bert Harper: I'll do it.

>> Caroline: Appreciate you all prayers for.

>> Bert Harper: Okay Father, thank you for John. May we all have brother in laws, brothers, sisters, friends that would bring our need to you and to share it with others in a way that others can join in. And Father, I pray for this struggling man, God, that he would look unto you, the author and finisher of faith. I pray that he would understand that we live in a world which difficulty is a part of. And Father, the finances, spiritually, all the things that he's struggling, that he would look unto you and Father, that you would meet him where he is, bring some people into his life that would challenge him also. That would guide him and challenge him to follow you. We pray this. We believe this in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you, John.

Brent: We've got some prayer requests coming over on Facebook

Well, next we're going into North Carolina, and it's Deborah. Deborah, go right ahead.

>> Caroline: Yes, sir. A friend of mine, Mary, he's in the hospital, and she asked if we could please pray for her. Her kidneys are shutting down.

>> Bert Harper: Oh, man.

>> Caroline: We want to. That her kidneys will come m. Back to normal so that she don't have to get on the, kidney machine.

>> Bert Harper: That's right. Yeah. A man. Kidney issues, Alex. Severe. Deborah's her name. Would you pray?

>> Alex McFarland: the woman with a kidney problem?

>> Bert Harper: No, Deborah is the one that made the request. I don't think we got the person's name. Do you know her? Could you give her a first name? Deborah? Yes.

>> Caroline: Her first name is Mary.

>> Bert Harper: Mary. Okay, that helps.

>> Alex McFarland: Let's pray. Father, in the name of Jesus, we lift up Mary, this daughter of the king. Father, in the name of Jesus, please restore those kidneys. dialysis is so burdensome. Lord, we thank you for medical technology, but what a blessing it is when our bodies work as you made them and our organs function. And thank you for Deborah, ah, bringing this request. But, Lord, we agree. Together we call out in your name. And I just. I'm believing you're going to touch those kidneys and make them work again, such that she wouldn't even have to get on dialysis. So we lift this up to you. We thank you in advance. And Isaiah 53. 6 says, by your stripes, we're healed. So, Lord, I just pray that you would favor this woman with a healing touch from you, Lord. In Christ's name, I ask it. Amen.

>> Bert Harper: M. Amen. Amen. Alex. Brent, we've had some prayer requests coming over on Facebook. Yes, I've got two on Facebook right now. One is from Dannah. She's asking for prayer for her brother Craig, who has cancer, and her uncle Jean, who is suffering from cancer and is in hospice. And the other is from Nancy. She's having back surgery this Friday due to a bulging disc. And, she would have really coveted your prayers. Okay. I've got those written down. I'm going to combine them with her next prayer, so that way we can do it and have more time for everyone. John in Texas. John, thank you for calling.

>> Caroline: Oh, thank you. Listen, I. I cannot express how much I enjoy Hearing y', all, too righteous Men. I, just love your program. I'm a big cry baby. Hey, listen, my daughter, my only child, she won't even let me talk to her about the truth. She'll just hang up on me. She lives in Oregon, and. And, that marijuana has had her her whole life. I can't get to her.

>> Bert Harper: God can.

>> Alex McFarland: Sorry.

>> Bert Harper: God can. Alex, does God intervene in people's lives? Does prayers in Texas make a difference with a person in Oregon?

>> Alex McFarland: Absolutely. The Holy Spirit, God, touches the whole planet. Sir, I am so sorry. I really am. And I got to tell you something, Bert. I have this visceral hatred of illegal drugs. And, you know, I was a youth pastor for 11 years, and we do summer camps. I have seen drugs destroy so many lives. And that's why, folks, as you're praying, please pray that our nation would get set free from the clutches of substance abuse. I mean it. And, sir, we will pray for your daughter. We absolutely will. And, I know, Bert, you're writing these down, but, I gotta tell you, whenever I hear politicians or celebrities talk about legalizing marijuana. Legalizing. It makes my blood boil, doesn't it?

>> Bert Harper: It does mine. I have seen it. It is the introductory, and it's a lot stronger than it was way back when it started, quote, in the hippie years and all of that, it's even amplified more. So we are. And let's pray. And, we do want to pray for these.

Father, we thank you for a day of prayer on Exploring the Word

All right. For me to lead Alex.

>> Alex McFarland: Lead us.

>> Bert Harper: Father, I thank you for John calling. I thank you for his broken heart over his daughter. We're praying right now in Oregon. Wherever she is, there would be a strange presence in her life. And that presence is the spirit of the Holy Spirit. And he is moving and. And hopefully bringing back to her memory some teaching that she had that she would understand there's something better than where she is and what she's doing. And I'm praying for John, that you would just help him, strengthen him. Father, for those that called in, that are called in and came in on Facebook for Dannah and for her, Craig and Jean, I pray right now, God, that you would help them, strengthen them, that you would be present with them. And, Father, for Nancy that's going in for surgery herself, Father, I pray that you would strengthen her and help her. I pray you'd give direction to all the medical staff that will be involved in surgery and even the part of recovery. And, Father, we thank you for a day of prayer here on Exploring the Word. And I thank you for that lady months ago that said, why not make Tuesday a day of prayer? Father, it's really blessed us and we want to bless your holy name. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

>> Caroline: Amen.

>> Alex McFarland: Amen. Ah, well, it's been a great day on Exploring the Word. We give God all the praise. We're going to pick it up tomorrow in Isaiah 58. We're coming kind of towards the end of the book of Isaiah, so stay with us And Burke, aren't we blessed, to get to do what we do?

>> Bert Harper: Listen, two or three said something about how we are blessing. Listen, Alex and I have been blessed by you and we thank God for you. Continue to listen to exploring the Word and let's grow in the Lord Jesus Christ.

>> Alex McFarland: The views and opinions expressed in this broadcast may not necessarily reflect those of the American Family association or American Family Radio.

A Day of Prayer and Our Continuing Study of the Book of Isaiah