12/31/2017 DAB Transcript

Malachi 3:1-4:6, Revelations 22:1-21, Psalms 150:1-6, Proverbs 31:25-31

Today is the 31st day of December. Welcome to the Daily Audio Bible. I am Brian and it’s an honor and a pleasure to be here with you on the last day of the year. So, I guess 364 days ago we started this journey this year and I’ll probably talk about that little bit the end. But first we should do what we’ve come to do, what we’ve been doing all year long, taking one step forward. And it has led us to this place where there’s only one step left. So, today we start a brand-new, shiny, sparkly week. Tomorrow we start a brand-new, shiny, sparkly year. And right now, we will conclude our reading of the Bible for this year. We’ll read from the New International Version this week. Malachi chapter 3 verse 1 through 4 verse 6.

Commentary:

This concludes the Bible. And this concludes 12 years, seven days a week, that we’ve taken this journey together. And man, at least the last five years, probably longer, every time I’m reading the last reading of the year, I’m, like, I’m having to shut the mic off because I’m tearing up…just the monumental privilege of reading God’s word out loud…and just reflecting back over the year…and God’s faithfulness through it all just humbles me to tears. And, as I reflect back on this year, man, there have been some significant challenges. I’m sure that’s true for all of us. And some really significant joys. I lost several people that I loved very much last year, in 2016, and lost my mom this year, 2017. And, ironically, our journey through the book of Revelation this year was quite encouraging. I mean, I think it’s clear that we don’t know all that we think we know, but I think that it’s clear, those who endure and stay true will be with God. And I think that’s, literally, true. And I long for a time when there are no more goodbyes and there is no more death and I do believe that will happen.

So, we, speaking of goodbyes, are saying goodbye to the year 2017. And we will go on together into the new year. And I thank you for the privilege of being able to serve you like this. This is a beautiful thing that we have inside this community. And we shouldn’t take what we’ve experienced together for granted. It’s been a joy to move our way step-by-step, day-by-day, all the way to this point. And we’ve taken that final step and we’ve completed the entire Bible. And for some of you, this is the first time all the way through and for others it’s like your 50th time all the way through. It just…it just doesn’t get old because it continues to speak into our lives right where we are. And there’s always something new. The Bible truly is a gift and I’m grateful that we could share in that gift together this year. And I love this family more than I ever have, because, like all of us, when I’ve felt alone this community gives living proof that is not so. And, so I thank you for that.

Prayer:

And, so, having said all of that. May the Lord bless you and keep you. May He make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May He lift up his countenance on you and give you peace. May the strength of God go with you. May the wisdom of God instruct you. May the hand of God protect you. May the word of God direct you. May you be sealed in Christ this day and forevermore. Amen.

And I leave you with the final words in the New Testament. ‘The goodwill of the Lord Jesus be with all of you.’ Amen.

I’m Brian I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here next year.

Song:

Mister Mr. – The Border

We, we must go on now, wherever people go who go on together

And now, try to hold on now, too many of us have run, run out of the circle


Can you hear me, are you breathing

I need you near me, no I’m not leaving

I’m in no hurry to do this alone

I am standing here with my arms open wide

I am waiting here, heart in my hand on the border

Dreams, dreams may seduce you

But sooner or later they’re gone and you’re back where you started

Oh look, look at these scars now

How many wounds does it take before we are healing

Can we go on now, from what we have done now

Yes we must go on, our questions unanswered

I know what we’re after is right here in our hands

I am standing here with my arms open wide

I keep waiting here, heart in my hand on the border

And every step we take gives us the strength to go on

And all the love we make gets us closer to home

I can see it all so clearly now, I can hear your voice in a song

And it burns down inside my soul, it takes me down this winding road

We can find our way back home

We, we must go on now, wherever people go who go on together

Oh, standing here with my arms open wide

And I keep waiting here, on the borderline

And every step we take gives us the strength to go on

And all the love we make gets us closer to home