Deuteronomy 32:28-52, Luke 12:35-59, Psalms 78:56-64, Proverbs 12:24
Today is the 8th day of April welcome to the Daily Audio Bible I am Brian it is wonderful to be here with you today. It’s wonderful to be here every day. It’s wonderful to have this place. Like, in my heart and my mind it’s a safe place. It’s a Global Campfire, right? It’s a place we can come and let it go and just…yeah…it’s a safe place. So, glad to be here with you today, take the next step forward and allow the Scriptures to speak and to inform our lives in the paths that we are on and help us to interpret our lives. So, let’s dive in. We’re reading from the Christian Standard Bible. We are rounding out the book of Deuteronomy. Right now, we’ll pick up…just so that we can understand like what we’re about to read…we’re picking up in the middle of a song. So, we’re picking up with the lyrics of a song. And this song was given by God to Moses and this song is ultimately supposed to be a witness to the people of Israel against them because God has foretold to Moses that, although the people have been instructed well, they will remain rebellious and when they do get into the land and they do rebel they will have to face the consequences. And, so, that’s what this song is about. And we’ll conclude that song today and continue forward. Deuteronomy chapter 32 verse 28 through verse 52.
Commentary:
Okay. Let’s go into the gospel of Luke. I quote Jesus. “I came to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already set ablaze!” What is going on here? This is one of if not the most exasperated moments captured in the Bible for…in the life of Jesus. He goes on to say, “do you think I came to bring peace on the earth? No. I tell you, but rather division.” Hmmm. So, how does this work with our tidy little Sunday school stories? Like, how does this work? What’s is going on here? The seems like a departure in posture. Jesus says, “they will be divided father against son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law. Fascinating! What can do that in…in a widespread sort of way? Well, I can think of a couple things that can do that, one that we all know because we’ve all borne witness that this can happen. Father against son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law – politics, right? So, we shouldn’t look at what Jesus is saying and go like, “whoa. How is He so divisive? What’s going on here? There’s nothing in the world that could be that divisive to just shred families wholesale.” Yeah, we’ve seen it plenty. It’s very, very possible. The other thing that can do this that I know of and probably more true to what Jesus is saying - the truth can do this. We were just talking and even praying for eyes to see and ears to hear so that we might seek first God’s kingdom yesterday. To see God’s kingdom at work and participate in it does require that our eyes be open. Once that happens though you can’t see the same. You can’t un-see what you’re seeing. You’re seeing with new eyes. You’re becoming aware of the presence of the Lord everywhere, which means that you’re seeing the darkness and the evil lurking everywhere way more clearly and you’re realizing you had been participating in all of that, but now you can’t unsee. Your reality has begun to shift. You are being transformed. You become a light bearer. Wherever you go so goes the light. The light shines in the darkness. The darkness doesn’t comprehend it and squirms into the shadows because what is in the dark does not want to be exposed to the light. And, so, it retaliates and attacks the light bearer. This is what Jesus is talking about and He’s saying I wish this fire were already burning because the fire that He’s talking about isn’t a fire to like destroy planet Earth, it’s a holy fire that eradicates deception. It burns away the false or as Jesus said, “the truth will set you free.” The thing is this is somewhat fundamental to our faith. We know that transformation is the goal, is the process, that we be transformed into the likeness of the Savior, that we become what we call Christlike, which is…which is like Christ. And when we look Jesus in the Gospels we can see clearly where we may be on that path and we can see clearly where we are nothing like Christ. Probably…I’m thinking “should I say this”, but probably if we were to say…I don’t know…examine the last six months of our social media posts. That might give us insight into ourselves. That might give us clues into what we’re trying to say and compare that to the life of Christ that we are supposed to be living. And it’s funny how all of this stuff can get so interlocked where we can feel like, “well…I’m posting the truth on social media and I’m getting persecuted or other people think they’re posting the truth but it’s my job to correct them and persecute them.” And, so, we can get all kind of wound up into this religious fervor over certain things but if we would step back these are not the things Jesus deals with. This is not what He’s talking about. I used to think that the world can be changed through a song. It’s what drew me to music. I spent an awful lot, years looking for that song. That song does not exist. A song can change somebody’s world, but not typically the world. A social media post isn’t going to change the world. A radically transformed life that is full of light and life and good news, that can change a lot of things. There are 2 billion people on this planet that believe that Jesus is the son of God, that he’s the Savior of the world. That is an incredible amount of potential for light in the dark. The most interesting thing about all that Jesus is saying here, because we can espouse the rhetoric and say like this is an aggressive move forward for God’s kingdom by force and I need to get on board and so I’m just gonna light the torch and set things on fire. The most interesting thing is that the fire that we’re talking about here, the fire is love. Jesus says this is how we will be known as His disciples. It’s love that’s the force that is more powerful than the darkness. It’s love that transforms us into the image of Christ. It’s love that will let Jesus allow himself to be executed by His own creation. Love is the thing, according to the Scriptures that conquers all. If we are doing things in love in the name of Jesus then we don’t have to be confused about why the darkness would be attempting to retaliate. But if we’re just using the same rhetoric and tactics that…that are prevalent, we’re wasting energy. When we are literally doing what we’re doing in profound respect and awe and love for Christ and in profound understanding that love is the way of his kingdom then we don’t have to be confused about whether we’re doing the right thing. Jesus is telling us what’s gonna happen so that we’re not confused and so that we understand that we are in the battle if we want to call it a battle. We are bringing light and love into this world, which is how we were created to live. And, so, let’s live into that and invite the Holy Spirit into that because that’s the voice we need. I can sit here and say all kinds of words but my words…I mean…I am a fellow pilgrim on the same path, but I know that I know that the Holy Spirit is present upon this earth and is calling to anyone who will listen. And I know from the Scriptures that wisdom is upon this earth and she is calling to anyone who will listen. Let’s listen. Let’s listen and obey.
Prayer:
Holy Spirit come. Again, give us eyes to see and ears to hear that we might wake up, that it’s time to wake up, that our slumber is over, that this is not purposeless or aimless. We are here to be transformed so that we can be ambassadors for Your kingdom upon this earth, representing You upon this earth so that others may cease their slumber. Come Jesus we pray in Your mighty name. Amen.
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And that’s it for today. I’m Brian I love you and I’ll be waiting for you here tomorrow.
Community Prayer and Praise:
Hi this is Shelly In Oklahoma walking my dogs on Easter morning out in the Woods. It’s beautiful. Wanted to call in because of the prayer request from Momma’s Little Rock in Arkansas. And your prayer request for prayers because your grieving about your mother touched my heart. Just…just made me in so much pain for you. I lost my mother five years ago this month and it is still very difficult. But I wanted to tell you that while I was listening to your call God just prompted me about a message that Brian had for us several years ago and it was about little by little, that when the Israelites left Egypt, they weren’t ready to be in the promised land. They were…they were…they had only known to be slaves. But little by little God taught them how to take care of themselves, how to protect themselves, how…how to become free people, how to…how to provide for themselves. And I think that’s something that you might want to give some thought to, that you don’t have to know everything your mother knew to get by in this world and you will grieve her and ache for her probably for the rest of your life as I do for my mother. But little by little it will get a little less painful and you will find your way. I’m praying for you and I love you. This is Shelly in Oklahoma.
Hello, my wonderful DAB family this is Rosie calling back. I’m sorry I’m calling back but I need prayer. I’m still having a lot of problems with my son. I haven’t seen him since July 11th of last year or hear his voice. And he had covid in November and they still told me that I had to quarantine even though I hadn’t seen him because I saw his son. I was around his son. But his son didn’t have covid either. But anyway, I believe that he’s going through a change of life or having a midlife crisis or something I’m not sure but he’s not the same son that I raised and he’s just totally different. And for one thing he’s away from God and I think he’s still angry because his dad died when he was 13. And we were believing that his dad was going to be healed and he wasn't…well…he got the ultimate healing and I believe my son has been angry ever since at God. So, I think that’s what he needs prayer for. And this past week has been a tough week because my husband has…well…he went home to be with the Lord 28 years ago and every time during the…this part of the year I struggle and I would think after 28 years I would…it wouldn’t be so hard but it’s not as hard as it was but I still, you know, struggle with it. Anyway, I would really appreciate your prayers. I love you.
Hi, it’s Donna from California and heard a prayer request, this is actually April 5th from James. And first I wanted to say I…I…I could call into everybody about everybody’s prayer requests. I feel like it's…it’s drawn out of me to do that. I just…I want to respond to each and every one of them. Of course, that would be a lot of calling in, so I won’t attempt that but please know I do lift up your prayer…prayer with each on one when I hear it. But James yours really touched me in particular. Listening to it could definitely hear his pain. Divorce just rips people apart. I’ve been through one. I know lots of people who’ve been through one or more. Understand that it just…it brings you to that point where…yeah…you would just rather not have to go on. I’m glad that you have a safety plan. Think of your children. I’m sure that you are. And I…I just…I…let’s pray. Let’s just pray. Lord heavenly Father I lift up James to You. He’s in a world of pain. His wife is asking for a divorce. The word is…is just so horrible and ugly. Pray that You would just…you touch her heart. If…if there is any way that…and there is with you…that things can be reconciled I pray for that in Your holy name. Amen.
Good morning DAB family this is Paula the child advocate from the LA area calling. It is the Monday after Easter and I sure hope you all had a lovely joyous Easter as I did, celebrating with my family. I’m calling this morning because I heard James the teacher from LA call in. James it’s been a long time. I’ve never forgotten you. I heard you right from the beginning many years ago when you started calling in. And I was so happy to hear your voice but saddened to hear why you were calling in, that your wife wanted a divorce. And I just wanted to let you know James that you and your wife will be in my prayers. And I know that you know that God can do anything, all things. So, I’m going to be praying that you and your wife can reconcile, and the Lord will change her heart. And I’m happy to hear that you have a safety plan in place. James you are so important to all of us and to your wife and to everyone in your life. And, so, I’m happy to hear that. Please know that I love you and we all of you. And one more message to the young woman who called in that lost her mother. Dear girl I know what that’s like, most of us do. And I think to myself, how wonderful and fortunate we were that we had such wonderful mothers that we miss them so much because working with foster children I see how many of them have mothers that are not the type like our mothers, you know, that maybe they don’t miss them as much because their mothers were not as good to them as our mothers. So, please know that I’m praying for you and that one day your heart will not be as heavy. Bless you all DAB family. I love you. I listen to your prayers. I pray for you. Paula from LA. Bye for now.
Good morning this is Carlos __ from Brooklyn. I called a couple times and I’ve been listening for more than 10 years to Brian. Please I need you. I need all of your prayers. I have Covid. Now my wife has Covid. My…my daughter __ have covid, my grandson Isaiah got Covid, my grandson Elijah got Covid. Please, please ask the Lord to forgive me __. I need you. I need your prayers please. Please pray for me. May the Lord take away this covid from us. O, please Lord I ask in Jesus’ name. Thank you, Brian. Thank you, Daily Audio Bible. Thank you.