Transcript

Executive Producers

Cindy Gardner
Scott Snider
Anonymous

Podcast Introduction

Today our reading is 2 Kings 11-15.  Afterwards, I’ll have some thoughts to share with you, and I have several thank yous.

I’m calling today’s episode “The God Who Endures.”

Comments on 2 Kings 15

1 and 2 Kings are books that give brief accounts of the kings of Israel and Judah. More details are given in 1 and 2 Chronicles and the other Old Testament books of History. 

Here in chapter 15 and as we will read next week in chapter 16, most of the kings we read about did not follow the Lord, and the times were spiritually very dark indeed. Most of them “did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit.” What were the sins of Jeroboam? They were the worship of idols, golden calves. And he built asherah poles and encouraged the people to worship other gods.

What is the first of the ten commandments? “I am the Lord thy God. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” When Jesus was asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” this is the one He responded with.

The amazing thing to me is that God is so loving and patient that He didn’t completely wash His hands of these, His chosen people. Through all of these dark times when the kings and the people turned their backs on Him, He did not forget His promise to Abraham…that his descendants would be His people, and His promise to David that his descendants would always be on the throne. 

But then, here we are in 2022 and God has still not washed His hands of mankind. He has made a way for anyone who will believe in His Son to have eternal life and a relationship with God. And most of the world is as far from God as those we read about today. Still, God is patient. And to any who asks forgiveness, He is faithful and just to forgive. 

People talk about the vengeful angry God of the Old Testament. I’m sorry. I don’t see that at all. Sure, there were times that He disciplined His people, but it was as a loving father disciplines a wayward child. He does it because of his love for the child so that they will not be harmed by the consequences of bad behavior or wrong decisions. 

That really is the thread we see all through the Bible. From the first page to the last. God is love, and He is deeply and madly in love with you, and He has done everything to make it possible to reconcile your bad choices so that there is no longer anything keeping you separated from Him. 

That is the kind of God that I can love and serve gladly.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 11-14 NKJV; Ch. 15 NIV

Music

Bob Bennett’s “Two Or More” from his “Joy Deep As Sorrow” album. Go buy it!

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Transcript

Steve Webb 0:00
I’m sorry, but I just don’t see that at all.

Steve Webb 0:10
Hello there this is the Lifespring family Audio Bible episode 202 of season 12 on March 22 2022, more about that later, coming to you from Riverside, California and podcasting since 2004. I am your OG God caster a very grateful and humbled Steve Webb, welcome. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Our reading today is Second Kings 11 through 15. Afterwards all has some thoughts to share with you and I have several thank yous. Also I have a song for you at the end. Stick around for that. The title for today is the God who endures. The show notes page for today’s episode is at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 202. Are you ready?

Steve Webb 1:01
Second Kings chapter 11.

Steve Webb 1:04
When Athaliah, the mother of a Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs. But Yahoshua, the daughter of King Joram, sister of a Messiah took Joash, the son of a messiah in stole him away from among the king sons who were being murdered, and they hid him and his nurse in the bedroom from FLIR so that he was not killed. So he was hidden with her in the house of the Lord for six years, while FLIR reigned over the land. In the seventh year, Jehoiada, sent in brought the captains of hundreds of the body guards and the escorts and brought them into the house of the Lord to him. And he made a covenant with them, and took an oath from them in the house of the Lord, and showed them the king’s son. Then he commanded them saying, This is what you shall do. 1/3 of you who come on duty on the Sabbath, shall be keeping watch over the king’s house. 1/3 shall be at the gate of Sir, and 1/3 at the gate, behind the escorts, you shall keep the watch of the house, lest it be broken down. The two contingents of you who go off duty on the Sabbath shall keep the watch of the house of the Lord for the king. But you shall surround the king on all sides, every man with his weapons in his hand, and whoever comes within range, let him be put to death. You are to be with a king as he goes out. And as he comes in, so the captains of the hundreds did according to all the Jehoiada, that priest commanded. Each of them took his men who were to be on duty on the Sabbath, with those who were going off duty on the Sabbath, and came to Jehovah the priest. And the priests gave the captains of hundreds the spears and shields which had belonged to King David that were in the temple of the Lord. Then the Escort stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, all around the king from the right side of the temple to the left side of the temple, by the altar and the house. And he brought out the king son, put the crown on him, and gave him the testimony. They made him king and anointed him. And they clapped their hands and said, long live the king. Now an AF Elia heard the noise of the escorts and the people, she came to the people in the temple of the Lord. When she looked, there was the king standing by a pillar, according to custom, and the leaders and the trumpeters, were by the king. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. So Atha Leia tore her clothes and cried out treason, treason, and Jehoiada, the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the Army, and said to them, Take her outside under guard and slay with a sword, whoever follows her for the priesthood said, do not let her be killed in the house of the Lord. So they seized her, and she went by way of the horses entrance into the king’s house, and there she was killed. Then Jehovah made a covenant between the lord the king, and the people that they should be the Lord’s people, and also between the king and the people. And all the people of the land, went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They thoroughly broken pieces, its altars and images and killed mattone, the priest of bail before the altars, and the priest appointed officers over the house of the Lord. Then he took the captains of hundreds, the body guards, the escorts, and all the people of the land. And they brought the king down from the house of the Lord, and went by way of the gate of the escorts to the king’s house. Then he sat on the throne of the kings, so all the people of the land rejoiced in the city was quiet, for they hid slay and fly with a sword in the king’s house. jehoash was seven years old when he became king.

Steve Webb 4:42
Second Kings chapter 12. In the seventh year of Gu jehoash, became king and he reigned 40 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was xebia of Beersheba. jehoash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him But the high places were not taken away, the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. And jehoash said to the priests, all the money of the dedicated gifts that are brought into the house of the Lord, each man’s census money, each man’s assessment, money, and all the money that a man purposes in his heart to bring into the house of the Lord, let the priests take it themselves, each from his constituency, and let them repair the damages of the temple wherever any dilapidation is found. Now, it was so by the 23rd year of King Joash, that the priests had not repaired the damages of the temple. So King Joash called Jehovah to the priest and the other priests and said to them, Why have you not repaired the damages of the temple, now therefore do not take more money from your constituency, but deliver it for repairing the damages of the temple, and the priests agreed that they would neither receive more money from the people nor repair the damages of the temple. Then Jehovah the priests took a chest board a hole in its lid, and set it beside the altar. On the right side is one comes into the house of the Lord. And the priests who kept the door put there all the money brought into the house of the Lord. So it was whenever they saw that there was much money in the chest, that the Kings scribe and the high priest came up and put it in bags and counted the money that was found in the house of the Lord. Then they gave the money which had been apportioned into the hands of those who did the work, who had the oversight of the house of the Lord. And they paid it out to the carpenters and builders who worked on the house of the Lord, and to masons and stone cutters, and for buying timber and hewn stone to repair the damage of the house of the Lord, and for all that was paid out to repair the temple. However, there was not made for the house of the Lord Basin’s of silver trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets, any articles of gold or articles of silver from the money brought into the house of the Lord, but they gave it to the workman and they repaired the house of the Lord with it. Moreover, they did not require an account from the man into whose hand they delivered the money to be paid to workman for They dealt faithfully. The money from the trespass offerings and the money from the sin offerings was not brought into the house of the Lord. It belonged to the priests. hazy, oh king of Syria went up and fought against gaff and took it. Then he’s you’ll set his face to go up to Jerusalem. And Joash king of Judah took all the sacred things that his father’s Jehoshaphat and Jehoram and a Uzziah kings of Judah had dedicated and his own sacred things, and all the gold found in the treasuries of the house of the Lord and in the king’s house and sent them to hazy oh king of Syria, then he went away from Jerusalem. Now the rest of the acts of Joe ash and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah and his servants arose and formed a conspiracy and killed Joe ash in the house of Millo, which goes down to Scylla. For Josie Carr, the son of shimmy F in Jahaz, Abed the son of Schomer, his servants struck him, so he died, and they buried him with his father’s in the city of David, then Amaziah his son reigned in his place.

Steve Webb 8:15
Second Kings chapter 13. In the 23rd, year of Joash, the son of a Uzziah, king of Judah, Jehovah has the son of G, who became king over Israel in some area in reigned 17 years. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of the bat, who had made Israel sin, He did not depart from them. Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of Hazel king of Syria, and into the hands of Ben, Hey, Dad, the son of Hayes yell all their days. So Jehovah has pleaded with the Lord and the Lord listened to him, for he saw the oppression of Israel, because the king of Syria oppressed them. Then the Lord gave Israel a deliverer. So they escaped from under the hand of the Syrians, and the children of Israel dwelt in their tents as before. Nevertheless, they did not depart from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who had made Israel sin, but walked in them, and the wooden image also remained in some area, for he left of the army of Jehovah has only 50 horsemen, 10 chariots and 10,000 foot soldiers, for the king of Syria had destroyed them, and made them like the dust at threshing. Now the rest of the acts of Jehovah has all that he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. So Jehovah has rested with his fathers, and they buried him in some area, then Joash his son reigned in his place in the 37th, year of Joash, king of Judah jehoash, the son of Jehovah has became king over Israel in Samaria, and reigned 16 years, and he did evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not depart from all the sins of Jeroboam the son of the bat, who made Israel sin But walked in them. Now the rest of the acts of Joe ash, all that he did and his might with which he fought against Amaziah, king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. So Joe ash rested with his father’s, then Jeroboam sat on his throne. And Joe Ash was buried in Sumeria, with the kings of Israel. Elijah had become sick with the illness of which he would die. Then Joash the king of Israel came down to him and wept over his face and said, Oh, my father, my father, the chariots of Israel and their horseman. And Elijah said to him, Take a bow and some arrows. So he took himself a bow and some arrows. Then he said to the king of Israel, put your hand on the bow. So he put his hand on it. And Elijah put his hands on the Kings hands, and he said, open the east window, and he opened it. And Elijah said, shoot, and he shot and he said, the arrow of the Lord’s deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria, for you must strike the Syrians at AIPAC tell you destroy them. Then he said, take the arrows, so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, strike the ground. So he struck three times and stopped. And the man of God was angry with him and said, You should have struck five or six times, then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it. But now you will strike Syria only three times. Then Elijah died, and they buried him. And the rating bands for Moab invaded the land in the spring of the year. So it was as they were burying a man that suddenly they spied a band of raiders, and they put the man in the tomb of Elijah. And when the man was let down and touched the bones of Elijah, he revived and stood on his feet, and hazy, oh, king of Syria, oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz. But the Lord was gracious to them had compassion on them and regarded them because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and would not yet destroy them or cast them from his presence. Now, Hayes, the old king of Syria died, then Ben, Hey, dad, his son reigned in his place. And jehoash, the son of Jehovah has recaptured from the hand of Ben, Hey dad, the son of a zeal. The cities which he had taken out of the hand of Jehovah has his father by war. Three times Joash defeated him and recaptured the cities of Israel.

Steve Webb 12:24
Second Kings chapter 14, in the second year of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, king of Israel, Amaziah, the son of Joash, king of Judah became king. He was 25 years old when he became king, and he reigned 29 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was gelatin of Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord yet not like his father, David. He did everything his his father Joash had done. However, the high places were not taken away, and the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. Now it happened as soon as the kingdom was established in his hand, that he executed his servants who had murdered his father, the king, but the children of the murderers he did not execute according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, in which the Lord commanded, saying, fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor their children be put to death for their fathers, but a person shall be put to death for his own sin. He killed 10,000 Edomites in the valley of salt, and took sila by war, and called its name jock the owl to this day. Then Amaziah sent messengers to jehoash the son of Jehovah has the son of Gu king of Israel, saying, Come let us face one another in battle. And jehoash, king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, the thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, give your daughter to my son as a wife, and a wild beast that was in Lebanon passed by and trampled the thistle. You have indeed defeated Edom, and your heart has lifted you up. Glory in that and stay at home. For Why should you metal with trouble so that you fall you and Judah with you? But Amaziah would not heed. Therefore jehoash King of Israel went out. So he and Amaziah king of Judah faced one another at Beth Shemesh, which belongs to Judah. And Judah was defeated by Israel and every man fled to his tent. Then jehoash, king of Israel captured Amaziah, king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of a Hosea at Beth Shemesh, and he went to Jerusalem and broke down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of efirium to the corner gate, 400 cubits, and he took all the gold and silver all the articles that were found in the house of the Lord and in the treasuries of the king’s house and hostages and returned to Sumeria. Now the rest of the acts of jehoash, which he did, his might and how he fought with Amaziah, king of Judah. Are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? So jehoash rested with his father’s and was buried in scenario with the kings of Israel. Then Jeroboam his son reigned in his place. Amaziah the son of Joash, king of Judah, lived 15 years after the death of jehoash, the son of Jehovah has king of Israel. Now the rest of the acts of Amaziah Are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah, and they formed a conspiracy against him in Jerusalem, and he fled to Lake ish, but they said after him to Lake ish and killed him there, then they brought him on horses, and he was buried at Jerusalem with his father’s in the city of David. And all the people of Judah took Azariah, who was 16 years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah. He built, he laughed and restored it to Judah after the king rested with his father’s.

Steve Webb 15:50
In the 15th year of Amaziah, the son of Joash, king of Judah, Jeroboam, the son of Joash, king of Israel, became king in some area and rained 41 years, and he did evil in the sight of the Lord. He did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam the son of knee bat, who made Israel sin. He restored the territory of Israel from the entrance of a map to the sea of the Arabs, according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he had spoken through his servant Jonah, the son of a Mattei, the prophet who was from gaff Kiefer. For the Lord saw that the affliction of Israel was very bitter, and whether bond or free there was no helper for Israel. And the Lord did not say that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven. But he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam, the son of Joash. Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam and all that he did his might, how he made war, and how he recaptured for Israel from Damascus and hey map what had belonged to Judah. Are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? So Jeroboam rested with his father’s, the kings of Israel, Then Zechariah his son reigned in his place.

Steve Webb 16:58
Second Kings chapter 15. In the 27th, year of Jeroboam, king of Israel, Azariah, son of Amaziah, king of Judah began to reign. He was 16 years old when he became king and he reigned in Jerusalem 52 years. His mother’s name was Jack Elia. She was from Jerusalem. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father Amaziah had done. The high places, however, were not removed, the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. The Lord afflicted the king with leprosy until the day he died, and he lived in a separate house. Joseph, the king son had charge of the palace and govern the people of the land. As for the other events of as arise rain and all he did, are they not written in the book of the Annals of the kings of Judah, as Araya rested with his ancestors, and was buried near them in the city of David, and Joe them his son succeeded him as king.

Steve Webb 17:57
In the 38th year of Azariah, king of Judah Zechariah, son of Jeroboam became king of Israel in some area, and he reigned six months, he did evil in the eyes of the Lord as his predecessors had done. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam of the bat, which he had caused Israel to commit. Shallum son of Jay Besh conspired against Zechariah he attacked him in front of the people assassinated him and succeeded him as king. The other events of Zacharias reign are written in the book of the Annals of the kings of Israel. So the word of the Lord spoken to G he was fulfilled. Your descendants will sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation. Shallum son of Jay Besh became king in the 39th year of Uzziah, king of Judah, and he reigned in Scenario one month. Then Menachem son of gay die went from Tirza up to Sumeria. He attacked Shallum, son of Jay bash in some area, assassinated him and succeeded him as king. The other events of shall limbs rain and the conspiracy he led a written in the book of the Annals of the kings of Israel. At that time, Menachem, starting out from Tirza, attacked titsa and everyone in the city and its vicinity. Because they refused to open their gates. he sacked tiffs, and ripped open all the pregnant women. In the 39th year of Azariah, king of Judah, Menachem son of gay die became king of Israel, and he reigned in some area 10 years. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. During his entire reign. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, son of the bat, which he had caused Israel to commit. Then pole king of Assyria invaded the land, and Menachem gave him 1000 talents of silver to gain his support and strengthen his own hold on the kingdom. Menachem exactly this money from Israel, every wealthy person had to contribute 50 shekels of silver to be given to the king of Assyria. So the king of Assyria withdrew in stayed in the land no longer as for the other half Have many hymns reign at all he did. Are they not written in the book of the Annals of the kings of Israel? Menachem rested with his ancestors, and Pekka Hyah, his son succeeded him is king. In the 50th year of Azariah, king of Judah, Pekka Hyah, son of Menachem became king of Israel in Sumeria. And he reigned two years back a HYAH did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam sort of knee bat, which he had caused Israel to commit. One of his chief officers pika son of REM Elia conspired against him, taking 50 Men of Gilead with him. He assassinated Pekka Hyah, along with our globe and area in the citadel of the Royal Palace, it’s an area so pika killed Pekka Hyah, and succeeded him is king. The other events of Pekka high his reign at all he did are written in the book of the Annals of the kings of Israel. In the 52nd, year of Azariah, king of Judah pika, son of REM Elia became king of Israel in some area, and he reigned 20 years, he did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, son of knee bat, which he had caused Israel to commit. In the time of pika, king of Israel, Tiglath Pileser, king of Assyria came and took iGen Abel, Beth Maacah, Genoa, Ki dash and hazer. He took Gilead and Galilee including all the land of NAFTA ally and deported the people to a Syria then Whoa, Shia son of Isla conspired against pika son of RAM Elia. He attacked and assassinated him, and then succeeded him as king in the 20th, year of Jotham, son of Uzziah. As for the other events of peak his reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the Annals of the kings of Israel. In the second year of pika, son of Himalaya, king of Israel, Jotham, son of Uzziah, king of Judah began to reign. He was 25 years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem 16 years. His mother’s name was Jerusha, daughter of a doc, he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord just as his father as I had done. The high places, however, were not removed, the people continued to offer sacrifices, and burn incense, their Jotham rebuilt the abrogate of the temple of the Lord. As for the other events of Jonathan drain, and what he did, are they not written in the book of the Annals of the kings of Judah. In those days, the Lord began to send reason king of Aram and Pekah son of RAM Elia against Judah. Jotham rested with his ancestors and was buried with him in the city of David, the city of his father, and Ahaz, his son succeeded him is king.

Steve Webb 22:40
Today, I’m going to talk about Second Kings chapter 15. As we’ve seen First and Second Kings are books that give brief accounts of the kings of Israel and Judah. More details are given in First and Second Chronicles and the other Old Testament books of history. And here in chapter 15. And as we’ll read next week, in chapter 16, most of the kings we read about did not follow the Lord. And the times were spiritually very dark Indeed, most of them as it’s written, did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam, son of knee bat, which he had caused Israel to commit. Well, what were the sins of Jeroboam? It was the worship of idols, golden calves, and he built Asherah poles and encouraged the people to worship other gods. Well, what is the first of the 10 commandments, I am the Lord thy God, thou shalt have no other gods before me. And when Jesus was asked, What is the greatest commandment, this is the one with which he responded. So really, the amazing thing to me is that God is so loving and patient that he didn’t just completely wash his hands of these His chosen people, through all of these dark times when the kings and the people turn their backs on him. He did not forget, as promised to Abraham, that his descendants would be God’s people. And he didn’t forget his promise to David, that David’s descendants would always be on the throne. And here we are in 2022, and God has still not washed his hands of mankind. Amazingly, he has made a way for everyone who will believe in His Son to have eternal life, and a relationship with God. Most of the world is as far from God as those we read about today. But still, God is patient, and to any who asks his forgiveness. He is faithful and just to forgive. Incredible. People talk about the vengeful, angry God of the Old Testament. I’m sorry, but I just don’t see that at all. Sure, there were times that he disciplined his people, but it was as a loving father disciplines a wayward child. He does it because of his love for the child so that they won’t be harmed by the consequences of their bad behavior or wrong decisions. That really is the thread we see all through the Bible from On the first page to the last, God is love, and he is deeply and madly in love with you. And he’s done everything to make it possible to reconcile your bad choices so that there is no longer anything keeping you separated from him. I gotta tell you, that’s the kind of God that I can love and serve gladly. How about you? Comment on the show notes page at Lifespring media.com/s 12 e 202. Our reading tomorrow was Psalms 87 through 89.

Steve Webb 25:39
It’s Tuesday, March 22, 2022. And this is episode 202 of season 12 of the Lifespring family Audio Bible. And some of you really stepped up and made special donations to the show. So very, most of you who came in with donations today are first time donors. So let’s meet our executive producers for today.

Steve Webb 26:11
Our first donation is also our first switcheroo on the show. Today was Andrew Gardner’s first donation and he came in with the amount of $202.33 He sent a note with a donation and he sent a follow up email. So I’ll read them both to you. The note on the donation says thank you for your courage, especially with your comments after Monday’s reading. That was yesterday show. And then here’s the switcheroo please credit this donation to my mother, Cindy Gardner in York, Pennsylvania. So our first executive producer today is Cindy Gardner. And here’s the email he sent a little bit later, he said I’m finally sending value for the value you’ve been providing. I’d like it if you could send the copy of your book to my mother address below. She also listens. Hi, mom. And I can’t wait to get the call when she hears I credited my donation to her. And he closed with thank you for the podcast. Sir Andrew Gardner. Well, for those of you that don’t listen to the no agenda podcast, the thank you for your courage and the SIR title are from that show. Oh Sir Andrew, thank you. I sent a PDF to you and your mom’s book will go out in tomorrow’s mail. It’s already packaged up and ready to go just a couple of feet from where I’m sitting right now. God bless you, my brother. Thank you. And Cindy, thank you for being in the Lifespring family too. I’m happy to know you’re there. And thank you for the obviously fantastic job you did raising an exceptional son. And we have another brand new donor. And we have another executive producer, a brand new donor by the name of Scott Snyder. Scott came in with a donation of $202. He too has a no agenda night. He goes by the name of Sir snide. In his note, he says My apologies for the delay in support. I’ve been here since the first day of the season. Thank you, Scott. He said it brings me comfort to be able to hear the word and have it explained on a daily basis as I do not have a church to participate with my prayers for you as you deal with your health issues. And I pray that God sees you through this. Well, sir, snide, thank you, my brother. I’ve said your PDF and your book is ready to go out in tomorrow’s mail with Cindy’s book. God bless you, my brother. Thank you. Our next executive producer came in with $202. And this one is named Anonymous. Anonymous says no need to mention my name is I’d like to be anonymous and no need to send the books offered storing up treasures in heaven. And this person put a smiley face. So anonymous. God bless you and thank you. I completely understand. Our next donation comes in from Matthew Thomas and other brand new donor. Matthew sent 2222. That’s the number I hadn’t thought of. Matthew simply says, love the show. Keep it up. Well, Matthew, thank you, brother. God bless you. And you should have the PDF in your inbox. And then a longtime Lifespring family member Kevin Schneider came in with $22 He said thanks for keeping the show going. And then I also got a 2222 sat booster gram from Kevin I think it’s the same Kevin. If it’s not the same one let me know this came in from the pod friend app. The name just came in as Kevin so I don’t know if it’s the same Kevin I kind of think it is but if it’s not please do let me know. In the booster Grammy said God bless you, Steve. Well, thank you, Kevin. He does. I appreciate you, brother you you’ve been around for so long. And I just really want to thank you. And for the $22 donation you should have your PDF in your inbox even as we speak. And then this next donation came in at 3:33 this afternoon.

Steve Webb 29:50
I wonder if Sandra is a no agenda producer. Her name is Sandra Kim. She came in with $22 and she said hopefully you see this in time for yourself 202 Episode. Thank you for all you do. I have really appreciated being able to listen each day will Sandra. Hi, and thank you so very much my sister. God bless you. And finally we have Lester grabber who came in with a $2 donation today. He sent that via Zell. And I have to say I neglected to mention that Lester’s monthly $10 donation came in on the 12th. I need an assistant to help me keep track of these things. Lester, I’m sorry, I forgot to do that. And I thank you for your monthly support. Brother. God bless you. And by the way, how are those 16 grandkids doing? My new granddaughters do in about three months. Now it’ll be five for me, which in comparison to your 16 Those are amateur numbers. My goodness. Lester, again, God bless you, my brother. I appreciate you. Hey, guys, thank you so very much for really stepping up today. I can’t express how much you’ve encouraged me. I know how busy we all are. And it takes a few minutes out of your day to write or send a donation and it means a lot to me when you do no matter the amount. As I’ve said many times, it isn’t up to me to decide how much value the show has for you. For some people spending $5 is what they can do. Others can send 20 others 50 or 200 or 500. But I truly am thankful for each donation. I appreciate you. And I do pray that God will bless you many, many times over. I’m so happy and yes humbled to have you in the Lifespring family. God bless each one of you. And by the way that goes for each and every member of the Lifespring family. I appreciate your prayers. I appreciate your listening. I appreciate you being there.

Steve Webb 31:47
On this date in church history, march 22 Sometime around the year 30. The Council of Nicea decided that Easter would be observed on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox. The system means that Easter in any given year will not occur earlier than March 22, nor later than April 25. And just in case you were wondering, Easter this year is April 17. And for me, Easter or Resurrection Day is my very favorite holiday because without the resurrection, we have nothing. And also on this date in church history, march 22 1758. American theologian Jonathan Edwards died from a smallpox vaccination gone awry. Wow, that sounds kind of familiar, doesn’t it? But be that as it may, he pastored, a church in Northampton, Massachusetts from 1726 to 1750. And he served briefly as a missionary to the American Indians and as President of the College of New Jersey, which is now called Princeton. Let’s join our hearts in prayer. Our heavenly Father, help us to guard our hearts against putting anything in our lives above you. You are our God and there should be no other. You alone deserve our worship. I thank you so very much, Lord, for touching the hearts of those in the Lifespring family today who sent support in thank you for working through them to encourage me. Bless them in your special way. And Father, I thank you for each and every Lifespring family member. In whatever circumstance they find themselves whether in a happy time or a challenging time. May they find that your joy is in their heart, meet their needs today out of your boundless love. Bless them today and keep us all close to you. I pray this in Jesus name, amen. You’ve got prayer requests or praises you know what to do. Go to prayer dot Lifespring media.com You’ll find a form that you can fill out there in just a couple of minutes. Let me know what you want me to know. And if you want to remain anonymous, that’s not a problem. Prayer dot Lifespring media.com.

Steve Webb 34:14
Comment on the show at Lifespring media.com/s 12 v 202. Email me at Steve at Lifespring media.com and support the show if you receive any value from it, go to Lifespring media.com/support. Now as I promised you at the top of the show, I’ve got a song for you today. I have been a Bob Bennett fan since 1979. I was working at KQLH fN 295 FF when I first heard his music if I remember right, no, I wasn’t on the air but that’s where I learned how to produce a little I was in sales. But that’s another story. Bob Bennett is one of the most gifted guitarists you’ll ever hear with a wonderful sweet voice and a poet’s heart. The songs he writes are often deep and they really touch your heart. Well several years ago I I invited Bob to sing at the church that the lovely lady Leanne and I attended the time. So I was fortunate enough to be able to spend several hours with him before and after his performance. And since then we’ve traded emails back and forth. The song I’m going to play for you is called two or more. I think it’s beautiful and I hope you do too. On planet today because I think it’s appropriate for expressing how thankful I am for the Lifespring family. You guys have really blessed me today. If you like what you hear please go to Bob dash bennett.com and buy some of his music I’ll have a link in the show notes page until tomorrow may God bless you richly thank you for being here. My name is Steve Webb I love you guys. Bye

Bob Bennett 35:53
What a blessed What a sacred, holy thing To have ears to hear … many different Voices sing For we are not alone Not lost or scattered The Spirit of God is here Where two or more are gathered If you have a burden That’s too hard to bear We will share it We will bear it upon our prayers And with your broken heart We weep in sorrow For if we hold you up today You may do … the same for us tomorrow Oh, the blessing of His congregation We cannot do alone what happens here Joined as one Body in His new creation Oh, Abba Father, draw us near What a blessed What a sacred sight to see Every tongue and tribe Gathered as Community No more to be alone Lost or scattered The Spirit of God is here Where two or more are gathered Glory be to the Father And to the Son And to the Holy Ghost As it was from the start So now and forever World without end Amen

Transcribed by https://otter.ai