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  1. 1d ago

    John 1:1-5 – Darkness Can Never Extinguish It

    What does John 1:5 mean? In one of the most beloved passages in Scripture, John reminds us that “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” No matter how dark our world or our circumstances become, the light of Jesus Christ has never stopped shining. In this episode of Verses We Missed, we explore John 1:1–5 and discover why John introduces the theme of darkness so early in his Gospel. Along the way, we’ll see how Jesus is the eternal Word, the Creator, the source of life, and the Light that darkness can never overcome. Browse more episodes at Recent Episodes. Darkness Can Never Extinguish It John 1:1–5 (NLT) John opens his Gospel with breathtaking truths about Jesus, but nestled among those majestic verses is one statement that can easily be overlooked: John 1:5 (NLT) “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” Those few words remind us that darkness has never been a rival equal to God. It has never defeated His light, and it never will. What Does John 1:5 Mean? John begins by introducing Jesus as the eternal Word who existed before creation, was with God, and is God. Everything that exists was created through Him, and His life became the light of humanity. Only after establishing who Jesus is does John introduce darkness. That order matters. Before we can understand the struggle between light and darkness, we must first understand the supremacy of the One who is the Light. John’s declaration is wonderfully simple: the light continues to shine, and the darkness has never been able to extinguish it. Why Does John Mention Darkness? Darkness isn’t introduced because it’s equal to the light. Rather, it highlights the power and permanence of Christ. As Steve explains in this episode, darkness has no substance of its own. It is simply the absence of light. The moment light appears, darkness gives way. That picture helps us understand spiritual reality. Satan creates nothing; he corrupts what God has made. Evil has no independent power to overcome the Lord. John’s message is one of confidence: Jesus Christ continues to shine, regardless of how dark the world may appear. John 1:5 Explained in One Sentence John 1:5 teaches that Jesus Christ, the eternal Light, continually shines into a fallen world, and no power of darkness has ever been able to overcome, extinguish, or defeat Him. What Should We Do With This Truth? There are seasons when life feels dark. We face uncertainty, grief, unanswered prayers, or fears that seem larger in the middle of the night than they do during the day. John reminds us that our circumstances never determine whether Christ’s light is shining. Jesus remains exactly who He has always been. His light continues to reveal truth, guide His people, and bring life to everyone who trusts in Him. Rather than becoming consumed by darkness, believers are invited to fix their eyes on the One who has already overcome it. Related Scriptures Genesis 1:1–3 — John’s opening words intentionally echo creation, reminding us that the Light was present from the very beginning. John 8:12 — Jesus declares, “I am the light of the world.” 2 Corinthians 4:6 — God shines His light into human hearts through Christ. 1 John 1:5 — God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. Podcast Chapters 00:00 Opening Reflection 01:39 Welcome to Verses We Missed 02:04 John 1:1–5 (NLT) 02:37 The Eternal Word 05:56 From Life to Light 06:57 Darkness Cannot Win 10:24 When Life Feels Dark 12:24 Why People Prefer Darkness 14:01 Jesus Enters the Darkness 15:20 The Verse We Missed 17:50 Closing Prayer 19:49 Support Verses We Missed 20:30 Final Blessing Support the Show Verses We Missed is a value-for-value podcast. If this episode encouraged you, consider returning value by praying for the ministry, sharing the episode with a friend, or supporting Lifespring! Media financially. Learn more at https://lifespringmedia.com/support/. More from Lifespring! Media If you enjoy digging deeper into God’s Word, you might also enjoy these other podcasts from Steve Webb: Lifespring! One Year Bible Rewind — Journey through the entire Bible with daily readings, insightful commentary, and practical application. Lifespring! HymnStories — Discover the fascinating stories, theology, and history behind beloved Christian hymns. Lifespring! — Bible teaching, Christian encouragement, interviews, and conversations designed to help you grow in your walk with Christ.

  2. 2d ago

    2 Chronicles 29-32: Changes

    Transcript Podcast Introduction Today is  History Tuesday. Our reading is 2 Chronicles 29-32. I’m calling today’s episode “Changes.” Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Jesper Aggergaard on Unsplash Comments on 2 Chronicles 29-32 Hezekiah was a remarkable king, wasn’t he?  His father was Ahaz, who reigned before him, and he was one of the most evil kings of Judah. If you’ve been listening along, no doubt you remember him and the heinous things he did, including sacrificing his own children. That Hezekiah was such a good king is certainly noteworthy. As chapter 29, verse 2 says, “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done.” Bible commentator G. Campbell Morgan said of him, “His mother was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah, probably the person mentioned by the Prophet Isaiah (Isaiah 8:2) as a ‘faithful witness.’ This possible friendship of his mother for the prophet, combined with the certainty that up to this time he had been under the influence of Isaiah’s ministry, may account for Hezekiah’s action on coming to the throne.”  Whatever the reason for his devotion to following God, he was a welcome contrast to his father, wouldn’t you say? Think of the courage that was necessary for Hezekiah to reverse the course of Judah. Pagan altars, idols, and temples were destroyed. The bronze serpent that Moses had made in the desert (Numbers 21:9) was also destroyed, because the people had made it an idol (2 Kings 18:4). The temple in Jerusalem, whose doors had been nailed shut by Hezekiah’s own father, was cleaned out and reopened. The Levitical priesthood was reinstated (2 Chronicles 29:5), and the Passover was reinstituted as a national holiday (2 Chronicles 30:1).  Instead of Hezekiah being cancelled, revival came to Judah. And God blessed him.  Beloved, I believe that Hezekiah is a good example for us. He knew that his nation had wandered far from God under the leadership of his father, Ahaz. And when he had the opportunity, he boldly made the changes necessary to make things right. He even confronted the temple priests who had been entirely derelict in their duties. He told them to clean out the temple and sanctify themselves, the temple and everything in it.  Each of us can do our part to make things right with God. We can pray daily for those in all levels of government. We can pray for our pastors, that they will have the courage to say and do what is right in the eyes of God in the pulpit. We can make our voices heard.  We are called to be salt and light, beloved. Ask the Holy Spirit to give opportunities to make a difference. He will answer that prayer, guaranteed. Then when He does it, have the courage to follow His leading. Revival can begin today, beloved. It starts when God’s people cry out to Him, and then have the courage to follow His leading. Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 29 ESV; Ch. 30-31 NLT; Ch. 32 NIV Support This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising=censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and send it to me here: SUPPORT. Transcript Download .txt file. STEVE WEBB – 0:00 Hezekiah is a good example for us. INTRO S12E306 – 0:10 Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, and podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. For those of you in the US of A, I hope you had a great Fourth of July. Today is History Tuesday. Our reading is 2 Chronicles 29 through 32. I’m calling today’s episode “Changes”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e307. My email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s begin. 2 CHRONICLES 29 (ESV) – 0:48 2 Chronicles, chapter 29. (1) Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah. (2) And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done. (3) In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. (4) He brought in the priests and the Levites and assembled them in the square on the east (5) and said to them, “Hear me, Levites! Now consecrate yourselves, and consecrate the house of the Lord, the God of your fathers, and carry out the filth from the Holy Place. (6) For our fathers have been unfaithful and have done what was evil in the sight of the Lord our God. They have forsaken him and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord and turned their backs. (7) They also shut the doors of the vestibule and put out the lamps and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings in the Holy Place to the God of Israel. (8) Therefore the wrath of the Lord came on Judah and Jerusalem, and he has made them an object of horror, of astonishment, and of hissing, as you see with your own eyes. (9) For behold, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives are in captivity for this. (10) Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord, the God of Israel, in order that his fierce anger may turn away from us. (11) My sons, do not now be negligent, for the Lord has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him and to be his ministers and make offerings to him.” (12) Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites; and of the sons of Merari, Kish the son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehallelel; and of the Gershonites, Joah the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah; (13) and of the sons of Elizaphan, Shimri and Jeuel; and of the sons of Asaph, Zechariah and Mattaniah; (14) and of the sons of Heman, Jehuel and Shimei; and of the sons of Jeduthun, Shemaiah and Uzziel. (15) They gathered their brothers and consecrated themselves and went in as the king had commanded, by the words of the Lord, to cleanse the house of the Lord. (16) The priests went into the inner part of the house of the Lord to cleanse it, and they brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the temple of the Lord into the court of the house of the Lord. And the Levites took it and carried it out to the brook Kidron. (17) They began to consecrate on the first day of the first month, and on the eighth day of the month they came to the vestibule of the Lord. Then for eight days they consecrated the house of the Lord, and on the sixteenth day of the first month they finished. (18) Then they went in to Hezekiah the king and said, “We have cleansed all the house of the Lord, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the table for the showbread and all its utensils. (19) All the utensils that King Ahaz discarded in his reign when he was faithless, we have made ready and consecrated, and behold, they are before the altar of the Lord.” (20) Then Hezekiah the king rose early and gathered the officials of the city and went up to the house of the Lord. (21) And they brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats for a sin offering for the kingdom and for the sanctuary and for Judah. And he commanded the priests, the sons of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the Lord. (22) So they slaughtered the bulls, and the priests received the blood and threw it against the altar. And they slaughtered the rams, and their blood was thrown against the altar. And they slaughtered the lambs, and their blood was thrown against the altar. (23) Then the goats for the sin offering were brought to the king and the assembly, and they laid their hands on them, (24) and the priests slaughtered them and made a sin offering with their blood on the altar, to make atonement for all Israel. For the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel. (25) And he stationed the Levites in the house of the Lord with cymbals, harps, and lyres, according to the commandment of David and of Gad the king’s seer and of Nathan the prophet, for the commandment was from the Lord through his prophets. (26) The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. (27) Then Hezekiah commanded that the burnt offering be offered on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song to the Lord began also, and the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. (28) The whole assembly worshiped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded. All this continued until the burnt offering was finished. (29) When the offering was finished, the king and all who were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped. (30) And Hezekiah the king and the officials commanded the Levites to sing praises to the Lord with the words of David and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed down and worshiped. (31) Then Hezekiah said, “You have now consecrated yourselves to the Lord. Come near; bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the house of the Lord.” And the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all who were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings. (32) The number of the burnt offerings that the assembly brought was 70 bulls, 100 rams, and 200 lambs; all these were for a burnt offering to the Lord. (33) And the consecrated offerings were 600 bulls and 3,000 sheep. (34) But the priests were too few and could not flay all the burnt offerings, so until other priests had consecrated themselves, their brothers the Levites helped them, until the work was finished—for the Levites were more upright in heart than the priests in consecrating themselves. (35) Besides the great number of bur

  3. 3d ago

    Deuteronomy 7-9: Remember

    Transcript Podcast Introduction Being  Monday, we’ll read from the Law. Deuteronomy 7-9. I’m calling today’s episode “Remember.” Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Evgeni Tcherkasski on Unsplash Comments on Deuteronomy 7-9 As we often read here in Deuteronomy and other places in the Old Testament, God tells the people what He will do, and then He reminds them…many times. And He tells them what He did, and then He reminds them what He did, many times.  Why does He do that? Why does God repeat Himself so much? Because they forget. Over and over again, they forget. And when it isn’t forgetfulness, they simply choose to ignore Him. They go their own way willingly. They rebel. Crazy, right?  No, not crazy. Just sinful. Why are they sinful? Because they are human beings. And being human, they have a sin nature.  Which makes them…just like you and me. We, too need to be reminded repeatedly what the Lord said, what He did, and what He will do. We are no different than the children of Israel of the Old Testament. At least as far as our basic nature is concerned. But those of us who have become followers of Jesus, those of us who have a real relationship with Him, those of us who are Christians have something that they did not. We have the Holy Spirit living in us. And we are no longer slaves to sin, as Paul said in Romans.  But, as God said through Moses in Deuteronomy chapter nine, verse four, “…do not say in your heart, ‘The Lord has brought me in to take this land because I am right and good.’” That, beloved, is the sin of pride, which gets us into all kinds of trouble. We are not saved because of anything we did, or because we deserved it. We are recipients of God’s grace only because of His goodness and His love. He did not call us because He needs us, He called us because we need Him. Which is why we must stay close to Him. We are like the children of Israel in that we have to be reminded over and over again who God is, what He said, what He did, and what He will do. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He gave His Son, that we might live. He gave us His Word, that we might know Him. He has made it possible to live lives that are pleasing to Him, that He might bless us if we follow Him and determine in our hearts that we *will* follow Him. Not that we will never stumble, because we will. But we must quickly seek is forgiveness. And we know from 1 John 1:9 that “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” Not because we deserve it, but because of His grace. Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 7 NASB; Ch. 8 NET; Ch. 9 NLV Support This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising=censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and send it to me here: SUPPORT. Transcript Download .txt file. STEVE WEBB – 0:00 Just like you and me. INTRO S12E306 – 0:09 Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, and podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. And if you’re in the United States, Happy Independence Day. This is the day that we celebrate the birth of our country and independence from the tyranny of the British crown. And today, sadly, there’s a growing push by many in our country to establish more tyranny within our borders. Pray that those efforts will be defeated, and that we can hold on to the freedoms given to us by Almighty God. Well, being Monday we’ll read from the Law, Deuteronomy 7 through 9. I’m calling today’s episode, “Remember”. The show notes page for today is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e306. If you’d like to email me, I’d like to get your email. Send it to: st***@*************ia.com. Let’s begin. DEUTERONOMY 7 (NASB) – 1:04 Deuteronomy, chapter 7. (1) “When the Lord your God brings you into the land where you are entering to possess it, and clears away many nations before you, the Hittites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Canaanites and the Perizzites and the Hivites and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and stronger than you, (2) and when the Lord your God delivers them before you and you defeat them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them and show no favor to them. (3) Furthermore, you shall not intermarry with them; you shall not give your daughters to their sons, nor shall you take their daughters for your sons. (4) For they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods; then the anger of the Lord will be kindled against you and He will quickly destroy you. (5) But thus you shall do to them: you shall tear down their altars, and smash their sacred pillars, and hew down their Asherim, and burn their graven images with fire. (6) For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for His own possession out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth. (7) “The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, (8) but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. (9) Know therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, who keeps His covenant and His lovingkindness to a thousandth generation with those who love Him and keep His commandments; (10) but repays those who hate Him to their faces, to destroy them; He will not delay with him who hates Him, He will repay him to his face. (11) Therefore, you shall keep the commandment and the statutes and the judgments which I am commanding you today, to do them. (12) “Then it shall come about, because you listen to these judgments and keep and do them, that the Lord your God will keep with you His covenant and His lovingkindness which He swore to your forefathers. (13) He will love you and bless you and multiply you; He will also bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your new wine and your oil, the increase of your herd and the young of your flock, in the land which He swore to your forefathers to give you. (14) You shall be blessed above all peoples; there will be no male or female barren among you or among your cattle. (15) The Lord will remove from you all sickness; and He will not put on you any of the harmful diseases of Egypt which you have known, but He will lay them on all who hate you. (16) You shall consume all the peoples whom the Lord your God will deliver to you; your eye shall not pity them, nor shall you serve their gods, for that would be a snare to you. (17) “If you should say in your heart, ‘These nations are greater than I; how can I dispossess them?’ (18) you shall not be afraid of them; you shall well remember what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt: (19) the great trials which your eyes saw and the signs and the wonders and the mighty hand and the outstretched arm by which the Lord your God brought you out. So shall the Lord your God do to all the peoples of whom you are afraid. (20) Moreover, the Lord your God will send the hornet against them, until those who are left and hide themselves from you perish. (21) You shall not dread them, for the Lord your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God. (22) The Lord your God will clear away these nations before you little by little; you will not be able to put an end to them quickly, for the wild beasts would grow too numerous for you. (23) But the Lord your God will deliver them before you, and will throw them into great confusion until they are destroyed. (24) He will deliver their kings into your hand so that you will make their name perish from under heaven; no man will be able to stand before you until you have destroyed them. (25) The graven images of their gods you are to burn with fire; you shall not covet the silver or the gold that is on them, nor take it for yourselves, or you will be snared by it, for it is an abomination to the Lord your God. (26) You shall not bring an abomination into your house, and like it come under the ban; you shall utterly detest it and you shall utterly abhor it, for it is something banned. DEUTERONOMY 8 (NET) – 5:33 Deuteronomy chapter 8. (1) You must keep carefully all these commandments I am giving you today so that you may live, increase in number, and go in and occupy the land that the Lord has promised to your ancestors. (2) Remember the whole way by which he has brought you these forty years through the desert so that he might, by humbling you, test you to see if you have it within you to keep his commandments or not. (3) So he humbled you by making you hungry and then feeding you with unfamiliar manna. He did this to teach you that humankind cannot live by bread alone, but also by everything that comes from the Lord’s mouth. (4) Your clothing did not wear out nor did your feet swell all these forty years. (5) Be keenly aware that just as a parent disciplines his child, the Lord your God disciplines you. (6) So you must keep his commandments, live according to his standards, and revere him. (7) For the Lord your God is bringing you to a good land, a land of brooks, springs, and fountains flowing forth in valleys and hills, (8) a land of wheat, barley, vines, fig trees, and pomegranates, of olive trees and honey, (9) a land where you may eat food in plenty and find no lack of anything, a land whose stones are iron and from whose hills you can mine copper. (10) You will eat your fill and then praise the Lord your God beca

  4. 4d ago

    S3E299 – James 4-5: Golden Nuggets

    Transcript Distinguished Producer Lifespring Family Berean, Brother Paul of Seattle. Podcast Introduction Today is  Epistles Sunday James 4-5. I’m calling today’s episode “Golden Nuggets.”  Design: Steve Webb | Photo: Nadine Shaabana on Unsplash Comments on James 4 Some have said that James is a bit like the book of Proverbs because of the way nuggets of truth are presented. Let’s look at a few of them. James 4:2b – You do not have, because you do not ask. Prayer is a necessary part of the Christian’s life. If we want God to bless us, we must ask. Listen to Charles Spurgeon: “Remember this text: Jehovah says to his own Son, ‘Ask of me and I will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.’ If the royal and divine Son of God cannot be exempted from the rule of asking that he may have, you and I cannot expect the rule to be relaxed in our favor. Why should it be?” Also from Spurgeon: “If you may have everything by asking, and nothing without asking, I beg you to see how absolutely vital prayer is, and I beseech you to abound in it… Do you know, brothers, what great things are to be had for the asking? Have you ever thought of it? Does it not stimulate you to pray fervently? All heaven lies before the grasp of the asking man; all the promises of God are rich and inexhaustible, and their fulfillment is to be had by prayer.” James 4:3 – You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.  Contrast this with 1 John 5:14 – And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. James 4:4b – Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  Beloved, we cannot have one foot in the world and one foot in God’s kingdom. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, ““No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.” James 4:6b-7a – “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God.” Pride is at the center of sin. Pride caused the fall of Lucifer. Pride caused the fall of Adam and Eve, and thus our sinful nature. Is it any wonder that God opposes the proud? But when we humble ourselves before God, when we confess our sin, God pours out His grace. It isn’t as though our humility *earns* God’s grace, but when we are humble, we are acknowledging that we are in need of the grace that He so freely gives. Spurgeon: “Do you suffer from spiritual poverty? It is your own fault, for he giveth more grace. If you have not got it, it is not because it is not to be had, but because you have not gone for it.”  James 4:7b – Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Notice the text does not say, “…and he may flee from you.” or “…sometimes he will flee from you.” When we actively resist the enemy’s lies and temptations, we are *promised* that he will flee, though he will return to test our resolve. We can and we must resist him, in the name of Jesus,  as the already defeated foe he is. The Greek word translated as “resist” is a combination of two words: stand against. We are never conquered as long as we do not consent.  James 4:8 – Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. This is both an invitation and a promise. And it comes directly after the “resist and he will flee” promise. When we resist the devil, we can and we *should* draw near to God. It is not a sin to be tempted. Jesus was tempted in the desert, but He did not sin. When we have had an encounter with temptation, the best thing we can do is draw near to God for shelter and for strength. How do we draw near to God? In prayer, in worship and in praise. We learn to walk with God in our daily lives. We respond to His invitation to have an ongoing, daily, hour by our and minute by minute relationship with Him. We ask Him to guide our decisions and help us with our struggles. We thank Him for His blessings. In short, we live our lives with the awareness that He is always with us, and He delights in us. And we delight in Him. Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 4-5 ESV Support This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising=censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and send it to me here: SUPPORT. Transcript Download .txt file. STEVE WEBB – 0:00 We can’t have one foot in the world and one foot in God’s kingdom. INTRO S12E305 – 0:11 Coming to you from Riverside, California, this is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible. Podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. I’m so glad you’re here today. Thanks for joining me. Today is Epistle Sunday. We’re going to read James 4 and 5. I’m calling today’s episode, “Golden Nuggets”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e305. I’d love it if you go by and leave a comment. My email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s begin. JAMES 4 (ESV) – 0:45 James, chapter 4. (1) What causes quarrels and fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? (2) You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. (3) You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. (4) You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (5) Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? (6) But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (7) Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (8) Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. (9) Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. (10) Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. (11) Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. (12) There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? (13) Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— (14) yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. (15) Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” (16) As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. (17) So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. JAMES 5 (ESV) – 2:52 James, chapter 5. (1) Come now, you rich, weep and howl for the miseries that are coming upon you. (2) Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten. (3) Your gold and silver have corroded, and their corrosion will be evidence against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have laid up treasure in the last days. (4) Behold, the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts. (5) You have lived on the earth in luxury and in self-indulgence. You have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter. (6) You have condemned and murdered the righteous person. He does not resist you. (7) Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. (8) You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. (9) Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. (10) As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. (11) Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. (12) But above all, my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. (13) Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. (14) Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. (15) And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (16) Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (17) Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. (18) Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. (19) My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone

  5. Aug 5

    Job 14:5 - Our Days Are In His Hands

    Does God determine the length of our lives? Discover the hope and wisdom of Job 14:1–6 and learn why every day is a gift held in God's hands.

  6. Jul 22

    Exodus 14:15 - When God Says Go Forward

    Have you ever asked, "Lord, what do I do now?" Exodus 14:15 reminds us that God often calls us to take the next step before revealing the entire plan. Discover why obedience comes before the miracle.

  7. Jul 21

    2 Chronicles 11-15: Correction

    Transcript Podcast Introduction Today is history Tuesday, and we’ll read 2 Chronicles 11-15. I have an on this date in church history segment that I think you’ll find interesting, and related to that, I have a song for you at the end of the show today. I’m calling today’s episode  “Correction.” Design: Steve Webb Comments on 2 Chronicles 11 King Rehoboam was a mixed bag. There were times where he followed the Lord, and times where he turned his back on God. And in chapter 11, verses 16 and 17, we read some very important words. 16Those from every tribe of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the Lord, the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the Lord, the God of their ancestors. 17They strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon three years, following the ways of David and Solomon during this time. Chapter 12 tells us that Rehoboam reigned for 17 years, but those three years were his best, because he and the people sought the Lord and followed the examples of David and Solomon. Beloved, when things are not going well with us, it’s a really good idea to take a spiritual inventory. How is our relationship with God? Are we seeking the Lord? Is there unconfessed sin in our life? Are we spending time with Him in prayer and in the Word? Of course, being right with God is no guarantee that life will be a bed of roses, because we live in a fallen world. But sometimes our loving Heavenly Father uses difficulties and hardships to get our attention if we are straying off the path.  Yes, we are secure in God’s grace because of the shed blood of Christ. He paid the price for all of our sins, if we have been born again. I’m not saying that we are in danger of losing our salvation if we have a time of rebellion. But God loves us too much to not correct us if we need it.  If you want to have God’s blessing, the place you want to be is in harmony with God, seeking to know Him better each and every day.  Today’s Bible Translation Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 11 NIV; Ch. 12-13 CEB; Ch. 14-15 NLT Music Nathan Drake of Reawaken Hymns graciously gave his permission to play this song on the show. Support him at Reawaken Hymns. Support This a value for value podcast. There are no advertisers because advertising=censorship. If you enjoy the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, decide how much value it brings to you. Only you can make that determination. Then put a number on the value and send it to me here: SUPPORT. Transcript Download .txt file. STEVE WEBB – 0:00Take a spiritual inventory. INTRO S12E279 – 0:10This is the Lifespring Family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside in Southern California’s Inland Empire where it’ll be in the upper 90s most of the week. Shoosh! Podcasting since 2004, I’m your OG Godcaster, Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year and today is History Tuesday. We’ll read 2 Chronicles 11 through 15. After that I’ve got comments, of course, and I’ve got an On This Date in Church History segment that I think you’ll find interesting, and related to that I’ve got a song for you at the end of today’s show. I’m calling the episode today, “Correction”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e279. I’d love to hear from you. My email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s begin. 2 CHRONICLES 11 (NIV) – 0:592 Chronicles, chapter 11. (1) When Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he mustered Judah and Benjamin—a hundred and eighty thousand able young men—to go to war against Israel and to regain the kingdom for Rehoboam. (2) But this word of the Lord came to Shemaiah the man of God: (3) “Say to Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah and to all Israel in Judah and Benjamin, (4) ‘This is what the Lord says: Do not go up to fight against your fellow Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.’” So they obeyed the words of the Lord and turned back from marching against Jeroboam. (5) Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built up towns for defense in Judah: (6) Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, (7) Beth Zur, Soko, Adullam, (8) Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, (9) Adoraim, Lachish, Azekah, (10) Zorah, Aijalon and Hebron. These were fortified cities in Judah and Benjamin. (11) He strengthened their defenses and put commanders in them, with supplies of food, olive oil and wine. (12) He put shields and spears in all the cities, and made them very strong. So Judah and Benjamin were his. (13) The priests and Levites from all their districts throughout Israel sided with him. (14) The Levites even abandoned their pasturelands and property and came to Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his sons had rejected them as priests of the Lord (15) when he appointed his own priests for the high places and for the goat and calf idols he had made. (16) Those from every tribe of Israel who set their hearts on seeking the Lord, the God of Israel, followed the Levites to Jerusalem to offer sacrifices to the Lord, the God of their ancestors. (17) They strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon three years, following the ways of David and Solomon during this time. (18) Rehoboam married Mahalath, who was the daughter of David’s son Jerimoth and of Abihail, the daughter of Jesse’s son Eliab. (19) She bore him sons: Jeush, Shemariah and Zaham. (20) Then he married Maakah daughter of Absalom, who bore him Abijah, Attai, Ziza and Shelomith. (21) Rehoboam loved Maakah daughter of Absalom more than any of his other wives and concubines. In all, he had eighteen wives and sixty concubines, twenty-eight sons and sixty daughters. (22) Rehoboam appointed Abijah son of Maakah as crown prince among his brothers, in order to make him king. (23) He acted wisely, dispersing some of his sons throughout the districts of Judah and Benjamin, and to all the fortified cities. He gave them abundant provisions and took many wives for them. 2 CHRONICLES 12 (CEB) – 3:372 Chronicles, chapter 12. (1) But as soon as Rehoboam had secured his royal power, he, along with all Israel, abandoned the LORD’s Instruction. (2) Egypt’s King Shishak attacked Jerusalem in the fifth year of King Rehoboam because Israel had been unfaithful to the LORD. (3) Accompanying Shishak from Egypt were twelve hundred chariots, sixty thousand horses, and countless Libyan, Sukkite, and Cushite warriors. (4) He captured the fortified cities of Judah and came toward Jerusalem. (5) Then the prophet Shemaiah went to Rehoboam and the leaders of Judah who had gathered at Jerusalem because of Shishak, and told them, This is what the LORD says: Since you have abandoned me, now I am abandoning you to Shishak’s power. (6) Then the leaders of Israel and the king submitted. “The LORD is right,” they said. (7) When the LORD saw that they had submitted, the LORD’s word came to Shemaiah: Since they have submitted, I won’t destroy them. I will deliver them in a little while, and I won’t use Shishak to pour out my anger against Jerusalem. (8) Nevertheless, they will be subject to him so that they learn the difference between serving me and serving other nations. (9) Egypt’s King Shishak attacked Jerusalem and seized the treasures of the LORD’s temple and the royal palace. He took everything, even the gold shields Solomon had made. (10) King Rehoboam replaced them with bronze shields and assigned them to the officers of the guard who protected the entrance to the royal palace. (11)(Whenever the king entered the LORD’s temple, the guards would carry the shields and then return them to the guardroom.) (12) When Rehoboam submitted, the LORD was no longer angry with him, and total destruction was avoided. There were, after all, some good things still in Judah. (13) So King Rehoboam was securely established in Jerusalem. Rehoboam was 41 years old when he became king, and he ruled seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city the LORD had chosen from all the tribes of Israel to put his name. His mother’s name was Naamah from Ammon. (14) But Rehoboam did what was evil because he didn’t set his heart on seeking the LORD. (15) The deeds of Rehoboam, from beginning to end, aren’t they written in the records of the prophet Shemaiah and the seer Iddo, including the genealogical records? There was continual warfare between Rehoboam and Jeroboam. (16) Rehoboam lay down with his ancestors and was buried in David’s City. His son Abijah succeeded him as king. 2 CHRONICLES 13 (CEB) – 6:072 Chronicles, chapter 13. (1) Abijah became king over Judah in the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam. (2) He ruled for three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Micaiah; she was Uriel’s daughter from Gibeah. When war broke out between Abijah and Jeroboam, (3) Abijah went to fight with an army of four hundred thousand select troops against Jeroboam’s select forces numbering eight hundred thousand, who were arrayed in battle formation. (4) Abijah stood on the heights of Mount Zemaraim in Ephraim’s highlands and said: “Listen to me, Jeroboam and all Israel! (5) Surely you know that the LORD, Israel’s God, made an unbreakable covenant with David and his descendants that they would rule Israel forever. (6) It was Jeroboam, Nebat’s son, the servant of Solomon, David’s son, who rebelled against his master. (7) When some useless, worthless people joined his cause, they overpowered Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, who was too young and timid to resist them. (8) And now do you intend to challenge the LORD’s royal rule, entrusted to David’s descendants? You may have a numerical advantage, as well as the gold calves Jeroboam made for you as gods. (9) But you’ve banished the LORD’s priests, Aaron’s sons, along with the Levites, so that you could

  8. Jul 8

    Luke 19:47 – Beyond the Tables

    In this episode of Verses We Missed, we revisit one of the most familiar moments in Jesus' ministry—His cleansing of the temple. But what happened next? Hidden in Luke 19:45–48 are four easily overlooked words that completely change how we picture Passion Week. Jesus didn't simply overturn the tables and leave. He returned day after day. Discover why that small detail reveals something profound about His mission and priorities. You can explore more episodes in the series at Recent Episodes. This is a mid-week breath of Scripture and grace. Beyond the Tables Luke 19:45–48 (LSB) Everyone remembers the dramatic scene. Jesus enters the temple. He overturns the tables. He drives out the money changers. Then...the story seems to end. Or does it? Luke records one small detail that many of us read right past. You can compare the passage in other translations at ESV.org here. Luke 19:45–48 (LSB) "And Jesus entered the temple and began to drive out those who were selling, saying to them, 'It is written, "And My house shall be a house of prayer," but you have made it a robbers' den.' And He was teaching daily in the temple; but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people were trying to destroy Him, and they could not find anything that they might do, for all the people hung upon every word He said." Those four simple words—He was teaching daily—completely reshape the picture. Jesus didn't merely cleanse the temple. He reclaimed it. This week on Verses We Missed, we slow down and discover why those overlooked words reveal what mattered most to Jesus during the final days before the cross. This is a mid-week breath of Scripture and grace. What Does Luke 19:45–48 Mean? The cleansing of the temple was more than an act of judgment. It was an act of restoration. Jesus removed what did not belong, but He didn't leave an empty space behind. Luke tells us that He returned to the temple every day to teach. The temple was restored to its God-given purpose—a place where people could hear God's truth and draw near to Him in prayer. That small observation changes how we understand the entire passage. Why Did Jesus Keep Returning to the Temple? Jesus knew His enemies wanted Him dead. Luke tells us the chief priests, the scribes, and the leading men were already looking for a way to destroy Him. Yet every morning Jesus returned to the very place where opposition was strongest. Why? Because teaching people about His Father was not a side ministry. It was His mission. Even with the cross only days away, Jesus devoted His remaining public ministry to proclaiming God's truth. Luke 19:45–48 Explained in One Sentence After cleansing the temple, Jesus reclaimed it by returning every day to teach God's Word, demonstrating His faithfulness, courage, and unwavering commitment to His Father's purpose. The Temple Was Reclaimed When Jesus quoted Isaiah and declared that God's house was to be a house of prayer, He wasn't simply condemning corruption. He was reminding everyone why the temple existed in the first place. Then He demonstrated that purpose by filling the temple courts with faithful teaching. The cleansing was only the beginning. The teaching completed the restoration. What Does This Mean for Us? Churches today can become wonderfully busy places. Meetings. Programs. Committees. Outreach. Maintenance. All of those things can be valuable. But if activity ever replaces prayer or the faithful teaching of God's Word, we've forgotten what the church exists to do. The same question also reaches our personal lives. What fills the temple of my schedule? Jesus spent His remaining public days doing what mattered most. His example invites us to examine our own priorities. Related Scriptures Isaiah 56:7 — God's house is called a house of prayer. Jeremiah 7:11 — The warning against turning God's house into a den of robbers. Luke 21:37–38 — Luke later confirms that Jesus continued teaching daily in the temple throughout Passion Week. John 2:13–17 — John's account of Jesus cleansing the temple highlights His zeal for His Father's house. Final Thought Most of us remember the overturned tables. Luke wants us to remember what happened afterward. Jesus came back. Day after day. He replaced corruption with truth. He reclaimed His Father's house through faithful teaching. Sometimes the biggest truth isn't found in the dramatic moment—it's found in the verse that comes next.

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