Steve Webb 0:00 Chaos eventually results. Steve Webb 0:03 If you're looking for the Lifespring!, One Year Bible, you've come to the right place. My name is Steve Webb and I'm your OG Godcaster. The website is Lifespringmedia.com. and I'll have contact information at the end of the show today. Before we read, let's pray. Our gracious heavenly Father, we thank you for this time together, we pray that you would touch our hearts and touch our minds. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen. All right, let's begin. Steve Webb 0:32 Proverbs chapter 28, the sinful runaway when no one's trying to catch them, but those who are right with God have as much strength of heart is a lion. When the nation sins, it has many rulers but with a man of understanding and much learning it will last a long time. The poor man who makes it hard for the poor is like a heavy rain which leaves no food. Those who turn away from the law praise the sinful, but those who keep the law fight against them. sinful men do not understand what is right and fair, but those who look to the Lord understand all things. A poor man who walks in his honor is better than a rich man who is sinful in his ways. He who keeps the law is a wise son. But a friend of men who eat too much puts his father to shame. He who gets money by being paid much for the use of it gathers it for him who will be kind to the poor. He who turns his ear away from listening to the law, even his prayer is a hated thing. He who leads good people into a sinful way will fall into his own deep hole, but good will come to those without blame. The rich man is wise in his own eyes, but the poor man who has understanding sees through him when those who are right with God when there is great honor, but when the sinful rule men hide themselves, it will not go well for the man who hides his sins, but He who tells his sins and turns from them will be given loving pity. Happy is the man who always fears the Lord. But he who makes his heart hard will fall into trouble with a sinful ruler over poor people is like a lion making noise or a bear running to fight. A ruler who takes much from the people who have little does not have understanding. But he who hates wanting something that belongs to someone else will live a long time. A man who was loaded down with the guilt of human blood will run in fear until death. Let no one help him. He who walks without blame will be kept safe, but he who is sinful will fall all at once. He works his land will have more than enough food, but he who wastes his time will become very poor. A faithful man will have many good things, but he who hurries to be rich will be punished for it. To show favor is not good because a man will sin for a piece of bread. A man with a sinful I hurries to be rich, he does not know that he will be in need. He who speaks strong words to a man will later find more favor than he who gives false respect with his tongue. He who robs his father or his mother and says it is not a sin is the friend of a man who destroys. A proud man starts fights. But all will go well for the man who trusts in the Lord. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool. But he who walks in wisdom will be kept safe, and he who gives to the poor will never want but many bad things will happen to the man who shuts his eyes to the poor. When the sinful rule men hide themselves, but when they pass away those who do what is right become many. Well, verse two of Proverbs 28 said, when a nation sins it has many rulers, but with a man of understanding and much learning it will last a long time. So to paraphrase the first part of that verse, big government is a symptom of a sinful nation. John Adams, America's second president famously said our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. Alexis de Tocqueville is credited with saying, in a democracy, people get the government they deserve. You see, a big government is necessary when the people do not have their eyes on God. Why? Well, because without a standard without a belief in an absolute morality, chaos eventually results. and then there's an Arabic curse, which says, May God make your sheiks many. John Adams also said, democracy while it lasts is more Let you then either aristocracy or monarchy. Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts and murders itself. There is never a democracy that did not commit suicide. Think about it. Every time the children of Israel turned away from God, he brought them great hardship until they repented. and now I'll say what I've said many times on the show, we need to pray for our nation, and I'll expand it. We need to pray for the world. We need to pray for revival, we need to seek God's forgiveness and invite him back into the public square. and until that happens, I don't think we can expect him to bless this place. I'm talking about America or the world. and Daniel 221 says, He controls the course of world events, ie removes kings and sets up other kings, God removed the evil kings of Israel. Is he preparing to do the same in America? Did you know that America was not created or not founded as a democracy? It's a republic. But at the moment because the Constitution is not being defended? It's being governed like, well, I don't even know what to call it. Will our republic die? Well, only God knows His plans. If America falls, the consequences will be felt around the world. and the last best hope for freedom from tyranny is right here. Wherever you are, beloved, please pray for America. Steve Webb 6:28 In Second Chronicles 714, God said, If my people who were called by my name, humble themselves and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. I'm asking the Lifespring family to join the 714 Club. Join us as we pray every day at 714 to pray and seek God's forgiveness and His will and to pray for our country. whatever country you're in, pray for your country. God has a plan, pray that His will would be done. Set an alarm on your device for 7:14am or pm or both to remind you to pray and then go to 714 club.org. and add your name to the list of Lifespring family members who are also doing this. We just started this a few days ago and the list is growing. Add your name, scroll to the bottom of the page there at 714 club.org. and put your name in the comment form there. Let's pray together. If you have a comment or question on my comments today, send to boostagram. I'll tell you other ways to give feedback here in just a minute. Tomorrow will be prophecy Friday, and we'll read the book of Jonah. The books of the Minor Prophets go by quickly, don't they? Steve Webb 7:43 I would like to hear what you're thinking. If you have a comment or a question, a prayer request or a praise report. One way to reach me is through the Lifespring family Hotline at plus 1-951-732-8511 Or for prayer requests and praise reports go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com and for comments or questions go to comment dot Lifespringmedia.com and my email address is Steve at Lifespring media.com. Steve Webb 8:18 Thanks to the team Sister Denise Michael Haner Scott Snider, Jason Paschall, who did today's show art and SR Brittaney for their generous donations of time and talent. and thanks to you, beloved, for inviting me along with you today. I'll see you tomorrow. Until then, may God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb. Bye. Announcer 8:39 The Lifespring media family of programs are made possible by the generous support of listeners like you, thank you Transcribed by https://otter.ai