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Speaker 1: Let us pray as it came to pass. As they

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Speaker 1: still went on and talked that behold, there appeared a

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Speaker 1: chariot of fire and horses of fire, and parted them

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Speaker 1: both asunder, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.

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Speaker 1: Second Kings two eleven. Lord, as you place powerful men

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Speaker 1: and women in my life as mentors, I have made

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Speaker 1: the decision that I will not stop pursuing them, even

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Speaker 1: when it is convenient to leave and be on my own.

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Speaker 1: I declare that I will not leave or part ways

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Speaker 1: until you tell me to do so. God. When other

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Speaker 1: people in my field try to discourage me and dissuade

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Speaker 1: me from holding fast to the process, I will ignore

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Speaker 1: them because I am not moved by external voices, but

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Speaker 1: by internal convictions. Because proximity determines my ability, I will

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Speaker 1: stay close until I receive a double portion of the

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Speaker 1: wisdom and knowledge they possess. I praise you, Lord, because

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Speaker 1: in your goodness you also give me the opportunity to

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Speaker 1: go above and beyond those who guide me, that I

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Speaker 1: can be blessed to be a blessing to those coming

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Speaker 1: after me. In Jesus' name, Amen, thank you for praying

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Speaker 1: with me today. Continue listening for an incredible Bible story

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Speaker 1: brought to you by Bible in a Year dot.

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Speaker 2: Com Chariots of Fire. In our last story, we learned

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Speaker 2: about Asiah's short reign is king over Israel. He fell

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Speaker 2: from the top of his upper room and injured himself

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Speaker 2: beyond repair. He sought the healing and guide it of

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Speaker 2: the Philistine gods, but was instead met with Elijah's rebuke

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Speaker 2: in God's justice. In this story, we witness Elijah's departure

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Speaker 2: from this earth through the eyes of his student Elisha.

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Speaker 2: Elishah witnesses the glory and profound power of God as

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Speaker 2: he takes his master up in a chariot of Fire.

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Speaker 2: Inspired by the Book of Second Kings.

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Speaker 3: Hello, I'm pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of the

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Speaker 3: Bible in a Year podcast. In our last time together,

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Speaker 3: we learned about a Haziah, who, like his father Ahab,

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Speaker 3: looked to help and hope in foreign gods and false deities.

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Speaker 3: His reign and his life was cut short because he

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Speaker 3: did not seek the one true God. Elijah had delivered

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Speaker 3: God's message of judgment to Ahziah as the king lay

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Speaker 3: helplessly in bed after a great fall. Today, we'll hear

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Speaker 3: how Elijah's time on Earth comes to an end. This

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Speaker 3: great man of God God, the one who served God

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Speaker 3: so faithfully and forcefully, would be taken up before the

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Speaker 3: eyes of his successor, Elisha. It is an incredible display

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Speaker 3: of God's supernatural power that will profoundly impact Elisha as

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Speaker 3: he takes on the manner of the prophet of God

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Speaker 3: to be the man of God to God's people. So

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Speaker 3: let's listen to today's reading.

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Speaker 2: The sun was high in the sky. A few clouds

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Speaker 2: danced around it to the late summer breeze, creating brief

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Speaker 2: moments of shade for the two travelers below. The earth

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Speaker 2: and sky seemed to be in perfect harmony, both dancing

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Speaker 2: and swaying to the wind. On the trail, surrounded by lilies.

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Speaker 2: Coming from Gilgal, walked Elijah and Elisha. The old and

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Speaker 2: grizzled prophet had traveled everywhere with his younger prentice. The

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Speaker 2: two of them had experienced many miracles together. Elijah had

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Speaker 2: taught Elisha the ways of God. He spoke of the

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Speaker 2: Lord's truth, justice, goodness, and mercy. Elisha was able to

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Speaker 2: observe the way Elijah cared for the people of Israel.

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Speaker 2: He gave his entire life to them, ministering and healing

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Speaker 2: when necessary. He had also watched Elijah speak truth to power.

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Speaker 2: He confronted kings and queens. Despite his fears, Elijhah admired

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Speaker 2: his old teacher. He prayed to God he would become

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Speaker 2: just as good a man as he. No, he prayed

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Speaker 2: he would be better. He prayed for faithfulness like his

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Speaker 2: in a strong sense of justice and truth. The two

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Speaker 2: of them strolled along in silence. The grass next to

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Speaker 2: the trail swayed gracefully all throughout the valley. Elijah turned

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Speaker 2: his face towards the sun and breathed in the sweet

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Speaker 2: summer air. He turned to his young student and said,

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Speaker 2: the Lord has told me to go to Bethel. You

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Speaker 2: should remain here. Elishah smiled and shook his head. He

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Speaker 2: had a feeling as to what the Lord was about

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Speaker 2: to do. No, he responded plainly, as the Lord lives,

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Speaker 2: I will not leave your side. So the two of

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Speaker 2: them changed course to the holy ground of Bethel, where

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Speaker 2: Jacob once prayed many years ago. On their way to Bethel,

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Speaker 2: a group of prophets passed them on the road. They

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Speaker 2: had anticipated Elijah's arrival, for the Lord had spoken to

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Speaker 2: them as well. They walked beside the two men in silence. However,

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Speaker 2: one turned to Elishah and whispered, do you know that

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Speaker 2: the Lord is going to take your master away? To day?

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Speaker 2: Elishah looked at the prophet intently and put his hand

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Speaker 2: on his shoulder. He gave a quick smile and said yes.

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Speaker 2: He then turned to look at his master walking ahead

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Speaker 2: of him, But he will not speak of it today.

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Speaker 2: The men had arrived at Bethel, and Elijah stayed for

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Speaker 2: a few moments to speak to the Lord. Elishah stood

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Speaker 2: at a distance. He was always curious as to how

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Speaker 2: the Lord spoke to Elijah. Was it how he spoke

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Speaker 2: to him? Was it through whispers or feelings? Did he

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Speaker 2: see an angel before him? These were things Elishah would

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Speaker 2: never know. Elijah turned to Elisha and said, you should

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Speaker 2: stay here, my boy, for the Lord has told me

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Speaker 2: to go to Jericho.

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Speaker 4: There was a weariness in Eliza's voice.

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Speaker 2: It was almost as if he had run away from

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Speaker 2: his age for years and it was finally gaining on him.

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Speaker 2: Elishah smiled again and said, no, I think I will

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Speaker 2: go with you, as the Lord lives I shall not

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Speaker 2: leave your side. So the two set off again towards Jericho.

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Speaker 2: When they arrived, Elijah departed.

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Speaker 4: Again to pray.

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Speaker 2: A group of prophets from the area walked up to Elisha,

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Speaker 2: who was standing at a distance from his master. They

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Speaker 2: brought him in and whispered, did you know that the

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Speaker 2: Lord is going to take Elijah away to day? This

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Speaker 2: time there was a slight heaviness in Elisha's chest as

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Speaker 2: he replied, of course I know, he said sombrely, but

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Speaker 2: do not speak of it. Elijah finished praying and came

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Speaker 2: back to Elisha. It is time for me to go

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Speaker 2: to the Jordan River.

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Speaker 4: You should stay here.

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Speaker 2: It was a silly command, for Elijah knew that his

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Speaker 2: young student would not leave his side. The two of

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Speaker 2: them traveled a short while to the Jordan River. A

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Speaker 2: group of prophets followed them at a distance, curious as

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Speaker 2: to when Elijah would pass away. The two men stopped

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Speaker 2: beside the Jordan The river flowed heavily. Tumbling rocks could

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Speaker 2: be heard from beneath the waters. Elijah removed his cloak

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Speaker 2: and folded it into a whip. He swung his hips

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Speaker 2: and struck the water with his clock Elishah watched as

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Speaker 2: his master's cloak caused the flowing river to split before them.

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Speaker 2: The river divided and the two of them were able

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Speaker 2: to cross on dry ground. Hundreds of memories flowed in

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Speaker 2: Elisha's head as they crossed, Memories of stories told for generations,

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Speaker 2: stories of gods splitting the Red See for Moses, and

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Speaker 2: the Jordan River for Joshua. Was his master as faithful

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Speaker 2: as they were, did he hold the same favor of God?

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Speaker 2: The two of them walked along the path, and Elijah

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Speaker 2: could sense Elisha's mind racing. He smiled and said, tell me,

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Speaker 2: my son, what can I do for you before I

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Speaker 2: am taken away. Elishah's eyes lit up. He did his

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Speaker 2: best to withhold his boyish grin. I want a double

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Speaker 2: share of what the Lord has given you. I want

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Speaker 2: to be your successor and see greater things done for God.

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Speaker 2: Elijah was pleased at his request. Elishah did not just

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Speaker 2: want to be as faithful as Elijah. He wanted to

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Speaker 2: be more faithful. He wanted a double portion of God's

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Speaker 2: spirit upon him. You have asked for a great and

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Speaker 2: difficult thing, Elijah replied frankly. However, if you see how

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Speaker 2: I am taken away, then your request will definitely be granted,

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Speaker 2: for God will show his glowry to those he wishes

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Speaker 2: to use.

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Speaker 4: If you do not.

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Speaker 2: Witness my departure, then you will not receive any of

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Speaker 2: his spirit. The two walked and talked for a few moments.

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Speaker 2: Elishah watched his old master.

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Speaker 4: Walk purposefully forward.

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Speaker 2: Then suddenly the clouds opened up like fortified gates. Blinding

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Speaker 2: light emanated from the sky, only it was not light

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Speaker 2: from the sun. Elisha could hear trumpets sounding like thunder,

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Speaker 2: and he watched as a chariot of fire descended violently.

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Speaker 4: From the clouds. The chariot was consumed.

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Speaker 2: With fire and drawn by horses of flames. Elisha could

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Speaker 2: not see who was riding the chariot, but he could

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Speaker 2: see it descending as if the air.

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Speaker 4: Was thick enough to ride on.

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Speaker 2: The chariot blew in between the two men, flinging Elishah

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Speaker 2: back onto the ground. He watched as his master was

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Speaker 2: wrapped up in a whirlwind. The bright light swirled around

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Speaker 2: the old prophet and the chariot of fire like a tornado.

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Speaker 2: As the wind wines blew violently and the light burned brightly,

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Speaker 2: Elishah could see a smile worn on the face of

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Speaker 2: his master.

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Speaker 4: Elijah.

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Speaker 2: I can see it, Elisha yelled to his beloved master.

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Speaker 2: Tears filled his eyes as he watched the beauty of

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Speaker 2: God unfolding before him. My father, I can see you.

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Speaker 2: I can see the chariots of Israel. Then, just as

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Speaker 2: quickly as it came, the whirlwind left, with Elijah wrapped

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Speaker 2: up in it. All was calm and still. Elisha remained

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Speaker 2: on the floor in awe of what.

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Speaker 4: Had just happened.

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Speaker 2: Elishah's face was covered in tears and dust. Elisha looked

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Speaker 2: down at his clothes to realize he had torn his shirt.

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Speaker 2: In amazement, he stumbled to his feet and walked towards

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Speaker 2: the cloak Elijah had left. When taken up silently, Elishah

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Speaker 2: picked up the cloak, folded it, and headed down to

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Speaker 2: the river. Had God given him his spirit? Elisha lifted

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Speaker 2: up the cloak, swung his hips, and struck the water

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Speaker 2: as his master did just moments before. Elisha watched as

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Speaker 2: the rivers opened up before him. A content smile slid

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Speaker 2: across his face. A group of prophets saw this from

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Speaker 2: a distance and exclaimed Elijah's spirit is upon Elisha. So

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Speaker 2: they ran to him and bowed before him. The reverence

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Speaker 2: made Alisha uncomfortable, for he knew it was the spirit

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Speaker 2: of God. The men were frantic in saying, do you

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Speaker 2: want us to look for your master? Perhaps the Lord

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Speaker 2: brought him to another place. Elisha shook his head and

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Speaker 2: said no, he knew his master was gone with God. However,

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Speaker 2: the prophets insisted and still looked.

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Speaker 4: For days. They searched and found nothing.

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Speaker 2: A few days later, the town of Jericho sent leaders

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Speaker 2: to visit Elisha. They came to him with a dire problem.

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Speaker 2: They needed the Lord's aid. In our town is beautiful,

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Speaker 2: but our water is toxic and causing disease. They said,

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Speaker 2: our crops are poisoned, and our children are sickened. Elisha

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Speaker 2: considered their problem carefully and prayed to the Lord for wisdom.

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Speaker 2: He had them bring him a bowl of salt. Then

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Speaker 2: he went out to the spring that supplied the town

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Speaker 2: with water.

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Speaker 4: He bent down and threw.

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Speaker 2: The salt into the water. He whispered slightly to the Lord,

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Speaker 2: and then turned to the leaders and said, the Lord

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Speaker 2: has purified your water. Neither death or infertility will plague

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Speaker 2: this city. As Elijah was leaving, a group of boys

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Speaker 2: began mocking them. They threw insults and stones his way

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Speaker 2: go home, baldy, they shouted, mocking his bald head. Forty

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Speaker 2: two boys bombarded Elisha with evil laughter and prideful spitting.

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Speaker 2: Elisha did not speak, He only looked at them intensely. Then,

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Speaker 2: in a terrifying turn of events, two bears ran.

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Speaker 4: Towards them from the woods.

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Speaker 2: Their growls drowned out the screaming of all forty two waters.

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Speaker 2: Their claws tore them limb from limb, and they feasted

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Speaker 2: on the mocking teenagers. Elishah walked away from the thrashing

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Speaker 2: and went back to Mount Carmer.

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Speaker 3: As we read God's word today, we find Elijah and

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Speaker 3: his apprentice Elijah walking together on the road from Gilgal.

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Speaker 3: It had been more than six years since the Lord

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Speaker 3: had led Elijah to the young man Elisha, and since

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Speaker 3: that day the two had walked side by side, closely together.

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Speaker 3: Elijah knew that God had plans for Elisha, and the

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Speaker 3: job that Elishah was going to take on was no

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Speaker 3: small task. So the seasoned prophet poured his life into

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Speaker 3: his apprentice, mentoring him and how to walk with God,

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Speaker 3: how to listen to God's voice, how to be a

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Speaker 3: man of God. Surely, as they walked along the road,

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Speaker 3: he continued to train him and teach him, especially now

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Speaker 3: as Elijah knew that his time was ending. Because that

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Speaker 3: day was different, it was time for a changing of

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Speaker 3: the guard. Elijah first tells Elisha that God had called

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Speaker 3: him to Bethel, but Elisha knows this day is different also,

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Speaker 3: and he insists he won't leave his master's side. Elishah

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Speaker 3: wanted to make the most of the time he had

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Speaker 3: left with his mentor, to learn all that he could,

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Speaker 3: and to enjoy his presence while he was still able.

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Speaker 3: I think many of us can relate to this kind

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Speaker 3: of sentiment, the desire to make the most of what

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Speaker 3: time we have with a very special person in our life,

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Speaker 3: whether it is a spouse, or a child or a friend.

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Speaker 3: So both men went to Bethel together. The prophets in

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Speaker 3: Bethel asked Elishah if he knew God was going to

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Speaker 3: take Elijah away that day.

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Speaker 4: He said he.

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Speaker 3: Did, but he did not want to speak of it.

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Speaker 3: God then led Elijah to Jericho again. He asked Elisha

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Speaker 3: to stay behind, but Elisha refused to part with his Master.

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Speaker 3: So they went together, and once again the prophets asked

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Speaker 3: Elisha if he knew God was about to take a lion.

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Speaker 3: He said yes, but to keep quiet. Why did he

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Speaker 3: want them to keep quiet? Not because it was some

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Speaker 3: big secret, as it seemed God and made known to

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Speaker 3: many of the prophets to whom he spoke. But Elishah

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Speaker 3: said this because he didn't want to get caught up

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Speaker 3: in talking about what was going to happen that he

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Speaker 3: missed what actually did happen. His mind was focused on

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Speaker 3: watching and waiting for what God would do. How often

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Speaker 3: do we get our attention pulled away by concerns or

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Speaker 3: anticipation of things to come, even worry, and we miss

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Speaker 3: what God is doing right in front of us. Always

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Speaker 3: focus on today and maximizing every day of your life.

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Speaker 3: And so when Elijah tells Elisha to stay there while

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Speaker 3: he goes to the Jordan River, his answer is obvious, no,

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Speaker 3: he will walk with him. The events that the Jordan

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Speaker 3: take us back to so many moments when God's glory

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Speaker 3: and power were on display throughout Jewish history, supernatural power.

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Speaker 3: When Elijah strikes the water with his cloak and the

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Speaker 3: river parts it was a reminder that God is the

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Speaker 3: same God who parted the sea for Moses and the

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Speaker 3: very same river for Joshua. After they cross on dry land,

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Speaker 3: Elijah asked his apprentice something. We read his question and

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Speaker 3: Elishah's response in Second Kings two nine. When they had crossed.

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Speaker 3: Elijah said to Elisha, ask what I shall do for

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Speaker 3: you before I'm taken from you? And Elishah said, please,

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Speaker 3: let there be a double portion of your spirit upon me.

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Speaker 3: What a wonderful request. Elisha knew that he had impossible

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Speaker 3: task in front of him in big shoes to fill,

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Speaker 3: and his question shows his humility and his maturity and

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Speaker 3: his selflessness. He wasn't just asking this for himself for

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Speaker 3: his own glory or power. He wanted to be fully

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Speaker 3: prepared to be a man of God, to speak God's word,

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Speaker 3: to minister to the people, just as Elijah had. So

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Speaker 3: he asked for more, more of God's power, more of

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Speaker 3: God's blessing, a double portion of the spirit of God.

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Speaker 3: Elijah told him this is a heavy request. He knew

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Speaker 3: what the life of a prophet meant, and it often

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Speaker 3: meant fierce opposition from wicked people. Notice he did not

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Speaker 3: give him a yes or no, because he knew this

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Speaker 3: was not his to grant, but God gives spiritual power.

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Speaker 3: So he told Elishah to watch what was about to happen,

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Speaker 3: and if he could see him being taken up, translated

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Speaker 3: up into heaven, he would know God would grant his request.

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Speaker 3: Elisha then saw an amazing sight. It was spectacular. It

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Speaker 3: was supernatural chariots of fire and a whirlwind descending from heaven.

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Speaker 3: Fire which had marked so much of Elijah's ministry, was

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Speaker 3: now being used to usher him into the presence of

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Speaker 3: the Lord, the one he had faithfully served. This was

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Speaker 3: a rapture, This was a translation into heaven. Elijah did

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Speaker 3: not die a physical death. Elishah saw it all and

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Speaker 3: knew God had granted his request. It was a moment

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Speaker 3: filled with wonder and amazement, but also sorrow and grief,

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Speaker 3: for now the man of God, his mentor, a man

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Speaker 3: who has been like a father to him, is gone.

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Speaker 3: We closed the passage with Elisha immediately seeing God's power

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Speaker 3: working in him, first in the party of the Jordan

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Speaker 3: once again, and then as he brought about healing to

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Speaker 3: Jericho's poisoned waters. Yes, God's hand was on Elisha, and

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Speaker 3: he would do great things in the name of the Lord,

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Speaker 3: pointing the Lord's people towards hope and righteousness and faith,

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Speaker 3: and God would bless him abundantly. Dear Lord, the God

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Speaker 3: of Elijah and Elisha, we thank you for this extreme

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Speaker 3: example of faith and perseverance. We thank you for your

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Speaker 3: power to take us to heaven when our time comes.

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Speaker 3: And Lord, that we are trusting in you not only

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Speaker 3: throughout life, but at the end of our lives. We

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Speaker 3: thank you for Elisha's relationship with Elijah, and we pray

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Speaker 3: that you would give us influence on those around us,

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Speaker 3: our family, our friends, members of our churches, that we

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Speaker 3: would mentor and coach and guide and give spiritual leadership

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Speaker 3: to those around us. Help us to be men and

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Speaker 3: women of God, always seeking your truth and proclaiming your name. Amen.

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Speaker 3: Thank you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast.

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Speaker 3: I'm pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Let me encourage

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Speaker 3: you to download theprey dot com app and always make

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Speaker 3: Bible reading and Bible study a priority in your life

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Speaker 3: along with prayer. If you enjoyed this podcast, share it

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Speaker 3: with someone you love. Let someone know because by sharing

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Speaker 3: this podcast, you can truly make a difference in someone's life.

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Speaker 3: And if you want more resources from me, Jack Graham,

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Speaker 3: as to how you can grow in your Christian life,

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Speaker 3: then go to Jack Graham dot org. That's Jack Graham

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Speaker 3: dot org. God bless you.