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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's 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 guided the Philistine gods,

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Speaker 2: but was instead met with Elijah's rebuke in God's justice.

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Speaker 2: In this story, we witness Elijah's departure from this earth

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Speaker 2: through the eyes of his student Elisha. Elishah witnesses the

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Speaker 2: glory and profound power of God as he takes his

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Speaker 2: master up in a chariot of Fire. Inspired by the

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Speaker 2: 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 princess. 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, Elisha 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?

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Speaker 1: 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. 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 again to pray. A group

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

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

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

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

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Speaker 2: there was a slight heaviness in Elisha's chest as he replied,

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Speaker 2: of course I know, he said sombrely, but do not

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Speaker 2: speak of it. Elijah finished praying and came back to Elisha.

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Speaker 2: It is time for me to go to the Jordan River.

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Speaker 2: You should stay here. It was a silly command, for

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Speaker 2: Elijah knew that his young student would not leave his side.

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Speaker 2: The two of them traveled a short while to the

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Speaker 2: Jordan River. A group of prophets followed them at a distance,

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Speaker 2: curious as to when Elijah would pass away. The two

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Speaker 2: men stopped beside the Jordan The river flowed heavily. Tumbling

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Speaker 2: rocks could be heard from beneath the waters. Elijah removed

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

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Speaker 2: his hips and struck the water with his clock. Elishah

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Speaker 2: watched as his master's cloak caused the flowing river to

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Speaker 2: split before them. The river divided and the two of

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Speaker 2: them were able to cross on dry ground. Hundreds of

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Speaker 2: memories flowed in Elisha's head as they crossed, memories of

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Speaker 2: stories told for generations, stories of gods splitting the rede

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Speaker 2: for Moses, and the Jordan River for Joshua. Was his master.

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Speaker 2: As faithful as they were, did he hold the same

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Speaker 2: favor of God? The two of them walked along the path,

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

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

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Speaker 2: before I am taken away? Elishah's eyes lit up. He

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

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Speaker 2: a double share of what the Lord has given you.

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Speaker 2: I want to be your successor and see greater things

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Speaker 2: done for God. Elijah was pleased at his request. Elishah

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Speaker 2: did not just want to be as faithful as Elijah.

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Speaker 2: He wanted to be more faithful. He wanted a double

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Speaker 2: portion of God's spirit upon him. You have asked for

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Speaker 2: a great and difficult thing, Elijah replied, frankly. However, if

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Speaker 2: you see how I am taken away, then your request

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Speaker 2: will definitely be granted, for God will show his glowyry

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Speaker 2: to those he wishes to use. 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: Elisha watched his old master walk purposefully forward. Then suddenly

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Speaker 2: the clouds opened up like fortified gates. Blinding light emanated

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

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Speaker 2: Elishah could hear trumpets sounding like thunder, and he watched

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Speaker 2: as a chariot of fire descended violently from the clouds.

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Speaker 2: The chariot was consumed with fire and drawn by horses

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Speaker 2: of flames. Elishah could not see who was riding the chariot,

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Speaker 2: but he could see it descending as if the air

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Speaker 2: was thick enough to ride on. The chariot blew in

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Speaker 2: between the two men, flinging Elishah back onto the ground.

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Speaker 2: He watched as his master was wrapped up in a whirlwind.

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Speaker 2: The bright light swirled around the old prophet and the

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Speaker 2: chariot of fire like a tornado. As the wind blew

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Speaker 2: violently and the light burned brightly, Elishah could see a

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Speaker 2: smile worn on the face of his master, Elijah. I

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Speaker 2: the floor in awe of what had just happened. Elisha's

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Speaker 2: face was covered in tears and dust. Elisha looked down

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Speaker 2: 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 Elisha 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. For days. They searched

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Speaker 2: and found nothing. A few days later, the town of

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Speaker 2: Jericho sent leaders to visit Elisha. They came to him

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Speaker 2: with a dire problem. They needed the Lord's aid. In

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Speaker 2: our town is beautiful, but our water is toxic and

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Speaker 2: causing disease. They said, our crops are poisoned and our

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Speaker 2: children are sickened. Elisha considered their problem carefully and prayed

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Speaker 2: to the Lord for wisdom. He had them bring him

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Speaker 2: a bowl of salt. Then he went out to the

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Speaker 2: spring that supplied the town with water. He bent down

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Speaker 2: and threw the salt into the water. He whispered slightly

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

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Speaker 2: the Lord has purified your water. Neither death or infertility

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Speaker 2: will plague this city. As Elijah was leaving, a group

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Speaker 2: of boys began marking him. They threw insults and stones

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

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Speaker 2: Forty 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 towards

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Speaker 2: them from the woods. Their growls drowned out the screaming

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Speaker 2: of all forty two mortars. The clause tore them limb

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Speaker 2: from limb, and they feasted on the mocking teenagers. Elishah

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Speaker 2: walked away from the thrashing and went back to Mount Carma.

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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. He said he did, but

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Speaker 3: he did not want to speak of it. God then

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Speaker 3: led Elijah to Jericho again. He asked Elisha to stay behind,

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Speaker 3: but Elisha refused to part with his master. So they

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Speaker 3: went together and once again, the prophets asked Elisha if

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Speaker 3: he knew God was about to take a Liiah. He

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

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Speaker 3: them to keep quiet? Not because it was some big secret,

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Speaker 3: as it seemed, God in mad known to many of

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Speaker 3: the prophets to whom he spoke, But Elishah said this

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Speaker 3: because he didn't want to get caught up in talking

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Speaker 3: about what was going to happen that he missed what

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Speaker 3: actually did happen. His mind was focused on watching and

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

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Speaker 3: get our attention pulled away by concerns or anticipation of

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Speaker 3: things to come, even worry, and we miss what God

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Speaker 3: is doing right in front of us. Always focus on

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Speaker 3: today and maximizing every day of your life. And so

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Speaker 3: when Elijah tells Elisha to stay there while he goes

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

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

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

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

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Speaker 3: Elijah strikes the water with his cloak and the river parts,

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Speaker 3: it was a reminder that God is the same God

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

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Speaker 3: river for Joshua. After they crossed on dry land, Elijah

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Speaker 3: asked his apprentice something. We read his question and Elishah's

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Speaker 3: 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 and 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 hen was on Elishah, 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 Elishah'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,