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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. Then 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 com

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Speaker 1: Chariots of Fire. In our last story, we learned about

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Speaker 1: Ajosiah's short reign is king over Israel. He fell from

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Speaker 1: the top of his upper room and injured himself beyond repair.

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Speaker 1: He sought the healing and guide of the Philistine gods,

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Speaker 1: but was instead met with Elijah's rebuke in God's justice.

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Speaker 1: In this story, we witness Elijah's departure from this earth

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Speaker 1: through the eyes of his student Elishah. Elishah witnesses the

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Speaker 1: glory and profound power of God as he takes his

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Speaker 1: master up in a chariot of Fire. Inspired by the

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Speaker 1: Book of Second Kings. Hello, I'm pastor Jack Graham with

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Speaker 1: today's episode of the Bible in a Year podcast. In

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Speaker 1: our last time together, we learned about a Hassiah, who,

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Speaker 1: like his father Ahab, looked to help and hope in

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Speaker 1: foreign gods and false deities. His reign and his life

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Speaker 1: was cut short because he did not seek the one

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Speaker 1: true God. Elijah had delivered God's message of judgment to

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Speaker 1: a Josiah as the king lay helplessly in bed after

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Speaker 1: a great fall. Today, we'll hear how Elijah's time on

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Speaker 1: Earth comes to an end. This great man of God,

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Speaker 1: the one who served God so faithfully and forcefully, would

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Speaker 1: be taken up before the eyes of his successor, Elishah.

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Speaker 1: It is an incredible display of God's supernatural power that

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Speaker 1: will profoundly impact Elisha as he takes on the manner

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Speaker 1: of the prophet of God to be the man of

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Speaker 1: God to God's people. So less listened to today's reading.

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Speaker 1: The sun was high in the sky. A few clouds

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Speaker 1: danced around it to the late summer breeze, creating brief

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Speaker 1: moments of shade for the two travelers. Below. The earth

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Speaker 1: and sky seemed to be in perfect harmony, both dancing

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Speaker 1: and swaying to the wind, and the trail surrounded by lilies.

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Speaker 1: Coming from Gilgal walked Elijah and Elishah. The old and

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Speaker 1: grizzled prophet had traveled everywhere with his young apprentice. The

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Speaker 1: two of them had experienced many miracles together. Elijah had

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Speaker 1: taught Elishah the ways of God. He spoke of the

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Speaker 1: Lord's truth, justice, goodness, and mercy. Elishah was able to

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Speaker 1: observe the way Elijah cared for the people of Israel.

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Speaker 1: He gave his entire life to them, ministering and healing

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Speaker 1: when necessary. He had also watched Elijah speak truth to power.

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Speaker 1: He confronted kings and queens. Despite his fears, Elijah admired

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Speaker 1: his old teacher. He prayed to God he would become

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Speaker 1: just as good a man as he. No, he prayed

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Speaker 1: he would be better. He prayed for faithfulness like his

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Speaker 1: and a strong sense of justice and truth. The two

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Speaker 1: of them strolled along in silence. The grass next to

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Speaker 1: the trail swayed gracefully all throughout the valley. Elijah turned

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Speaker 1: his face towards the sun and breathed in the sweet

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Speaker 1: summer air. He turned to his young student and said,

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Speaker 1: the Lord has told me to go to Bethel. You

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Speaker 1: should remain here. Elishah smiled and shook his head. He

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Speaker 1: had a feeling as to what the Lord was about

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Speaker 1: to do. No, he responded plainly, as the Lord lives,

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Speaker 1: I will not leave your side. So the two of

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Speaker 1: them changed course to the holy ground of Bethel, where

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Speaker 1: Jacob once prayed many years ago. On their way to Bethel,

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Speaker 1: a group of prophets passed them on the road. They

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Speaker 1: had anticipated Elijah's arrival for the Lord had spoken to

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Speaker 1: them as well. They walked beside the two men in silence. However,

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Speaker 1: one turned to Elishah and whispered, do you know that

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Speaker 1: the Lord is going to take your master away? To day?

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Speaker 1: Elijah looked at the prophet intently and put his hand

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Speaker 1: on his shoulder. He gave a quick smile and said yes.

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Speaker 1: He then turned to look at his master walking ahead

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Speaker 1: of him, But he will not speak of it. To

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Speaker 1: day the men had arrived at Bethel, and Elijah stayed

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Speaker 1: for a few moments to speak to the Lord. Elijah

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Speaker 1: stood at a distance. He was always curious as to

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Speaker 1: how the Lord spoke to Elijah. Was it how he

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Speaker 1: spoke to him? Was it through whispers or feelings? Did

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Speaker 1: he see an angel before him? These were things Elishah

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Speaker 1: would never know. Elijah turned to Elishah and said, you

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Speaker 1: should stay here, my boy, for the Lord has told

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Speaker 1: me to go to Jericho. There was a weariness in

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Speaker 1: Elijah's voice. It was almost as if he had run

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Speaker 1: away from his age for years and it was finally

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Speaker 1: gaining on him. Elishah smiled again and said, no, I

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Speaker 1: think I will go with you. As the Lord lives,

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Speaker 1: I shall not leave your side. So the two set

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Speaker 1: off again towards Jericho. When they arrived, Elijah departed again

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Speaker 1: to pray. A group of prophets from the area walked

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Speaker 1: up to Elishah, who was standing at a distance from

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Speaker 1: his master. They brought him in and whispered, did you

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Speaker 1: know that the Lord is going to take Elijah away

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Speaker 1: to day? This time there was a slight heaviness in

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Speaker 1: Elisha's chest as he replied, of course I know, he

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Speaker 1: said sombrely, but do not speak of it. Elijah finished

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Speaker 1: praying and came back to Elishah. It is time for

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Speaker 1: me to go to the Jordan River. You should stay here.

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Speaker 1: It was a silly command, for Elijah knew that his

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Speaker 1: young student would not leave his side. The two of

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Speaker 1: them traveled a short while to the Jordan River. A

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Speaker 1: group of prophets followed them at a distance, curious as

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Speaker 1: to win Elijah would pass away. The two men stopped

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Speaker 1: beside the Jordan The river flowed heavily. Tumbling rocks could

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Speaker 1: be heard from beneath the waters. Elijah removed his cloak

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Speaker 1: and folded it into a whip. He swung his hips

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Speaker 1: and struck the water with his clock Elishah watched as

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Speaker 1: his master's cloak caused the flowing river to spit before them.

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Speaker 1: The river divided and the two of them were able

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Speaker 1: to cross on dry ground. Hundreds of memories flowed in

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Speaker 1: Elishah's head as they crossed, Memories of stories told for generations,

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Speaker 1: stories of gods splitting the Red See for Moses, and

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Speaker 1: the Jordan River for Joshua. Was his master as faithful

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Speaker 1: as they were, did he hold the same favor of God?

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Speaker 1: The two of them walked along the path, and Elijah

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Speaker 1: could sense Elijah's mind racing. He smiled and said, tell me,

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Speaker 1: my son, what can I do for you before I

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Speaker 1: am taken away. Elijah's eyes lit up. He did his

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Speaker 1: best to withhold his boyish grin. I want a double

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Speaker 1: share of what the Lord has given you. I want

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Speaker 1: to be your successor and see greater things done for God.

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Speaker 1: Elijah was pleased at his request. Elishah did not just

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Speaker 1: want to be as faithful as Elijah. He wanted to

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Speaker 1: be more faithful. He wanted a double portion of God's

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Speaker 1: spirit upon him. You have asked for a great and

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Speaker 1: difficult thing, Elijah replied frankly. However, if you see how

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Speaker 1: I am taken away, then your request will definitely be granted,

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Speaker 1: for God will show his glory to those he wishes

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Speaker 1: to use. If you do not witness my departure, then

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Speaker 1: you will not receive any of his spirit. The two

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Speaker 1: walked and talked for a few moments. Alisha watched his

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Speaker 1: old master walk purposefully forward. Then suddenly the clouds opened

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Speaker 1: up like fortified gates. Blinding light emanated from the sky,

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Speaker 1: only it was not light from the sun. Alisha could

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Speaker 1: hear trumpets sounding like thunder, and he watched as a

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Speaker 1: chariot of fire descended violently from the clouds. The chariot

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Speaker 1: was consumed with fire and drawn by horses of flame,

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Speaker 1: so Elishah could not see who was riding the chariot,

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Speaker 1: but he could see it descending as if the air

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Speaker 1: was thick enough to ride on. The chariot blew in

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Speaker 1: between the two men, flinging Elishah back on to the ground.

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Speaker 1: He watched as his master was wrapped up in a whirlwind.

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Speaker 1: The bright light swirled around the old prophet and the

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Speaker 1: chariot of fire like a tornado. As the wind blew

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Speaker 1: violently and the light burned brightly, Elishah could see a

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Speaker 1: smile worn on the face of his master, Elijah. I

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Speaker 1: can see it, Elishah yelled to his beloved master. Tears

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Speaker 1: filled his eyes as he watched the beauty of God

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Speaker 1: unfolding before him. My father, I can see you. I

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Speaker 1: can see the chariots of Israel. Then, just as quickly

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Speaker 1: as it came, the whirlwind left, with Elijah wrapped up

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Speaker 1: in it. All was calm and still. Elishah remained on

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Speaker 1: the floor in awe of what had just happened. Elishah's

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Speaker 1: face was covered in tears and dust. Elishah looked down

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Speaker 1: at his clothes to realize he had torn his shirt.

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Speaker 1: In amazement, he stumbled to his feet and walked towards

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Speaker 1: the cloak Elijah had left. When taken up silently, Elishah

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Speaker 1: picked up the cloak, folded it, and headed down to

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Speaker 1: the river. Had God given him his spirit? Elishah lifted

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Speaker 1: up the cloak, swung his hips, and struck the water

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Speaker 1: as his master did just moments before. Elishah watched as

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Speaker 1: the rivers opened up before him, A contented smile slid

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Speaker 1: across his face. A group of prophets saw this from

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Speaker 1: a distance and exclaimed Elijah's spirit is upon Elishah. So

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Speaker 1: they ran to him and bowed before him. The reverence

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Speaker 1: made Elisha uncomfortable, for he knew it was the spirit

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Speaker 1: of God. The men were frantic in saying, do you

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Speaker 1: want us to look for your master? Perhaps the Lord

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Speaker 1: brought him to another place. Elishah shook his head and

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Speaker 1: said no, he knew his master was gone with God. However,

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Speaker 1: the prophets insisted and still looked. For days. They searched

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Speaker 1: and found nothing. A few days later, the town of

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Speaker 1: Jericho sent leaders to visit Elishah. They came to him

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Speaker 1: with a dire problem. They needed the Lord's aid. In

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Speaker 1: our town is beautiful, but our water is toxic and

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Speaker 1: causing disease. They said, our crops are poisoned, and our

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Speaker 1: children are sicken. Elishah considered their problem carefully and prayed

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Speaker 1: to the Lord for wisdom. He had them bring him

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Speaker 1: a ball of salt. Then he went out to the

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Speaker 1: spring that supplied the town with water. He bent down

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Speaker 1: and threw the salt into the water. He whispered slightly

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Speaker 1: to the Lord, and then turned to the leaders and said,

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Speaker 1: the Lord has purified your water. Neither death or infertility

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Speaker 1: will plague this city. As Elijah was leaving, a group

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Speaker 1: of boys began mocking him. They threw insults and stones

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Speaker 1: his way go home, baldy, they shouted, mocking his bald head.

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Speaker 1: Forty two boys bombarded Elishah with evil laughter and prideful spitting.

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Speaker 1: Elishah did not speak, He only looked at them intensely. Then,

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Speaker 1: in a terrifying turn of events, two bears ran towards

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Speaker 1: them from the woods. If their growls drowned out the

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Speaker 1: screaming of all forty two waters clause tore them limb

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Speaker 1: from limb, and they feasted on the mocking teenagers. Elishah

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Speaker 1: walked away from the thrashing and went back to Mount Komat.

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Speaker 1: As we read God's word today, we find Elijah and

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Speaker 1: his apprentice Elijah walking together on the road from Gilgau.

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Speaker 1: It had been more than six years since the Lord

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Speaker 1: had led Elijah to the young man Elishah, and since

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Speaker 1: that day the two had walked side by side closely together.

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Speaker 1: Elijah knew that God had plans for Elishah, and the

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Speaker 1: job that Elishah was going to take on was no

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Speaker 1: small task. So the seasoned prophet poured his life into

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Speaker 1: his apprentice, mentoring him and how to walk with God,

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Speaker 1: how to listen to God's voice, how to be a

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Speaker 1: man of God. Surely, as they walked along the road,

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Speaker 1: he continued to train him and teach him, especially now

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Speaker 1: as Elijah knew that his time was ending, because that

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Speaker 1: day was different, it was time for a changing of

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Speaker 1: the guard. Elijah first tells Elishah that God had called

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Speaker 1: him to Bethel, but Elishah knows this day is different also,

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Speaker 1: and he insists he won't leave his master's side. Elishah

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Speaker 1: wanted to make the most of the time he had

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Speaker 1: left with his mentor, to learn all that he could,

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Speaker 1: and to enjoy his presence while he was still able.

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Speaker 1: I think many of us can relate to this kind

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Speaker 1: of sentiment, the desire to make the most of what

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Speaker 1: time we have with a very special person in our life,

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Speaker 1: whether it is a spouse, or a child or a friend.

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Speaker 1: So both men went to Bethel together. The prophets in

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Speaker 1: Bethel asked Elishah if he knew God was going to

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Speaker 1: take Elijah away that day. He said he did, but

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Speaker 1: he did not want to speak of it. God then

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Speaker 1: led Elijah to Jericho again. He asked Elishah to stay behind,

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Speaker 1: but Elishah refused to part with his master. So they

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Speaker 1: went together, and once again the prophets to ask Elishah

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Speaker 1: if he knew God was about to take Elia agent.

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Speaker 1: He said yes, but to keep quiet. Why did he

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Speaker 1: want them to keep quiet? Not because it was some

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Speaker 1: big secret, as it seemed God had made known to

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Speaker 1: many of the prophets to whom he spoke, But Elishah

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Speaker 1: said this because he didn't want to get caught up

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Speaker 1: in talking about what was going to happen that he

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Speaker 1: missed what actually did happen. His mind was focused on

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Speaker 1: watching and waiting for what God would do. How often

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Speaker 1: do we get our attention pulled away by concerns or

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Speaker 1: anticipation of things to come, even worry, and we miss

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Speaker 1: what God is doing right in front of us. Always

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Speaker 1: focus on today and maximizing every day of your life.

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Speaker 1: And so when Elijah tells Elishah to stay there while

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Speaker 1: he goes to the Jordan River, his answer is obvious, no,

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Speaker 1: he will walk with him. The events that the Jordan

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Speaker 1: take us back to so many moments when God's glory

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Speaker 1: and power were on display throughout Jewish history. Supernatural power

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Speaker 1: when Elijah strikes the water with his cloak, and the

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Speaker 1: river parts. It was a reminder that God is the

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Speaker 1: same God who parted the sea for Moses and the

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Speaker 1: very same river for Joshua. After they crossed on dry land,

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Speaker 1: Elijah asked his apprentice something. We read his question and

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Speaker 1: Elishah's response in Second Kings two nine. When they had crossed,

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Speaker 1: Elijah said to Elishah, ask what I shall do for

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Speaker 1: you before I am taken from you? And Elishah said, please,

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Speaker 1: let there be a double portion of your spirit upon me.

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Speaker 1: What a wonderful request. Elisha knew that he had impossible

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Speaker 1: task in front of him in big shoes to fill,

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Speaker 1: and his question shows his humility and his maturity and

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Speaker 1: his selflessness. He wasn't just asking this for himself for

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Speaker 1: his own glory or power. He wanted to be fully

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Speaker 1: prepared to be a man of God, to speak God's word,

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Speaker 1: to minister to the people, just as Elijah had. So

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Speaker 1: he asked for more, more of God's power, more of

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Speaker 1: God's blessing, a double portion of the spirit of God.

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Speaker 1: Elijah told him this is a heavy request. He knew

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Speaker 1: what the life of a prophet meant, and it often

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Speaker 1: meant fierce opposition from wicked people. Notice he did not

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Speaker 1: give him a yes or no, because he knew this

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Speaker 1: was not his to grant. But God gives spiritual power.

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Speaker 1: So he told Elishah to watch what was about to happen,

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Speaker 1: and if he could see him being taken up, translated

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Speaker 1: up into heaven, he would know God would grant his request.

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Speaker 1: Elishah then saw an amazing sight. It was spectacular. It

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Speaker 1: was supernatural chariots, a fire, and a whirlwind descending from heaven.

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Speaker 1: Fire which had marked so much of Elijah's ministry, was

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Speaker 1: now being used to usher him into the presence of

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Speaker 1: the Lord, the one he had faithfully served. This was

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Speaker 1: a rapture, This was a translation into heaven. Elijah did

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Speaker 1: not die a physical death. Elishah saw it all and

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Speaker 1: knew God had granted his request. It was a moment

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Speaker 1: filled with wonder and amazement, but also sorrow and grief,

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Speaker 1: for now the man of God, his mentor a man

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Speaker 1: who has been like a father to him, is gone.

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Speaker 1: We close the passage with Elishah immediately seeing God's power

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Speaker 1: working in him, first in the parting of the Jordan

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Speaker 1: once again, and then as he brought about healing to

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Speaker 1: Jericho's poisoned waters. Yes, God's hand was on Elishah, and

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Speaker 1: he would do great things in the name of the Lord,

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Speaker 1: pointing the Lord's people towards hope and righteousness and faith,

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Speaker 1: and God would bless him abundantly. Dear Lord, the God

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Speaker 1: of Elijah and Elishah, we thank you for this extreme

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Speaker 1: example of faith and perseverance. We thank you for your

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Speaker 1: power to take us to heaven when our time comes.

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Speaker 1: And Lord, that we are trusting in you not only

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Speaker 1: throughout life, but at the end of our lives. We

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Speaker 1: thank you for Elisha's relationship with Elijah, and we pray

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Speaker 1: that you would give us influence on those around us,

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Speaker 1: our family, our friends, members of our churches, that we

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Speaker 1: would mentor and coach and guide and give spiritual leadership

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Speaker 1: to those around us. Help us to be men and

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Speaker 1: women of God, always seeking your truth and proclaiming your name. Amen.

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Speaker 1: Thank you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast.

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Speaker 1: I'm pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Let me encourage

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Speaker 1: you to download the Prey dot com app and always

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Speaker 1: make Bible reading and Bible study a priority in your life,

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Speaker 1: along with prayer. If you enjoyed this podcast, share it

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Speaker 1: with someone you love. Let someone know, because by sharing

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Speaker 1: this podcast, you can truly make a difference in someone's life.

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Speaker 1: And if you want more resources from me, Jack Graham

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Speaker 1: as to how you can grow in your Christian life,

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Speaker 1: then go to Jack Graham dot org. That's Jack Graham

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Speaker 1: dot org. God bless you. This episode is sponsored by Medician,

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Speaker 1: an innovative health care solution for Christians to save money

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Speaker 1: without sacrificing quality.