In the Field Audio Scriptures

The Historical Timeline The timeline leading to when the three women went to the tomb to finish caring for Jesus stems from the Hebrew calendar month Nisan, which is the first month of spring in the Gregorian equivalent calendar that we know today. Starting from the last day of Passover, it is this evening that the Lord’s Supper is held, Jesus prays at the Garden of Gethsemane, arrested in Jerusalem, and tried before the Sanhedrin charged with blasphemy before sent to Pontius Pilate for judgment and condemnation. According to the Hebrew calendar, in the month of Nisan, the Last Supper, arrest and trial were held on Tuesday into Wednesday. Jesus was crucified and placed in the tomb on Wednesday evening before sunset and the Sabbath's start. The tomb was sealed with stone and guarded with Roman soldiers on Thursday. The women purchased the spices to anoint Jesus’ body on Friday, as Saturday was a regular Sabbath. As noted in Jonah, Jesus fulfilled the three full days and nights prophecy and His duties as the Messiah.  The Empty Tomb Biblical scholar Paul Gould provides no distinctive reasoning as to why the empty tomb occurred when writing about this hypothetical theory that “Mary and company mistakenly went to a tomb other than that of Jesus.” Immediately he is left with more questions than answers, leaving this theory to be the shortest of his five. It was these three women that found the stone miraculously rolled back, supposed to be guarded by Roman soldiers, and saw that Jesus was not in the tomb. “And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments” (Luke 24:4, NKJV). The first argument is that this perplexity is not to be misconceived as only a time of mourning, but it must be noted that it was important that “[t]he faithful women are present as witnesses to the correct site.” Confirmation, given by the two angels standing before the women, implied that the women should have known they would not find Jesus in the tomb, as He told them earlier that He would “on the third day rise again” (Luke 24:7). Just as Mary was sitting at Jesus’ tomb, she had also sat at Lazarus’ tomb where she discovered Jesus’ power over death when He raised Lazarus from the dead. “Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again’” (John 11:23).  The First Witness The second argument is the angels’ reminder to the women, which was the starting point, opening their minds that Jesus’ words, preaching, and teaching now made sense in His ministry. The importance of Mary Magdalene is paramount as she “appears in all four Gospels,” “identified as ‘a woman disciple of the Lord,’” as “her women friends discover the empty tomb, are invited to look in, [and] then run away afraid.” Mary, the most faithful woman to Jesus, was chosen to see the resurrected Jesus first. He called her by name in the tomb where she stood weeping, bewildered over the missing Jesus, the One she felt closest to. Regardless of the events leading up and including the discovery of the empty tomb, Mary Magdalene is the one constant who is the first witness to Jesus’ resurrection. Being the first and continuous witness provides a counterargument to biblical scholars that the women went to the wrong tomb. Biblical scholar Claudia Setzer claims that in the three events of Jesus, Mary Magdalene was the “one who saw Jesus’ death and burial and discovered the empty tomb.” Mary Magdalene also witnesses the fourth event, which is the first person to see the risen Jesus. God sent Mary Magdalene to the apostles to tell them about Jesus and His Resurrection. At this point, we read that John, one of Jesus’ disciples, along with Simon Peter, run to the tomb to validate that it is empty. John outruns Simon Peter to see inside it first. Therefore, two of Jesus’ closest believers, Mary Magdalene and John, who stood at the foot of His cross, are “the first to believe in the risen Jesus.”  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

Pastor Purity Muthoni is joining us with a new message, so we are excited to hear what the Lord has put on her heart to share with us todaIf Pastor Purity is new to you, you may listen to her other sermon, “How to Trust God Even in Difficult Times,” on our website at www.inthefieldaudioscriptures.org. You can also read about her and her mission ministry in Nairobi, Kenya, and reach out to her on social media or by emailing her with comments, questions, and prayer requests. Pastor Purity has provided an update since she was last with us. She has completed her first book, “The Widow’s Journey,” which is waiting for publication. This powerful book offers a spiritual roadmap for those who have experienced the loss of a spouse, providing guidance and inspiration for navigating the difficult road ahead. Drawing on personal experience as a widow, Pastor Purity shares insights and lessons that will resonate with anyone who has faced loss and transformation. Through prayer, reflection, and practical advice, "The Widow's Journey" offers a path forward for those who may feel lost, alone, or uncertain in the wake of a loved one's passing. With empathy and wisdom, Pastor Purity invites readers to lean on their faith as they journey through grief and emerge transformed on the other side. Whether you are a recent widow or have experienced loss in the past, "The Widow's Journey" is a must-read for anyone seeking comfort, guidance, and hope in the face of life's toughest challenges. If you or maybe your church would like to sponsor Pastor Purity so she may get her book published, you may do so by holding a church or community fundraiser. The funds needed to get Pastor Purity’s book published is $700. Contact me, Christie Richardson, at (843) 212-6545 to make financial arrangements to get the funds to Pastor Purity. Digital event fundraising can also be set up for you or your church, or even peer-to-peer fundraising. More information can be found at inthefieldaudioscriptures.org; click on Donate or on Fundraising Campaign for more information. Various fundraising platforms are now available for you and your church to add to your websites and to share on social media, making fundraising simple in a digital community. As you can hear, the ministry is seven days a week, and I hope it inspires you to reach out to the Lord in prayer for pastors serving their communities worldwide, whether they are serving in contemporary church buildings, building water wells, helping with agriculture, or even publishing a book to help others. Pastor Purity is another example of taking risks to preach God’s Word - no matter where it is or what it takes. I know you are ready to listen to today’s new message, so I hope you enjoy the sermon titled Godly Mom with Pastor Purity Muthoni. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

Evangelist and missionary Darrell Richardson is joining us with a new message, so we are excited to hear what the Lord has put on his heart to share with us today. If Darrell is new to you, you may listen to his other sermon, “Defining Evangelism,” on our website at www.inthefieldaudioscriptures.org. You can also read about him and his mission ministry in Kenya and reach out to him on social media or by emailing him with comments, questions, and prayer requests. Darrell has provided an update since he was last with us. Even though he is retired, Darrell still works part-time, teaching students business English and helping them fulfill their dreams of working in a global community. Teaching English is a mission component, allowing many non-profit organizations to take on; however, Darrell does it with a twist. Referring to the biblical text, we quickly learn that the Apostle Paul was a tentmaker, meaning he made his money to carry on his mission by working in carpentry and other trades, selling his goods to others. Typically, he did so under a “tent.” See, in missions back then, and even in Jesus’ earthly ministry, not many people gave or contributed money to those people trying to proclaim and fulfill the gospel. Traveling (even on foot), finding food and a place to sleep, and providing for others going through difficult times costs money. So, Jesus and Paul created what we call today “microbusiness”: Earn what you need to cover your expenses and provide for others as God intended. Let’s go back to Darrell’s mission, shall we? He can reach students in over 100 countries by teaching business English online. Many of these countries do not adhere to Christian teachings; however, through his perseverance, Darrell has had countless students asking him who Jesus is. He also has had students that just wanted to talk about Jesus and Christianity for their online class time and doing so by hiding in closets and under their beds so no one would find out their hearts were turning to the Lord. Darrell’s mission has been to take some of his online teaching earnings and forward them to care for the children attending Gracie’s Academy in Kehancha, Kenya. Darrell planted this seed by building the school several years ago, and now more than 200 students are attending regularly. The primary school is receiving an extension with a junior secondary school, which you and I would call middle or junior high school here in the States, with the help of a non-profit in Sweden; however, the children still need their meals. Many children only receive food from school, so they receive two meals and a snack each school day. If you or maybe your church would like to sponsor Darrell so he may continue to help feed the children at Gracie’s Academy, you may do so by holding a church or community fundraiser. Contact me, Christie Richardson, at (843) 212-6545 to make financial arrangements to get the funds to Gracie’s Academy. Digital event fundraising can also be set up for you or your church, or even peer-to-peer fundraising. More information can be found at inthefieldaudioscriptures.org; click on Donate or on Fundraising Campaign for more information. Various fundraising platforms are now available for you and your church to add to your websites and to share on social media, making fundraising simple in a digital community. As you can hear, the ministry is seven days a week, and I hope it inspires you to reach out to the Lord in prayer for pastors serving their communities worldwide, whether they are serving in contemporary church buildings, building water wells, helping with agriculture, or even teaching to provide food for young children. Darrell is another pastoral example of taking risks to preach God’s Word - no matter where it is or what it takes. I know you are ready to listen to today’s new message, so I hope you enjoy the sermon titled Who is God? with Evangelist and missionary Darrell Richardson. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

Pastor Jones Britus is joining us with a new message, so we are excited to hear what the Lord has put on his heart to share with us this Sunday. If Pastor Jones is new to you, you may listen to his other sermon, “Operating from Heaven,” on our website at www.inthefieldaudioscriptures.org. You can also read about him and his ministry in Marigot, Haiti, and reach out to him on social media or by email with comments, questions, and prayer requests. Pastor Jones has provided us with an update since he was last with us. He and his ministry leaders helped 10 people accept Jesus as their personal Saviour. Three of them go to his church and the rest go to another local church. People in the local community like appearances, so they go to the other local church, as Pastor Jones’ church is still having services under a tent. The tent is very old, and when it rains, they can't use it. A local tent in his area is available to rent with the owner requesting $2,500 per year for it. If you or may be your church would like to sponsor Pastor Jones so he may continue to preach the gospel to his congregation, you may do so by holding a church or community fundraiser. Contact me, Christie Richardson, at (843) 212-6545 to make financial arrangements to get the funds to Pastor Jones. Digital event fundraising can also be set up for you or your church, or even peer-to-peer fundraising. More information can be found at inthefieldaudioscriptures.org; click on Donate, or on Fundraising Campaign for more information. Various fundraising platforms are now available for you and your church to add to your websites and to share on social media, making fundraising simple in a digital community. As you can hear, the ministry is seven days a week, and I hope it inspires you to reach out to the Lord in prayer for pastors serving their communities worldwide whether they are serving in contemporary church buildings or preaching under a tent. Pastor Jones is another pastoral example of taking the risk to preach God’s Word - no matter where it is and no matter what it takes. I know you are ready to listen to today’s new message, so I hope you enjoy today's sermon titled How God Speaks with Pastor Jones Britus. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

Purity Muthoni is the pastor of the Pool of Healing Ministry. She is located in Nairobi, Kenya, and is a widow blessed with three children, one girl, age 21, and two boys, ages 19 and 10. To this day, Pastor Purity still proclaims that God has been good to her and her family. When Pastor Purity was widowed suddenly at age 37, it was the worst thing ever happening to her. The foundation of her world collapsed, and now she was the only parent to her three grieving children. She had to learn to manage the micro-financial empire of her household and do all the other things her husband once did. But most of all, she had to cope with her own pain. It was the most terrible pain she had ever experienced, which left big scars inside her. Nothing made sense. People around her spoke, professionals spoke, and nothing made sense because the answer she wanted to hear was that "it's a dream.”  Pastor Purity describes it as a fire she had to walk through to get to the other side. And she did, eventually, even with deep scars. Since then, she has felt stronger in dealing with life’s wounds. Pastor Purity’s mission is to speak to widows about doing something new that they have never done without undermining themselves. She claims that people will always talk, but God has his best interest in you. Don't allow people to take advantage of your vulnerability. Look unto God, and he will see you through. God will never put you through something that you cannot handle. Pastor Purity also advises that God lifts you up and gives you strength. Believing in the struggle and coming through on the other side was when Pastor Purity built an altar for God. Listen to the words of this woman of faith, a woman of God whose struggle is one that many people can understand. This person may be you. I want you to know you are not alone as you listen to today’s new message titled How to Trust God Even in Difficult Times with Pastor Purity Muthoni. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

Ryan Sutton is a dynamic pastor and evangelist who preaches with passion in the power of the Spirit. He is the pastor of The Grace Center, a lively, multicultural church in Festus, Missouri. He is the founder and president of Ryan Sutton Ministries, which covers his evangelistic ministry in the United States and his international missions. After attending Ozark Bible Institute and Central Bible College in Springfield, Missouri, where he holds pastoral ministry and bible literature degrees, Ryan surrendered to the call to preach under the ministry of B. H. Clendennen at Victory Temple in Beaumont, Texas, in 1997 at the age of fourteen. Ryan preached his first full sermon the following Sunday and has been preaching ever since. He attended B. H. Clendennen’s School of Christ International several times and traveled with him in Europe, Scandinavia, and India. Ryan also preached regularly in crusades in Africa when he was fifteen and sixteen, and with Brother Clendennen’s encouragement, Ryan was ordained to pastor in April 2000 at seventeen. In addition to pastoral ministry, he has continued to travel throughout the states and internationally, praying fervently for revival, souls, and victory wherever the Lord sends him to minister. Ryan’s beautiful wife and two daughters support his calling and the local and global communities he serves. I know you are ready to listen to today’s message, so I hope you enjoy the sermon titled, Why I Believe in the Resurrection, with Pastor Ryan Sutton. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

Pastor Jones Britus was born in August 1969 and raised in a village in Southeast Haiti, the commune of Marigot. He is married and blessed with two daughters. After primary school, Pastor Jones’ parents could not afford to pay for his schooling. He was supported by one of his uncles in high school. Before finishing high school, his uncle had great financial problems and could not continue to support him. Pastor Jones did not want to stop high school, so he went to work in a primary school to pay his schooling fees in the afternoon. Since then, God made a way for Pastor Jones to earn his bachelor’s and master’s degrees and now places him as a Ph.D. student working in Economic Sciences, Specialising in Analysis and Evaluation of Projects. Since 2012, he has been the founding director of the non-profit organization "Alliance Haitienne/Haitian Alliance” for development and particularly for empowering orphans, vulnerable children, and the young without family support, which God entrusted to him in a dream. Then, in April 2019, he founded a home for orphaned children called "Univers des Enfants/ Children's Universe.” In 2021, he also founded an evangelism association called " Missionnaires de Jésus-Christ en Action/ Missionaries of Jesus Christ in Action" after a revelation from God. Pastor Jones is also the founding pastor of two young churches in Haiti called "Evangelical Church Unity of God." Jesus showed him in a vision that He would use him to plant other churches in Haiti. You can see several pictures on the In the Field Worship Radio’s website donation page of Pastor Jones’ church, the people he serves, and the orphans he and his family care for. As you can hear, ministry carries a common denominator with the pastors that have served here on In the Field Worship Radio. Their paths may differ, but their journey is the same, and it is held, directed, and brightened by the light of God. We are each called at different times in our lives to serve Him. His light does not discriminate, rather, it captivates us in a period of our lives when we may have little money, maybe in a strained relationship, or perhaps suffer from an illness. Regardless, God chooses us at a specific period in our lives that opens up our season of service – a season when the multitudes will stop what they are doing, listen to what we have to say and watch us through our prayer life, and the joyous glow that we carry, and then they will tell others about the Word of God. If you ever doubt why you are here on earth, know that you are loved and are to love one another by bringing a person to Christ. Now, you know why I say at the end of each broadcast to bring a friend when you return next Sunday. You are here for a reason, and Jesus is calling you now. I know you are ready to listen to today’s new message, so I hope you enjoy today's sermon, Operating from Heaven, with Pastor Jones Britus. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

Pastor Cleophas Muyelele is joining us with a new message, so we are excited to hear what the Lord has put on his heart to share with us this Sunday. If Pastor Muyelele is new to you, you may listen to his other sermon titled “It’s Time to Do It” on our website at www.inthefieldaudioscriptures.org. You can also read about him and his ministry in Bungoma, Kenya, and reach out to him on social media or by email with comments, questions, and prayer requests. Pastor Muyelele provided us with an update since he was last with us. He and his ministry leaders have a new church plant in a neighboring village, so they trust God for Swahili bibles to aid them in their discipleship program. Please keep them in your prayers. He also mentioned that they stepped out by faith earlier this year to raise money to drill a well in Chemwa village. We have a praise report with Pastor Muyelele’s testimony that the LORD has made a way, and they have raised 90% of their budget. They trust God to launch this project in mid-April - next month. They need the remaining 10% so they can begin drilling. They are still short $2,000, so if you want to donate money to help Pastor Muyelele out, click the Donate button on either the In the Field Audio Scriptures website or the In the Field Worship Radio website. Any donation amount is a huge help and definitely a blessing. More good news is that they had a successful children’s outreach sharing the word of God, and they also managed to provide food and hygiene products for 45 of the most vulnerable orphans and children in Chemwa village. If you want to see the outreach photos, click the Donate button and then click Gallery in the middle of the page. As you can hear, the ministry is seven days a week, and I hope it inspires you to reach out to the Lord in prayer for pastors serving their communities worldwide. I know you are ready to listen to today’s new message, so I hope you enjoy today's sermon titled When Mercy Speaks with Pastor Cleophas Muyelele. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

This sermon features Evangelist Darrell Richardson of Hilton Head Island, SC, in the United States. This southeastern coastal location decorates the terrain with palm trees and sea turtles. Sailboats enter the harbor with pink, purple, and green, coloring the sunsets and resting over the stillness of the ocean. Darrell was born on April 7, 1946, in a small town in eastern Tennessee, where he grew up on a small farm. He loved to play basketball & baseball and studied music, playing the piano and organ in his local church. He is known as a father, business leader, role model, teacher, evangelist, and follower of Jesus Christ. After retiring from more than a 50-year aviation career, God called him to serve as an evangelist and full-time missionary to both Haiti & Kenya. He helped to establish a primary school in Kenya that provides an education each year to hundreds of students in a small village made up mostly of farmers. He also preached many sermons and taught Sunday School classes throughout the Kenyan countryside, helping people turn in their old lives for new ones in Christ. His glidepath to God has not always been a smooth one. There was some turbulence, but he made a smooth landing. He has a strong relationship with Jesus and tells the story that Jesus told him one day, "Go tell them who I am." So, in the end, he sold everything so that he could follow Jesus' command, serving Him in the outback of Kenya as a missionary. It is a pleasure to have Darrell share his obedience and dedication to God with us, and I hope you enjoy today's sermon titled, Defining Evangelism with Evangelist Darrell Richardson. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

This sermon features Pastor Lephen Kumar of South Carolina in the United States. Lephen was born and raised in India, where he worked as a school teacher, a pastor, and a director of a non-profit organization. His involvement in school education and child and community development continues to embrace and uplift his theological training. Lephen, his beautiful wife, Lydia, his son Sam, and his daughter Saakshiyah moved from India to the United States, answering God’s call as a way of obeying a turning point in his ministry. Growing up as a pastor’s son, Lephen felt the call to commit his life to ministry after high school. He knew the Lord was calling him to serve and preach the gospel, realizing this call involved more of an international mission, which can be seen in his work in the church he pastors here in South Carolina. Even as a pastor, Lephen felt something was still missing in his ministry. A friend introduced him to chaplaincy and clinical pastoral education. Lephen started his chaplaincy with two extended training units and then completed a full year’s chaplain residency program at a local hospital. Lephen’s new ministry helped him connect with people enduring injuries, diseases, and end-of-life while allowing him to slow down and open his heart and mind to the suffering. Patients need someone to walk alongside them, and Lephen becomes their person. Building relationships with people is very important, proving that God continues His work in us. Therefore, having a heart for God, Lephen continues to serve his local community here in South Carolina and back home in his village in India. It is a pleasure to have Lephen share his love and inspiration for God with us, and I hope you enjoy today’s sermon titled, I Need Rest, with Pastor Lephen Kumar. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

Pastor Cleophas Muyelele was born in July 1986 and raised in a small village in western Kenya near the Uganda border called Bungoma. He is married and blessed with three children - one girl and two boys, whom he and his family call Bungoma home. Cleophas grew up as an orphan, and with missionaries' help, he went through elementary and high school, later joining media college to pursue videography and photography. Once again, working with missionaries, Cleophas continued to serve in different capacities for over eight years, but this time in Eldoret, east of Bungoma, in Kenya. Years later, in 2018, after praying and seeking the LORD for his direction, Cleophas, and the leaders he discipled, planted a church in the village where he grew up, calling it New Life Celebration Center. Cleophas' passion for teaching the Word of God and serving orphans and vulnerable children in their community directly reflects his upbringing. His ultimate passion is to give back and be the mentor to his community that the missionaries were to him by providing people the opportunity to learn, grow, and serve the LORD. Besides being a pastor of the fastest-growing church in the rural areas, Cleophas is also the Community Director of the small grassroots organization Friends of Watoto Kenya, empowering orphans, vulnerable children, and young single mothers. Hope and encouragement are abundant in his words, but the inspiration that he provides in his voice is a testament that God answers prayer. I hope you enjoy today's sermon titled It's Time to Do It with Pastor Cleophas Muyelele. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

This sermon features Evangelist Hezron Marwa of Kehancha, Kenya. This location is in the southwest corner of the country, nestled between the bordering countries of Uganda and Tanzania in East Africa. Evangelist Hezron, considers himself to be an Mwanafunzi Wa Yesu, meaning a Disciple of Christ in Kiswahili, the Swahili language, wearing several titles, such as motivator, educator, community leader, business coach, mentor, media personality, and public speaker. He is well-known in the southwest corner of Kenya and surrounding areas as a director, who is a resilient businessman and media personality, relentlessly balancing various aspects of entrepreneurship with godly living. Growing up in the church, it is only fitting that Hezron is called "evangelist," as his ministry is expressed through his artistic and business abilities, making it easy for everyone in his path to follow the word he preaches - God's Word. I hope you enjoy today’s sermon message titled the Importance of Faith with Evangelist Hezron Marwa. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

In this chapter, Peter teaches women about submitting to their husbands. If we take this phrase word-for-word, which the Apostle Paul uses similar wording in his epistles, many angry women will refuse to “submit” to their husbands. So, let’s take the word “submit” and analyze it biblically, or what we say in the hermeneutical sense, adding archaeological context, culture, and God’s Plan to it. First, in a Christian marriage, the husband and wife submit to each other through the Holy Spirit, committing each other to God. Listen-to-me-again; they commit who? “Each other” to God. Peter’s advice to Christian wives is a new commitment to God, as godly women can win their husbands to Christ simply through their conduct and behavior. She does not have to say a word, but her motions and behaviors will set her apart from ungodliness. Her behavior will add curiosity to her husband, leaving him to want to know more about her faith. It is the woman who can change her husband’s life before God. Second, the bible does not teach women that they cannot make decisions on their own or that she is her husband’s servant, rather God shows favor to the couple so that the husband is the spiritual leader of the home, and together, the husband and wife are to submit themselves to Christ. Finally, holy women of God are not under the authority of their husbands or any man for that matter; rather, women should submit themselves to the Lord first and then to their husbands. Because the husband and wife come together in marriage before God, they have equal worth before Him. There is a balancing act between the husband and wife, as she may be physically weaker than him, lessening him to be gentler and kind. So, let’s review: Women, we are not to take offense with Peter, or Paul for that matter, when the bible states that we are to submit to our husbands. First, the husband and wife submit to each other through the Holy Spirit, committing each other to God. Second, God favors the couple so that the husband is the spiritual leader of the home, and together, the husband and wife are to submit themselves to Christ. And finally, women should submit themselves to the Lord first and then to their husbands. And why? Because when the husband and wife come together in marriage before God, they will have equal worth before Him. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

Peter acknowledges that pilgrims, or Christians, are to distance themselves from fleshly lusts, earthly wants, or tangible items that may cause one to sin. As the pilgrim pulls away from these sinful ways, he must also conduct himself lovingly. This way, he presents himself before believers and unbelievers, representing how Christ would submit Himself before others. There are two types of submissions. First, obedience to authority must be followed according to the bible unless this authority turns to immoral or bad behaviors. Therefore, we must submit to one’s master but not suffer due to another’s wrongdoing. Second, we must submit to the government as loyal subjects to authority, not ungodly behavior. Peter reminds us to keep in the front of our minds the question of where our daily walk is heading and whether we are in stride or step with Jesus. Remember the bracelets we used to wear with WWJD? What would Jesus do? Now, you know where it is in the scriptures. So, let us review: As pilgrims, we must pull away from sinful acts while conducting ourselves in a way that Jesus would expect. There are two types of submission: first, we are to submit to one’s master, and second, to submit to the government. Even though we try to be faithful to an enduring, loving God, we must still know the difference between right and wrong, keeping ourselves closer to Him. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

Peter writes the first letter in a question/answer format. One must know who he is, in this case, Peter knows that he is an apostle of Jesus Christ, but who is everyone else? A pilgrim. A pilgrim is a person who is living away from home. The next question is, where is everyone from? On earth, people migrate from one place or area to another. Our heavenly home still awaits us; therefore, Peter saw “everyone” as pilgrims. To understand who this pilgrim is, we must understand that with movement comes rest. Resting in God’s Word provides the opportunity to understand that the Spirit of Christ solidifies the truth and is secured in the scriptures as it is written. Now we must be holy. Peter claims that holiness is not to be confused with morality, as morality is an outward set of standards, whereas holiness is an inward transformation. Hope joins holiness producing harmony, and in the end, love should be sincere, enduring God’s Word forever. Now it should make a little more sense how Christians are to love the Lord whom they have not seen before, as His Word endures forever. So let’s review: Peter details who he is before Christ and whom the rest of the population is before Christ, representing pilgrims. Each person or pilgrim must learn to rest in God’s Word; however, in order to do so, one must understand the difference between the outwardness of morality and the inwardness of holiness. It is the holiness that has transformation, producing harmony and love, completing the circle of resting in God’s Word forever. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

A true definition of fear, resulting in love and faith in God, divides this chapter into two parts. The first part is verses 1-6, where testing the spirits is necessary, ensuring that the messages heard are true from God. Exposing false teachers proves their mischievous teaching methods misalign their words with those from the Word of God. The second part is verses 7-21, where John shows how God can love His people when He loves through us. God’s love for us through His people removes the fear on the day of judgment, as we know that Jesus will be our advocate, standing beside us. Our obedience to love and faith results from knowing that if people love God, they love one another. This love is so unique that if His children stray, He will receive repentant believers again. Jesus bore God’s wrath, so we will not have to, proving that we have a forgiving, loving God. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

Welcome to the reading of the First Epistle of John Chapter Five with In the Field Audio Bible. My name is Christie, your host for this episode. This fifth and final chapter of 1 John answers the two most important questions that are even asked today: whether one is truly a child of God and whether there is love for God and for one another. Both questions are proven if one believes that Jesus is Christ. There is victory to celebrate, knowing that even Christ had to overcome temptations and troubles to take loving ownership of His people. John writes about three witnesses proving that Jesus is God: water– Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River; the blood – Jesus died on the cross for our sins; and the Spirit – each person can bear witness to Christ. Finally, each person was more likely than not to be born with a birthmark on their body; however, John writes that there are five birthmarks, or tests, of a believer. First is the faith test, aligning what we believe with the Word of God. Second is the life test on how we keep God’s commandments. Third, love tests us on whether or not we love one another. Fourth, the growth test measures how far we are going in our way with Christ. Finally, the last one is the sin test, measuring our continuation to commit sin and whether it justifies meeting our human needs. Let’s review: First, the two most important questions asked are whether one is truly a child of God and whether there is love for God and one another, with the answer resting in Christ. Second, there are three witnesses proving that Jesus is God: water, the blood, and the Spirit. Last, a believer has five birthmarks or tests: faith, life, love, growth, and sin. I hope you are in your quiet place with your favorite coffee or tea while enjoying this reading of the First Epistle of John Chapter 5. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

In this chapter, John tells us how to love one another. There is a yearning for us to love people and for them to love us back. Personally, I have always wanted to know “how” to love others. It is a weird question because we should already know, or so we thought. John puts forth three elements on how Christians are supposed to love one another. If you ever have wanted a biblical instruction manual, this is it. First, we are to love “unconditionally.” So, let us go back to what I said earlier. There is a yearning for us to love people and for them to love us back. This give-and-take process is “conditional.” If you love me, I will love you back. This is the earthly way we love one another. However, John says that we are to love “unconditionally.” Second, we are to love “sacrificially.” Remember John 3:16? “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” God demonstrated His love for the lost humankind by sending His only begotten Son to pay the debt for our sins. Think of a time when you sacrificed something so that another person could benefit from it. You did so out of love so that it would provide comfort to this person. Knowing that you would do without, this difference shows our earthly take on what divine love is supposed to look and feel like, achieving it through Him. Finally, we are to love “personally.” The only Christ most people will ever see is the Christ they see in us, and you may be the one person. Therefore, we are to show God’s love for others through our demonstration of love to His Son, Jesus Christ. Again, we are to love one another unconditionally, sacrificially, and personally, and do so, centering our love on Jesus. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

John is now the last apostle, living as an old man, writing this letter to his children. He first distinguishes knowing God from doing God’s work on earth. John claims that he does not add new commandments or statutes but emphasizes the most important command – love. This two-fold process involves loving one another and loving God. John also distinguishes between loving worldly things from loving the Father. If we believe and love worldly, earthly things, we take away from loving the One who created them. It is now that we see John start to touch on what would be the final book of the bible – Revelation. Toward the end of this chapter, John introduces us to the Tribulation with what it looks like with periods of intense judgment on the unbelieving world. Within this period, the intensity will be terrible for the Jewish people, but the Deliverer will come out of Zion, saving them. The Antichrist is here now, placing discerning Christians on alert for Christ’s coming. It is at the end of this chapter that God’s true children recognize Jesus as both fully God and fully man with the only way to salvation being through Him. We have a lot to unpack and listen to with this chapter. It may take a few times listening to it to start understanding the importance of love and its place in the upcoming Tribulation. This chapter is the precursor and the preparation of what we know as the final book of the bible – The Revelation of Jesus Christ. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message

This final epistle of John reflects not only love but John’s position of authority and influence. He recognizes Gaius as a faithful believer in the truth to people he knows and those he does not. Gaius shows us how opening one’s home to others keeps us steadfast in the truth. For those of us who serve or may soon be called to mission life, John details the difference between taking from others rather than letting God put forth people He needs to help us serve Him. And in this epistle, God used Gaius to support the mission of helping others so they could spread the Gospel. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/inthefieldaudiobible/message