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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 92]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 35]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 35]]></content:encoded>
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                <pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 91]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                <description><![CDATA[Gen 34:1-31]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Gen 34:1-31]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 90]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                <description><![CDATA[Gen 33:1-20]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Gen 33:1-20]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 89]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                <description><![CDATA[Gen 32:22-32]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Gen 32:22-32]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 88]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                <description><![CDATA[Gen 32:1-21]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Gen 32:1-21]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 28 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjE0MjUwMjQ1IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e20939288_1772655579_genesis-study----episode-88.mp4" 
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 87]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e20939260_1772655188_genesis-study----episode-87.jpg"></itunes:image>
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                <description><![CDATA[Gen 31:22-55]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Gen 31:22-55]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 21 Jan 2026 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjE0MjUwMjI5IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e20939262_1772655188_genesis-study----episode-87.mp4" 
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 86]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e20939136_1772653138_genesis-study----episode-86.jpg"></itunes:image>
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                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 31:1-21]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 31:1-21]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 12 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjE0MjUwMTYzIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e20939138_1772653138_genesis-study----episode-86.mp4" 
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 85]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e20939185_1772653907_genesis-study----episode-85.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/ae978490-1803-11f1-ac07-6b67d7dab8b4</link>
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                <description><![CDATA[Gen 30:25-43]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Gen 30:25-43]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 05 Nov 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjE0MjUwMTg1IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e20939187_1772653907_genesis-study----episode-85.mp4" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 84]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/fc7034c0-b9b0-11f0-8956-71b0c59a4df3/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1762303196"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/fc7034c0-b9b0-11f0-8956-71b0c59a4df3</link>
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                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 30:1-24]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 30:1-24]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 29 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 83]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/84175d70-ad2e-11f0-b598-53075665cf51/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1760908477"></itunes:image>
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                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 29
As we pick up our study of the Book of Genesis in Chapter 29, we enter the heart of Jacob...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 29
As we pick up our study of the Book of Genesis in Chapter 29, we enter the heart of Jacob&rsquo;s story, and we find him beginning to reap the fruits of his deception and manipulation. When he meets his uncle Laban, Jacob meets his match in deception and manipulation. He finds himself outfoxed by Laban and forced to serve 14 years in his household in order to gain the hand in marriage of the woman he fell in love with the first moment he saw her. Much of what transpires in this passage reflects God&rsquo;s justice for Jacob&rsquo;s deceit, though God still accomplishes His will in Jacob&rsquo;s life, even as He allows Jacob to be experience the consequences of his sin.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 15 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 82]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/10120b10-a8aa-11f0-bf54-59f4fcc487aa/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1760412260"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/10120b10-a8aa-11f0-bf54-59f4fcc487aa</link>
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                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 28:10-23
What a strange dream Jacob had on his way to Haran to escape his brother&rsquo;s fu...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 28:10-23
What a strange dream Jacob had on his way to Haran to escape his brother&rsquo;s fury over Jacob&rsquo;s deception! A ladder set upon the earth, with its top reaching to heaven, and angels ascending and descending upon the ladder. God spoke to Jacob in this dream and confirmed that He&rsquo;d be with Jacob and protect him and return him to the Promised Land and give him all the blessings promised through Abraham and Isaac. But the part of the dream about the ladder must have been confusing to Jacob and generations of Jews to follow. But at the end of John, chapter 1, Jesus clears things up for us. We finally learn that the image of the ladder pointed to Him, the one through whom we have access to God.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 08 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 81]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/ad024f80-a2dc-11f0-9f7d-b54b53749916/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1759774303"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/ad024f80-a2dc-11f0-9f7d-b54b53749916</link>
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                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 27:41-28:9
As we examine the aftermath of Jacob's deception of his father, Isaac, we see tha...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 27:41-28:9
As we examine the aftermath of Jacob's deception of his father, Isaac, we see that all of the interpersonal relationships in his family have been affected by his deceit. And we continue to see every member of this family acting in selfish ways to advance their own agendas. It's hard for us to like anybody in this broken family, but God loved them all. And He would use each one of them, despite their obvious flaws, to accomplish HIS plans. The best lesson we can learn from this passage is this: God is good, all the time.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 01 Oct 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 80]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/4b0de040-9833-11f0-a656-a3bb421de602/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1758601644"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/4b0de040-9833-11f0-a656-a3bb421de602</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/4b0de040-9833-11f0-a656-a3bb421de602</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 27:1-41
As much as we might like to find something good to talk about in the household of Is...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 27:1-41
As much as we might like to find something good to talk about in the household of Isaac in Genesis, chapter 27, we just can&rsquo;t. All we can find is dwindling faith in God, deception, pursuit of individual agendas, and character flaws that have been passed down from one generation to another. There are no heroes in this chapter, except for God, who reveals that HE is faithful, even when we are not. And that&rsquo;s comforting to us, as it should have been to the original audience for the Book of Genesis, the people of Israel preparing to enter the Promised Land.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 17 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/4b0de040-9833-11f0-a656-a3bb421de602/original/file.mp4" 
                                                    type="video/mp4" 
                                                    length="346973133" 
                                                />
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                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/4b0de040-9833-11f0-a656-a3bb421de602/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1758601644" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 79]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/96ebd190-9327-11f0-a5b7-0946c296d875/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1758052164"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/96ebd190-9327-11f0-a5b7-0946c296d875</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/96ebd190-9327-11f0-a5b7-0946c296d875</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 26:12-35
Throughout Chapter 26 of the Book of Genesis, we see Isaac facing many of the same ...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 26:12-35
Throughout Chapter 26 of the Book of Genesis, we see Isaac facing many of the same challenges to His faith in God that his father, Abraham, had faced. In this passage, we see him coming into conflict with the Philistines because of his great wealth and power &mdash; to the extent that the Philistines drove him from their territory. But each time the Philistines forced him to move on, Isaac moved DEEPER into the Promised Land. And there&rsquo;s a lesson for us in that. The challenges we face in life should drive us DEEPER into our faith, DEEPER into the arms of Jesus.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 10 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/96ebd190-9327-11f0-a5b7-0946c296d875/original/file.mp4" 
                                                    type="video/mp4" 
                                                    length="336060499" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/96ebd190-9327-11f0-a5b7-0946c296d875/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1758052164" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 78]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/acc21990-8ce0-11f0-8694-cf024095e3c9/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1757356213"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/acc21990-8ce0-11f0-8694-cf024095e3c9</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/acc21990-8ce0-11f0-8694-cf024095e3c9</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 26:1-11
As we begin to transition to Moses' account of Jacob's life, there are still some le...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 26:1-11
As we begin to transition to Moses' account of Jacob's life, there are still some lessons for us to learn from the life of Isaac, his father. What we see in chapter 25 of the Book of Genesis is that Isaac's faith in the promises of God was tested in many of the same ways the faith of Abraham, his father, was tested. And just as we saw in the life of Abraham, we see that God rewards even weak faith with great blessing and abundant grace.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 03 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/acc21990-8ce0-11f0-8694-cf024095e3c9/original/file.mp4" 
                                                    type="video/mp4" 
                                                    length="296062668" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/acc21990-8ce0-11f0-8694-cf024095e3c9/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1757356213" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 77]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/92fc85a0-8758-11f0-8bd3-f53f30c7a4cf/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1756747821"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/92fc85a0-8758-11f0-8bd3-f53f30c7a4cf</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/92fc85a0-8758-11f0-8bd3-f53f30c7a4cf</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 25:19-34
From the time they were in Rebekah's womb, Jacob and Esau struggled with one anothe...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 25:19-34
From the time they were in Rebekah's womb, Jacob and Esau struggled with one another. But Esau gave up his birthright without a fight, trading it to second-born Jacob for a bowl of "this red." Jacob doesn't come across as very likeable in this story, but at least he recognizes what's important, even if he's not willing to wait on God to give it to him in His timing.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 27 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/92fc85a0-8758-11f0-8bd3-f53f30c7a4cf/original/file.mp4" 
                                                    type="video/mp4" 
                                                    length="274769072" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/92fc85a0-8758-11f0-8bd3-f53f30c7a4cf/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1756747821" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 76]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/db7aa660-81d9-11f0-abc2-21be54c59efd/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1756143667"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/db7aa660-81d9-11f0-abc2-21be54c59efd</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/db7aa660-81d9-11f0-abc2-21be54c59efd</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 25:19
Toledot is the Hebrew word that's translated as "generations" or "records" in the Book...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 25:19
Toledot is the Hebrew word that's translated as "generations" or "records" in the Book of Genesis. Old Testament scholars have identified the 11 toledot statements of Genesis ("these are the generations of" or "these are the records of") as those that provide the organizational structure of this book. Each time one of those statements appears, describing the descendants in the line of people through whom God has chosen to fulfill His Gen. 3:15 promise of salvation blessings for mankind, the range of potential people through whom this blessing will come is narrowed, until it narrows to the people of Israel at the end of this book. And when we look at the genealogy of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew, we see something wonderful in the way Matthew tweaks this toledot formula!]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 20 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/db7aa660-81d9-11f0-abc2-21be54c59efd/original/file.mp4" 
                                                    type="video/mp4" 
                                                    length="341777704" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/db7aa660-81d9-11f0-abc2-21be54c59efd/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1756143667" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 75]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/35820cb0-7d26-11f0-a6a0-0b349653c84f/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1755627060"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/35820cb0-7d26-11f0-a6a0-0b349653c84f</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/35820cb0-7d26-11f0-a6a0-0b349653c84f</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 25:1-18
We know that Isaac was Abraham's son of blessing, the one through whom God would kee...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 25:1-18
We know that Isaac was Abraham's son of blessing, the one through whom God would keep His promise to bless the nations, the one through whom Jesus would come to us as the Savior of the world. But what about Abraham's other sons? This week's passage in our Zoom Bible Study in the Book of Genesis reveals that, even in His dealings with Abraham's other sons, God reveals His faithfulness.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 13 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/35820cb0-7d26-11f0-a6a0-0b349653c84f/original/file.mp4" 
                                                    type="video/mp4" 
                                                    length="325993473" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/35820cb0-7d26-11f0-a6a0-0b349653c84f/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1755627060" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 74]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/b4f8d290-76d6-11f0-b915-e146fef7ece3/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1754933296"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/b4f8d290-76d6-11f0-b915-e146fef7ece3</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/b4f8d290-76d6-11f0-b915-e146fef7ece3</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 24
In Genesis, chapter 24, we hear the story of the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah, through w...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 24
In Genesis, chapter 24, we hear the story of the marriage of Isaac and Rebekah, through whom God will continue the work of fulfilling His promises to Abraham. We see God's hesed, his loyal love, toward Abraham in the events of this chapter. And we see an amazing parallel between the work of Abraham's unnamed servant, sent to bring back a bride for Abraham's son; and the work of the Holy Spirit, sent to bring back a bride for God's Son.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/b4f8d290-76d6-11f0-b915-e146fef7ece3/original/file.mp4" 
                                                    type="video/mp4" 
                                                    length="307711251" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/b4f8d290-76d6-11f0-b915-e146fef7ece3/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1754933296" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 73]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/3e2e35a0-7155-11f0-9ae0-d97652035615/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1754328150"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/3e2e35a0-7155-11f0-9ae0-d97652035615</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/3e2e35a0-7155-11f0-9ae0-d97652035615</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 23
The death of his beloved wife, Sarah, surely marked a low point in the life of Abraham, w...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 23
The death of his beloved wife, Sarah, surely marked a low point in the life of Abraham, whom we see grieving her at the beginning of Genesis, chapter 23. But, later in the chapter, in the odd negotiation that we see over a place to bury her, there's more evidence of how his faith has grown, more evidence that he's fully trusted in God's promise to give the Land of Canaan to Abraham's descendants. And Abraham's investment in this little plot of land would have provided hope for the people of Israel as they prepared to enter this Promised Land, some 400 years later.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 30 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/3e2e35a0-7155-11f0-9ae0-d97652035615/original/file.mp4" 
                                                    type="video/mp4" 
                                                    length="346380498" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/3e2e35a0-7155-11f0-9ae0-d97652035615/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1754328150" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 72]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/808863b0-6bda-11f0-8051-c7dea9801a99/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1753725933"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/808863b0-6bda-11f0-8051-c7dea9801a99</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/808863b0-6bda-11f0-8051-c7dea9801a99</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 22:19-24
Nearing the end of Moses' account of Abraham's life in the Book of Genesis, we look...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 22:19-24
Nearing the end of Moses' account of Abraham's life in the Book of Genesis, we look at a brief transitional passage at the end of chapter 22, engage in a lively and enlightening discussion of why Rebekah's parents would have named her after a cow, and discuss a few questions from previous weeks.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/808863b0-6bda-11f0-8051-c7dea9801a99/original/file.mp4" 
                                                    type="video/mp4" 
                                                    length="213694524" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/808863b0-6bda-11f0-8051-c7dea9801a99/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1753725933" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 71]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/5100ac50-6654-11f0-a8c1-f35c57dd3568/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1753118340"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/5100ac50-6654-11f0-a8c1-f35c57dd3568</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/5100ac50-6654-11f0-a8c1-f35c57dd3568</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 1:1-18
God tested Abraham&rsquo;s faith in Him over and over again in the Book of Genesis, n...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 1:1-18
God tested Abraham&rsquo;s faith in Him over and over again in the Book of Genesis, not to see whether Abraham HAD faith in God &mdash; the Lord already knew all there was to know about Abraham&rsquo;s faith &mdash; but to GROW Abraham&rsquo;s faith and to deepen this Patriarch&rsquo;s relationship with Him. And each time Abraham&rsquo;s faith was tested, his fellowship with God grew. In this week&rsquo;s Zoom Bible Study on the Book of Genesis, we see Abraham facing the supreme test of his faith: Would he trust God to keep His promises, even when what God was telling him to do seemed destined to destroy the promise itself? In this regard and others, the story of the near-sacrifice of Abraham&rsquo;s son, Isaac, points us to Jesus, the promised Messiah of Israel, who&rsquo;d give Himself as a sacrifice at Calvary&rsquo;s cross.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 16 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/5100ac50-6654-11f0-a8c1-f35c57dd3568/original/file.mp4" 
                                                    type="video/mp4" 
                                                    length="367337863" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/5100ac50-6654-11f0-a8c1-f35c57dd3568/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1753118340" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 70]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/a8b36690-60d7-11f0-91e9-f3e38e3a15ce/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1752556275"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/a8b36690-60d7-11f0-91e9-f3e38e3a15ce</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/a8b36690-60d7-11f0-91e9-f3e38e3a15ce</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 22:1-2
This week, we begin a look at what is essentially the final exam on Abraham's faith i...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 22:1-2
This week, we begin a look at what is essentially the final exam on Abraham's faith in God. But hiding there in plain sight in the second verse is a geographical reference that cries out for our attention. And when we dig deeply into it, what we see is that God is sovereign over ALL the details of this story, using them to proclaim that Jesus Christ is the substitute, the sinless one who would take upon HIMSELF the sins of mankind &mdash; and their just punishment &mdash; so that all who turn to Him in FAITH will be saved and adopted into His family as sons and daughters.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 09 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/a8b36690-60d7-11f0-91e9-f3e38e3a15ce/original/file.mp4" 
                                                    type="video/mp4" 
                                                    length="323534578" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/a8b36690-60d7-11f0-91e9-f3e38e3a15ce/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1752556275" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 69]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/3515efd0-5c29-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1751999653"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/3515efd0-5c29-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/3515efd0-5c29-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 21:22-34]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 21:22-34]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/3515efd0-5c29-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4/original/file.mp4" 
                                                    type="video/mp4" 
                                                    length="187033097" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/3515efd0-5c29-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1751999653" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 68]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/18e874a0-5c28-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1751999495"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/18e874a0-5c28-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/18e874a0-5c28-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 21:9-21]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 21:9-21]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 11 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/18e874a0-5c28-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4/original/file.mp4" 
                                                    type="video/mp4" 
                                                    length="338145020" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/18e874a0-5c28-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1751999495" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 67]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/27c90210-5c27-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4/original/file.mp4"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/27c90210-5c27-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/27c90210-5c27-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 21:1-18]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 21:1-18]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jun 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/27c90210-5c27-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4/original/file.mp4" 
                                                    type="video/mp4" 
                                                    length="283372974" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/27c90210-5c27-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4/original/file.mp4" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 66]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/fda527d0-5c25-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1751998545"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/fda527d0-5c25-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/fda527d0-5c25-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 20]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 20]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 28 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/fda527d0-5c25-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4/original/file.mp4" 
                                                    type="video/mp4" 
                                                    length="414057425" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/fda527d0-5c25-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1751998545" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 65]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/ea21b120-5c24-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1751998318"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/ea21b120-5c24-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/ea21b120-5c24-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 19:30-38]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 19:30-38]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 21 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/ea21b120-5c24-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4/original/file.mp4" 
                                                    type="video/mp4" 
                                                    length="304680987" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/ea21b120-5c24-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1751998318" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 64]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/8b4ff4e0-5c1f-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1751997339"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/8b4ff4e0-5c1f-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/8b4ff4e0-5c1f-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 19:1-29]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 19:1-29]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 07 May 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/8b4ff4e0-5c1f-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4/original/file.mp4" 
                                                    type="video/mp4" 
                                                    length="317248201" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/8b4ff4e0-5c1f-11f0-b003-df944c2f12d4/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1751997339" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 63]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19678698_1746127374_genesis-study-episode-63.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/245f4660-26c2-11f0-ac8a-47c9e599aee2</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/245f4660-26c2-11f0-ac8a-47c9e599aee2</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 18:16-33
We can't expect God to make His plans known to us, and we need to be very careful a...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 18:16-33
We can't expect God to make His plans known to us, and we need to be very careful about trying to negotiate with Him. But it's wonderful to know that, because of God's great love for Abraham, He allowed both of those things to happen prior to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. In this passage, we learn a little about Abraham and a lot about God and His justice and mercy.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 30 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEzMzkyNDk0IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e19678700_1746127374_genesis-study-episode-63.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
                                                    length="" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19678698_1746127374_genesis-study-episode-63.jpg" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 62]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19678558_1746125087_genesis-study-episode-62.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/ca464fe0-26bf-11f0-921a-cd706f02ae57</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/ca464fe0-26bf-11f0-921a-cd706f02ae57</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 18:1-15
What a blessing to know that God always shows up right when we need Him (which is mo...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 18:1-15
What a blessing to know that God always shows up right when we need Him (which is more often than we tend to think it is, by the way). That's what He does in this week's passage, where He appears with two men (spoiler alert: They're angels) outside the tent of Abraham and Sarah and reiterated His long-unfulfilled promise of an heir for Abraham. This time, though, He states the promise in Sarah's hearing, making it clear that SHE'LL bear the child herself within the year. What a boost to this old couple's faith this visit must have been!]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 23 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEzMzkyNDA3IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e19678560_1746125087_genesis-study-episode-62.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
                                                    length="" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19678558_1746125087_genesis-study-episode-62.jpg" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 61]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19587941_1744847524_genesis-study-episode-63.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/2a0eb3d0-1b22-11f0-9371-4d9c9296dd35</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/2a0eb3d0-1b22-11f0-9371-4d9c9296dd35</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 09 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEzMzM1NzUwIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e19587943_1744847524_genesis-study-episode-63.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
                                                    length="" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19587941_1744847524_genesis-study-episode-63.jpg" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 60]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19587038_1744828888_genesis-study-episode-62.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/da7ef730-1b21-11f0-9371-4d9c9296dd35</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/da7ef730-1b21-11f0-9371-4d9c9296dd35</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 02 Apr 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEzMzM1MjM2IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e19587040_1744828888_genesis-study-episode-62.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
                                                    length="" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19587038_1744828888_genesis-study-episode-62.jpg" 
                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 59]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19586932_1744827575_genesis-study-episode-61.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/612b6530-1b21-11f0-9371-4d9c9296dd35</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/612b6530-1b21-11f0-9371-4d9c9296dd35</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[]]></description>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 26 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEzMzM1MTg5IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e19586934_1744827575_genesis-study-episode-61.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
                                                    length="" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19586932_1744827575_genesis-study-episode-61.jpg" 
                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 58]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19335101_1742494738_genesis-study-episode-58.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/f7988f90-05b7-11f0-b5ae-5789e91c531e</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/f7988f90-05b7-11f0-b5ae-5789e91c531e</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 16:7-16
God loves outcasts. He loves the afflicted. He has compassion for those who&rsquo;ve...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 16:7-16
God loves outcasts. He loves the afflicted. He has compassion for those who&rsquo;ve been marginalized by society. And in the way that He dealt with Hagar, the Egyptian servant who bore Abraham&rsquo;s first child, God showed that His grace is for ALL people.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 19 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEzMTc0MjEyIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e19335103_1742494738_genesis-study-episode-58.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
                                                    length="" 
                                                />
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                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19335101_1742494738_genesis-study-episode-58.jpg" 
                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 57]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19335009_1742493264_genesis-study-episode-57.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/8927f790-05b6-11f0-b5ae-5789e91c531e</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/8927f790-05b6-11f0-b5ae-5789e91c531e</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 16:1-6
Abraham and Sarah had faith that God would keep His promise to give them a son. But m...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 16:1-6
Abraham and Sarah had faith that God would keep His promise to give them a son. But more than 10 years after He'd made that promise, they were starting to think maybe He needed a little help fulfilling it. Bad move.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 12 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEzMTc0MTM2IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e19335011_1742493264_genesis-study-episode-57.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
                                                    length="" 
                                                />
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                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19335009_1742493264_genesis-study-episode-57.jpg" 
                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 56]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19238569_1741288086_genesis-study-episode-56.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/c25b0550-fabe-11ef-a990-c7538ca778a9</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/c25b0550-fabe-11ef-a990-c7538ca778a9</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 15:12-21
In the last half of Genesis, chapter 15, we see God direct and then carry out a str...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 15:12-21
In the last half of Genesis, chapter 15, we see God direct and then carry out a strange ceremony to mark the ratification of his unconditional covenant with Abraham. We don&rsquo;t understand the significance of all that&rsquo;s taking place in this ceremony, though it shares some things in common with other covenant ratification ceremonies of the time and some in common with another incident in the Book of Jeremiah. What we CAN understand, however, is that God is in control of it all. It was by HIS grace that Abraham was justified through faith. It was HIS plan to save the descendants of Abraham. And it was HIS work that would make that happen. Salvation is HIS and His alone.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 05 Mar 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEzMTA4Nzc3IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e19238571_1741288086_genesis-study-episode-56.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
                                                    length="" 
                                                />
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                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19238569_1741288086_genesis-study-episode-56.jpg" 
                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 55]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19238525_1741287059_genesis-study-episode-55.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/383ef360-fabc-11ef-a990-c7538ca778a9</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/383ef360-fabc-11ef-a990-c7538ca778a9</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Like a good detective, the student of the Bible must be careful not to miss the clues that help us t...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Like a good detective, the student of the Bible must be careful not to miss the clues that help us to understand what a particular text was intended to mean to its original audience &mdash; and to us, so many years later. The key for both detectives and Bible students is careful observation. As an exercise, we listed our observations from Acts 1:8. How many can you make?]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 26 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEzMTA4NzQwIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e19238527_1741287059_genesis-study-episode-55.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
                                                    length="" 
                                                />
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                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19238525_1741287059_genesis-study-episode-55.jpg" 
                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 54]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19085068_1739476197_genesis-study-episode-54.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/4671e600-ea44-11ef-b72c-97ccb640a597</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/4671e600-ea44-11ef-b72c-97ccb640a597</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 15:7
After declaring Abraham righteous because of his faith, God sets about to confirm His u...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 15:7
After declaring Abraham righteous because of his faith, God sets about to confirm His unconditional covenant with this Patriarch of Israel through a covenant ratification ceremony. The first part of such a ceremony in the Ancient Near East involves a declaration of the parties&rsquo; relationship and a recounting of its history. It&rsquo;s easy to read Genesis 15:7 as a formulaic part of this ceremony. But when we dig into this verse, we see a surprising amount of theology hiding there in plain sight.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 12 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEzMDA1ODk2IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e19085070_1739476197_genesis-study-episode-54.mp4" 
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                                                />
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                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19085068_1739476197_genesis-study-episode-54.jpg" 
                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 53]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19085037_1739475595_genesis-study-episode-53.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/d19615f0-ea42-11ef-b72c-97ccb640a597</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/d19615f0-ea42-11ef-b72c-97ccb640a597</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[When God first speaks to Abram in Genesis 12, His calling for the future patriarch of Israel is esse...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[When God first speaks to Abram in Genesis 12, His calling for the future patriarch of Israel is essentially this: "Trust Me." And then, He begins to use the pivotal events of Abram's life (including some that came about because of his sins) to grow Abram's trust in God. Foundationally, we have the same calling as Abram: to manifest our love for God by trusting Him. And as He did with Abram, sometimes God helps to grow our trust in Him by removing our ability to trust in other things. Divided loyalties are a big problem for a follower of Jesus.

As we resume our Zoom Bible Study in the Book of Genesis after a long winter break, we've prepared ourselves for a look at a covenant ratification ceremony in chapter 15 by reminding ourselves of the faith challenges Abram has faced and the way those challenges helped to grow his trust in God.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 05 Feb 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEzMDA1ODcxIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e19085039_1739475595_genesis-study-episode-53.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
                                                    length="" 
                                                />
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                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e19085037_1739475595_genesis-study-episode-53.jpg" 
                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 52]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18909006_1737060453_genesis-study-episode-52.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/ace27520-d44c-11ef-adff-d10311224396</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/ace27520-d44c-11ef-adff-d10311224396</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[One year into our Zoom Bible study of the Book of Genesis seems like a good time for a pop quiz! How...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[One year into our Zoom Bible study of the Book of Genesis seems like a good time for a pop quiz! How well do you remember what we've studied so far?]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyODg1NjYzIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18909008_1737060453_genesis-study-episode-52.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
                                                    length="" 
                                                />
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                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18909006_1737060453_genesis-study-episode-52.jpg" 
                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 51]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/c2d8ae80-bd6d-11ef-884a-21a6d77cdd84/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1734555008"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/c2d8ae80-bd6d-11ef-884a-21a6d77cdd84</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/c2d8ae80-bd6d-11ef-884a-21a6d77cdd84</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 15:1-6
In last week's Zoom Bible Study of the Book of Genesis, we encountered the verse, Gen...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 15:1-6
In last week's Zoom Bible Study of the Book of Genesis, we encountered the verse, Gen 15:6, that serves as the foundation of the doctrine of salvation by grace through faith. As Abraham was justified before God through his faith in the promises of God, so do we find acceptance before God because of our faith in Jesus. Significantly, this verse is also the linchpin of New Testament arguments against the false teachings of the Judaizers, who claimed that faith must be accompanied by keeping of the Mosaic Law in order to bring salvation. Just as with Abraham, we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, and for the glory of God alone.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 11 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/c2d8ae80-bd6d-11ef-884a-21a6d77cdd84/transcoded/file.mp4" 
                                                    type="video/mp4" 
                                                    length="410551323" 
                                                />
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                                                />
                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 50]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18786113_1733425806_genesis-study-episode-50.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/a66289a0-b33c-11ef-a2cc-8b9852767814</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/a66289a0-b33c-11ef-a2cc-8b9852767814</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Hebrews 7
Our Zoom Bible Study in the Book of Genesis took a detour into the New Testament this week...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Hebrews 7
Our Zoom Bible Study in the Book of Genesis took a detour into the New Testament this week, as we looked deeper into the story of Melchizedek, Man of Mystery. The writer of Hebrews presents him as a type for Christ, but people who study their Bibles closely have for millennia wished they could understand more about him. Join us as we see what we can conclude about Melchizedek, based on his appearance in the Genesis 14 incident in the Jordan River Valley, in King David's 110th Psalm, and in the Hebrews argument for the supremacy of Christ.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 04 Dec 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyODExMzAxIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18786115_1733425806_genesis-study-episode-50.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
                                                    length="" 
                                                />
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                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18786113_1733425806_genesis-study-episode-50.jpg" 
                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 49]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18766498_1732742584_genesis-study-episode-49.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/9cb57d40-ad0b-11ef-99f4-ff8b217490fd</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/9cb57d40-ad0b-11ef-99f4-ff8b217490fd</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 14:17-24
Who is the Melchizedek guy, and why did Abram feel led to give him a tithe after Ab...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 14:17-24
Who is the Melchizedek guy, and why did Abram feel led to give him a tithe after Abram's defeat of the Mesopotamian kings?]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 20 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyNzk5OTA1IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18766500_1732742584_genesis-study-episode-49.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
                                                    length="" 
                                                />
                                                                    <media:thumbnail
                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18766498_1732742584_genesis-study-episode-49.jpg" 
                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 48]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18708128_1731608916_genesis-study-episode-48.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/ad46ca60-a2b6-11ef-b77a-812f8ce06d9b</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/ad46ca60-a2b6-11ef-b77a-812f8ce06d9b</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 14:1-16
Having a good Bible atlas nearby can make all the difference in the world when it co...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 14:1-16
Having a good Bible atlas nearby can make all the difference in the world when it comes to studying passages about places and people that are completely removed from our cultural, geographic, and historical understanding. This passage, which relates the story of the War of Nine Kings in the land of Canaan, is one good example of a difficult passage that comes alive when it's read with a map or two nearby.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 13 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyNzY4MzY1IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18708130_1731608916_genesis-study-episode-48.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
                                                    length="" 
                                                />
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                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18708128_1731608916_genesis-study-episode-48.jpg" 
                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 47]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18679616_1730998228_genesis-study-episode-47.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/8e3b59a0-9d30-11ef-8b25-f527754facf6</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/8e3b59a0-9d30-11ef-8b25-f527754facf6</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 13:14-18
If God intends to bless you, nobody can stand in His way. When Lot selfishly chose ...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 13:14-18
If God intends to bless you, nobody can stand in His way. When Lot selfishly chose to settle in the most fertile portion of Canaan after his Uncle Abraham graciously gave him first choice of where to settle his family and his livestock, Abraham may have worried that he'd lost part of the blessing God had promised him. But God makes it clear in this passage that He intends to bless Abraham's faith and that He will keep all His promises.

If you'd like to join us for our Zoom Bible Study in the Book of Genesis on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., send me a message, and I'll reply with login details.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 06 Nov 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyNzUxODc3IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18679618_1730998228_genesis-study-episode-47.mp4" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 46]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18657047_1730386453_genesis-study-episode-45.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/84b089c0-9798-11ef-8b25-f527754facf6</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/84b089c0-9798-11ef-8b25-f527754facf6</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 13:1-13
As with most of us who follow Jesus, Abraham's faith ebbed and flowed. Some days, he...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 13:1-13
As with most of us who follow Jesus, Abraham's faith ebbed and flowed. Some days, he truly lived up to his eventual status as a hero of faith; others, not so much. But when we look at the trajectory of his faith life, as it's presented in the Book of Genesis, we can see that God used all the things that challenged Abraham's faith to grow it. He grew closer to God, trusting Him more completely as he saw God keeping promises and answering prayers.

In this week's Zoom Bible study, we'll begin to see how the life of Abraham's nephew, Lot, paints a contrast for us between his uncle, who walked by faith, and Lot, who walked by sight. The trajectory of one life was ever upward, while the trajectory of the other was ever downward.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 30 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyNzM4MDkzIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18657049_1730386453_genesis-study-episode-45.mp4" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 45]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/3af9cf60-924a-11ef-9e93-b5e055ad42b6/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1729952346"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/3af9cf60-924a-11ef-9e93-b5e055ad42b6</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/3af9cf60-924a-11ef-9e93-b5e055ad42b6</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 12: 10-20
It's encouraging to me to see that even Abraham, the man of faith, struggled with ...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 12: 10-20
It's encouraging to me to see that even Abraham, the man of faith, struggled with his faith. We saw one of the first episodes of that struggle in this week's Zoom Bible Study of the Book of Genesis. You can watch our conversation below. And if you'd like to join us live, send me a message, and I'll reply with login details.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 23 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/3af9cf60-924a-11ef-9e93-b5e055ad42b6/transcoded/file.mp4" 
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                                                                                                                            </item>
                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 44]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18612126_1729104885_genesis-study-episode-44.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/863ebde0-8bf2-11ef-af8e-210fa24e1922</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/863ebde0-8bf2-11ef-af8e-210fa24e1922</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 12:1-9
God knows that we're going to struggle with faith. Even Abraham, the man of faith, st...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 12:1-9
God knows that we're going to struggle with faith. Even Abraham, the man of faith, struggled with faith. But God is patient and gracious and merciful, and He loves you. As we continue our Zoom Bible study in the Book of Genesis, our attention turns to the life of Abraham and the lessons it can teach us about trusting God. If you'd like to join us at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays via Zoom, message me for login details.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 09 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyNzExMzUyIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18612128_1729104885_genesis-study-episode-44.mp4" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 43]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18573205_1727970188_genesis-study-episode-43.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/a5953650-819e-11ef-81b6-df428e25b703</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/a5953650-819e-11ef-81b6-df428e25b703</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[After showing us the goodness of His creation in the first two chapters of the Book of Genesis, God ...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[After showing us the goodness of His creation in the first two chapters of the Book of Genesis, God then devotes much of the next nine chapters of His written word to showing us how that one sin in the Garden of Eden propagated itself into a a tangled briar patch of evil that caught up all humanity and spoiled the goodness of God's creation. But beginning in Genesis, chapter 12, we see God beginning to lay the groundwork for regeneration where there had been only degeneration. In more ways than one, the story of the life of Abram marks a turning point in Genesis and in the story of God's work to redeem fallen mankind.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 02 Oct 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyNjg4NjU2IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18573207_1727970188_genesis-study-episode-43.mp4" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 42]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18549402_1727363829_genesis-study-episode-42.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/912c5e60-7c1b-11ef-b00b-5333d1613a74</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/912c5e60-7c1b-11ef-b00b-5333d1613a74</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 11:10-32

God's anger can be hard and terrifying. That's surely one of the things the people...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 11:10-32

God's anger can be hard and terrifying. That's surely one of the things the people at the Tower of Babel would have learned when He brought judgment on them for their arrogant attempt to usurp His authority. Same with Adam and Eve after they'd eaten the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. Same with Cain after he'd brutally murdered his brother. Same with the whole earth at the time of the Great Flood.

But God's GRACE is greater than His anger. Adam and Eve were clothed by God. Cain received God's mark of protection. Noah and family &mdash; along with all that lived on earth after the Flood &mdash; received the sign of the rainbow to seal His covenant with life on earth. And the people fleeing Babel after their language had been confused were made to be fruitful, even as God scattered them across the earth.

God's plans won't be thwarted, and He's always working. And we can rejoice that His grace is greater than His anger. And as we begin to look at the Patriarchal period in the Book of Genesis, we're going to see that God's plan is all about God's grace.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 25 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyNjc0NTM2IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18549404_1727363829_genesis-study-episode-42.mp4" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 41]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18514400_1726759771_genesis-study-episode-41.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/18ecc2c0-769c-11ef-8e6f-3fb6e7b9be4d</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/18ecc2c0-769c-11ef-8e6f-3fb6e7b9be4d</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 11:1-9
Much like Adam and Eve before them, the people of the city of Babel had rejected God'...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 11:1-9
Much like Adam and Eve before them, the people of the city of Babel had rejected God's authority and denied His goodness. They were now seeking to make a name for themselves. In the arrogance of their pride, they set out to build a tower to reach into the heavens. Essentially, they wanted to depose God and put themselves in His place, &mdash; which, by the way, is the same thing each one of us attempts to do when we choose to call righteous that which God calls sin. For the people of Babel, things didn't go quite the way they'd planned. How's it working out for YOU?]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 18 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyNjUzNDA4IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18514402_1726759771_genesis-study-episode-41.mp4" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 40]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18489634_1726154628_genesis-study-episode-40.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/a4425140-711b-11ef-8e6f-3fb6e7b9be4d</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/a4425140-711b-11ef-8e6f-3fb6e7b9be4d</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 10
The names in the genealogy of Genesis, chapter 10, are difficult to pronounce (as you'll ...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 10
The names in the genealogy of Genesis, chapter 10, are difficult to pronounce (as you'll hear during the Zoom Bible Study video below), but many of them will continue to have significance throughout the Old Testament. Join us as we look way back into Israel's family tree.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 11 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyNjM5MTcyIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18489636_1726154628_genesis-study-episode-40.mp4" 
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 39]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18486627_1726068198_genesis-study-episode-39.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/16373240-7052-11ef-850c-71fe460f50c8</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/16373240-7052-11ef-850c-71fe460f50c8</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 9:18--29
The flood is over. God has given the sign of the rainbow to seal His covenant with ...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 9:18--29
The flood is over. God has given the sign of the rainbow to seal His covenant with life on earth. New life has sprung up all around. It's a fresh start for mankind. Will they honor God or fall back into sin?
This week's Zoom Bible Study in the Book of Genesis explored the implications of Noah's drunkenness and Ham's dishonorable actions. You can watch it below.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 04 Sep 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyNjM3NDYzIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18486629_1726068198_genesis-study-episode-39.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
                                                    length="" 
                                                />
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 38]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18452505_1725295756_genesis-study-episode-38.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/679eadc0-694f-11ef-850c-71fe460f50c8</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/679eadc0-694f-11ef-850c-71fe460f50c8</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 9:8-17
Let's talk about rainbows!]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 9:8-17
Let's talk about rainbows!]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 28 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyNjE3NjA3IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18452507_1725295756_genesis-study-episode-38.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
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                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 37]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18386571_1723820613_genesis-study-episode-37.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/43181410-5be3-11ef-8e30-e9e5ef46f988</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/43181410-5be3-11ef-8e30-e9e5ef46f988</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Gen. 9:1-7
With a change in dietary restrictions giving serving as a signal for us, post-flood manki...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Gen. 9:1-7
With a change in dietary restrictions giving serving as a signal for us, post-flood mankind enters into a new dispensation, the dispensation of human government, with God's blessing on the slopes of Mt. Ararat. Since a new dispensation implies that God is instituting a new program for administering the preservation of mankind, it's not surprising to learn in this passage that God considers human life to be sacred &mdash; and the taking of a human life to be a great offense to humanity and to Him. Hence, He authorizes human governments to execute deadly force to punish and deter murder. Obviously, this still has repercussions for criminal justice today.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 14 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/43181410-5be3-11ef-8e30-e9e5ef46f988/transcoded/file.mp4" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 36]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18351704_1723133191_genesis-study-episode-36.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/7c6496b0-55a0-11ef-af9c-b54555068f11</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/7c6496b0-55a0-11ef-af9c-b54555068f11</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Concepts like Dispensationalism and Covenant Theology are certainly not of first-priority importance...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Concepts like Dispensationalism and Covenant Theology are certainly not of first-priority importance in the Bible. But they CAN help us to better understand God's unfolding story about Himself, as well as His plans for mankind, both fallen and redeemed. So, as we prepare to start our study of Genesis, chapter 9, where a new dispensation begins on earth, we're going to conclude our two-week mini-course on Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism. I hope you're at least familiar with the terms by the time we're through.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 07 Aug 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyNTU3Njk0IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18351706_1723133191_genesis-study-episode-36.mp4" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 35]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18317245_1722528239_genesis-study-episode-35.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/cdd44c40-5021-11ef-af9c-b54555068f11</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/cdd44c40-5021-11ef-af9c-b54555068f11</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[As we prepare to study God's post-flood covenant with mankind, it's a good time to stop and talk abo...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[As we prepare to study God's post-flood covenant with mankind, it's a good time to stop and talk about a couple of theological concepts that are closely connected to what's taking place in Genesis, chapter 9. Covenant Theology and Dispensationalism are both sometimes hotly debated and controversial, but both of these theological concepts help to shed light on the significance of the Great Flood and of God's instructions to post-flood mankind.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 31 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyNTM2OTA4IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18317247_1722528239_genesis-study-episode-35.mp4" 
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                                                />
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                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18317245_1722528239_genesis-study-episode-35.jpg" 
                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 34]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18294416_1721939655_genesis-study-episode-34.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/485fe980-4ac6-11ef-af9c-b54555068f11</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/485fe980-4ac6-11ef-af9c-b54555068f11</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 8:14-22
After what must have been a sometimes-terrifying year on the ark, Noah and family mu...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 8:14-22
After what must have been a sometimes-terrifying year on the ark, Noah and family must have been overwhelmed with both gratitude and uncertainty when they finally stepped onto dry land. What was next, they must have wondered? And should they worry that God might bring ANOTHER flood to destroy the earth again? God had an answer to those questions, and the answers THEY received still bring hope and peace to all who follow Jesus Christ in faith.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://account-media.s3.amazonaws.com/29252/uploaded/g/0e18294389_1721939410_genesis-study-episode-34.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
                                                    length="" 
                                                />
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                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18294416_1721939655_genesis-study-episode-34.jpg" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 33]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18282911_1721671260_genesis-study-episode-33.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/bcd7c7a0-4856-11ef-8fa1-4fc99d48ba4d</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/bcd7c7a0-4856-11ef-8fa1-4fc99d48ba4d</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 8:4-14
We're a little late posting it, but here's the video from this week's (7/17) Zoom Bib...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 8:4-14
We're a little late posting it, but here's the video from this week's (7/17) Zoom Bible study. We're in the midst of the flood account, and this week we talked about the significance of the dove sent as a scout from the ark and the connection between this event and the appearance of the Holy Spirit "like a dove" at the baptism of Jesus.

We meet online at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays for our Zoom Bible study. If you'd like to join us live online, send an email message, and we'll provide the login details.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyNTE1NTA2IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18282913_1721671260_genesis-study-episode-33.mp4" 
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                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 32]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18244822_1720716472_genesis-study-episode-32.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/839c1e70-3fb2-11ef-b685-59e007077c4c</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/839c1e70-3fb2-11ef-b685-59e007077c4c</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 7:4-14
When you think about the sheer volume of water that it took to completely flood the e...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 7:4-14
When you think about the sheer volume of water that it took to completely flood the earth, it becomes clear that the Great Flood must have been an event of epically violent proportions. The flood reveals the frightfulness of God's judgment and wrath. But it also reveals the extent of His grace and mercy. He gave the people of earth 120 years to repent for their sins under the preaching of Noah, and then He delayed one more week. But still, nobody repented. Today, He is delaying the return of Jesus and the beginning of the Great Tribulation to once again give the world another chance to repent and turn to Him through faith in Jesus. Do you want to avoid the terrifying wrath of God? Then, repent of your sins and turn to Jesus in faith. Life awaits.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 10 Jul 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyNDkyMTcwIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18244824_1720716472_genesis-study-episode-32.mp4" 
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                                                />
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                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18244822_1720716472_genesis-study-episode-32.jpg" 
                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 31]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18201021_1719512304_genesis-study-episode-31.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/ee1983c0-34b1-11ef-a8e6-45f60f2115c4</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/ee1983c0-34b1-11ef-a8e6-45f60f2115c4</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 6:11-22
Wanna know what faith looks like? Then take a look at Noah, who spent 120 years buil...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 6:11-22
Wanna know what faith looks like? Then take a look at Noah, who spent 120 years building a boat according to God's instructions, despite never having seen rain before and in spite of the mockery he must have faced from his neighbors. Think of the discouragement he must have faced as he preached repentance for more than a century to a people who ignored him completely. And yet, he kept on doing what the Lord had told him to do. That's faith.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 19 Jun 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyNDY1MTIxIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18201023_1719512304_genesis-study-episode-31.mp4" 
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                                                />
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                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18201021_1719512304_genesis-study-episode-31.jpg" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 30]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>By Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18132553_1717685308_genesis-study-episode-30.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/25781750-2422-11ef-b9e1-43735985ce97</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/25781750-2422-11ef-b9e1-43735985ce97</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 6:5-10
This week's passage in our Zoom Bible study of the Book of Genesis is a study in cont...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 6:5-10
This week's passage in our Zoom Bible study of the Book of Genesis is a study in contrasts. The contrast between what a good and holy God creates and what sinful and fallen mankind creates. The contrast between what the righteous Creator saw when He looked upon mankind in the years before the Great Flood and what mankind saw when it looked at itself.

The state of the world as presented at this point in the Genesis account is intended to portray for us what it looks like for man to live apart from the presence of God. We were headed for annihilation in our sins. But God is perfectly gracious, as well as perfectly just. And He had a plan to save mankind through one man, Noah.

And in that regard, Noah points us to Jesus, God in the flesh of a man, sent to save all who would turn to Him in faith. And God has been preparing mankind to meet Jesus ever since the beginning &mdash; and even through the Great Flood, an event which demonstrated God's judgment AND God's grace.

We'll take a break from our weekly Zoom Bible studies on June 12, but we'll be back together online at 6:30 p.m. June 19. If you'd like to join us, send me a message, and I'll reply with the login details.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">By Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Thu, 06 Jun 2024 16:30:55 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyNDIyMjA0IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18132555_1717685308_genesis-study-episode-30.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
                                                    length="" 
                                                />
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                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18132553_1717685308_genesis-study-episode-30.jpg" 
                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 29]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18105646_1717080451_genesis-study-episode-29.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/5fcfd0b0-1e95-11ef-bcec-7b75a6939144</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/5fcfd0b0-1e95-11ef-bcec-7b75a6939144</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 6:1-4
Moses' account of mankind's continuing fall into sin after rebelling against God in th...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 6:1-4
Moses' account of mankind's continuing fall into sin after rebelling against God in the Garden of Eden takes an even darker turn as we begin in Genesis 6 to look at the account of the Great Flood.
We spent much of this week's Zoom Bible study talking about some of the theories regarding the "sons of God" in this passage, as well as trying to understand what we can about the Nephilim.
But let's not miss the most important point of these verses as we examine these mysteries: In its rebellion and brutality, mankind was piling up sins that God could ignore. We brought upon ourselves His condemnation and judgment.
If you'd like to join us for our weekly Zoom Bible Study, which meets Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., send me a message, and I'll send you the link.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Thu, 30 May 2024 15:00:38 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyNDAzNDI4IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18105648_1717080451_genesis-study-episode-29.mp4" 
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                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 28]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18068589_1716481924_genesis-study-episode-28.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/dd041a60-1926-11ef-811c-3105004c7004</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/dd041a60-1926-11ef-811c-3105004c7004</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[We paused our study of the Book of Genesis this week to consider a question that came up last week: ...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[We paused our study of the Book of Genesis this week to consider a question that came up last week: Does God ever change His mind? It's a good question, and the answer might not be obvious. So, join us as we dig into Scripture to see what God reveals to us about His unchanging nature and how that factors into the answer.
If you'd like to join us for our weekly Zoom Bible Study, send me a message, and I'll respond with the login information. We meet online at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Thu, 23 May 2024 17:06:58 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyMzgxMzI1IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18068591_1716481924_genesis-study-episode-28.mp4" 
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                                                />
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                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18068589_1716481924_genesis-study-episode-28.jpg" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 27]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18045596_1715960669_genesis-study-episode-27.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/3e1bbe40-1466-11ef-811c-3105004c7004</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/3e1bbe40-1466-11ef-811c-3105004c7004</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 5
The fifth chapter of the Book of Genesis begins a new section of Moses' account of mankind...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 5
The fifth chapter of the Book of Genesis begins a new section of Moses' account of mankind in the wake of Adam and Eve's sin in the Garden of Eden. And the corrosive effect of sin is evident in the repeated phrase, "and he died." Physical death is now the expectation for everyone who walks upon the earth. But there WAS one significant exception....]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2024 15:58:03 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyMzY2Njg5IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18045598_1715960669_genesis-study-episode-27.mp4" 
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                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 26]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e18016377_1715286823_genesis-study-episode-26.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/c6e44b70-0e44-11ef-9e5e-69508e71b4da</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/c6e44b70-0e44-11ef-9e5e-69508e71b4da</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 4:17-26
Chapter 4 of the Book of Genesis deals with the growth of sin's influence on humanit...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 4:17-26
Chapter 4 of the Book of Genesis deals with the growth of sin's influence on humanity and on our environment in the wake of the rebellion of Adam and Eve against God in the Garden of Eden.
Near the beginning of this chapter, we see sin's corrosive effects in the brutal murder of Abel by his brother, Cain. And after Cain is exiled from the community of his family, his descendants demonstrate that they bear the image of their father, Cain, by sinking even further into sin.
In this passage, we see a contrast between the earthly perspective of Cain and his progeny and the heavenly perspective of Adam and Eve's third son, Seth. And the lesson for us could not be more significant: What matters most to every one of us is whether or not we have a relationship with God.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 08 May 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyMzQ5Mjk1IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e18016379_1715286823_genesis-study-episode-26.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
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                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 25]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e17992449_1714682257_genesis-study-episode-25.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/7e812910-08c8-11ef-9984-c11a0f82b1fa</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/7e812910-08c8-11ef-9984-c11a0f82b1fa</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 4:9-16
God told Cain that He'd heard the blood of Abel cry out to Him from the ground. And t...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 4:9-16
God told Cain that He'd heard the blood of Abel cry out to Him from the ground. And the writer of Hebrews says it still cries out. What's up with that?]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Thu, 02 May 2024 21:11:08 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyMzM0ODMyIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e17992451_1714682257_genesis-study-episode-25.mp4" 
                                                    type="" 
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                                                />
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                                            url="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e17992449_1714682257_genesis-study-episode-25.jpg" 
                                                />
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 24]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e17962014_1714069362_genesis-study-episode-24.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/52f9fb10-0331-11ef-ba51-d7b79ce1b489</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/52f9fb10-0331-11ef-ba51-d7b79ce1b489</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 4:1-8
As it turns out, Cain was a lot like his father. This, however, may not have made Adam...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 4:1-8
As it turns out, Cain was a lot like his father. This, however, may not have made Adam proud.
If you'd like to join us for our Zoom Bible Study in the Book of Genesis (we meet online at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays), send me a message, and I'll reply with the login details.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Thu, 25 Apr 2024 18:26:25 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyMzE1ODEyIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e17962016_1714069362_genesis-study-episode-24.mp4" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 23]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/237ca0f0-fdcc-11ee-924f-31f278c57223</link>
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                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 3:20-24
It seems pretty unlikely that Adam and Eve were thinking of the incredible grace of ...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 3:20-24
It seems pretty unlikely that Adam and Eve were thinking of the incredible grace of God when they stood on the wrong side of the flaming sword wielded by the cherubim protecting the Garden of Eden after God had exiled them from it. More likely is that they were angry, afraid, and confused. And maybe they even thought God was being too harsh in His punishment.

But keeping them from having access to the Tree of Life in their fallen state of sin was actually and extravagant act of grace and mercy by God. And one of the lessons for us is that sometimes God uses trials in our lives to bless us and make us more like Jesus. Keep that in mind when things get tough.

If you'd join us Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. for our weekly Zoom Bible Study, send me an email, and I'll send you the login details.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 17 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyMjk4NTI4IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e17935926_1713476120_genesis-study-episode-23.mp4" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 22]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/4f7a4ca0-fb4e-11ee-9c2f-5f92397f9fe8</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/4f7a4ca0-fb4e-11ee-9c2f-5f92397f9fe8</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 3:16-19
Have you ever noticed just how perfectly the punishments given by God against Adam, ...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 3:16-19
Have you ever noticed just how perfectly the punishments given by God against Adam, Eve, and the serpent matched the crimes they committed against Him? Adam and Eve sinned by eating from the tree whose fruit had been forbidden, so they would now toil for their food. Eve manipulated Adam into his disobedience; now, there would be a constant struggle for control within their relationship. And finally, the serpent had destroyed mankind, so God promises HIS destruction.

This concept of what's called talionic justice ("and eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" is another example) is an important aspect of God's perfect justice throughout the Bible. And it sets a pattern that ends in the Book of Revelation with all those who have rejected God being sentenced to an eternity apart from Him and His grace in hell.

If you'd like to join our weekly Zoom Bible study at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, send me a message, and I'll reply with login details.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 10 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://account-media.s3.amazonaws.com/29252/uploaded/g/0e17916180_1712955613_genesis-study-episode-22.mp4" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 21]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e17886602_1712239758_genesis-study-episode-21.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/8f1bb9d0-f292-11ee-81b0-27ac589778cb</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/8f1bb9d0-f292-11ee-81b0-27ac589778cb</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 3:14-15
When He cursed the serpent for encouraging the rebellion of Adam and Eve in the Gard...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 3:14-15
When He cursed the serpent for encouraging the rebellion of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, God declared redemptive war against Satan, who'd illegitimately taken over as ruler over this world when they trusted him instead of God. The great battle of this war would take place at the cross of Jesus, but Satan's part in that battle would be carried out by his children &mdash; his "seed" as God puts it in 3:15. In John, chapter 8, we meet some of those children during a very tense exchange they had with Jesus. Might He have been thinking of Gen. 3:15 during this conversation?]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 03 Apr 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyMjY5NTUxIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e17886604_1712239758_genesis-study-episode-21.mp4" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 20]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/f9a7d500-ed4b-11ee-9cfa-59f3544f0bf8</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/f9a7d500-ed4b-11ee-9cfa-59f3544f0bf8</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 3:9-13
Why did God confront only Adam after Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden? And w...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 3:9-13
Why did God confront only Adam after Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden? And what's with all the questions He already knew the answers to?

Click the video for answers to these and other questions from our Wednesday night Zoom Bible study in the Book of Genesis. If you'd like to join us one Wednesday at 6 p.m., send me a message, and I'll send you the login details.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 27 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyMjQ5OTMxIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e17851562_1711661445_genesis-study-episode-20.mp4" 
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 19]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e17829648_1711221708_genesis-study-episode-19.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/eccb8050-e94c-11ee-9cfa-59f3544f0bf8</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/eccb8050-e94c-11ee-9cfa-59f3544f0bf8</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 3:7-8
Jesus called Satan the Father of Lies, but the best liars mix a little truth in with t...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 3:7-8
Jesus called Satan the Father of Lies, but the best liars mix a little truth in with their lies. And that's exactly what Satan did when, speaking through the serpent, he tempted Eve to eat the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. He twisted the words of God (the lie), but he also mixed in a little truth &mdash; that the fruit would impart knowledge that Adam and Eve lacked. What he neglected to tell them was that the knowledge they would gain &mdash; the knowledge of evil &mdash; would destroy them.

We had a great discussion in this week's Zoom Bible Study about the first sin, who was responsible for it, and how Jesus' sacrificial death and supernatural resurrection provide the only way to undo the damage Adam brought upon the human race in his disobedience. If you'd like to join us sometime, send me a message, and I'll reply with the login information.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 20 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyMjM2MDc2IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e17829650_1711221708_genesis-study-episode-19.mp4" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 18]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e17770149_1710429983_genesis-study-episode-18.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/00445790-e21a-11ee-9cfa-59f3544f0bf8</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/00445790-e21a-11ee-9cfa-59f3544f0bf8</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 3:2-6
When the serpent started talking to Eve in the Garden of Eden, a test had begun. But w...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 3:2-6
When the serpent started talking to Eve in the Garden of Eden, a test had begun. But what initially looks like a test of obedience reveals itself to be a test of something more fundamental than that. It's a test of Adam and Eve's faith in God. Is He good? Could they have faith that He'd provided everything they needed for peace, comfort, satisfaction, and abundance of life? Could they have faith that what He'd withheld from them (the knowledge of evil) was withheld because it would destroy them if they sought it?

Adam and Eve failed this test of faith. But we should be careful about judging them too harshly, because we make the same mistake they did every time we turn to sin. Sin is a faith issue. Whenever we turn to sin, we turn away from God. When we sin, we choose to believe that God's restrictions are arbitrary and capricious, rather than the protective admonitions of a God who loves us.

Click below for the video of our discussion of this passage during this week's Zoom Bible Study. If you'd like to join this Zoom study of the Book of Genesis at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, send me a message, and I'll send you the login details.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 13 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyMTkyMjg0IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e17770151_1710429983_genesis-study-episode-18.mp4" 
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 17]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e17702099_1709825447_genesis-study-episode-17.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/932ebf20-dc9b-11ee-9cfa-59f3544f0bf8</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/932ebf20-dc9b-11ee-9cfa-59f3544f0bf8</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 3:1
Maybe Eve was just having a bad day that day. Maybe that's what made her so susceptible ...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 3:1
Maybe Eve was just having a bad day that day. Maybe that's what made her so susceptible to Satan's tempting. On the other hand, maybe Satan just exploited a weak faith in God's goodness that had combined in Eve with a new emotion she hadn't yet learned to control: pride. Either way, their interaction proved disastrous for her and for mankind.

ONE takeaway: If you encounter a talking snake in an otherwise perfect garden, you might want to consider walking away; and if he starts questioning God's word, you probably should run.

If you'd like to join our Zoom Bible Study on the Book of Genesis, send me a message, and I'll respond with login details. We meet every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Thu, 07 Mar 2024 15:58:44 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyMTM3MTI1IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e17702101_1709825447_genesis-study-episode-17.mp4" 
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 16]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/video-thumb/g/0e17676607_1709231415_genesis-study-episode-16.jpg"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/115cb170-d735-11ee-9868-b7e1d27e545b</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/115cb170-d735-11ee-9868-b7e1d27e545b</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 2:18-25
When God made man and woman, He charged them to "be fruitful and multiply and fill t...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 2:18-25
When God made man and woman, He charged them to "be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it." It's a task that was too big for Adam on his own, and so God made Eve, the woman, to be a helper. But the word "helper" in Genesis, chapter 2, is a close synonym to the word Jesus uses to describe the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life in John, chapter 16. And this suggests that spouses also have ANOTHER, even more important, role than simply helping one another live well.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 28 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjEyMTE4OTYwIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e17676609_1709231415_genesis-study-episode-16.mp4" 
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 15]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/ad234450-d1a6-11ee-b8a0-6b8a0be6b420</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/ad234450-d1a6-11ee-b8a0-6b8a0be6b420</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 2:16-17

When you begin to study the Bible as a whole, looking for the connections between i...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 2:16-17

When you begin to study the Bible as a whole, looking for the connections between its books and trying to recognize the organizing structures and overall story God is telling us in His Word, you'll begin to see that certain events in Biblical history have echoes throughout Scripture.

One of those events is God's commandment to Adam in the Garden of Eden not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Indeed, what God told Adam was that he was welcome to eat from EVERY OTHER TREE, including the Tree of Life, which stood next to the forbidden tree. Life and death stood there before Adam, and he had to choose between them.

He had to choose whether to have faith that God is good, that God loved him, that God had provided everything Adam needed for contentment, that God's commandments are good, and that God wasn't trying to keep something from Adam and Eve that would have been beneficial to them.

Many hundreds of years later, the people of Israel waited to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land as Moses reminded them of God's faithfulness to them and their covenant of obedience with Him. And I suspect Moses was thinking back to those two trees at the center of the Garden of Eden as he appealed to the people in Deuteronomy 30:19 to "Choose life."

Click below to watch our Zoom Bible study group's discussion about God's solitary commandment in the Garden of Eden. And if you'd like to join us live online for our weekly study in the Book of Genesis, send me a message, and I'll send you the login details. We meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 21 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjExNjcwNjM5IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e17137862_1708620878_genesis-study-episode-15.mp4" 
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 14]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
                                                                                                        <itunes:image href="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/b2850ad0-c762-11ee-b8a0-6b8a0be6b420/_thumbnails/800.jpg?t=1707501450"></itunes:image>
                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/b2850ad0-c762-11ee-b8a0-6b8a0be6b420</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/b2850ad0-c762-11ee-b8a0-6b8a0be6b420</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 2:10-15

It's easy to read right past the geographical description of the Garden of Eden wit...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 2:10-15

It's easy to read right past the geographical description of the Garden of Eden without noticing the significance of the river that flowed out of the Garden. Considering that life-giving rivers are described as flowing from the throne of Jesus in the new temple of His Millennial Reign (Eze 47:1-12) and from the throne of God and the Lamb in the New Jerusalem of the eternal state (Rev 22:1-2), it seems that Moses, writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, must have considered that Edenic river to have been significant.

In this week's Zoom Bible Study of the Book of Genesis, we discuss the significance of these three rivers and the encouragement we should find in the fact that they're described in all three accounts.

We'll be on a break next week (Feb. 14), but if you'd like to join us live on Zoom sometime, send me a message, and I'll respond with the login details.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 07 Feb 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://d2114hmso7dut1.cloudfront.net/customers/844f679e-03e2-11ee-a995-0614187498c1/sites/845a6f04-03e2-11ee-ae31-0614187498c1/files/b2850ad0-c762-11ee-b8a0-6b8a0be6b420/transcoded/file.mp4" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 13]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/af9e11d0-c15f-11ee-a427-2de04ea95517</link>
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                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 2:9

Did you ever realize that the Tree of Life appears at the beginning AND at the end of S...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 2:9

Did you ever realize that the Tree of Life appears at the beginning AND at the end of Scripture? We did a little dendrology during this week's Wednesday night Zoom Bible study, and it's wonderful to understand what the Tree of Life represents and the hope of true life that followers of Jesus have eternally in Christ Jesus.

If you'd like to join our study of the Book of Genesis, send me a message, and I'll send you the login information.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 31 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 12]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/2736a750-b8a2-11ee-9ae0-7363909182f8</link>
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                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 2:4-8
Throughout the Book of Genesis, we see a narrowing of focus that moves us from watchin...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 2:4-8
Throughout the Book of Genesis, we see a narrowing of focus that moves us from watching God create the universe to watching Him create the nation of Israel, His chosen people. Each targeted section of the book is announced by the use of the Hebrew word, "toledot," which can mean "generations," "histories," "descendants," or "account." And within each of the toledot sections, we see evidence of the book's theme of blessings and curses, until &mdash; at the end of the book &mdash; we see the people of Israel in Egypt, rather than in the Promised Land of blessing.

The first of those toledot statements, "This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created," appears in verse 4 of chapter 2 and sets up the shift from a universal perspective of creation to a perspective focused on the creation of mankind and its relationship with the Creator-God. This particular toledot passage continues through Gen. 4:26 and describes mankind's fall into sin, its effects on the world and its inhabitants, and God's gracious and merciful promise to redeem mankind from sin and death.

These verses, in particular, demonstrate the great love and compassion God has for people.

If you'd like to join our Zoom Bible Study, send me a message, and I'll send you the login information.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjExNTk0MDA5IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e17012231_1705943993_genesis-study-episode-12.mp4" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 11]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/14260920-b3df-11ee-a337-5939fa4acb3b</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/14260920-b3df-11ee-a337-5939fa4acb3b</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 2:3

Would your faith in God be strong enough for the Sabbath? How about for the Sabbath Yea...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 2:3

Would your faith in God be strong enough for the Sabbath? How about for the Sabbath Year? Or the Jubilee Year? When God consecrated the seventh day for Himself, He was setting an example that He would later expect the people of Israel to follow. They were to take a day a week to remember and celebrate the creative and redemptive work God had done in the world and on their behalf.

But observing the Sabbaths and the Jubilees required faith that God would provide everything necessary for the people of Israel to flourish and be content in the Promised Land. On the other hand, observing the Sabbaths would have required farmers, for example, to sit on their hands for significant parts of the time-sensitive planting and harvest seasons &mdash; even for whole years, in the case of Sabbath Years and Jubilee.

That's the thing about faith. It's never really tested until everything else you might lean on is stripped away. And don't miss this: If you're a follower of Jesus, you either need to be stripping away those non-Jesus things you've trusted in before, or you need to be ready to watch as He strips them away FOR you. That's one of the lessons of the Jews' exile to Babylon, and the foundation for it was laid in the Garden of Eden, on the Seventh Day of creation.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 10 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjExNTgxOTYwIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e16991370_1705347145_genesis-study-episode-11.mp4" 
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                    <item>
                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 10]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/576a5f40-ab26-11ee-8c44-9118b2b9cafe</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/576a5f40-ab26-11ee-8c44-9118b2b9cafe</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Genesis 1:29-2:3a
Why did God rest on the seventh day of creation? Was He tired?

Well, the Hebrew w...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Genesis 1:29-2:3a
Why did God rest on the seventh day of creation? Was He tired?

Well, the Hebrew word used in Genesis 2:2-3 CAN refer to the rejuvenating break one takes after an exhausting day of work. But it primarily has to do with "ceasing," with stopping whatever it is you're doing. That's the meaning it has in Genesis 8:22 and also in appearances in the books of Joshua and Isaiah. And it seems pretty unlikely that even as big a job as creating the universe wore God out. So the likelihood is that the text in chapter 2 of Genesis simply means that God stopped His creative work on the seventh day.

Why? Because He was finished. Everything was complete. What existed at that point was everything necessary for Adam and Eve to be content and at peace (both of which are part of the Hebrew concept of Sabbath) in the Garden of Eden. And God had made them to join Him in His rest there. Sadly, because of their sin, that's not how things turned out.

The good news is that God is still working and that the Sabbath rest of Genesis, chapter 2, is still available in Jesus Christ, who beckons towards we who are weary and heavy-laden and promises rest.

Our Wednesday night Zoom Bible study is back in session. We meet virtually at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Message me if you'd like to join us.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 03 Jan 2024 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjExNTYwMTcyIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e16953886_1704387224_genesis-study-episode-10.mp4" 
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 9]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/afd352c0-a4fc-11ee-9eb1-cd10c195f3fb</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/afd352c0-a4fc-11ee-9eb1-cd10c195f3fb</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[As the only part of His creation that's described as having been made in the image of God, humans ha...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[As the only part of His creation that's described as having been made in the image of God, humans have particular responsibilities within that creation: to demonstrate the character of God and to perform the will of God.

Adam and Eve failed to display God's image, listening to the advice of the serpent instead of the commandment of God. And the rest of the Old Testament is littered with accounts of others who similarly failed: Noah; the Patriarchs, Judges, and Kings of Israel; the nation of Israel as a whole. All failed in great and small ways to display God's character to the rest of the world.

But then, along comes Jesus, the unique and eternal Son of God, whom Paul describes as "the image of the invisible God." And Jesus does what we could not. He perfectly displays the character of His Father through perfect obedience and faith and even His sacrificial death and supernatural resurrection.

Now, all who have turned to Jesus in faith are being conformed to HIS image, re-made to reflect HIS character in the process of sanctification. And the more we reflect the character of Jesus, the more we reflect the character of God, taking us right (and finally) back to the purpose for which mankind was made and placed into the Garden of Eden.

We'll break from our Wednesday night Zoom Bible study this coming week, but we'll be back together at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 3. Message me if you'd like to join us.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 20 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjExNTQ5MDgxIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e16935046_1703710880_genesis-study-episode-9.mp4" 
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 8]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/10521c60-a4fa-11ee-9eb1-cd10c195f3fb</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/10521c60-a4fa-11ee-9eb1-cd10c195f3fb</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Fish are not birds, and a penguin isn't a tiger.

One of the things we tend to read right past when ...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Fish are not birds, and a penguin isn't a tiger.

One of the things we tend to read right past when looking at the creation account of Genesis, chapter 1, is the little phrase "after their kind." We see this phrase applied to the birds and the sea creatures and the land animals that God created, but it's easy to miss the significance of what this phrase tells us about our Creator-God.

God created fish to be fish and to do fish things in fish places. Same for birds. And for land animals and livestock. Before Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, every part of God's creation was perfectly and uniquely suited to the purpose for which it was made. Everything fit. Everything worked according to God's plan for HOW it should work. And He looked around and said it all was good.

The point is that, from the beginning, God has set boundaries and limitations for everything in His care. And He still does so. The boundaries aren't there to keep you from GOOD, but rather to keep you from trouble and to aid you in becoming the person whom you were made to be. If you've got scales and fins and live in the ocean, you're probably not a bird, and you're not likely ever to be content as long as you're ignoring the boundaries that God, in His great love for you, has set upon your life.

Intrigued? We'd love to have you join us for our Zoom Bible study in the Book of Genesis at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Message me for login details.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 13 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjExNTQ5MDYzIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e16935000_1703709998_genesis-study-episode-8.mp4" 
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 7]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/bc1b09b0-a4f7-11ee-9eb1-cd10c195f3fb</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/bc1b09b0-a4f7-11ee-9eb1-cd10c195f3fb</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Which came first, the chicken or the egg? It's an age-old question, but it's one the Bible seems to ...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Which came first, the chicken or the egg? It's an age-old question, but it's one the Bible seems to answer in the very first chapter of the Book of Genesis: the chicken.

How do we know this? Well, in the creation account, we see plants being created with seed, we see trees being created with fruit, and we see Adam and Eve being created as adults. God created the universe with the appearance of age, rather than creating everything in its infancy. And so, the chicken would have come first, not the egg.

We don't shy away from the hard theological OR secular questions during our Wednesday night Zoom Bible study. If you've got burning questions, we want to hear them. Join us as we continue to dig into the text of Genesis at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Message me for login details.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 06 Dec 2023 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjExNTQ5MDE3IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e16934921_1703708549_genesis-study-episode-7.mp4" 
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 6]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/9b650b10-a4f4-11ee-9eb1-cd10c195f3fb</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/9b650b10-a4f4-11ee-9eb1-cd10c195f3fb</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Within the first six verses of Genesis, chapter 1, we see some of the most important themes of the B...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Within the first six verses of Genesis, chapter 1, we see some of the most important themes of the Bible begin to appear. God's sovereignty, God's authority, God's power, and God's wisdom are all on display as He commands light into existence and as He separates the waters below from the waters above.

Our Wednesday night Zoom Bible Study had an interesting discussion this week about the first two days of creation. We meet via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. If you'd like to join us, send me a message, and I'll reply with login details.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 29 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjExNTQ4OTk4IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e16934891_1703707690_genesis-study-episode-6.mp4" 
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 5]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/e4470fc0-a4f1-11ee-aca3-33b82d8bc984</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/e4470fc0-a4f1-11ee-aca3-33b82d8bc984</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[Creation is a salvation concept. As we look at the Genesis account, we move from chaos and emptiness...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[Creation is a salvation concept. As we look at the Genesis account, we move from chaos and emptiness under the wrath of God to &ldquo;good&rdquo; and &ldquo;very good&rdquo; in our redeemed state. We see all three Persons of the Trinity active and working in the creation account, just as we see each one of them active and working in our salvation.

From the first words in the first book of the Bible, God begins to show us He redeems, that He saves, and that His very word is powerful and authoritative. You can watch our Zoom Bible study discussion of these blessings below.

And if you'd like to join us some Wednesday evening at 6:30, send me a message, and I'll get the login information to you.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 08 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjExNTQ4OTg2IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e16934861_1703706317_genesis-study-episode-5.mp4" 
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 4]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/445193c0-a4ef-11ee-8059-1f8a53a1976b</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/445193c0-a4ef-11ee-8059-1f8a53a1976b</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[The Bible begins with a statement that must be accepted on faith: "In the beginning, God created the...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[The Bible begins with a statement that must be accepted on faith: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth." From there, the creation account describes God bringing order out of chaos, light out of darkness, and life out of lifelessness. But the description of God's creative acts during the first six days of history raises some interesting theological questions. Why, for instance, was the state of the earth in Genesis 1:2 described in the Hebrew as "waste and chaos"?

How does that first verse connect to the rest of the story, and do any of the theories regarding that connection help us to answer questions like the one above? Click below to see a Zoom discussion of some of these hard (and perhaps even unanswerable) questions, including a call to faith in the God who knows all the answers.

If you'd like to join us for this study of the Book of Genesis, we meet via Zoom at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Message me for details and login information.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 01 Nov 2023 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjExNTQ4OTUxIiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e16934800_1703705321_genesis-study-episode-4.mp4" 
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 3]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/e14a63d0-a4ec-11ee-8059-1f8a53a1976b</link>
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                <description><![CDATA[One of the great overarching themes of the Bible is God's desire for people to have a relationship o...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[One of the great overarching themes of the Bible is God's desire for people to have a relationship of dependance upon Him in faith. And that theme is apparent in the very first verse of Scripture, Genesis 1:1. "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth" is a truth that, by its very nature, we cannot prove; it must be accepted by faith.

Significantly, though, every other theory about how the universe came into being rests upon speculation. None have been proven. Indeed, all such theories depend, to some degree or another, on faith in something, whether science or something else.

The Wednesday night Zoom Bible study has begun its look at the text of the Book of Genesis with a deep dive into this first verse and its implications. You can watch the video below, and you can join us at any time. We meet at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays via Zoom. Message me for login details.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 25 Oct 2023 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjExNTQ4OTI0IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e16934745_1703703992_genesis-study-episode-3.mp4" 
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 2]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/e17c50a0-a4e9-11ee-8ae5-d7875241d88c</link>
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                <description><![CDATA[When you're studying a book of the Bible, along with matters such as authorship, it's helpful to und...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[When you're studying a book of the Bible, along with matters such as authorship, it's helpful to understand the literary and theological structure of that book. Recognizing how the Spirit-inspired author orders and presents his thoughts will help you recognize thematic elements that help support the author's purpose.

Moses wrote the Book of Genesis during the 40 years he spent in the wilderness with the people of Israel. Its purpose was to encourage the next generation as that group prepared to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Guided by the Spirit, Moses wanted those Israelites to see the faithfulness of God throughout the history of the Patriarchs; and he wanted them to remember as they entered this new land, with all its challenges, that the route to blessing is through obedient faith in God.

When we understand this purpose for Genesis (indeed, for all of the Pentateuch), we can begin to see structural patterns in this first book of the Bible that reinforce the lesson Moses is trying to teach. And we can begin to see what he is teaching us about the character of God through the historical accounts in the Book of Genesis.

With most of the introductory material having been completed in this Zoom video, we will begin our study of the Genesis text next week. We meet via Zoom at 6 p.m. Wednesdays. If you'd like to join us, send me a message, and I'll respond with the login details.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 18 Oct 2023 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
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                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjExNTQ4ODc2IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e16934682_1703702021_genesis-study-episode-2.mp4" 
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                <title><![CDATA[Genesis Study: Episode 1]]></title>
                                                            <itunes:author>Rev. Res Spears</itunes:author>
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                                                    <link>https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/2eff8420-a4d9-11ee-8ae5-d7875241d88c</link>
                <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.libertyspringchristianchurch.org/file/2eff8420-a4d9-11ee-8ae5-d7875241d88c</guid>
                <description><![CDATA[When you set out to study a book &mdash; whether biblical or secular &mdash; it's important to ident...]]></description>
                                    <content:encoded><![CDATA[When you set out to study a book &mdash; whether biblical or secular &mdash; it's important to identify its theme or purpose early. In secular literature, for instance, if you know the theme of a book &mdash; in other words, the main message the author wishes to convey to his or her readers &mdash; then you can begin looking for ways the author develops and supports that theme through everything from word choice to character development to plot advancement.

Similarly, when studying a book of the Bible, if you understand the divinely inspired purpose the human author had in writing the God-breathed words of Scripture, then you'll minimize the risks of taking verses or passages out of context, because you'll always be asking, "How does this passage fit this book's theme or purpose?" When we realize that &mdash; as with all good literature &mdash; people, events, and narrative arcs appear in the Bible and in its individual books only to the extent they support and develop a particular theme, message, or purpose, we can start to look at how they contribute to the structure the author builds to make his point.

The Gospels, for instance, don't include a lot of information about Jesus' childhood, presumably because stories about Him as a child &mdash; though possibly interesting &mdash; wouldn't advance the argument that Jesus is the promised Messiah, the Son of God, the King of kings, and the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. But the accounts of events that ARE included in the Gospels generally DO contribute to to those themes and fit into the purpose of those books.

And so, as we began our study of the Book of Genesis during our Wednesday night Zoom Bible Study on Oct. 11, we discussed the what might be the purpose of this first book of the Bible. And it turns out that the purpose of Genesis has a lot to do with who wrote it and when. Watch below for a brief look at both traditional and modern views on the matter of authorship and a discussion of why it's so important to get the right answer to those questions.

We meet online at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. If you'd like to join us, send me a message, and I'll make sure you get the login link for Zoom.]]></content:encoded>
                                <dc:creator xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/">Rev. Res Spears</dc:creator>
                <pubDate>Wed, 11 Oct 2023 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>
                                    <enclosure
                                            url="https://historian.ministrycloud.com/r/eyJzaXRlX2lkIjoiMjkyNTIiLCJtZWRpYV9pZCI6IjExNTQ4NzE0IiwibWVkaWFfZm9ybWF0IjoiMTA1In0%3D/https://s3.amazonaws.com/account-media/29252/h264-720/g/0e16934477_1703693678_genesis-study-episode-1.mp4" 
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