JB Shreve

Our story of the Days of David concludes in this final episode (part 13). This episode is called The Legacy of David. In the finale of our podcast series we look at the final events of David's life and some of the unfinished business that his son Solomon concluded. We also look at the final chapter or Bathsheba's story that is recorded in scripture. Then we go back and review 2 Samuel 21-24. These final chapters of the book of 2 Samuel form an epilogue of sorts. They do not fit into the narrative of the story of David in chronological order. Scholars believe they were added in after his death. But these are very important chapters that put a capstone on the story of David so we can understand who he was and why he was so important to the history of Israel but especially to the history of anyone who seeks after the heart of God!For those following along in your Bible, today's finale episode looking at the Legacy of David cover 2 Samuel 19 to 1 Kings 2.If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. Find links to the whole series at this page as we release a new episode in the Days of David, a podcast series epic, every week.

The sins of David need little introduction. His adultery with Bathsheba and his murder of her husband Uriah are nearly as famous as his defeat of Goliath. This episode looks at how this critical  event in the Days of David unfolded and how it forever changed the way the king operated. He was still the man after God's own heart. He gained forgiveness of his sins, but David was never the same after this event. One key area where these changes in David played out was in how he handled his children. Never the best of fathers, now David begins to reap the whirlwind in his latter years, moving from one crisis to the next with his degenerate kids. For those following along in your Bible, today's podcast episode covers 2 Samuel 11-19. If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. Find links to the whole series at this page as we release a new episode in the Days of David, a podcast series epic, every week.

The Kingdom of David is finally established as we turn to episode 10 in our podcast series. In this episode, we meet several interesting characters, including the sons of Zeruiah, Abner, Mephibosheth, and more. We walk through David's coronation as king over Judah, the civil war with the tribes of Israel, and finally the unification of the country under King David. We also look at the wars of David and the conquest of Jerusalem. And in the middle of all that, we see the birth of a blood feud and the Bible's first story about a person with disabilities.All of that is in episode 10 of our podcast series, The Days of David!If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. Find links to the whole series at this page as we release a new episode in the Days of David, a podcast series epic, every week.

Today's episode in our Days of David podcast series tells the dramatic and tragic story that inspired the Song of the Bow. This song of mourning includes the timeless phrase "How the mighty have fallen!" Today we look at the end of the house of Saul, his death and the deaths of his sons, including the great prince Jonathan.For those following along in scripture, this episode looks at the events from 1 Samuel 28 to 2 Samuel 1. We look at David and his mighty men following a perilous raid by the Amalekites, the Witch of Endor, the deaths of Saul and his sons, and the David's learning of these events.If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. Find links to the whole series at this page as we release a new episode in the Days of David, a podcast series epic, every week.

The action starts to heat up in our podcast series on the life of David. This week's episode looks at the building of David's army, the famous elite forces unit known as David's Mighty Men, and his many wives.For those following along in your Bible, today's episode covers 1 Samuel 23-27, and 2 Samuel 21 & 23, and 1 Chronicles 3, & 11.If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. Find links to the whole series at this page as we release a new episode in the Days of David, a podcast series epic, every week.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. Find links to the whole series at this page as we release a new episode in the Days of David, a podcast series epic, every week.

For those reading along with us in the Bible, this episode looks at 1 Samuel 18-19, and 2 Samuel 6. If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. Find links to the whole series at this page as we release a new episode in the Days of David, a podcast series epic, every week.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. Find links to the whole series at this page as we release a new episode in the Days of David, a podcast series epic, every week.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. Find links to the whole series at this page as we release a new episode in the Days of David, a podcast series epic, every week.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. Find links to the whole series at this pageas we release a new episode in the Days of David, a podcast series epic, every week.

For those following along with our story, this episode covers events that occurred in 1 Samuel chapters 1-7.If you enjoyed this podcast episode, please consider sharing it with your friends on social media. Find links to the whole series at this page as we release a new episode in the Days of David, a podcast series epic, every week.

Our podcast series epic on the Days of David begins with a look at the times and heritage that David was born to. For those following along in your Bible, you'll want to read the books of Judges and Ruth to track the story in episode 1 of this podcast series covering the life of King David.

We live in a time when a deep darkness is covering the earth, but we are called to see and recognize more, even amid the darkness. This podcast devotional looks at the idea of deep darkness described in scripture. It is a darkness so thick that, at times, it could even be felt. But within the darkness, there was God! That is the experiential reality we must know and embrace as we confront this season of God's purposes in the earth.Find more podcast devotionals at https://jbshreve.com/ 

There are moments in life that define us. In this natural realm, they may appear as mere random moments, opportunities, or forks in the road - if we even consider them at all. But in the design of God, these defining moments of grace make us who we are (or who we are not). In this final episode in the series on Grace - The Energy of God, JB Shreve looks at the parable of the sower and the life of Esau to explore the difference in perspectives regarding these defining moments of grace. We encourage you to join us for each episode in this podcast series and your personal Bible Study as we spend the month discovering Grace – The Energy of God!

We encourage you to join us for each episode in this podcast series and your personal Bible Study as we spend the month discovering Grace – The Energy of God!

We encourage you to join us for each episode in this podcast series and your personal Bible Study as we spend the month discovering Grace – The Energy of God!

We encourage you to join us for each episode in this podcast series and your personal Bible Study as we spend the month discovering Grace – The Energy of God!

We encourage you to join us for each episode in this podcast series and your personal Bible Study as we spend the month discovering Grace – The Energy of God!

We encourage you to join us for each episode in this podcast series and your personal Bible Study as we spend the month discovering Grace – The Energy of God!

Episode 4 in our Grace  - The Energy of God podcast series looks at the two different energies operating today. There is the energy of darkness and the energy of God. Knowing the difference between the two of them, what they lead to, and how the quality of our life is based upon which energy we connect to is important for the way forward. 

In part 3 of our series, Grace - The Energy of God, we look at how Christ broke everything open for us. It was Christ who opened up the access for us to approach the core of God's throne of grace and receive grace for our needs. The achievements of Christ at the cross and the resurrection were about far more than getting us to heaven.

When Christ completed His work at the cross and the resurrection, He ushered in a new age of grace. This episode considers what grace looked like in the Old Testament. We also look at how believers in the early church perceived grace. 

What do you think of when you think of grace? Unmerited favor? Forgiveness? Charity? This episode is the first in a new series we will look at throughout this month. The grace of God is so much more than most of us realize or have been taught. Grace is the energy of God that He uses not only to save us but to change us and shape us. In this podcast episode, JB Shreve explains that if you make the grace of God your primary focus this year, you will see the changes in your life you have been looking for!

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26 “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4:25-32Access the episodes in our podcast series on the book of Ephesians here.

17-19 This is my instruction, then, which I give you from God. Do not live any longer as the Gentiles live. For they live blindfold in a world of illusion, and cut off from the life of God through ignorance and insensitiveness. They have stifled their consciences and then surrendered themselves to sensuality, practising any form of impurity which lust can suggest.20-24 But you have learned nothing like that from Christ, if you have really heard his voice and understood the truth that he has taught you. No, what you learned was to fling off the dirty clothes of the old way of living, which were rotted through and through with lust's illusions, and, with yourselves mentally and spiritually re-made, to put on the clean fresh clothes of the new life which was made by God's design for righteousness and the holiness which is no illusion.Ephesians 4:17-24 Phillips Translation  Access the episodes in our podcast series on the book of Ephesians here.

If you benefitted from this podcast devotional Alternate Lifestyles and Realities, from the book of Ephesians, please consider sharing it with your friends.Access the episodes in our podcast series on the book of Ephesians here.

Access the episodes in our podcast series on the book of Ephesians here.

Access all the episodes in this podcast series on the book of Ephesians here.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Ephesians 1:3 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:20-21Access all the episodes in this podcast series on the book of Ephesians here.

This is the third episode in our podcast series, walking through the book of Ephesians. In this episode JB Shreve looks at the grace of God as a component of His favor and power that goes beyond salvation to alter our understanding and interactions with reality and truth.For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10 (NKJV)Follow our podcast series on the book of Ephesians at JBShreve.com.

 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. Ephesians 1:9-10 (NKJV)This is part 2 of our walk through Ephesians podcast Bible study and devotional. If you are joining us in our daily reading through the book of Ephesians this month, we'd love to hear what you are discovering. Post your thoughts and insights in the comments section at Facebook. 

How blessed is God! And what a blessing He is! He's the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in Him. Long before he laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by His love. Long ago, he decided to adopt us into His family through Jesus Christ. What pleasure He took in planning this. He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved son. Ephesians 1:3-6 The Message This podcast devotional kicks off a new series where we are looking at the book of Ephesians throughout the months of October and November. Each episode will feature a different theme in the rich insight of Ephesians. Today we look at Paul's focus on the plan of God, the true standard and basis for our reality. You are invited to join us in this study through Ephesians. Make a commitment to read through the entire book (6 chapters) each day of the next month. Be sure to share your own thoughts and insights on our Facebook page. And of course follow along in the series with us at the website. 

In this podcast devotional, JB and Casie Shreve continue the look at the heart that we have been focusing on here at the website. The heart is complex, it is deep, it is unique to each of us, and it is central to our personal walk with God. As human beings, life teaches us to hide and hold back our hearts but that was not the direction that Jesus gave to us. Jesus was drawn toward little children because they had not yet learned to hide their hearts from the truth. With a few verses and a lot of scripture JB and Casie look at the complexities of the human heart in this podcast episode and how key it is to learn to open our hearts to God.

John 15:12-14 (NIV) My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command.Consider the issues and causes that provoke you today. Consider what is so important that you are arguing about on Facebook. Much of what many Christians are saying and debating today has nothing to do with the Kingdom of God. It betrays the true treasure of their heart. And it is rooted in an earth-based, fleshly value system. 

Verses Referenced In This Podcast Devotional - What Is Spiritual StrengthAll your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. 18 It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. 19 By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made. For you were made from dust, and to dust you will return.” Genesis 3:17-19 (NLT)Blessed are those whose strength is in you,whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.As they pass through the Valley of Baka,they make it a place of springs;the autumn rains also cover it with pools.They go from strength to strength,till each appears before God in Zion.  Psalms 84:5-7 (NIV)But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:7-9 (NIV) Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 (NIVAlso, check out this article regarding deaths of despair that JB referenced in the podcast.

Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.  Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:6-9 A primary place where we build internal strength is in the arena of our mind. Where are do our thinking patterns go? What authority do distractions have in our life? What mental habits have developed in our lives that are promoting earth-based thinking rather than faith-based thinking?Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Colossians 3:2 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:8-9  ...since the weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every high-minded thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, taking every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5  If you enjoyed this Thinking Strong podcast devotional you can access more podcast devotionals here and access the archives when you become a Patreon supporter here.

Points covered in this podcast devotional Build on the Rock:Hearing and obeying are intimately linked in the Word of GodThere is a base level of hearing and obeyingThere is a deeper level of hearingConviction as the burden of God on our livesConviction as the blueprint for our life Luke 6:46-49 (NLT) “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say? I will show you what it's like when someone comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it. It is like a person building a house who digs deep and lays the foundation on solid rock. When the floodwaters rise and break against that house, it stands firm because it is well built. But anyone who hears and doesn't obey is like a person who builds a house right on the ground, without a foundation. When the floods sweep down against that house, it will collapse into a heap of ruins.” If we want to build on the rock, we must consider and examine the realities of our life. The hard question must be asked and the inconvenient decisions must be made. Get access to all of our podcasts and podcast devotionals by becoming a Patreon supporter here.

Below is a list of links to articles and writers referenced in this podcast episode:  Environmentalism As Religion – The New AtlantisTo Understand Racism, Just Think Of It As A Faith-Based Asset – Bloomberg BusinessweekThe Neo-Racists – PersuasionPresident Trump Is A Religious Leader – Religious News ServiceAmerica Without God – The Atlantic

All around us is evidence of growing darkness. Darkness is not just sin and wickedness. Darkness also means a lack of sight. A lack of clarity. It's confusion. Disorientation.  It's great deception. It's a place and time of fear. It's yelling to be heard because you can't tell if anyone is listening. It's a decline […] The post The Growing Darkness appeared first on JB Shreve.

Alarm bells are sounding across the world as the COVID-19 outbreak spreads. At the time of this post there are more than 121,000 confirmed cases globally, and more than 4,300 deaths. As we watch through the lens of our media and communications saturated culture many are moving to different extreme positions. Some are raiding store […] The post Faith and Reason in the Time of Pandemic – A Christian Response to Pandemic Fears appeared first on JB Shreve.

…and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men.  The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no […] The post The Buying and Selling of Men's Souls appeared first on JB Shreve.