Podcasts about Philistines

“Jesus said to the people who believed in him, ‘You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’” (John 8:31–32 NLT) Believing in Jesus involves more than just accepting what He says as the truth. It involves being faithful to His teachings; changing not just your priorities, but the way you think and act; and restructuring your life so that it resembles His. That’s the message Jesus sends in John 8. You can’t be a casual disciple. The amazing thing about becoming a disciple is that it doesn’t feel like an obligation; it feels like freedom. When you know the truth about what Jesus offers, you’re set free from the pull of your sinful nature. You have what you need to resist temptation and discover a new way of living. The Jewish leaders who heard Jesus’ offer were unimpressed. “But we are descendants of Abraham . . . We have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean, ‘You will be set free’?” (verse 33 NLT). That was an odd claim, coming from people whose ancestors had been under the control of the Egyptians, Philistines, Babylonians, Persians, Syrians, and Romans at various times in history. Jesus tried to help them understand that if you sin, you’re a slave to sin because you have no choice in the matter. You have no power to break free from sin’s mastery over you. Only the Son, who enjoys the rights and privileges of being part of God’s family, can free a slave of sin. The Jewish leaders tried to argue that they were part of God’s family, too, because they were descendants of Abraham. Jesus pointed out that He was the litmus test because He was the true Son of God. Since the Jewish leaders were trying to kill Him, they couldn’t claim that God was their father too. If God were truly their father, they would have welcomed Jesus. They would have recognized that He had been sent by God. They would have done everything in their power to assist and support Him. Instead, they showed who their real father was by spreading lies about Him, turning people against Him, questioning His authority, trying to embarrass Him, scheming against Him, and plotting to kill Him. “You are the children of your father the devil,” Jesus told them (verse 44 NLT). Jesus saw these people for who they were: opponents of God’s work and His will. But not everyone could see through their disguise. The same problem exists today. It’s possible for people to be spiritual leaders, to have respect and authority in the eyes of many people, and still be obstacles to God’s real work. Their teachings may seem reasonable, spiritual, and even scriptural to those who aren’t listening closely. That’s why God’s Word instructs us to be discerning and wise, to test everything we hear against the truth of Scripture. — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Judges 15-16. Samson continues the fight against the Philistines.   Website: https://www.papasbiblestories.com   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/papasbiblestories/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papasbiblestories/   Email: papasbiblestories@gmail.com  If you would like to support this ministry, donation options can be found here:  https://www.papasbiblestories.com/support/   Looking for an episode transcript? https://www.papasbiblestories.com/65   

This chapter highlights how Samson came to kill 1000 Philistines with the jawbone of a donkey.

houghts on the readings for January 14th (Genesis 25 and 26 Psalm 31 and Matthew 16) Genesis 25 tells that Abraham took another wife, called Keturah. We are not sure at what time Keturah became Abraham's wife; but, she bare him 6 sons. These sons became the progenitors of many of the Arab nations – already we see Abraham has becoming the “father of a multitude (or “many nations”)”. They were sent eastward enriched with gifts from the great patriarch. Abraham died at the age of 175 and was buried in the cave of Machpelah by his sons Isaac and Ishmael. From verses 12-18 we have the genealogy of Ishmael from whom descended 12 princes. From verses 19-28 of Genesis 25 we are told that Rebekah had great problems in conception and once pregnant she experienced a trying time. Rebekah enquired of Yahweh (probably through the priest) about the wrestlings within her; and was told she would give birth to twins, who would be very different and, that the elder twin would serve the younger. Esau was born hairy, or fully developed. He was red haired and so called Esau, which means red. The younger twin was born grasping the heel of his twin. He was named Jacob meaning heel grabber. The difference between them was evident from their early days with Jacob being “a plain (upright) man dwelling in tents (a sojourner like his fathers)”; whilst Esau was an energetic, active man – a man's man; an athletic hunter. Rebekah favoured Jacob (her son); whilst Isaac loved Esau – who he perhaps envied, as Esau was everything that Isaac was not. After returning from his hunting without any prey Esau, claiming to be starving, sold his birthright to his spiritually ambitious brother, Jacob for a bowl of red lentils. This story indicated Esau had no love of the promises and not a skerrick of spirituality (see the comments in Hebrews 12 verses 14 to17). In Genesis 26 God repeats the Abrahamic promise to Isaac. There was a famine in the Land and Isaac was told to sojourn and trust in the Almighty to provide. From verse 6 we see Isaac journeying to the land of the Philistines, where he like his father (Abraham) lied about his wife; because of fear for his own life. But after being seen acting as a husband, Isaac is rebuked by the Philistine king Abimelech. How incredible that great men of faith should so fail – but as James tells us, they were of like passions (and weaknesses) to ourselves. Abimelech charged his people to act honourably to Rebekah. Isaac sowed in that country and reaped an abundant harvest. Isaac, like Abraham, became rich and powerful; and was envied by the Philistines. All the wells that had been dug by Abraham were filled with earth by these lazy and envious men. Isaac was instructed to move away and he relocated to Gerar. There Isaac again dug his father's well and the Philistines quarrelled over the water. The well was named Esek, meaning “contention”. So Isaac moved on and dug another well, named Sitnah (meaning“a quarrel”), as this again was the consequence of finding water. He moved once more and dug for and found water at Rehoboth (meaning “room”). This water was uncontested. Finally he moved to Beersheba (“the well of the covenant”), where Yahweh repeated to Isaac the promise to Abraham in verse 24. The chapter finishes with a covenant being made between Isaac and Phicol, captain of the Philistine army. After a feast in which the Philistines acknowledge Isaac to be “blessed of Yahweh”, there is an exchange of oaths Isaac settled in Beersheba and dwelt there with the well of the covenant providing their needs as had their Sustainer and Protector. Cont reading here https://christadelphianvideo.org/thoughts-on-the-readings-for-january-14th-genesis-25-and-26-psalm-31-and-matthew-16/

We read of the final subjugation of Ammon by David's forces, and the Philistine giants who continue to rebel against David's rule.

David's Mighty Warriors 8 These are the names of David's mighty warriors: Josheb-Basshebeth,[a] a Tahkemonite,[b] was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed[c] in one encounter. 9 Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty warriors, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered at Pas Dammim[d] for battle. Then the Israelites retreated, 10 but Eleazar stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day. The troops returned to Eleazar, but only to strip the dead. 11 Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel's troops fled from them. 12 But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the Lord brought about a great victory.

Genesis chapter 20 tells us that Abraham again made the same error in failing to trust God; whilst sojourning among the Philistines. Abraham is chastened by the Almighty and severely rebuked by Abimelech, the Philistine king; who in this incident showed greater integrity than did Abraham. Similarly to the Egyptian episode Abraham leaves the Philistine territory enriched and with much substance and a treaty between himself and the Philistines. Genesis 21 begins with a reminder that Isaac, meaning "laughter", was the Promised seed whose birth would bring great joy - as the type of the "seed of the woman", the Son of miraculous birth, the Son of God(Luke 1:68-80; 2:10-14). Yahweh has fulfilled His promised Word to Abraham and Sarah. And so as a token of the covenant between the Lord GOD and His people Isaac was circumcised at 8 days old. At the time of Isaac's weaning - possibly as old as 7 years of age - Abraham made a great feast for his son, Isaac. Ishmael mocked Isaac and most likely made derogatory comments about Isaac's supposed father (Abimelech king of the Philistines; cp the accusations made against our Lord and the ignominy the Lord's foes said of his begettal; John 8:33-42). This time the bondwoman and Ishmael were finally banished. Ishmael was a wild and uncontrollable man. Abraham started digging wells, which led to conflict with the Philistines - water being so vital a resource. Eventually Abraham made a covenant of peace with the Philistines. Note the prominence of the number seven; 7 being the number of the covenant.The 23rd Psalm is possibly the best known Psalm in the entire book of 150. It is known as the Shepherd Psalm. Many whole books have been written about this Psalm, in which David relates his experiences as a shepherd and applies the principles to his God's care for him now; and His guidance to bring us to His Kingdom. With Yahweh as our Shepherd we lack for nothing. Psalm 80 is another Psalm about Israel's great Shepherd and in providing food for His people it speaks of the provision of His Wonderful Son (John 10 teaches of the care of the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep). David was, like Moses, a wonderful shepherd the LORD raised up to guide and pasture with spiritual food (Psalm 78:70-72). Isaiah 40 is another Scripture which tells of our Lord Jesus Christ's care for his flock (Isaiah 40:9-11). The two implements of the shepherd in guiding and protecting his sheep are his Rod and his staff. The life of Jacob tells of the privations the shepherd faced on a daily basis. And the possibility of dying whilst protecting his flock was an ever pressing concern (see David's comments to Saul in1 Samuel 17:34-37). So David says, "though he walk through the valley of the shadow of death" his God was his companion. He had throughout his life received the goodness and mercy of Yahweh (cp Exodus 34:6-7; and the lesson for us Romans 11:22-23). And ultimately the psalmist would find a place in his Sovereign's house in the kingdom of God on earth. Psalm 24 is a Psalm that will be sung by two choirs - the one asking and the other answering -  at the Lord Jesus Christ's crowning in his temple soon to be built in Jerusalem - "He is the King of Glory" as Handel commemorated in the oratorio Messiah (see also Psalm 2; andRevelation 19:15-16). Verses 3-6, like Psalm 15, describe the character and qualities of the citizens of Zion, who will be the companions of the King. The words of Psalm 24 will reverberate around the new Jerusalem as Christ Jesus enters his city. Psalm 25 is a plea to be taught and led in the ways of Yahweh. May this Psalm reflect the cry from our heart. But, for this to happen we must be meek, that is "teachable",. Read aloud verses 8-10,14 and meditate on what these words teach us. When we have learnt this way, as Moses had, we will be able to cope with our obstacles and opponents (see Psalm 103:7).

Genesis chapter 20 tells us that Abraham again made the same error in failing to trust God; whilst sojourning among the Philistines. Abraham is chastened by the Almighty and severely rebuked by Abimelech, the Philistine king; who in this incident showed greater integrity than did Abraham. Similarly to the Egyptian episode Abraham leaves the Philistine territory enriched and with much substance and a treaty between himself and the Philistines. Genesis 21 begins with a reminder that Isaac, meaning "laughter", was the Promised seed whose birth would bring great joy - as the type of the "seed of the woman", the Son of miraculous birth, the Son of God (Luke 1:68-80; 2:10-14). Yahweh has fulfilled His promised Word to Abraham and Sarah. And so as a token of the covenant between the Lord GOD and His people Isaac was circumcised at 8 days old. At the time of Isaac's weaning - possibly as old as 7 years of age - Abraham made a great feast for his son, Isaac. Ishmael mocked Isaac and most likely made derogatory comments about Isaac's supposed father (Abimelech king of the Philistines; cp the accusations made against our Lord and the ignominy the Lord's foes said of his begettal; John 8:33-42). This time the bondwoman and Ishmael were finally banished. Ishmael was a wild and uncontrollable man. Abraham started digging wells, which led to conflict with the Philistines - water being so vital a resource. Eventually Abraham made a covenant of peace with the Philistines. Note the prominence of the number seven; 7 being the number of the covenant. The 23rd Psalm is possibly the best known Psalm in the entire book of 150. It is known as the Shepherd Psalm. Many whole books have been written about this Psalm, in which David relates his experiences as a shepherd and applies the principles to his God's care for him now; and His guidance to bring us to His Kingdom. With Yahweh as our Shepherd we lack for nothing. Psalm 80 is another Psalm about Israel's great Shepherd and in providing food for His people it speaks of the provision of His Wonderful Son (John 10 teaches of the care of the Good Shepherd, who laid down his life for the sheep). David was, like Moses, a wonderful shepherd the LORD raised up to guide and pasture with spiritual food (Psalm 78:70-72). Isaiah 40 is another Scripture which tells of our Lord Jesus Christ's care for his flock (Isaiah 40:9-11). The two implements of the shepherd in guiding and protecting his sheep are his Rod and his staff. The life of Jacob tells of the privations the shepherd faced on a daily basis. And the possibility of dying whilst protecting his flock was an ever pressing concern (see David's comments to Saul in 1 Samuel 17:34-37). So David says, "though he walk through the valley of the shadow of death" his God was his companion. He had throughout his life received the goodness and mercy of Yahweh (cp Exodus 34:6-7; and the lesson for us Romans 11:22-23). And ultimately the psalmist would find a place in his Sovereign's house in the kingdom of God on earth. Psalm 24 is a Psalm that will be sung by two choirs - the one asking and the other answering -  at the Lord Jesus Christ's crowning in his temple soon to be built in Jerusalem - "He is the King of Glory" as Handel commemorated in the oratorio Messiah (see also Psalm 2; and Revelation 19:15-16). Verses 3-6, like Psalm 15, describe the character and qualities of the citizens of Zion, who will be the companions of the King. The words of Psalm 24 will reverberate around the new Jerusalem as Christ Jesus enters his city. Psalm 25 is a plea to be taught and led in the ways of Yahweh. May this Psalm reflect the cry from our heart. But, for this to happen we must be meek, that is "teachable",. Read aloud verses 8-10,14 and meditate on what these words teach us. When we have learnt this way, as Moses had, we will be able to cope with our obstacles and opponents (see Psalm 103:7). Matthew 13 is the greatest chapter of parables in all Scripture, containing in all seven parables. Four are centred on "seed" and the other three about understanding, valuing, and teaching others of, and encouraging them to seek and prepare themselves for the Kingdom of God. The parable of the Sower is said by our Lord to be the greatest of, and key to, all parables. The parable of the Sower, called by many the parable of the soils - for in each case the seed sown is identical; the characteristic of the soil is tested and determined on the basis of the individual response to the Word of God - and the parable of the 'tares', or weeds are the only two explained. That Jesus would use the parable as the foundation of his teaching method, and the reasons for this, were prophesied in Isaiah 6:9-10 and Psalm 78:1-4. Matthew quotes both Isaiah 6 and Psalm 78; and tells us that the predicted response was forthcoming, verses 14-17 for the citation from Isaiah and verses 34-35 for the Psalm. All these parables were spoken in Galilee, by the sea; and they too invariably led to his rejection among his own folk at Nazareth.

1 Samuel 4:21-22 — What has gone wrong in the church today? In this sermon on 1 Samuel 4:21-22, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that the answer is found in the church's loss of the sense of the glory of the presence of God. The church is like God's ancient people, the Israelites, who often strayed away from God. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that when the Israelites lost the Ark of the Covenant to the Philistines, this was because they failed to look to God's glorious presence. They became enamored with the trappings of religion and missed what it means to know and love an awesome God. The church today is often no different. For when Christians look to institutions and politics to reach the world, they lose sight of the very God they say that they seek to proclaim. When the church has been the most impactful in the world it is when they were overcome with a sense of God's glorious presence. This recognition of God's glory ought to transform all believers and empower them to take the gospel to the whole world. For the church is at its weakest when it is concerned with itself and its own glory. But Jesus Christ shows us that we are to seek to glorify God and know Him truly and only then can the church serve as God has called it.

1 Samuel 4:21-22 — What has gone wrong in the church today? In this sermon on 1 Samuel 4:21-22, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that the answer is found in the church's loss of the sense of the glory of the presence of God. The church is like God's ancient people, the Israelites, who often strayed away from God. Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says that when the Israelites lost the Ark of the Covenant to the Philistines, this was because they failed to look to God's glorious presence. They became enamored with the trappings of religion and missed what it means to know and love an awesome God. The church today is often no different. For when Christians look to institutions and politics to reach the world, they lose sight of the very God they say that they seek to proclaim. When the church has been the most impactful in the world it is when they were overcome with a sense of God's glorious presence. This recognition of God's glory ought to transform all believers and empower them to take the gospel to the whole world. For the church is at its weakest when it is concerned with itself and its own glory. But Jesus Christ shows us that we are to seek to glorify God and know Him truly and only then can the church serve as God has called it. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29

The First Giant to Slay #RTTBROS #Nightlight The First Giant to Slay: Comfort "And David said unto Saul, Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine." - 1 Samuel 17:32 KJV In the valley of Elah, two contrasting figures stood before a mighty challenge. King Saul, towering above his people, clad in the finest armor Israel could offer, remained in the safety of his tent. Meanwhile, young David, armed with nothing but faith and five smooth stones, stepped forward to face Goliath. The difference wasn't in their equipment or experience—it was in their willingness to step out of comfort for God's glory. Saul possessed every worldly advantage: stature, experience, and royal armor. Scripture tells us he stood "higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward" (1 Samuel 9:2 KJV). Yet, when Goliath defied the armies of the living God, Saul chose comfort over conviction. The giant of comfort had already defeated him before any battle could begin. David, however, demonstrates a heart wholly devoted to God's glory. When offered Saul's armor, he declared, "I cannot go with these; for I have not proved them" (1 Samuel 17:39 KJV). He chose discomfort, vulnerability, and potential ridicule because he understood that God's honor was worth more than his comfort. Action Points: 1. Identify your "comfort armor" - What securities or comforts are holding you back from stepping out in faith? Write them down and pray over each one, asking God to help you trust Him more than your comfortable circumstances. 2. Take one uncomfortable step today - Choose one area where God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone. It might be sharing your faith with a colleague, serving in a new ministry, or confronting a personal sin. 3. Document God's faithfulness - Keep a journal of times when choosing discomfort for God's glory led to spiritual growth or ministry impact. Let these testimonies build your faith for future challenges. Prayer: Heavenly Father, like David, give us hearts that value Your glory above our comfort. Forgive us for the times we've chosen to stay in our comfortable spaces rather than step out in faith. Help us identify and slay the giant of comfort in our lives. Give us courage to stand against the Goliaths of our day, not in our own strength, but in complete dependence on You. Let our lives bring glory to Your name, no matter the cost to our comfort. In Jesus' name, Amen. Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out. https://linktr.ee/rttbros

The Invention of Palestine: A Historical and Linguistic Narrative In this episode, we explore the historical and linguistic roots of the term "Palestine," ‎tracing its origins to the Roman designation "Syria Palaestina," given to the land of Israel by ‎Emperor Hadrian following the Bar Kokhba revolt. The name "Palaestina" was derived from ‎the ancient Philistines, with the term "Philistia" in Greek (Φυλιστίη) reflecting their ‎presence along the coastal regions of ancient Israel. We also examine the Hebrew ‎perspective: the word "Paleshtim" (‎פְּלִשְׁתִּים‎) in the Hebrew Bible refers to the Philistines, a ‎distinct people in the ancient land of Israel. The modern term "Palestine" in Hebrew, ‎‎"Filistin" (‎פְּלִשְׁתִּין‎), continues to evoke this connection. By looking at 19th-century travelers ‎like Mark Twain and Arthur Penrhyn Stanley, we show how the region was observed before ‎the Jewish return, challenging the notion that Palestine was ever solely an Arab land. The ‎episode highlights the enduring connection between the Jewish people and this land, both ‎historically and linguistically. Keywords: #PalestineHistory; #RomanEmpire; #JewsInIsrael; #AncientIsrael; ‎‎#HistoricalNarrative; #BiblicalZionism; #MarkTwain; #ArthurPenrhynStanley; ‎‎#PalestinianIdentity; #Zionism; #HistoricalFacts; #MiddleEastConflict; ‎‎#JewishClaimToLand; #JewishHistoryInIsrael‎

Everyone needs friends who will believe in them and support them. #daybydaylw Interested in learning more about becoming a devoted follower of Christ? Go to follow.lifeword.org! ~~~ Over the next few chapters we will read of David's encounters with individuals, as he flees away from Jerusalem, and then as he returns to Jerusalem, and it seems that the author is highlighting the faith of David through these encounters with individuals. The first encounter involves this man named Ittai, who was not a Jew, but rather from Gath, a Philistine. He was in that company of men who had seen the bravery, the boldness, the wisdom of David that we read about towards the end of 1 Samuel, and decides to join David's forces because he believes in David. So as the household of David is marching past, David sees Ittai, and suggests that he turn around and join forces with Absalom. It may be that David questions the loyalty of Ittai, a philistine. Or it may be that David is testing the loyalty of Ittai. Or even, it may be that David is being gracious to Ittai, telling him that he doesn't need to get mixed up, so soon, in David's affairs. And in response, we hear this Ruth-like answer “As the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, where my lord the king shall be, whether for death or for life, there also will your servant be.” Ittai, with all his men, and all his children and his men's children, has pledged his life to David! Why do we have this little episode? I can't help but think that we are to see that sometimes our greatest encouragement comes from unexpected people. Absalom, the King's son, has rebelled against him. Ahithophel, the great counselor of David, has abandoned him. Many men of Israel have been led astray by Absalom. But Ittai, a foreigner, has pledged his life to King David. I can't imagine what this might have done to bolster David's faith. We all need friends who believe in us, don't we? And sometimes the most loyal of friends come at the most unexpected time, and do not look like we might have imagined.

Raise An Ebenezer  1 Samuel 7:7-13 (ESV)“Now when the Philistines heard that the people of Israel had gathered at Mizpah, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the people of Israel heard of it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the people of Israel said to Samuel, ‘Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.' So, Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel. And the men of Israel went out from Mizpah and pursued the Philistines and struck them, as far as below Beth-car.” “Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer, for he said, ‘Till now, the Lord has helped us.' So, the Philistines were subdued and did not again enter the territory of Israel. And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.”  Ebenezer Means “Stone of Help”  Joshua 4:21-24 (ESV)“And he said to the people of Israel, “When your children ask their fathers in times to come, ‘What do these stones mean?' then you shall let your children know, ‘Israel passed over this Jordan on dry ground.' For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over, as the Lord your God did to the Red Sea, which he dried up for us until we passed over, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”  Remembering 2024  What Remembrance Does1.     Remembrance guards you from straying from the Lord. 2.     Remembrance anchors you in the truth about God's character.   Romans 8:28 (ESV)And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called to according to His purposes.  Now it's your turn. What things do you need to take a closer look at, and intentionally remember?  Ways we can set up an “Ebenezer” in our lives:•      Write it down in a Journal.•      Buy a memento and place it in a visible place or a keepsake box.•      Create a video blog and tell the story of his faithfulness. •      Find a relevant scripture and highlight, date, and annotate it with memorable information. •      Put a sticky note on your bathroom mirror.•      Print a photo book and keep it out where you can see it. •      Collect songs and make a playlist (Mix Tape) •      Paint a painting or create a piece of art. •      Plant a tree.•      For next year: Set aside a Memory Jar, write down the good and bad things that happen on a regular basis, and review these at the end of the year.  Ultimately, the goal is that we take the time to reflect on God's goodness and his character, highlighting his abundant goodness and desire for the situations we have had to walk through.

Judges 13-14. God raises Israel's 12th and final judge to deliver the Israelites from the Philistines.   Website: https://www.papasbiblestories.com  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/papasbiblestories/   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papasbiblestories/   Email: papasbiblestories@gmail.com  If you would like to support this ministry, donation options can be found here: https://www.papasbiblestories.com/support/  Looking for an episode transcript? https://www.papasbiblestories.com/64   

Selfish desires and ambitions drove everything that Samson did. He did not rally the Israelites to battle the Philistines or attempt to rid Israel of their oppressors. Despite his divine calling that positioned him as a deliverer for the Israelites, Samsons life was characterized by self-serving actions without regard for God or others. This sermon on Judges 15:1-20 was preached by Pastor Philip Thomas at New Life Fellowship Church, Concord, NC, on Sunday, January 5, 2025. Subscribe, Like, and Share the Facebook page and YouTube channel to spread the word about this content and the church.

In our morning sermon series, we are working our way through the book of Samuel. This book opens at a time when God's people had drifted far away from Him. Yet, the Lord was beginning to do a great work of mercy and restoration for His people by raising up Samuel as His prophet. Samuel prophecies of the overthrow of the wicked house of Eli the high priest. God shows that He has withdrawn in judgment against Israel. He allows their enemies (the Philistines) to take His ark, the symbol of His presence. He humbles the Philistines and they return the ark, but God makes it clear that He is not restored. Israel sends the ark to be looked after by Gentile servants among them. This is where we pick up our reading of Samuel today—at chapter 7.

Friday Bible Study (12/27/24) // 2 Kings 8:1-6 // Visit our website: https://mbchicago.org Follow us to remain connected: Facebook:   / mbc.chicago   Instagram:   / mbc.chicago   TikTok:   / mbc.chicago   Podcasts: Listen on Apple, Spotify & others To support this ministry, you can donate via: Zelle to: info@mbchicago.org Website: https://mbchicago.org/give Venmo: https://venmo.com/mbchurch PayPal: https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_but... #2Kings | #BibleStudy | #DanielBatarseh | #mbchicago | #mbcchicago | #Bible | #livechurch | #churchlive | #chicagochurch | #chicagochurches | #versebyverse | #church | #chicago | #sermon | #bibleexplained | #bibleproject | #bibleverse 2 Kings 8:1-6 (ESV) The Shunammite's Land Restored 8 Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Arise, and depart with your household, and sojourn wherever you can, for the Lord has called for a famine, and it will come upon the land for seven years.” 2 So the woman arose and did according to the word of the man of God. She went with her household and sojourned in the land of the Philistines seven years. 3 And at the end of the seven years, when the woman returned from the land of the Philistines, she went to appeal to the king for her house and her land. 4 Now the king was talking with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, “Tell me all the great things that Elisha has done.” 5 And while he was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and her land. And Gehazi said, “My lord, O king, here is the woman, and here is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” 6 And when the king asked the woman, she told him. So the king appointed an official for her, saying, “Restore all that was hers, together with all the produce of the fields from the day that she left the land until now.”

Unlock the ancient world and witness the convergence of prophecy and history as we journey through the powerful narratives of Zechariah and the extraordinary exploits of Alexander the Great. Promising more than just a history lesson, we explore how his conquests across Philistine cities resonate with prophetic foresight, especially in the cities of Tyre and Gaza. Expect to learn how the literary art of chiasms in Hebrew scripture paints these locations as Israel's enduring adversaries and how Alexander's campaign marked the fulfillment of these prophecies by dismantling Philistine power and culture. We dissect the notion of telescoping prophecies, revealing their layered meanings that offered hope to those in Alexander's time and continue to inspire today. Join us in this compelling episode that bridges ancient history with modern faith challenges.Support the show

And await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. (Jude 1:21 NLT) The pages of the Bible are filled with the stories of those who had such tremendous potential and started out well, but they ended miserably. They didn’t cross the finish line. You may know people who started out with great promise in the Christian life. They made a profession of faith in Christ, but they haven’t followed through. They’ve become casualties in the race of life. The Bible pulls no punches in this regard. It tells us story after story of men and women who initially flourished spiritually. But then they withered. For example, Saul, the first king of Israel, was someone who had all the right stuff. In fact, if we were going to look for a candidate today to run for office, this would have been our person. He was charismatic, handsome, tall, and sharp. Most importantly, God’s Spirit had come upon him and anointed him for the task at hand. For a relatively short time, everything was going well. But Saul allowed himself to give way to pride, paranoia, and jealousy. It consumed him. And he met an untimely end on the battlefield. Essentially, he wrote his own epitaph when he said, “I have been a fool and very, very wrong” (1 Samuel 26:21 NLT). How true that was. He threw it all away. We think of the mighty Samson, whom God supernaturally blessed with an incredible strength to vanquish his enemies with relative ease. On one occasion he killed one thousand Philistines with a bone he picked up off the ground. As a he-man with a she weakness, Samson squandered his incredible potential. He allowed his lust to consume him and ultimately lost his strength, dying an unnecessary death. Gideon, a man with humble beginnings, was plucked from obscurity when the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” (Judges 6:12 NLT). God raised him up to courageously lead the armies of Israel into battle. But as he came to the end of his life, he lowered his standards and fell into immorality and pride. The Bible tells us, “And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see” (1 Peter 1:5 NLT). Jude 1:21 says, “Await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love” (NLT). And James 1:27 tells us, “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you” (NLT). In 1 John we read, “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts” (5:21 NLT). Yes, God will keep us, but we have our part to do as well. The goal is to run the race He has set before us and to cross the finish line. Invest in evangelism in 2025! — Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  This is the sole story in which Isaac is the main character and where he shines.  He and Rebekah had to go to Gerar because of a famine.  God warned him not to go to Egypt (as Abraham and Sarah had done).  God also reiterated the promises to the family.  Isaac passed off his wife as his sister.  Because of her beauty, he felt threatened.  Eventually, the king of the city realized that Isaac had lied.  Though the king made sure no one would bother Rebekah, he ordered the whole family to leave.  Isaac did, but did not go far.  While in the nearby valley, he farmed, quite successfully.  This increased his wealth and numbers, which worried the Philistines.  Also, Isaac redug several wells that Abraham had dug but the Philistines had filled with soil.  Eventually, the Philistines and Isaac's family made a non-aggression pact and lived peacefully.

 In this story the totality of Saul's reign is recorded.  It is significantly shorter than Saul's story as narrated in 1 Samuel 9—31.  Plus, the story in 1 Chronicles 10 is uniformly negative.  It tells about Israel's losing a battle to the Philistines, about the death of Saul's three sons, and his being wounded by Philistine archers.  Trying to avoid humiliation, Saul orders his armor-bearer to kill him, something that the man is unable to do.  So, Saul kills himself (immediately afterwards, the armor-bearer kills himself).  The Philistines find the corpses of Saul and his sons; they desecrate Saul's corpse by decapitation.  Eventually, Saul's and his sons' bodies are rescued and buried properly in Israelite territory.  1 Chronicles 11 begins the story of King David's reign.

église AB Lausanne ; KJV 2 Samuel (2 Kings) 23 Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue. The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. And he shall be as the light of the morning, when the sun riseth, even a morning without clouds; as the tender grass springing out of the earth by clear shining after rain. Although my house be not so with God; yet he hath made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things, and sure: for this is all my salvation, and all my desire, although he make it not to grow. But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands: But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place. These be the names of the mighty men whom David had: The Tachmonite that sat in the seat, chief among the captains; the same was Adino the Eznite: he lift up his spear against eight hundred, whom he slew at one time. And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David, when they defied the Philistines that were there gathered together to battle, and the men of Israel were gone away: He arose, and smote the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand clave unto the sword: and the LORD wrought a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to spoil. ...

Isaiah 11:1-14 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. 2 And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. 3 And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, 4 but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. 5 Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins. 6 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. 7 The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. 9 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. 10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious. 11 In that day the Lord will extend his hand yet a second time to recover the remnant that remains of his people, from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the coastlands of the sea. 12 He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the banished of Israel, and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. 13 The jealousy of Ephraim shall depart, and those who harass Judah shall be cut off; Ephraim shall not be jealous of Judah, and Judah shall not harass Ephraim. 14 But they shall swoop down on the shoulder of the Philistines in the west, and together they shall plunder the people of the east. They shall put out their hand against Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites shall obey them.

église AB Lausanne ; KJV 2 Samuel (2 Kings) 19 And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom. And the victory that day was turned into mourning unto all the people: for the people heard say that day how the king was grieved for his son. And the people gat them by stealth that day into the city, as people being ashamed steal away when they flee in battle. But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son! And Joab came into the house to the king, and said, Thou hast shamed this day the faces of all thy servants, which this day have saved thy life, and the lives of thy sons and of thy daughters, and the lives of thy wives, and the lives of thy concubines; In that thou lovest thine enemies, and hatest thy friends. For thou hast declared this day, that thou regardest neither princes nor servants: for this day I perceive, that if Absalom had lived, and all we had died this day, then it had pleased thee well. Now therefore arise, go forth, and speak comfortably unto thy servants: for I swear by the LORD, if thou go not forth, there will not tarry one with thee this night: and that will be worse unto thee than all the evil that befell thee from thy youth until now. Then the king arose, and sat in the gate. And they told unto all the people, saying, Behold, the king doth sit in the gate. And all the people came before the king: for Israel had fled every man to his tent. And all the people were at strife throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, The king saved us out of the hand of our enemies, and he delivered us out of the hand of the Philistines; and now he is fled out of the land for Absalom. And Absalom, whom we anointed over us, is dead in battle. Now therefore why speak ye not a word of bringing the king back? ...

Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________Opening Words:Watch, for you know not when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or at cockcrow, or in the morning; lest he come suddenly and find you asleep.Mark 13:35, 36 Confession:Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God. Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen. The InvitatoryLord, open our lips.And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia. Venite (Psalm 95:1-7)Our King and Savior now draws near: Come, let us adore him.Come, let us sing to the Lord; * let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.For the Lord is a great God, * and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also.The sea is his, for he made it, * and his hands have molded the dry land.Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!Our King and Savior now draws near: Come, let us adore him. The PsalterPsalm 119:49-56 ZayinMemor esto verbi tuiBCP p. 767Remember your word to your servant, *because you have given me hope.This is my comfort in my trouble, *that your promise gives me life.The proud have derided me cruelly, *but I have not turned from your law.When I remember your judgments of old, *O Lord, I take great comfort.I am filled with a burning rage, *because of the wicked who forsake your law.Your statutes have been like songs to me *wherever I have lived as a stranger.I remember your Name in the night, O Lord, *and dwell upon your law.This is how it has been with me, *because I have kept your commandments. Psalm 119:57-64 HethPortio mea, DomineBCP p. 768You only are my portion, O Lord; *I have promised to keep your words.I entreat you with all my heart, *be merciful to me according to your promise.I have considered my ways *and turned my feet toward your decrees.I hasten and do not tarry *to keep your commandments.Though the cords of the wicked entangle me, *I do not forget your law.At midnight I will rise to give you thanks, *because of your righteous judgments.I am a companion of all who fear you *and of those who keep your commandments.The earth, O Lord, is full of your love; *instruct me in your statutes. Psalm 119:65-72 TethBonitatem fecistiBCP p. 768OLord, you have dealt graciously with your servant, *according to your word.Teach me discernment and knowledge, *for I have believed in your commandments.Before I was afflicted I went astray, *but now I keep your word.You are good and you bring forth good; *instruct me in your statutes.The proud have smeared me with lies, *but I will keep your commandments with my whole heart.Their heart is gross and fat, *but my delight is in your law.It is good for me that I have been afflicted, *that I might learn your statutes.The law of your mouth is dearer to me *than thousands in gold and silver. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. LessonsIsa. 9:8-17A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.The Lord has sent a word against Jacob,        and it will fall on Israel;    and all the people will know,        Ephraim and the inhabitants of Samaria,        who say in pride and in arrogance of heart:    “The bricks have fallen,        but we will build with dressed stones;    the sycamores have been cut down,        but we will put cedars in their place.”    But the Lord raises the adversaries of Rezin against him,        and stirs up his enemies.    The Syrians on the east and the Philistines on the west        devour Israel with open mouth.    For all this his anger has not turned away,        and his hand is stretched out still.            The people did not turn to him who struck them,        nor inquire of the Lord of hosts.    So the Lord cut off from Israel head and tail,        palm branch and reed in one day—    the elder and honored man is the head,        and the prophet who teaches lies is the tail;    for those who guide this people have been leading them astray,        and those who are guided by them are swallowed up.    Therefore the Lord does not rejoice over their young men,        and has no compassion on their fatherless and widows;    for everyone is godless and an evildoer,        and every mouth speaks folly.    For all this his anger has not turned away,        and his hand is stretched out still. The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God. Te Deum laudamusYou are God: we praise you;You are the Lord: we acclaim you;You are the eternal Father:All creation worships you.To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,heaven and earth are full of your glory.The glorious company of apostles praise you.The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;Father, of majesty unbounded,your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father.When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin's womb. You overcame the sting of deathand opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God's right hand in glory.We believe that you will come and be our judge.Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saintsto glory everlasting. 2 Pet. 2:1-10aA Reading from the Second Letter of Peter.But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.  For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world, but preserved Noah, a herald of righteousness, with seven others, when he brought a flood upon the world of the ungodly; if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the lust of defiling passion and despise authority.  Bold and willful, they do not tremble as they blaspheme the glorious ones, Mark 1:1-8A Reading from the Gospel According to Mark.The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.  As it is written in Isaiah the prophet,    “Behold, I send my messenger before your face,        who will prepare your way,    the voice of one crying in the wilderness:        ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,        make his paths straight,'”              John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God. Benedictus Dominus DeusBlessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; * he has come to his people and set them free.He has raised up for us a mighty savior, * born of the house of his servant David.Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, * from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers * and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, * to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, * holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, * for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation * by the forgiveness of their sins.In the tender compassion of our God * the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersThe Lord be with you.And also with you.Let us pray.Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. Suffrages AV. Show us your mercy, O Lord;R. And grant us your salvation.V. Clothe your ministers with righteousness; R. Let your people sing with joy.V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;R. For only in you can we live in safety. V. Lord, keep this nation under your care;R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth.V. Let your way be known upon earth;R. Your saving health among all nations.V. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;R. Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.V. Create in us clean hearts, O God;R. And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.   The CollectsAdvent 3Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. Daily Collects:A Collect for PeaceO God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.A Collect for GraceO Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Take a moment of silence at this time to reflect and pray for others. Collect of Saint BasilO Christ God, Who art worshipped and glorified at every place and time; Who art long-suffering, most merciful and compassionate; Who lovest the righteous and art merciful to sinners; Who callest all to salvation with the promise of good things to come: receive, Lord, the prayers we now offer, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, cleanse our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our minds and deliver us from all affliction, evil and illness. Surround us with Thy holy angels, that guarded and instructed by their forces, we may reach unity of faith and the understanding of Thine unapproachable glory: for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. A Prayer of St. John ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. DismissalLet us bless the LordThanks be to God! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen

In this message in the “Tale of Two Kings” series, we see a prayer David made while he was among the Philistines. You can find this prayer in Psalm 34. This message deals with how the Lord can deliver us from affliction.

When human power crumbles, where will you place your hope? We have arrived. Our final devotional is 1 Samuel 31:11-13: But when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard what the Philistines had done to Saul, all the valiant men arose and went all night and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and they came to Jabesh and burned them there. And they took their bones and buried them under the tamarisk tree in Jabesh and fasted seven days. — 1 Samuel 31:11-13 At the close of 1 Samuel, we read about an unexpected act of courage in the shadow of our tragedy. The brave men of Jabesh-Gilead, the very people Saul once delivered from shame and destruction in his first act as king (1 Samuel 11), embark on a daring mission to retrieve the desecrated bodies of Saul and his sons. Risking their lives, they travel through enemy territory to honor the memory of the king who had once been their redeemer. They bury his bones beneath a tamarisk tree, a poignant reminder of Saul's rise and fall. This moment is rich with contrasts. Once, Saul sat under a tamarisk tree (1 Samuel 22:6), spear in hand, commanding authority. Now, his remains rest beneath one—a reminder of our human frailty and the futility of misplaced hope. The people's demand for a king “like all the nations” (1 Samuel 8:19–20) ends with that king stripped of glory, buried by night, and mourned in ashes. Yet, this is the end of 1 Samuel but not the end of the story. Saul's death points us forward. While Saul's kingdom was shattered by sin and pride, David's rise offers hope. But even David—Israel's greatest king—would fall short. No matter how noble, every human king serves as a shadow of the true King to come. Centuries later, another King would face humiliation, stripped and mocked by His enemies, His body hung for public scorn. But unlike Saul or any of Israel's subsequent kings, Jesus bore no sin of his own. He died not for failure but for the redemption of ours. His death was not the end but the turning point in history. Rising from the grave, he defeated death, securing a kingdom that will never fade. We end 1 Samuel learning one central and vital lesson: Hope in kings, presidents, and leaders will fail—hope in King Jesus will prevail. Don't put ultimate hope in human power. It will let you down every time. Only King Jesus reigns with perfect justice, eternal love, and unshakable victory. Saul's tamarisk marked his end, but Christ's empty tomb marks a beginning—a King with a kingdom without end. #KingJesus #EternalHope #TrueDeliverance Ask This: Where have you placed your ultimate hope—in human leaders or in the eternal reign of King Jesus? How does the victory of Christ's resurrection inspire you to trust Him over earthly powers? Do This: Hope in King Jesus who prevails. Pray This: Lord, help me to see the futility of trusting in human strength and to anchor my hope in Jesus, the true and eternal King. Amen. Play This: King Jesus.

Jeroboam, the first king of Israel dies, and chaos ensues: Nadab becomes the next king of Israel God gives Nadab time to repent, but he doesn't Nadab dies in Philistine land Baasha from the tribe of Issachar becomes the next king If love is not provoked, then why does it say that God was provoked to anger against Jeroboam?   Click all the links for more cool stuff: YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hnh-aqfg8rw Ko-Fi - https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries  Website - https://www.p40ministries.com Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/p40ministries  Contact - jenn@p40ministries.com  Rumble - https://rumble.com/c/c-6493869  Books - https://www.amazon.com/Jenn-Kokal/e/B095JCRNHY/ref=aufs_dp_fta_dsk  Merch - https://www.p40ministries.com/shop  YouVersion - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/38267-out-of-the-mire-trusting-god-in-the-middle    Support babies and get quality coffee with Seven Weeks Coffee  https://sevenweekscoffee.com/?ref=P40   This ministry is only made possible due to your generous support https://ko-fi.com/p40ministries

When leaders step back, the enemy always steps in—don't leave your family vulnerable to spiritual attack. King Saul is dead. An arrow wounded him, and he took his life by falling on his own sword. Then this happened in 1 Samuel 31:7-10: And when the men of Israel who were on the other side of the valley and those beyond the Jordan saw that the men of Israel had fled and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their cities and fled. And the Philistines came and lived in them. The next day, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, they found Saul and his three sons fallen on Mount Gilboa. So they cut off his head and stripped off his armor and sent messengers throughout the land of the Philistines, to carry the good news to the house of their idols and to the people. They put his armor in the temple of Ashtaroth, and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan. — 1 Samuel 31:7-10 The fall of Saul was a catastrophic failure of leadership. The nation's first leader, chosen and anointed by God, was now lying dead, with his sons slain by him, and enemies were desecrating his body and legacy. In addition, the Philistines wasted no time capitalizing on his defeat. They cut off his head, stripped his body, paraded his armor as a trophy, and hung his remains in public humiliation. Nearby Israelites, seeing their king crushed, fled their homes, leaving entire cities to be occupied by the enemy. This should be a sober reminder of the importance of leadership and the consequences of its failure. Saul's perpetual disobedience and downward spiral left a devastating wake on everyone and humiliated the nation, and the enemy seized the opportunity to mock, defile, and advance their cause. While this was a catastrophic illustration, we see shadows of this type of failure today. One is the breakdown of spiritual leadership in the home. Speaking directly to the believing men listening today, when you, as a husband and father, neglect your God-given role to lead in the home, you leave yourself and your family vulnerable. Then, your wife and your children grow up without a strong spiritual foundation, leaving them susceptible to the enemy's lies about identity, purpose, and truth. It's not the church's responsibility to spiritually raise your family. It's your responsibility. Your passivity to obedience to God has the same effect as Saul's lack of spiritual leadership and disobedience to his family. This might be a graphic picture, but it is the truth. Someone is always discipling your family. If it's not you, it's Netflix, Disney, TikTok, and Snapchat, and they are very good at discipling your family. Then, one day, you look up to realize your family no longer believes in God; in addition, they act in defiance of God. Now you like Israel are looking at the devastation on Mount Gilboa. When we step back, the enemy steps in. Don't step back today! Step in! Step into spiritual leadership in your home, workplace, and community. One spiritual leader can make a home, workplace, church, and nation different forever. #LeadershipMatters #ObedienceToGod #FaithfulMen Ask This: Where are you most tempted to neglect spiritual leadership in your life? What would it take to step up today? Do This: Step in and step up in one place and one way today. Pray This: Father, help me to lead with integrity and faithfulness. Protect those I lead from the consequences of my failures, and guide me to always depend on You. Amen. Play This: War.

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Are YOU feeling unqualified?."I replied, 'The God of heaven will help us succeed. We, his servants, will start rebuilding this wall.'" Ne 2:20 NLTWith its walls torn down, Jerusalem was defenseless against her enemies. So, Nehemiah assembled a team to rebuild the walls. He had no training for this job. He wasn't an architect or a builder. Jerusalem was far away, and he had never been there. Any way you look at it, he was unqualified for the job. That's a common denominator with many of the people God has used in a remarkable way. Noah was a farmer, called to build a boat in the desert. David was a shepherd, called to topple a Philistine champion. Nehemiah was a cupbearer, called to rebuild Jerusalem's walls. When it comes to doing God's will, God-ordained passions are considerably more important than any human ability we can contribute. In fact, God often uses us at our point of greatest inability. That way He receives all the credit. But understand this: When God gives you a "burden," or a "passion," or a "vision," you have a choice to make. Nehemiah already had a good job. Being the king's cupbearer was like being his right-hand man. He didn't simply enjoy job security, he enjoyed the perks and privileges of his position. He would have been comfortable staying right where he was. But if he had chosen to do that, he would have missed God's will, missed having a book named after him in the Bible, and you wouldn't be reading about him right now.  Are you feeling unqualified? When God calls you, He equips you, resources you, guides you, and guarantees your success.Are YOU feeling unqualified? When God calls you, He equips you.Share This DevotionalSend us a textSupport the showChanging Lives | Building Strong Family | Impacting Our Community For Jesus Christ!

Every decision is a stone in the water—what kind of ripples are you leaving for others? We are in 1 Samuel 31. This is the final chapter and the conclusion of Saul's life. Let's read 1 Samuel 31:1-3: Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. And the Philistines overtook Saul and his sons, and the Philistines struck down Jonathan and Abinadab and Malchi-shua, the sons of Saul. The battle pressed hard against Saul, and the archers found him, and he was badly wounded by the archers. — 1 Samuel 31:1-3 This chapter marks the sobering end of Saul's reign—a king who began with humility and promise but ended in tragedy. What started as a hopeful story unraveled into a heartbreaking warning. Saul's repeated disobedience to God didn't just undermine his leadership; it produced ripples of destruction that extended far beyond himself. The most striking proof of this is found in the deaths of his sons—Jonathan, Abinadab, and Malchi-shua—who perished alongside him. Saul's failure wasn't an isolated event; it created ripples in his family and the entire nation of Israel. This ripple effect reminds us of an unshakable truth: The ripples of our choices wash up in the lives of those we love. Are there choices you are making creating ripples you need to address? Those choices, whether big or small, can create ripples that affect others in ways we don't always immediately see. But here's the good news: repentance makes ripples, too. While sin spreads hurt, repentance spreads healing—and its reach is just as far and fast. Don't wait for the waves of sin to crash further into your life or the lives of others. Take a moment today to align and adjust your steps. Stop the cycle of compromise, plant seeds of faithfulness, and let the ripple of obedience become a wave of blessing for generations to come. #RippleEffect #LegacyMatters #ChooseFaithfulness Ask This: Are there areas where you need to seek reconciliation or make a course correction? How can you ensure the legacy you leave blesses, rather than burdens, those who come after you? Do This: Address your sinful ripple. Pray This: Father, thank You for showing me the impact my choices can have on others. Help me to reconcile where I've caused harm and to turn back to You in areas where I've strayed. Guide me to leave a legacy of faithfulness, obedience, and blessing for the next generation. Amen. Play This: Waves.

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 17 The details of the story of David and Goliath are familiar.  Goliath stood about nine and a half feet tall ... his armor weighed 125 lbs ... the head of his spear weighed 16 lbs ... he was an undefeated champion in the kind of one-on-one battles he was suggesting with Israel's representative.  In stark contrast to the Philistine warrior, David had refused any armor and his only weapon was a sling and five stones, which he carried in his shepherd's bag.  It is a stirring story of faith and victory.  As we study the text, we must search for clues to help us understand the root of David's faith.  If we can discover what David thought and felt, we can draw close to God in the same way and know a deeper faith in our own souls. One of the keys to David's faith is his zeal for the honor of God.  Three times David makes reference to Goliath taunting God (1 Sam 17:26,36,45).  David has put the honor of God before his own life.  He is willing to risk everything to defend God's name.  David desires "that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel" (1 Sam 17:46).  To be consumed by the glory of God is to be shaped by it in everything we do.  And it does give us courage. Second, David is utterly convinced of the power of God.  God had shown Himself to be mighty in saving David from a lion and a bear as he watched over his father's sheep (1 Sam 17:34-37).  David knew that the strength of his life was rooted in the omnipotence of God.  David's declaration to Goliath revealed this foundation for his faith.  "... the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear.  For the battle is the LORD's" (1 Sam 17:47). 

Email: CatholicPleb@gmail.comLocals (Online Community): https://catholicplebs.locals.com/Podcast Website; https://catholicplebs.buzzsprout.comJoin me today on an Advent reflection with Isaiah as we enter into this time of preparation for the reception of the Lord. This episode focuses on how we can enter into the season by taking an introspective look at our lives and what can slow the coming of the Lord in our lies: Self-reliance and independence from GodWhat have we allowed to grow in the gardens of our hearts that crowds out the LordWhat idols have we madeWhat are we building that keep us from the LordDo our long-term plans in life include the LordReading from Isaiah CH 2The Lord's Day of Judgment on Pride6 You have abandoned your people,the house of Jacob!Because they are filled with diviners,and soothsayers, like the Philistines;with foreigners they clasp hands.7 Their land is full of silver and gold,there is no end to their treasures;Their land is full of horses,there is no end to their chariots.8 Their land is full of idols;they bow down to the works of their hands,what their fingers have made.9 So all shall be abased,each one brought low.Do not pardon them!10 Get behind the rocks,hide in the dust,From the terror of the LORDand the splendor of his majesty!11 The eyes of human pride shall be lowered,the arrogance of mortals shall be abased,and the LORD alone will be exalted, on that day.12 For the LORD of hosts will have his dayagainst all that is proud and arrogant,against all that is high, and it will be brought low;13 Yes, against all the cedars of Lebanonand against all the oaks of Bashan,14 Against all the lofty mountainsand all the high hills,15 Against every lofty towerand every fortified wall,16 Against all the ships of Tarshishand all stately vessels.17 Then human pride shall be abased,the arrogance of mortals brought low,And the LORD alone will be exalted on that day.18 The idols will vanish completely.19 People will go into caves in the rocksand into holes in the earth,At the terror of the LORDand the splendor of his majesty,as he rises to overawe the earth.20 On that day people shall throw to moles and batstheir idols of silver and their idols of goldwhich they made for themselves to worship.21 And they shall go into caverns in the rocksand into crevices in the cliffs,At the terror of the LORDand the splendor of his majesty,as he rises to overawe the earth.22 As for you, stop worrying about mortals,in whose nostrils is but a breath;for of what worth are they?Topics: Scripture, Bible, Advent Reflection, Relationship with Jesus,Send us a textSupport the show

ANNOUNCEMENT: After Christmas, we will begin a 22-year journey through the Bible. The first book is The Letter of James. The new format will be 7 days in the chapter (Daily Devo) and then one longer form of teaching from that chapter (The Vince Miller Show). It will feel like seven days of close examination of Scripture, with one high-level teaching that is practical and applicable, tying the chapter together. Also, I want you to pray that God will use this in a special way so that people everywhere will know, grow, and go in their faith, living all-in for Him. Two men, two battles—one ends in tragedy and the other in victory. Which will you be? We are in 1 Samuel 31. This is the final chapter and the conclusion of Saul's life. Let's read verse one: Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. — 1 Samuel 31:1 In the dramatic conclusion of 1 Samuel, two men—David and Saul—are vivid examples of two opposite men. Their stories unfold simultaneously but in stark opposition. On the southern front, David is in Ziklag, a city devastated by Amalekites. He strengthens himself in the Lord, rallies his men, and rescues captives, turning defeat into triumph. Meanwhile, to the north, Saul faces the Philistines in the Jezreel Valley. Isolated from God, riddled with fear, and desperate, Saul seeks guidance from a forbidden medium. His final act is tragic—taking his own life on Mount Gilboa as his army crumbles. Two men, two outcomes. David's end in Chapter 30 is marked by victory and generosity. After defeating the Amalekites, he shares the plunder with his men and the elders of Judah, fostering unity and gratitude. His reliance on God leads to restoration and blessing. Saul's end in Chapter 31 is dramatically different. His life ends in despair, a tragic culmination of years of rebellion, disobedience, and rejection of God's will. His defeat marks the collapse of his legacy. Both men faced battles, but their circumstances didn't dictate the outcomes. Their hearts did. David's heart was surrendered to God, leading him to fight with divine strength. Saul's heart had long drifted from God, leading to his tragic downfall. Thus we learn: Circumstances test us, but our hearts will define us. Life presents us all with battles every day. The question isn't if we'll face them but how we'll fight them—and with whom. Will you face them like David, battling with the Lord, finding victory and generosity even in adversity? Or will you face them like Saul, struggling in your strength, isolated, and ending in defeat? My suggestion is to live in Chapter 30, not Chapter 31. #HeartOfFaith, #BattleReady, #LiveVictoriously Ask This: How will you face your battles: with David's faith or Saul's fear? In what ways can you surrender your heart to God during challenges? Do This: Live in Chapter 30, not Chapter 31. Pray This: Father, grant me the strength to face my battles with unwavering faith and a heart fully surrendered to You. Help me choose victory and generosity, reflecting Your love in every circumstance. Amen. Play This: Jehovah.

In today's gathering, we explored the concept of "the roundabout way" as a metaphor for the unexpected paths God often leads us on. Drawing from Exodus 13, we reflected on how God led the Israelites out of Egypt not by the shortest route but through a roundabout way in the wilderness. This detour was not a punishment but a preparation, a necessary journey to build their faith and trust in God. Just as roundabouts in traffic force us to slow down and can prevent accidents, the roundabouts in our spiritual lives are designed to develop our character and prepare us for what lies ahead. We often desire the quickest and most convenient paths in life, whether in our careers, relationships, or personal growth. However, God's ways are not always the most direct. He sees the bigger picture and knows what we need to face and overcome before reaching our promised land. The Israelites were not ready to face the Philistines, and God knew that a direct route would lead them back to Egypt in fear. Similarly, God sometimes leads us through detours to protect us from battles we are not yet prepared to fight. In our pursuit of convenience, we may miss the deeper work God is doing in us. The delays and detours are opportunities for growth, teaching us patience, trust, and reliance on God. We are reminded that God is with us in these roundabouts, guiding us with His presence, just as He guided the Israelites with a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. Our challenge is to trust His timing and His path, knowing that He is preparing us for what He has prepared for us.

Today's Promise: 1 Samuel 7:12 Today we look at how reviewing God's help in the past gives you new strength to face today's problems. When God gave victory to the Children of God over the Philistines, the prophet Samuel created a stone monument saying, "Thus for the Lord has helped us." When your faith is weak, take some time to review all God has done for you In the past. When you remember all God has done for you before, you are reminded that God will help you face the problems and challenges of today.

Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________Opening Words:“In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”- Isaiah 40:3 Confession:Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God. Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen. The InvitatoryLord, open our lips.And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia. Venite (Psalm 95:1-7)Our King and Savior now draws near: Come, let us adore him.Come, let us sing to the Lord; * let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.For the Lord is a great God, * and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also.The sea is his, for he made it, * and his hands have molded the dry land.Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice!Our King and Savior now draws near: Come, let us adore him. The PsalterPsalm 119: AlephBeati immaculatiBCP p. 763Happy are they whose way is blameless, *who walk in the law of the Lord!Happy are they who observe his decrees *and seek him with all their hearts!Who never do any wrong, *but always walk in his ways.You laid down your commandments, *that we should fully keep them.Oh, that my ways were made so direct *that I might keep your statutes!Then I should not be put to shame, *when I regard all your commandments.I will thank you with an unfeigned heart, *when I have learned your righteous judgments.I will keep your statutes; *do not utterly forsake me. Psalm 119: BethIn quo corrigit?BCP p. 764How shall a young man cleanse his way? *By keeping to your words.With my whole heart I seek you; *let me not stray from your commandments.I treasure your promise in my heart, *that I may not sin against you.Blessed are you, O Lord; *instruct me in your statutes.With my lips will I recite *all the judgments of your mouth.I have taken greater delight in the way of your decrees *than in all manner of riches.I will meditate on your commandments *and give attention to your ways.My delight is in your statutes; *I will not forget your word. Psalm 119: GimelRetribue servo tuoBCP p. 764Deal bountifully with your servant, *that I may live and keep your word.Open my eyes, that I may see *the wonders of your law.I am a stranger here on earth; *do not hide your commandments from me.My soul is consumed at all times *with longing for your judgments.You have rebuked the insolent; *cursed are they who stray from your commandments!Turn from me shame and rebuke, *for I have kept your decrees.Even though rulers sit and plot against me, *I will meditate on your statutes.For your decrees are my delight, *and they are my counselors. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. LessonsIsa. 2:1-11A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.    It shall come to pass in the latter days        that the mountain of the house of the Lord    shall be established as the highest of the mountains,        and shall be lifted up above the hills;    and all the nations shall flow to it,    and many peoples shall come, and say:    “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,        to the house of the God of Jacob,    that he may teach us his ways        and that we may walk in his paths.”    For out of Zion shall go forth the law,        and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.    He shall judge between the nations,        and shall decide disputes for many peoples;    and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,        and their spears into pruning hooks;    nation shall not lift up sword against nation,        neither shall they learn war anymore.            O house of Jacob,        come, let us walk        in the light of the Lord.                For you have rejected your people,        the house of Jacob,    because they are full of things from the east        and of fortune-tellers like the Philistines,        and they strike hands with the children of foreigners.    Their land is filled with silver and gold,        and there is no end to their treasures;    their land is filled with horses,        and there is no end to their chariots.    Their land is filled with idols;        they bow down to the work of their hands,        to what their own fingers have made.    So man is humbled,        and each one is brought low—        do not forgive them!    Enter into the rock        and hide in the dust    from before the terror of the Lord,        and from the splendor of his majesty.    The haughty looks of man shall be brought low,        and the lofty pride of men shall be humbled,    and the Lord alone will be exalted in that day. The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God. Te Deum laudamusYou are God: we praise you;You are the Lord: we acclaim you;You are the eternal Father:All creation worships you.To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise:Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,heaven and earth are full of your glory.The glorious company of apostles praise you.The noble fellowship of prophets praise you.The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you;Father, of majesty unbounded,your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father.When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin's womb. You overcame the sting of deathand opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God's right hand in glory.We believe that you will come and be our judge.Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saintsto glory everlasting. 1 Thess. 2:13-20A Reading from the First Letter to the Thessalonians.And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers. For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews, who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out, and displease God and oppose all mankind by hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved—so as always to fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them at last!  But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us. For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God. Benedictus Dominus DeusBlessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; * he has come to his people and set them free.He has raised up for us a mighty savior, * born of the house of his servant David.Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, * from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers * and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, * to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, * holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, * for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation * by the forgiveness of their sins.In the tender compassion of our God * the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersThe Lord be with you.And also with you.Let us pray.Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. Suffrages AV. Show us your mercy, O Lord;R. And grant us your salvation.V. Clothe your ministers with righteousness; R. Let your people sing with joy.V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;R. For only in you can we live in safety. V. Lord, keep this nation under your care;R. And guide us in the way of justice and truth.V. Let your way be known upon earth;R. Your saving health among all nations.V. Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;R. Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.V. Create in us clean hearts, O God;R. And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.   The CollectsAdvent 1Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Daily Collects:A Collect for PeaceO God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.A Collect for GraceO Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Take a moment of silence at this time to reflect and pray for others. Collect of Saint BasilO Christ God, Who art worshipped and glorified at every place and time; Who art long-suffering, most merciful and compassionate; Who lovest the righteous and art merciful to sinners; Who callest all to salvation with the promise of good things to come: receive, Lord, the prayers we now offer, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, cleanse our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our minds and deliver us from all affliction, evil and illness. Surround us with Thy holy angels, that guarded and instructed by their forces, we may reach unity of faith and the understanding of Thine unapproachable glory: for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. A Prayer of St. John ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. DismissalLet us bless the LordThanks be to God! The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen

What do you do when life takes everything from you? In the wake of unimaginable loss, David sought God's direction. Through an unexpected encounter with an Egyptian slave—left for dead by the very enemy who burned their town and took their families—he found a path to victory. Let's look at today's text from 1 Samuel 30:16-20 And when he had taken him down, behold, they were spread abroad over all the land, eating and drinking and dancing, because of all the great spoil they had taken from the land of the Philistines and from the land of Judah. And David struck them down from twilight until the evening of the next day, and not a man of them escaped, except four hundred young men, who mounted camels and fled. David recovered all that the Amalekites had taken, and David rescued his two wives. Nothing was missing, whether small or great, sons or daughters, spoil or anything that had been taken. David brought back all. David also captured all the flocks and herds, and the people drove the livestock before him, and said, “This is David's spoil.” — 1 Samuel 30:16-20 Loss has a way of leaving us feeling powerless. Imagine standing in David's shoes—surveying a burned town, families taken, and his own men turning on him in despair. Yet, in the face of such distress, David did something extraordinary: he sought God's direction. The result? A victory beyond imagination. In this passage, we see how God used the most unexpected means—a forsaken Egyptian slave—to lead David and his men to their enemies. They arrived at a scene of indulgence: the Amalekites feasting and celebrating their stolen treasures. But their celebration didn't last long. David and his men struck decisively, defeating the Amalekites and recovering everything. Not a single family member was missing. No possession, whether small or great, was lost. God restored it all—and then some. In the end, the people declared, “This is David's spoil.” This is because: God doesn't just restore—He restores with abundance. But was this victory truly David's doing? Or was it the providential hand of God? The answer is clear: it was God's victory. The same God who restores, redeems, and provides abundance in the midst of distress and destitution. If you're feeling distressed today—if loss, heartache, or uncertainty has left you broken—take heart. You may be looking into a valley of despair, but the God we worship is the God who redeems and restores. Trust in Him, seek His direction, and take steps of obedience. In time, you too will witness a victory, overflowing with His abundance. #GodRestores, #VictoryInChrist, #HopeInDespair Ask This: What areas of your life feel lost or broken, and how can you seek God's direction for restoration? How does trusting in God's power change your perspective on your current struggles or setbacks? Do This: Trust God victory is coming. Pray This: Father, in my moments of loss and despair, I trust You to restore what feels broken beyond repair. Lead me to Your victory and abundance as I walk in faith and obedience. Amen. Play This: See A Victory.

Purchase products from Israel's Heartland: https://blessedbuyisrael.com/ Gaza has been a constant source of conflict for Israel throughout history, from ancient biblical times with the Philistines to modern-day struggles with Hamas. In this video, we dive deep into the history of Gaza's significance to Israel and discuss why its role in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict is still such a major security concern today. Also Israel just might be taking steps to rebuild the Israeli communities they destroyed in 2005.  Ben Hilton breaks it down for you here on the show.  Follow us on Telegram: https://t.me/theisraelguys Follow Us On Twitter: https://twitter.com/theisraelguys  Follow Us On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theisraelguys Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theisraelguys Heartland Tumbler: https://theisraelguys.store/products/heartland-tumbler “Israel” Leather Patch Hat: https://theisraelguys.store/products/israel-1948-cap Source Links:   

Advent // Waiting in Hope Exodus 13:17-22 (NIV)“When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.' So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.” “Moses took the bones of Joseph with him because Joseph had made the Israelites swear an oath. He had said, ‘God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up with you from this place.'” “After leaving Sukkoth they camped at Etham on the edge of the desert. By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.” 1.     God uses waiting to purify you and reveal His sufficiency.  Exodus. 14:13-14 (NIV)“Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”  2.     You are not alone; You are waiting with God.  Exodus 15:13 (NIV)"In your unfailing love you will lead    the people you have redeemed.In your strength you will guide them" 

What do hard times reveal about your hope? In Chapter 30, the Philistines advanced toward the Jezreel Valley for a final showdown with Saul, while David headed south to Ziklag to discover his land burned and his families taken. Here's how David responds in 1 Samuel 30:7-10. And David said to Abiathar the priest, the son of Ahimelech, “Bring me the ephod.” So Abiathar brought the ephod to David. And David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I pursue after this band? Shall I overtake them?” He answered him, “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.” So David set out, and the six hundred men who were with him, and they came to the brook Besor, where those who were left behind stayed. But David pursued, he and four hundred men. Two hundred stayed behind, who were too exhausted to cross the brook Besor. — 1 Samuel 30:7-10 David and Saul faced immense external pressures—enemies advancing and personal losses—and both were pressed from within by fear and desperation. Yet their responses could not have been more different, revealing the foundations of their faith. Saul, in Chapter 28, turns to the forbidden. In his desperation, he seeks out a medium, the Witch of Endor, hoping for answers. Saul's decision highlights his lack of relationship with God. He resorts to man-made solutions, which ultimately leave him more hopeless than before. This action is the culmination of Saul's life of self-reliance and disobedience. Instead of finding relief, he sinks deeper into despair, paving the way for his tragic end. David shows us a better way in Chapter 30. Upon finding Ziklag burned and his family taken captive, he doesn't act impulsively or turn to ungodly solutions. Instead, he strengthens himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6) and seeks God's guidance. By calling for the ephod, David demonstrates a heart fully dependent on God. His inquiry is met with clarity and hope: “Pursue, for you shall surely overtake and rescue.” David's reliance on God not only brings assurance but also restores direction and unity among his men. The contrast between these two leaders reminds us of an essential truth: Hard times reveal where your hope resides. Like Saul, we can be tempted to seek quick fixes in worldly wisdom or human advice. But true relief comes when, like David, we let the hard task ahead reveal that our hope is only in the Lord, who is our strength and our salvation. #FaithUnderPressure, #HopeInGod, #StrengthInTrials Ask This: When life presses in, do you seek God first, or do you look for relief elsewhere? What steps can you take today to strengthen your relationship with him so turning to God becomes your natural response in times of need? Do This: When it's hard, which could be today, find your hope in the Lord. Pray This: Lord, when trials press in, help me to turn to You as my source of strength and hope. Teach me to trust Your guidance and depend on Your promises, no matter how hard the road ahead may seem. Amen. Play This: Hope Has A Name.

Where do you find strength when you stand in the ashes? Chapter 29 focused on the scene behind enemy lines before the Philistines and Israel went to battle. In Chapter 30, the Philistines advanced northward toward the Jezreel Valley for the final showdown with Saul while David headed south back toward Ziklag. Here is what happens next in 1 Samuel 30:1-6. Now when David and his men came to Ziklag on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid against the Negeb and against Ziklag. They had overcome Ziklag and burned it with fire and taken captive the women and all who were in it, both small and great. They killed no one, but carried them off and went their way. And when David and his men came to the city, they found it burned with fire, and their wives and sons and daughters taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him raised their voices and wept until they had no more strength to weep. David's two wives also had been taken captive, Ahinoam of Jezreel and Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel. And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. — 1 Samuel 30:1-6 David had narrowly escaped a moral disaster. He had been spared from fighting against Israel—his own people—in a battle alongside the Philistines. Though rejected by the Philistine leaders, David likely felt a strange relief as he and his men returned to Ziklag. But relief quickly turned into devastation. Their city had been raided and burned, their families taken captive. And the men who had been his closest allies were now bitterly angry, speaking of stoning him. This was the final test before David would ascend to the throne God had promised. The pressure was immense. Everything David had built seemed lost—his home, his family, his friendships, even his leadership. Yet, in this moment of utter despair, he made a defining choice. "He strengthened himself in the Lord his God." What does finding strength in the Lord in a moment like this mean? It's not just wishful thinking or a vague prayer. David strengthened himself by turning his entire focus to God. He likely prayed with raw honesty, pouring out his fears and grief. He remembered God's faithfulness in past trials—rescuing him from Saul, giving him victory over Goliath, and guiding him in the wilderness. He anchored himself in God's promises, knowing that God had anointed him to be king and that He finishes what He starts. David's strength didn't come from within but from surrendering his weakness to God and trusting Him to act. In our lives, finding strength in the Lord looks the same. It means stopping to pray, even when we feel too overwhelmed to find the words. It's reflecting on God's unchanging character—His power, His love, and His ability to redeem any situation. It's digging into Scripture, letting His promises speak louder than our fears. And it's choosing to trust Him, even when the outcome is unclear. In life, we all face Ziklag moments—times when relationships strain, circumstances crumble, leadership is tested, and we stand in the ashes. When those moments come, you have a choice: You can give in to despair, or you can press into God for the strength to endure. Like David, you must learn to seek Him as your refuge, even when everything around you feels like it's falling apart. #StrengthInGod, #ZiklagMoments, #FaithOverFear Ask This: How can remembering God's past faithfulness help you find strength in your current challenges? What steps can you take to seek God's strength in despair? Do This: Stand strong in the ashes with God. Pray This: Lord, when I feel surrounded by loss and uncertainty, remind me to seek strength in You alone. Help me to trust Your promises, knowing You are faithful in carrying me through every trial. Amen. Play This: Beauty for Ashes.

Do you feel sidelined? If so, you are not abandoned. In today's chapter, we step behind enemy lines with the Philistines as they prepare for battle. David, however, finds himself shut out—rejected from joining their ranks. Let's see how he responds in 1 Samuel 29:10-11: "Now then rise early in the morning with the servants of your lord who came with you, and start early in the morning, and depart as soon as you have light.” So David set out with his men early in the morning to return to the land of the Philistines. But the Philistines went up to Jezreel. — 1 Samuel 29:10-11 David, the anointed future king of Israel, is dismissed from the battlefield. Despite all his efforts to live among the Philistines, they deemed him too risky to bring along. So, at dawn, David and his men pack up and leave while the Philistine army marches to war. Here's the remarkable part: David doesn't argue, retaliate, or force his way in. He doesn't fight a battle that isn't his to fight. Instead, he humbly accepts the directive and departs. David's response is a masterclass in trusting God. He could have reacted in frustration or tried to force his plans forward. But instead, David chose to trust God's timing. What looked like rejection was divine redirection. We've all faced moments like this—doors close, plans fall apart, and we're left asking, “Why, Lord?” But often, these are God's ways of keeping us from battles we were never meant to fight. Being sidelined doesn't mean being abandoned. Sometimes, being sidelined is actually your salvation. How many times in your life has this been true? Maybe you were passed over for a promotion, only to realize later it would've led to burnout. Perhaps a dating relationship ended, making way for someone more aligned with God's purpose for you. Or maybe a financial opportunity fell through, saving you from overwhelming debt. If David had joined the Philistines in battle, it might have disrupted the events leading to his ascent to the throne. God wasn't sidelining David—He was saving him and declaring that his season of suffering under Saul was over. His time to reign had come. In the same way, trust God's plan when you feel stuck on the sidelines. Your moment is coming—God is preparing you for something greater. #GodsTiming #DivineRedirection #LeadWithFaith Ask This: Are you fighting a battle God may ask you to step away from and trust His more fantastic plan? How can you view closed doors as God's protection or preparation for something better? Do This: Have faith in the Lord. Pray This: Lord, help me trust Your timing when doors close and plans change. Teach me to see Your redirection as a path to something greater. Amen. Play This: Stand In Faith.

1 Samuel 4:19-22 — In this sermon on 1 Samuel 4:19-22, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones draws parallels between the state of the church today with the spiritual condition following the capture of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines that is recorded in the Old Testament. As with the tabernacle, the Doctor says, the vital factor in the life of the church is the presence of the glory of the Lord. The greatest danger to the church today could very well be that it is content with nice buildings that are missing God's glory. But as in the Old Testament, both humanity's contribution and God's glory are vital in working together to bring a church to a state of flourishing. How can churches guard against this separation? Lloyd-Jones proposes that it all begins with a church being sensitive to the glory of the Lord, and then asks some haunting questions: is the church aware of the glory of the Lord? Where does it start? The answers to these questions, and the fervor with which the answers are applied, will play a large part in the shape the church takes over the next several decades. Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on why the glory of the Lord is vital for a church to succeed.

1 Samuel 4:19-22 — In this sermon on 1 Samuel 4:19-22, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones draws parallels between the state of the church today with the spiritual condition following the capture of the Ark of the Covenant by the Philistines that is recorded in the Old Testament. As with the tabernacle, the Doctor says, the vital factor in the life of the church is the presence of the glory of the Lord. The greatest danger to the church today could very well be that it is content with nice buildings that are missing God's glory. But as in the Old Testament, both humanity's contribution and God's glory are vital in working together to bring a church to a state of flourishing. How can churches guard against this separation? Lloyd-Jones proposes that it all begins with a church being sensitive to the glory of the Lord, and then asks some haunting questions: is the church aware of the glory of the Lord? Where does it start? The answers to these questions, and the fervor with which the answers are applied, will play a large part in the shape the church takes over the next several decades. Listen as Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones preaches on why the glory of the Lord is vital for a church to succeed. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.oneplace.com/donate/603/29

Support Common Prayer Daily @ PatreonVisit our Website for more www.commonprayerdaily.com_______________Opening Words:“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”Psalm 19:14 (ESV) Confession:Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God. Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen. Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen. The InvitatoryLord, open our lips.And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. Venite (Psalm 95:1-7)Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: Come let us adore him. Come, let us sing to the Lord; * let us shout for joy to the Rock of our salvation.Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving * and raise a loud shout to him with psalms.For the Lord is a great God, * and a great King above all gods.In his hand are the caverns of the earth, * and the heights of the hills are his also.The sea is his, for he made it, * and his hands have molded the dry land.Come, let us bow down, and bend the knee, * and kneel before the Lord our Maker.For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand. *Oh, that today you would hearken to his voice! Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: Come let us adore him. The PsalterPsalm 119QophClamavi in toto corde meo145I call with my whole heart; *answer me, O Lord, that I may keep your statutes.146I call to you;oh, that you would save me! *I will keep your decrees.147Early in the morning I cry out to you, *for in your word is my trust.148My eyes are open in the night watches, *that I may meditate upon your promise.149Hear my voice, O Lord, according to your loving-kindness; *according to your judgments, give me life.150They draw near who in malice persecute me; *they are very far from your law.151You, O Lord, are near at hand, *and all your commandments are true.152Long have I known from your decrees *that you have established them for ever.ReshVide humilitatem153Behold my affliction and deliver me, *for I do not forget your law.154Plead my cause and redeem me; *according to your promise, give me life.155Deliverance is far from the wicked, *for they do not study your statutes.156Great is your compassion, O Lord; *preserve my life, according to your judgments.157There are many who persecute and oppress me, *yet I have not swerved from your decrees.158I look with loathing at the faithless, *for they have not kept your word.159See how I love your commandments! *O Lord, in your mercy, preserve me.160The heart of your word is truth; *all your righteous judgments endure for evermore.ShinPrincipes persecuti sunt161Rulers have persecuted me without a cause, *but my heart stands in awe of your word.162I am as glad because of your promise *as one who finds great spoils.163As for lies, I hate and abhor them, *but your law is my love.164Seven times a day do I praise you, *because of your righteous judgments.165Great peace have they who love your law; *for them there is no stumbling block.166I have hoped for your salvation, O Lord, *and I have fulfilled your commandments.167I have kept your decrees *and I have loved them deeply.168I have kept your commandments and decrees, *for all my ways are before you.TawAppropinquet deprecatio169Let my cry come before you, O Lord; *give me understanding, according to your word.170Let my supplication come before you; *deliver me, according to your promise.171My lips shall pour forth your praise, *when you teach me your statutes.172My tongue shall sing of your promise, *for all your commandments are righteous.173Let your hand be ready to help me, *for I have chosen your commandments.174I long for your salvation, O Lord, *and your law is my delight.175Let me live, and I will praise you, *and let your judgments help me.176I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; *search for your servant,for I do not forget your commandments. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen. LessonsObadiah 15-21English Standard VersionFor the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations.As you have done, it shall be done to you;    your deeds shall return on your own head.For as you have drunk on my holy mountain,    so all the nations shall drink continually;they shall drink and swallow,    and shall be as though they had never been.But in Mount Zion there shall be those who escape,    and it shall be holy,and the house of Jacob shall possess their own possessions.The house of Jacob shall be a fire,    and the house of Joseph a flame,    and the house of Esau stubble;they shall burn them and consume them,    and there shall be no survivor for the house of Esau,for the Lord has spoken.Those of the Negeb shall possess Mount Esau,    and those of the Shephelah shall possess the land of the Philistines;they shall possess the land of Ephraim and the land of Samaria,    and Benjamin shall possess Gilead.The exiles of this host of the people of Israel    shall possess the land of the Canaanites as far as Zarephath,and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad    shall possess the cities of the Negeb.Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion    to rule Mount Esau,    and the kingdom shall be the Lord's.1 Peter 2:1-10English Standard VersionSo put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in Scripture:“Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone,    a cornerstone chosen and precious,and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe,“The stone that the builders rejected    has become the cornerstone,”and“A stone of stumbling,    and a rock of offense.”They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. The Word of the Lord.Thanks Be To God. Benedictus (The Song of Zechariah)Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; * he has come to his people and set them free.He has raised up for us a mighty savior, * born of the house of his servant David.Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, * from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers * and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, * to set us free from the hands of our enemies, Free to worship him without fear, * holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, * for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, To give his people knowledge of salvation * by the forgiveness of their sins.In the tender compassion of our God * the dawn from on high shall break upon us, To shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, * and to guide our feet into the way of peace.Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. The Apostles CreedI believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. The PrayersLord, have mercy.Christ, have mercyLord, have mercyOur Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen. The SuffragesO Lord, show your mercy upon us;And grant us your salvation.O Lord, guide those who govern usAnd lead us in the way of justice and truth.Clothe your ministers with righteousnessAnd let your people sing with joy.O Lord, save your peopleAnd bless your inheritance.Give peace in our time, O LordAnd defend us by your mighty power.Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgottenNor the hope of the poor be taken away.Create in us clean hearts, O GodAnd take not your Holy Spirit from us. Take a moment of silence at this time to reflect and pray for others. The CollectsProper 29Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. Daily Collects:A Collect for PeaceO God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.A Collect for GraceO Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that, guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Collect of Saint BasilO Christ God, Who art worshipped and glorified at every place and time; Who art long-suffering, most merciful and compassionate; Who lovest the righteous and art merciful to sinners; Who callest all to salvation with the promise of good things to come: receive, Lord, the prayers we now offer, and direct our lives in the way of Thy commandments. Sanctify our souls, cleanse our bodies, correct our thoughts, purify our minds and deliver us from all affliction, evil and illness. Surround us with Thy holy angels, that guarded and instructed by their forces, we may reach unity of faith and the understanding of Thine unapproachable glory: for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen. General ThanksgivingAlmighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks for all your goodness and loving-kindness to us and to all whom you have made. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ; for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies, that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up our selves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen. A Prayer of St. John ChrysostomAlmighty God, you have given us grace at this time, with one accord to make our common supplications to you; and you have promised through your well-beloved Son that when two or three are gathered together in his Name you will grant their requests: Fulfill now, O Lord, our desires and petitions as may be best for us; granting us in this world knowledge of your truth, and in the age to come life everlasting. Amen. DismissalLet us bless the LordThanks be to God!Alleluia, Alleluia! BenedictionThe grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen

When Heather’s job took her to Tim’s house to deliver his take-out meal, he asked her to help him untie the knot in the food bag. Tim had suffered from a stroke a few years prior and no longer had the ability to untie the knot himself. Heather cheerfully obliged. Throughout the rest of her day, Heather’s thoughts returned to Tim frequently and she was inspired to assemble a care package for him. When Tim later found the hot cocoa and red blanket she’d left at his door with an encouraging note, he was moved to tears. Heather’s delivery became much more significant than she originally anticipated. The same was true when Jesse sent his young son David to supply his brothers with food when the Israelites “drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines” (1 Samuel 17:2). When David arrived with the bread and cheese, he learned Goliath had been instilling fear in God’s people with his daily taunting (vv. 8-10, 16, 24). David was incensed by Goliath’s defiance “of the armies of the living God” (v. 26) and was moved to respond, saying to King Saul, “Let no one lose heart on account of this Philistine; your servant will go and fight him” (v. 32). God sometimes uses the circumstances of our daily lives to put us in places where He wants to use us. Let’s keep our eyes (and hearts!) open to see where and how He might want to serve someone.