Podcast appearances and mentions of king saul

“Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.” (Psalm 141:3 NLT) It’s been said that God gave us one mouth and two ears for a reason: He wants us to listen more and to speak less. Think of how often we jump to conclusions or pass judgment in a situation. The writer of Proverbs warned, “Spouting off before listening to the facts is both shameful and foolish” (Proverbs 18:13 NLT). Nevertheless, when we hear something damaging about another person, our first instinct is to conclude immediately that the person is guilty as charged. And instead of saying, “Let’s go to that person and find out the truth,” we start to spread the news as if it were fact. In the old days when you went to a doctor, he would ask you to stick out your tongue. Then he would pull out a tongue depressor and tell you to say, “Ahhh.” Why? Because the tongue can be an indicator of what’s going on inside you. By observing your tongue, a doctor could tell what was wrong with the rest of you. The principle applies in a spiritual sense as well. Our tongue—or, more specifically, our words—are the table of contents to our lives. What we say gives away who or what we really are. That’s why David wrote, “Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips” (Psalm 141:3 NLT). In essence, he was saying, “Lord, set a watch over my mouth. I can’t stop other people from speaking evil about me, but I will not do the same to them. I will not be guilty of it, Lord. But I need your help. I can’t do this in my own strength.” Keep in mind that David faced off against a lion, a bear, the murderous King Saul, and a host of other enemies. He stepped onto a battlefield with the warrior giant Goliath with no fear and barely a second thought. Yet he knew what he was up against with the tongue. We need to follow his lead. We can accomplish some important work with our words. The apostle Paul wrote, “Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone” (Colossians 4:5–6 NLT). He also wrote, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Ephesians 4:29 NLT). And the writer of Proverbs advised, “Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit” (Proverbs 15:4 NLT). But we can’t do those things on our own. Like David, we must pray that the Lord will set a guard over our mouths and keep a watch over the door of our lips. Reflection question: In what areas do you need the Lord to help you guard your lips? Discuss Today's Devo in Harvest Discipleship! — The audio production of the podcast "Greg Laurie: Daily Devotions" utilizes Generative AI technology. This allows us to deliver consistent, high-quality content while preserving Harvest's mission to "know God and make Him known." All devotional content is written and owned by Pastor Greg Laurie. Listen to the Greg Laurie Podcast Become a Harvest PartnerSupport the show: https://harvest.org/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Share a commentGod's silence can feel mysterious until you realize what King Saul refuses to face: you can't demand closeness with God while you're actively protecting the sin you already know needs confession. We walk through Saul's final descent and why his complaint “God won't answer me” isn't a puzzle, it's a mirror. Along the way, we use a painfully funny illustration about a man hiding a lit cigarette from his pastor to expose how often we try to “stuff” disobedience out of sight while still asking for guidance, comfort, and clarity.From there, the story turns darker and stranger as Saul seeks out the medium at Endor. We unpack the reality of the unseen spiritual world without sensationalizing it, and we talk candidly about spiritual deception: why evil doesn't know the future the way God does, how it can still manipulate with real information, and why chasing supernatural shortcuts can pull us away from God's revealed Word. We also explain why the passage reads most naturally as a genuine appearance of Samuel delivering God's final message to Saul.Then comes the gut punch: a 48-hour death notice. Saul is handed a last mercy window, yet he chooses denial and control, marching toward the outcome he's been warned about. That leads us to the bigger contrast that closes the message with hope: Saul's death looks like the end of Israel's future, but it opens the way for David's line and ultimately the Messiah. Jesus Christ's death looks like the end of spiritual hope, but it becomes the doorway to the church, saving grace, and a coming kingdom for unlikely people like us.If this conversation sharpens your thinking, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find it. What would you change today if you truly believed time is shorter than you think?Learn more about twenty-five years of global impact, and reserve tickets to our gala. https://www.wisdomonline.org/mp/25 Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show

Share a commentGod's silence can feel mysterious until you realize what King Saul refuses to face: you can't demand closeness with God while you're actively protecting the sin you already know needs confession. We walk through Saul's final descent and why his complaint “God won't answer me” isn't a puzzle, it's a mirror. Along the way, we use a painfully funny illustration about a man hiding a lit cigarette from his pastor to expose how often we try to “stuff” disobedience out of sight while still asking for guidance, comfort, and clarity.From there, the story turns darker and stranger as Saul seeks out the medium at Endor. We unpack the reality of the unseen spiritual world without sensationalizing it, and we talk candidly about spiritual deception: why evil doesn't know the future the way God does, how it can still manipulate with real information, and why chasing supernatural shortcuts can pull us away from God's revealed Word. We also explain why the passage reads most naturally as a genuine appearance of Samuel delivering God's final message to Saul.Then comes the gut punch: a 48-hour death notice. Saul is handed a last mercy window, yet he chooses denial and control, marching toward the outcome he's been warned about. That leads us to the bigger contrast that closes the message with hope: Saul's death looks like the end of Israel's future, but it opens the way for David's line and ultimately the Messiah. Jesus Christ's death looks like the end of spiritual hope, but it becomes the doorway to the church, saving grace, and a coming kingdom for unlikely people like us.If this conversation sharpens your thinking, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find it. What would you change today if you truly believed time is shorter than you think?Learn more about twenty-five years of global impact, and reserve tickets to our gala. https://www.wisdomonline.org/mp/25 Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show

Share a commentOne person with the wrong theology and the right access can tilt a whole nation. We start with a surprising historical thread, Rasputin's shadow over the Russian monarchy, and use it to spotlight a timeless pattern: when a culture gets “all aflutter” with mysticism and the occult, deception doesn't stay on the fringe. It moves inward, shaping decisions, weakening trust, and leaving real damage behind. Then we open to one of the darkest scenes in the Bible, the Witch of Endor in 1 Samuel 28. King Saul is terrified as the Philistines mass for war, and when he asks God for direction, heaven is silent. We talk honestly about why that silence happens, how unrepentant sin cuts off fellowship, and why blaming God misses the real issue. Saul's next move is the turning point: he disguises himself, seeks a medium, and tries to force guidance from the dead after rejecting the guidance God already provided. We also tackle the big question head-on: was it really Samuel who appeared? Walking through the details in the text, we explain why this moment reads like a sober act of God's judgment, not a party trick, and why the occult remains spiritually dangerous even when it seems to deliver “legitimate” information. If you care about biblical teaching, spiritual warfare, and learning to hear God without chasing shortcuts, this conversation will challenge you. If this helped you think clearly, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review. What do you reach for when God feels silent?Learn more about twenty-five years of global impact, and reserve tickets to our gala. https://www.wisdomonline.org/mp/25 Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show

Share a commentOne person with the wrong theology and the right access can tilt a whole nation. We start with a surprising historical thread, Rasputin's shadow over the Russian monarchy, and use it to spotlight a timeless pattern: when a culture gets “all aflutter” with mysticism and the occult, deception doesn't stay on the fringe. It moves inward, shaping decisions, weakening trust, and leaving real damage behind. Then we open to one of the darkest scenes in the Bible, the Witch of Endor in 1 Samuel 28. King Saul is terrified as the Philistines mass for war, and when he asks God for direction, heaven is silent. We talk honestly about why that silence happens, how unrepentant sin cuts off fellowship, and why blaming God misses the real issue. Saul's next move is the turning point: he disguises himself, seeks a medium, and tries to force guidance from the dead after rejecting the guidance God already provided. We also tackle the big question head-on: was it really Samuel who appeared? Walking through the details in the text, we explain why this moment reads like a sober act of God's judgment, not a party trick, and why the occult remains spiritually dangerous even when it seems to deliver “legitimate” information. If you care about biblical teaching, spiritual warfare, and learning to hear God without chasing shortcuts, this conversation will challenge you. If this helped you think clearly, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review. What do you reach for when God feels silent?Learn more about twenty-five years of global impact, and reserve tickets to our gala. https://www.wisdomonline.org/mp/25 Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show

The David Alliance  TDAgiantSlayer@gmail.com Garth Heckman Urge   INTRO: Its a strange memory at best: A young man at church - my sister Renee's friend. HS stud athlete, great looking, always jumping in and out of bed with whomever he could. Now in his early 30's he came to church and Renee said one night after church… he better hurry up and figure out life - his hair is getting thinner and his glasses are getting thicker.  Funny, sad, but telling of his life falling apart. He lived his life by his emotions… his “URGES” if you will.    the phrase "a piece of work" originated as a high compliment before evolving over centuries into a sarcastic insult. The Literary Origin Its earliest famous usage comes from William Shakespeare's Hamlet (around 1601). In Act II, Scene 2, Prince Hamlet marvels at the creation of humanity: "What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty..."       He's a piece of work ISRAELS FIRST KING!  King Saul had it all but lost his call as a know it all only to fall.      Saul's ultimate downfall was not a lack of talent or opportunity; it was a fundamental flaw in his internal compass. Saul lived a life governed by feelings rather than character.     Have you ever met someone who lives by their emotions/feelings/the wind?     I used to say to my boys… “dad is in a bad mood today, so don't push it”. WHAT I WAS REALLY SAYING WAS DAD IS IN THE FLESH… LIVING BY HIS URGES!        Romans 8:5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. 8 That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. 9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)         King Saul highlights critical decisions based on fear, jealousy, and impulsivity rather than steadfast character and obedience.     1 Samuel 13:8-12 (Impatience and Panic): When the prophet Samuel delayed his arrival and the Israelite army began to scatter out of fear, Saul panicked. Instead of trusting God and waiting, his anxiety drove him to unlawfully offer the burnt offering himself. Emotions make God's Word feel optional rather than authoritative. When feelings become the filter for truth, scripture gets reduced to "does this resonate with me" instead of "is this what God said." Jeremiah 17:9 warns that the heart is deceitful above all things — not evil in a cartoonish sense, but genuinely unreliable as a final authority. A Christian who only obeys when it feels right isn't actually submitted to Christ's lordship; they're submitted to their own emotional state, with God's Word as an occasional consultant rather than the authority.   Abortion, adultery, fornication, bitterness, gossip… emotions muddy up the water.   Anterior Midcingulate Cortex it behaves like a muscle, shrinking when underused and expanding physically when you engage in effortful, resistance-heavy activities.   Anatomy of the aMCC The Friction Requirement: The aMCC only grows when you face friction or internal resistance. Pushing through a workout you love doesn't trigger the same growth as forcing yourself to do a workout—or a task—that you genuinely do not want to do     The Battle of Sarx (The Flesh): Paul describes the "flesh" not merely as the physical body, but as the path of least resistance—primal drives, comfort-seeking, and self-preservation.    The body only wants to eat, sleep be tickled and have sex!      In Galatians 5:17, he notes: "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other." The subjective internal friction you feel when forcing yourself to do a hard task is the exact experiential battleground Paul describes. Mortification (Nekroo): In Colossians 3:5 and Romans 8:13, the New Testament commands believers to "put to death" or "mortify" lower impulses. This is not a passive event; it is an active, effortful override of natural inclination—the exact stimulus that drives aMCC hypertrophy.     How do you put to death the desires of the flesh? Lets put this misconception to bed for good! You do the opposite of the flesh according to scripture.       1 Samuel 14:24, 43-44 (Rashness and Impulsivity): Driven by the heat of battle, Saul made a foolish, impulsive oath binding his army to fast until evening. This emotional decision left his men exhausted and nearly resulted in the execution of his own son, Jonathan, who had unknowingly eaten honey.   Emotional highs get mistaken for spiritual maturity. Feeling moved during worship, feeling peace after a decision, feeling conviction in the moment — these can be real and God-given, but they can also be manufactured by music, social pressure, or just brain chemistry. The danger is building a faith that needs a constant emotional high to feel "real," which sets people up to crash hard when the feelings fade — and many walk away from faith entirely when the emotional experience stops delivering, mistaking the absence of feeling for the absence of God.   **When emotions supersede logic or common sense, they will typically supersede Gods best as well.     MANY/MOST times God will ask you to do something that goes against your emotions!    1 Samuel 15:24 (Fear of Man over Integrity): After failing to completely destroy the Amalekites as God commanded, Saul shifted the blame. He finally confessed to Samuel that his lack of character stemmed from insecurity, stating: "I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them.” Remember… He's the King! And he is afraid of the men? It makes obedience conditional instead of covenantal.  Abraham didn't feel like sacrificing Isaac.  Jesus, didn't feel like going to the cross —    Obeying when you feel like it is not obedience its convenience!    men: leading a family, staying faithful in a hard marriage, disciplining kids, showing up to serve when you're exhausted — none of that runs on feelings. It runs on covenant commitment that outlasts emotion.   *If I win the lottery I will definitely tithe and even give more than 10%.  NOPE! If you can't give $10 out of $100 you won't give 1 Million out of 100 Million.      1 Samuel 18:10-11 (Uncontrolled Rage): Saul's jealousy quickly escalated into murderous anger. While David was playing the lyre to soothe him, Saul was overcome by an evil spirit and his own rage, throwing his spear at David twice in an attempt to pin him to the wall.   Emotional volatility becomes a discipleship excuse instead of a growth area.  "I just felt led" or  "I couldn't help how I reacted"  “We are in Love”.  “She started it”. “It was Tuesday”    The flesh wether in a high or a low is meant to be cultivated by the fruits of the Spirit!    I love what Socrates said “any virtue in and of itself is a danger, it must be balanced with another virtue. i.e. if you are generous but do not balance that with wisdom, you will give all your money away and your family will starve. This is what the fruits of the Spirit do for us when in the midst of great emotion.

The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com  Garth Heckman   INTRO: Its a strange memory at best: A young man at church - my sister Renee's friend. HS stud athlete, great looking, always jumping in and out of bed with whomever he could. Now in his early 30's he came to church and Renee said one night after church… he better hurry up and figure out life - his hair is getting thinner and his glasses are getting thicker.  Funny, sad, but telling of his life falling apart. He lived his life by his emotions… his “URGES” if you will.    the phrase "a piece of work" originated as a high compliment before evolving over centuries into a sarcastic insult. The Literary Origin Its earliest famous usage comes from William Shakespeare's Hamlet (around 1601). In Act II, Scene 2, Prince Hamlet marvels at the creation of humanity: "What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty..."       He's a piece of work ISRAELS FIRST KING!  King Saul had it all but lost his call as a know it all only to fall.      Saul's ultimate downfall was not a lack of talent or opportunity; it was a fundamental flaw in his internal compass. Saul lived a life governed by feelings rather than character.     Have you ever met someone who lives by their emotions/feelings/the wind?     I used to say to my boys… “dad is in a bad mood today, so don't push it”. WHAT I WAS REALLY SAYING WAS DAD IS IN THE FLESH… LIVING BY HIS URGES!        Romans 8:5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. 8 That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. 9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.)         King Saul highlights critical decisions based on fear, jealousy, and impulsivity rather than steadfast character and obedience.     1 Samuel 13:8-12 (Impatience and Panic): When the prophet Samuel delayed his arrival and the Israelite army began to scatter out of fear, Saul panicked. Instead of trusting God and waiting, his anxiety drove him to unlawfully offer the burnt offering himself. Emotions make God's Word feel optional rather than authoritative. When feelings become the filter for truth, scripture gets reduced to "does this resonate with me" instead of "is this what God said." Jeremiah 17:9 warns that the heart is deceitful above all things — not evil in a cartoonish sense, but genuinely unreliable as a final authority. A Christian who only obeys when it feels right isn't actually submitted to Christ's lordship; they're submitted to their own emotional state, with God's Word as an occasional consultant rather than the authority.   Abortion, adultery, fornication, bitterness, gossip… emotions muddy up the water.   Anterior Midcingulate Cortex it behaves like a muscle, shrinking when underused and expanding physically when you engage in effortful, resistance-heavy activities.   Anatomy of the aMCC The Friction Requirement: The aMCC only grows when you face friction or internal resistance. Pushing through a workout you love doesn't trigger the same growth as forcing yourself to do a workout—or a task—that you genuinely do not want to do     The Battle of Sarx (The Flesh): Paul describes the "flesh" not merely as the physical body, but as the path of least resistance—primal drives, comfort-seeking, and self-preservation.    The body only wants to eat, sleep be tickled and have sex!      In Galatians 5:17, he notes: "For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other." The subjective internal friction you feel when forcing yourself to do a hard task is the exact experiential battleground Paul describes. Mortification (Nekroo): In Colossians 3:5 and Romans 8:13, the New Testament commands believers to "put to death" or "mortify" lower impulses. This is not a passive event; it is an active, effortful override of natural inclination—the exact stimulus that drives aMCC hypertrophy.     How do you put to death the desires of the flesh? Lets put this misconception to bed for good! You do the opposite of the flesh according to scripture.       1 Samuel 14:24, 43-44 (Rashness and Impulsivity): Driven by the heat of battle, Saul made a foolish, impulsive oath binding his army to fast until evening. This emotional decision left his men exhausted and nearly resulted in the execution of his own son, Jonathan, who had unknowingly eaten honey.   Emotional highs get mistaken for spiritual maturity. Feeling moved during worship, feeling peace after a decision, feeling conviction in the moment — these can be real and God-given, but they can also be manufactured by music, social pressure, or just brain chemistry. The danger is building a faith that needs a constant emotional high to feel "real," which sets people up to crash hard when the feelings fade — and many walk away from faith entirely when the emotional experience stops delivering, mistaking the absence of feeling for the absence of God.   **When emotions supersede logic or common sense, they will typically supersede Gods best as well.     MANY/MOST times God will ask you to do something that goes against your emotions! 

Spirit of God E6 — In the biblical story, God's Spirit fills specific characters. They are to lead and organize Israel, to be priestly mediators of God's covenant, and to prophetically speak God's words to the people. We're calling the Spirit's special anointing on these prophet-priest-kings, “the Spirit of the messiah.” In this episode, Jon and Tim explore the Spirit of the messiah in King Saul and King David,  two very different portraits of a Spirit-filled ruler. CHAPTERS Recap and Setup for Saul and David (0:00-12:13) The Spirit Rushing on Corrupt Saul (12:13-33:43) An Anointing Spirit for David and a Bad Spirit for Saul  (33:43-49:18) The Power of the Spirit and a God-Aligned Heart (49:18-1:01:21) OFFICIAL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT View this episode's official transcript. REFERENCED RESOURCES The First Book of Samuel (New International Commentary on the Old Testament) by David Toshio Tsumura Correction: in chapter 3 of this episode, Tim accidentally cites 1 Samuel 13:15 as the place where Samuel says “the LORD has sought for Himself a man after his own heart.” This sentence actually appears in 1 Samuel 13:14. Correction: also in chapter 3 of, Tim accidentally cites 1 Samuel 15:22 as the place where Samuel says “You, Saul, have rejected the word of Yahweh. Just like the people rejected me by choosing a king, now you, their king, have rejected me, and so he rejects you from being their king.” This sentence actually appears in 1 Samuel 15:23. Check out Tim's extensive collection of recommended books here. SHOW MUSIC “Refuge” by Lofi Sunday, Just Derrick “Warm Hugs” by Lofi Sunday, Cassidy Godwin “Fellowship” by Lofi Sunday, Cassidy Godwin BibleProject theme song by TENTS SHOW CREDITS Production of today's episode is by Lindsey Ponder, producer, and Cooper Peltz, managing producer. Tyler Bailey and Aaron Olsen edited today's episode and provided the sound design and mix. JB Witty writes the show notes. Our host and creative director is Jon Collins, and our lead scholar is Tim Mackie. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We delve into the tumultuous period following the death of King Saul, as David ascends to the throne amidst civil war in Israel. We explore David's profound mourning for Saul and Jonathan, illustrating his respect and loyalty despite Saul's hostility. We highlight the power struggle between David and Ishbosheth, Saul's son, leading to a fierce civil war. We witness the political maneuvering of Abner, the commander of Saul's army, and the violent repercussions of Joab's quest for vengeance. David's commitment to peace and justice is emphasized through his reactions to betrayal and murder. Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.orgWant to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://biblin...

The sermon examines King Saul's disobedience in 1 Samuel 15, where he partially obeys God's command to destroy the Amalekites by sparing their king and best livestock. This act of partial obedience stems from pride and a desire to please the people rather than submit to divine authority. The preacher emphasizes Samuel's declaration that obedience is superior to sacrifice, warning that rebellion against God is equivalent to idolatry. Saul's attempt to justify his actions through religious ritual highlights the danger of elevating outward worship over genuine faithfulness. Ultimately, Saul's rejection as king demonstrates that true devotion requires complete submission to God's word rather than self-willed compromise.

We explore the tumultuous events surrounding the end of King Saul's reign and the rise of David. As David navigates his complex relationship with the Philistines, he faces the aftermath of an Amalekite raid on Ziklag, leading to a daring rescue mission. Meanwhile, Saul's tragic downfall unfolds as he battles the Philistines, resulting in his death and the fulfillment of Samuel's prophecy. Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.orgWant to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://biblin...

We delve into the turmoil of King Saul as he faces a massive Philistine army at his doorstep. Desperate for divine guidance, Saul finds himself in a dark place, seeking help from a medium at Endor, despite having banned such practices. This act of desperation marks a turning point as he attempts to summon the spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel. Samuel's spirit delivers a grim prophecy, foretelling the fall of Israel and Saul's demise, alongside his sons, in the upcoming battle. Meanwhile, David navigates his complex relationship with the Philistine king Achish, who believes David to be a loyal ally.Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.orgWant to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://biblin...

Pharmakeia — Show Notes: Fight Laugh Feast Documentary In this Fight Laugh Feast documentary, CrossPolitic traces a single Greek word — pharmakeia — from Homer's Odyssey through the book of Revelation to argue that the ancient world never separated medicine from sorcery, and that the modern West's attempt to draw that line may be its most consequential mistake. The film follows materialism's promise from the Big Bang to the therapy couch, tracks the ladder from prescription pharmaceuticals to ayahuasca retreats in Peru, and asks why the men who most loudly deny the existence of demons are increasingly found in dark rooms communing with named spirit entities. Along the way it draws on C.S. Lewis, Aldous Huxley, Peter Hitchens, and the testimony of a man who sat in fifteen ayahuasca ceremonies — and what finally set him free. The answer is not another ceremony. It is guilt, repentance, and the One who drank the cup fully awake so we wouldn't have to. Timestamps 0:24 — What is a woman? What is a human being? — and why getting the answer wrong collapses everything 1:04 — The materialist answer: evolved apes, accidental universe, cosmic soup — and why it can't hold 2:06 — Materialism as a religion — no God, no soul, just chemicals and atoms colliding 2:39 — The swept house: materialism cleared out demons and filled the room with diagnoses and serotonin levels 3:36 — Ayahuasca retreats, psilocybin therapy, and $7,000–$20,000 luxury ceremonies in Jamaica and Peru 4:00 — Pharmakeia — one Greek word from Homer to Revelation meaning both medicine and sorcery 4:40 — The ladder: prescription → marijuana → ecstasy → mushrooms → the dark room in Peru 7:52 — Huxley's 1962 Berkeley lecture: the controlling oligarchy will get people to love their servitude 8:43 — Peter Hitchens and the Uvalde shooter — the marijuana detail that disappeared from the New York Times 11:12 — Attacker Smoked Cannabis — the man with a laptop building the file the national press unpublished 12:08 — Orwell's jack boots vs. Huxley's chains — drugs and sex as the state's soft bribe 13:20 — Dominion Wealth Strategies — sponsor read 14:41 — CS Lewis: the materialist magician — science and magic as twins, one that worked better 16:39 — Lewis's nightmare: magic returning in a lab coat, using the language of forces and energies 17:31 — The swept house revisited — Jesus's words and the seven demons worse than the first 18:06 — Henry's Demons — marijuana at 11, madness at 14, and the father who named it correctly 20:26 — Pharmakeia in Homer, Exodus, Galatians, and Revelation — nations deceived by one word 22:38 — The seam we drew — medicine on one side, sorcery on the other, and the line beginning to blur 24:00 — PhDs communing with Mama Ayahuasca — named entities, published journals, and credit cards accepted 25:57 — Demons allowed in as aliens — keeping God out while keeping the master narrative intact 27:29 — Lewis in Screwtape: the greatest evil is conceived in carpeted offices by quiet men with smooth cheeks 28:51 — Deuteronomy 18 — the law against consulters with familiar spirits, and the modern retreat that crosses every line 29:38 — King Saul, the demonized boy, and Legion — the man in the tombs clothed and in his right mind 31:04 — 2020: churches closed, pot shops open, abortion clinics essential — and how few said no 33:03 — Nepho — morally alert: Peter's word before warning that the devil prowls looking for someone to devour 34:29 — Red Balloon Recruiter — sponsor read 35:09 — Thomas Szasz and therapy culture — the inversion of personal responsibility 36:13 — Trauma culture in the church — the failure of biblical counseling and the endless loop of buried pain 37:47 — The man who sat in fifteen ceremonies: what finally changed him was guilt 38:25 — You are not evolved slime — made in the image of God, body and soul, homesick and lost 39:34 — Circe's cup and Odysseus's men — forgetting home, waiting to be turned into pigs 40:09 — The trade runs backwards: when Jesus showed up, the demons went into the swine 40:32 — One more cup — Christ at Golgotha refusing the narcotic, drinking the wrath fully awake 42:02 — The cure: a renewed mind, a household, a book, the discovery that responsibility is the greatest pleasure 43:39 — The real hero's journey — available for free, already paid for by another Fight Laugh Feast 2026: Holy Wars Join us October 1–3 in Franklin, Tennessee at The Factory in Franklin for the Fight Laugh Feast Conference. This year's theme is Holy Wars — Just War, the Crusades, and the Christian Life. Featuring Doug Wilson, Joe Boot, George Grant, Jared Longshore, Joe Rigney, Ben Merkel, and the CrossPolitic crew. Early Bird pricing ends July 1st — nearly halfway sold out. Tickets: https://tickets.flfnetwork.com/holy-wars-conference This Episode's Sponsors Dominion Wealth Strategies How you handle your money is not a neutral act — it is not separate from your walk with Christ. Dominion Wealth Strategies helps families think biblically and act wisely about what God has entrusted to them: budgeting, saving, debt management, life insurance, estate planning, and multigenerational financial vision. Not about chasing wealth. About faithfulness. Schedule a complimentary consultation today. Website: reform.money Red Balloon Recruiter An engaged, aware employee can grow your company's performance by 5, 10, or even 25%. Red Balloon's personalized source-and-screen process connects you with top talent — people who show up sober, think in straight lines, and take responsibility before anyone asks. Revenue up, costs down. Website: redballoon.work About CrossPolitic CrossPolitic exists to put Jesus over Politics and reclaim the public square through bold, joyful, biblically grounded media. We confront the chaos discipling America and build the next generation of Christian media infrastructure. Our mission is simple: all of Christ for all of media for all of America. Mainstream media is collapsing. Eighty-seven percent of journalists identify as progressive, and even many conservative outlets prioritize profit over principle. Meanwhile, billions of hours of digital content are discipling the world every day. CrossPolitic stands in that gap, producing courageous, entertaining, truth-filled media for households, churches, and leaders across the nation. Become a CrossPolitic Club Member Support the mission and unlock exclusive content, behind-the-scenes shows, and theology series. https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/menu/checkout Subscribe & Share! Every like, comment, and share helps push Christian media back into the algorithm where it belongs. Follow CrossPolitic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CROSSPOLITIC X: https://x.com/CrossPolitic Facebook: https://facebook.com/crosspolitic Instagram: https://instagram.com/crosspolitic Join our Email List: https://crosspolitic.com/ Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NRBTV, DirecTV, Dish, and everywhere podcasts are found. #CrossPolitic #Pharmakeia #FightLaughFeast #Drugs #Ayahuasca #CSLewis #ChristianMedia #Materialism

Pharmakeia — Show Notes: Fight Laugh Feast Documentary In this Fight Laugh Feast documentary, CrossPolitic traces a single Greek word — pharmakeia — from Homer's Odyssey through the book of Revelation to argue that the ancient world never separated medicine from sorcery, and that the modern West's attempt to draw that line may be its most consequential mistake. The film follows materialism's promise from the Big Bang to the therapy couch, tracks the ladder from prescription pharmaceuticals to ayahuasca retreats in Peru, and asks why the men who most loudly deny the existence of demons are increasingly found in dark rooms communing with named spirit entities. Along the way it draws on C.S. Lewis, Aldous Huxley, Peter Hitchens, and the testimony of a man who sat in fifteen ayahuasca ceremonies — and what finally set him free. The answer is not another ceremony. It is guilt, repentance, and the One who drank the cup fully awake so we wouldn't have to. Timestamps 0:24 — What is a woman? What is a human being? — and why getting the answer wrong collapses everything 1:04 — The materialist answer: evolved apes, accidental universe, cosmic soup — and why it can't hold 2:06 — Materialism as a religion — no God, no soul, just chemicals and atoms colliding 2:39 — The swept house: materialism cleared out demons and filled the room with diagnoses and serotonin levels 3:36 — Ayahuasca retreats, psilocybin therapy, and $7,000–$20,000 luxury ceremonies in Jamaica and Peru 4:00 — Pharmakeia — one Greek word from Homer to Revelation meaning both medicine and sorcery 4:40 — The ladder: prescription → marijuana → ecstasy → mushrooms → the dark room in Peru 7:52 — Huxley's 1962 Berkeley lecture: the controlling oligarchy will get people to love their servitude 8:43 — Peter Hitchens and the Uvalde shooter — the marijuana detail that disappeared from the New York Times 11:12 — Attacker Smoked Cannabis — the man with a laptop building the file the national press unpublished 12:08 — Orwell's jack boots vs. Huxley's chains — drugs and sex as the state's soft bribe 13:20 — Dominion Wealth Strategies — sponsor read 14:41 — CS Lewis: the materialist magician — science and magic as twins, one that worked better 16:39 — Lewis's nightmare: magic returning in a lab coat, using the language of forces and energies 17:31 — The swept house revisited — Jesus's words and the seven demons worse than the first 18:06 — Henry's Demons — marijuana at 11, madness at 14, and the father who named it correctly 20:26 — Pharmakeia in Homer, Exodus, Galatians, and Revelation — nations deceived by one word 22:38 — The seam we drew — medicine on one side, sorcery on the other, and the line beginning to blur 24:00 — PhDs communing with Mama Ayahuasca — named entities, published journals, and credit cards accepted 25:57 — Demons allowed in as aliens — keeping God out while keeping the master narrative intact 27:29 — Lewis in Screwtape: the greatest evil is conceived in carpeted offices by quiet men with smooth cheeks 28:51 — Deuteronomy 18 — the law against consulters with familiar spirits, and the modern retreat that crosses every line 29:38 — King Saul, the demonized boy, and Legion — the man in the tombs clothed and in his right mind 31:04 — 2020: churches closed, pot shops open, abortion clinics essential — and how few said no 33:03 — Nepho — morally alert: Peter's word before warning that the devil prowls looking for someone to devour 34:29 — Red Balloon Recruiter — sponsor read 35:09 — Thomas Szasz and therapy culture — the inversion of personal responsibility 36:13 — Trauma culture in the church — the failure of biblical counseling and the endless loop of buried pain 37:47 — The man who sat in fifteen ceremonies: what finally changed him was guilt 38:25 — You are not evolved slime — made in the image of God, body and soul, homesick and lost 39:34 — Circe's cup and Odysseus's men — forgetting home, waiting to be turned into pigs 40:09 — The trade runs backwards: when Jesus showed up, the demons went into the swine 40:32 — One more cup — Christ at Golgotha refusing the narcotic, drinking the wrath fully awake 42:02 — The cure: a renewed mind, a household, a book, the discovery that responsibility is the greatest pleasure 43:39 — The real hero's journey — available for free, already paid for by another Fight Laugh Feast 2026: Holy Wars Join us October 1–3 in Franklin, Tennessee at The Factory in Franklin for the Fight Laugh Feast Conference. This year's theme is Holy Wars — Just War, the Crusades, and the Christian Life. Featuring Doug Wilson, Joe Boot, George Grant, Jared Longshore, Joe Rigney, Ben Merkel, and the CrossPolitic crew. Early Bird pricing ends July 1st — nearly halfway sold out. Tickets: https://tickets.flfnetwork.com/holy-wars-conference This Episode's Sponsors Dominion Wealth Strategies How you handle your money is not a neutral act — it is not separate from your walk with Christ. Dominion Wealth Strategies helps families think biblically and act wisely about what God has entrusted to them: budgeting, saving, debt management, life insurance, estate planning, and multigenerational financial vision. Not about chasing wealth. About faithfulness. Schedule a complimentary consultation today. Website: reform.money Red Balloon Recruiter An engaged, aware employee can grow your company's performance by 5, 10, or even 25%. Red Balloon's personalized source-and-screen process connects you with top talent — people who show up sober, think in straight lines, and take responsibility before anyone asks. Revenue up, costs down. Website: redballoon.work About CrossPolitic CrossPolitic exists to put Jesus over Politics and reclaim the public square through bold, joyful, biblically grounded media. We confront the chaos discipling America and build the next generation of Christian media infrastructure. Our mission is simple: all of Christ for all of media for all of America. Mainstream media is collapsing. Eighty-seven percent of journalists identify as progressive, and even many conservative outlets prioritize profit over principle. Meanwhile, billions of hours of digital content are discipling the world every day. CrossPolitic stands in that gap, producing courageous, entertaining, truth-filled media for households, churches, and leaders across the nation. Become a CrossPolitic Club Member Support the mission and unlock exclusive content, behind-the-scenes shows, and theology series. https://pubtv.flfnetwork.com/menu/checkout Subscribe & Share! Every like, comment, and share helps push Christian media back into the algorithm where it belongs. Follow CrossPolitic YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CROSSPOLITIC X: https://x.com/CrossPolitic Facebook: https://facebook.com/crosspolitic Instagram: https://instagram.com/crosspolitic Join our Email List: https://crosspolitic.com/ Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, NRBTV, DirecTV, Dish, and everywhere podcasts are found. #CrossPolitic #Pharmakeia #FightLaughFeast #Drugs #Ayahuasca #CSLewis #ChristianMedia #Materialism

In this episode, David becomes a fugitive in his own land. Once a trusted figure in King Saul's court, David is forced to flee for his life due to the king's paranoia and jealousy. His close friendship with Jonathan plays a crucial role in his survival, as Jonathan warns David of Saul's deadly intentions. We follow David's journey as he seeks refuge in Nob, receives holy bread from the priest Ahimelech, and narrowly escapes harm in Gath by feigning madness before King Achish. Amidst these challenges, David's leadership shines, attracting followers even in hiding at the Cave of Adullam.Support the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.orgWant to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://biblin...

Do I have to learn every deception of the enemy to be victorious? I know God feels emotions, but what does that mean for how He treats us? How could Jesus be truly tempted if He is God? Are we forgiven by God each time we confess or all at once? What if asking for forgiveness daily just makes me feel better? Why did King Saul call upon a witch? I know someone who was kicked out of church. Is there any place for that? Did the Apostles ever do that?

The people in Keilah should have been truly grateful to David. With his group of 600 men, he fought to save them from the Philistines, who had been robbing their supplies of food. However, when Saul threatened to surround their town with his army, they cared little about David's life. In Ziph, the inhabitants did not even need to be threatened to want to hand over David. They were glad to see an opportunity to please King Saul.From both of these places, David's escape was truly a miracle. At one, a warning from God himself; at the other, an urgent message for Saul, was all that saved David from capture.Yet in the middle of all this, David's friend Jonathan, the son of Saul, found him, and strengthened him with a reminder of the promises of God.

Share a commentHave you ever felt like life turned against you for no good reason? You did the right thing, obeyed God, and served faithfully, only to watch storm clouds gather where the sun had just been shining. What do you do when doing right leads to being hunted?In this episode, Stephen Davey opens 1 Samuel 19 and 20 and continues his series on the life of David. The pretense is finally over. King Saul openly orders his son and servants to kill David. Stephen walks you through the crushing losses David absorbs in rapid succession. His position, his wife, his spiritual mentor, and finally his closest friend, Jonathan. Every layer of stability is stripped away, not because David sinned, but because he stood faithfully in the will of God.Stephen also draws in the courageous witness of Jonathan, a son who refused to imitate his father's evil, and points to David's honest cries in Psalm 59 as the very songs forged in these dark days. Alongside David's story, Stephen brings you into 2 Corinthians 4, where Paul confesses he too has been pressed, perplexed, persecuted, and knocked down, yet never crushed, driven to despair, forsaken, or destroyed. God, who raised us up, wants us to stand. And He wants us to remember how.This message will comfort your heart when the storm refuses to lift. Desperate times have a way of redefining your sources of strength and rewriting your list of priorities. Every roof will leak except the roof of your Sovereign shelter. Look up. Look ahead. What you see now is not all there is. God will make everything right, even if He waits until glory. Until then, keep singing the song of faith that is being forged in your own hideout.Learn more about twenty-five years of global impact, and reserve tickets to our gala. https://www.wisdomonline.org/mp/25 Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show

Welcome to the Grace in Focus podcast. Today, Bob Wilkin and Philippe Sterling are continuing to talk about the life of King Saul. Another one of his unfortunate decisions, after […]

Share a commentHave you ever felt like life turned against you for no good reason? You did the right thing, obeyed God, and served faithfully, only to watch storm clouds gather where the sun had just been shining. What do you do when doing right leads to being hunted?In this episode, Stephen Davey opens 1 Samuel 19 and 20 and continues his series on the life of David. The pretense is finally over. King Saul openly orders his son and servants to kill David. Stephen walks you through the crushing losses David absorbs in rapid succession. His position, his wife, his spiritual mentor, and finally his closest friend, Jonathan. Every layer of stability is stripped away, not because David sinned, but because he stood faithfully in the will of God.Stephen also draws in the courageous witness of Jonathan, a son who refused to imitate his father's evil, and points to David's honest cries in Psalm 59 as the very songs forged in these dark days. Alongside David's story, Stephen brings you into 2 Corinthians 4, where Paul confesses he too has been pressed, perplexed, persecuted, and knocked down, yet never crushed, driven to despair, forsaken, or destroyed. God, who raised us up, wants us to stand. And He wants us to remember how.This message will comfort your heart when the storm refuses to lift. Desperate times have a way of redefining your sources of strength and rewriting your list of priorities. Every roof will leak except the roof of your Sovereign shelter. Look up. Look ahead. What you see now is not all there is. God will make everything right, even if He waits until glory. Until then, keep singing the song of faith that is being forged in your own hideout.Learn more about twenty-five years of global impact, and reserve tickets to our gala. https://www.wisdomonline.org/mp/25 Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show

In this episode of the Heaven series, Kellie Brooks teaches on David and king Saul. Mission Tabernacle Outreach

In this episode of the Heaven series, Kellie Brooks teaches on David and king Saul. Mission Tabernacle Outreach

Share a commentHave you ever felt like life turned against you for no good reason? You did the right thing, obeyed God, and served faithfully, only to watch storm clouds gather where the sun had just been shining. What do you do when doing right leads to being hunted?In this episode, Stephen Davey opens 1 Samuel 19 and 20 and continues his series on the life of David. The pretense is finally over. King Saul openly orders his son and servants to kill David. Stephen walks you through the crushing losses David absorbs in rapid succession. His position, his wife, his spiritual mentor, and finally his closest friend, Jonathan. Every layer of stability is stripped away, not because David sinned, but because he stood faithfully in the will of God.Stephen also draws in the courageous witness of Jonathan, a son who refused to imitate his father's evil, and points to David's honest cries in Psalm 59 as the very songs forged in these dark days. Alongside David's story, Stephen brings you into 2 Corinthians 4, where Paul confesses he too has been pressed, perplexed, persecuted, and knocked down, yet never crushed, driven to despair, forsaken, or destroyed. God, who raised us up, wants us to stand. And He wants us to remember how.This message will comfort your heart when the storm refuses to lift. Desperate times have a way of redefining your sources of strength and rewriting your list of priorities. Every roof will leak except the roof of your Sovereign shelter. Look up. Look ahead. What you see now is not all there is. God will make everything right, even if He waits until glory. Until then, keep singing the song of faith that is being forged in your own hideout.Learn more about twenty-five years of global impact, and reserve tickets to our gala. https://www.wisdomonline.org/mp/25 Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show

Welcome to the Grace in Focus podcast. Today, Bob Wilkin and Philippe Sterling talk about David sparing Saul's life. This happened more than once. What was David's motivation to spare […]

Share a commentHave you ever felt like life turned against you for no good reason? You did the right thing, obeyed God, and served faithfully, only to watch storm clouds gather where the sun had just been shining. What do you do when doing right leads to being hunted?In this episode, Stephen Davey opens 1 Samuel 19 and 20 and continues his series on the life of David. The pretense is finally over. King Saul openly orders his son and servants to kill David. Stephen walks you through the crushing losses David absorbs in rapid succession. His position, his wife, his spiritual mentor, and finally his closest friend, Jonathan. Every layer of stability is stripped away, not because David sinned, but because he stood faithfully in the will of God.Stephen also draws in the courageous witness of Jonathan, a son who refused to imitate his father's evil, and points to David's honest cries in Psalm 59 as the very songs forged in these dark days. Alongside David's story, Stephen brings you into 2 Corinthians 4, where Paul confesses he too has been pressed, perplexed, persecuted, and knocked down, yet never crushed, driven to despair, forsaken, or destroyed. God, who raised us up, wants us to stand. And He wants us to remember how.This message will comfort your heart when the storm refuses to lift. Desperate times have a way of redefining your sources of strength and rewriting your list of priorities. Every roof will leak except the roof of your Sovereign shelter. Look up. Look ahead. What you see now is not all there is. God will make everything right, even if He waits until glory. Until then, keep singing the song of faith that is being forged in your own hideout.Learn more about twenty-five years of global impact, and reserve tickets to our gala. https://www.wisdomonline.org/mp/25 Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show

Share a commentHave you ever wondered what wisdom really looks like in the middle of ordinary life? Not the wisdom of clever answers or shrewd strategies, but the kind that shapes how you respond to praise, criticism, promotion, and setbacks. What does godly wisdom actually look like in flesh and blood?In this episode, Stephen Davey opens 1 Samuel 18 and continues his series on the life of David. Fresh from defeating Goliath, David is suddenly a national hero. Songs are sung in his honor. Jonathan gives him his own robe and sword. Everyone loves him. But behind the celebration, King Saul begins to boil with envy. Stephen walks you through this chapter and shows how David quietly displays three defining marks of wisdom while Saul digresses into hostility and hatred.First, walking wisely means responding to promotion with humility. David rises to command, yet he never boasts, never gloats, and never rubs his success in anyone's face. Second, walking wisely means tolerating the weaknesses of others with grace. When Saul hurls spears at him, David does not pick them up and throw them back. He offers the benefit of the doubt and refuses to join the downward spiral of hurt, hate, hostility, and harm. Third, walking wisely means surrendering to the providence of God without complaint. David is demoted, denied a promised bride, and then handed a deadly dowry, yet he keeps trusting the Lord and refuses to defend his own honor.This message will reshape how you handle both the applause and the arrows in your own life. You do not have to answer every insult. You do not have to defend every slight. You do not have to grasp for what God has not yet given. Walk humbly. Extend grace. Trust the God who is quietly writing your story.Learn more about twenty-five years of global impact, and reserve tickets to our gala. https://www.wisdomonline.org/mp/25 Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show

Welcome to the Grace in Focus podcast. Today, Bob Wilkin and Philippe Sterling will discuss further King Saul's sad legacy. He perhaps started well, but made some poor, misguided decisions. […]

Share a commentHave you ever wondered what wisdom really looks like in the middle of ordinary life? Not the wisdom of clever answers or shrewd strategies, but the kind that shapes how you respond to praise, criticism, promotion, and setbacks. What does godly wisdom actually look like in flesh and blood?In this episode, Stephen Davey opens 1 Samuel 18 and continues his series on the life of David. Fresh from defeating Goliath, David is suddenly a national hero. Songs are sung in his honor. Jonathan gives him his own robe and sword. Everyone loves him. But behind the celebration, King Saul begins to boil with envy. Stephen walks you through this chapter and shows how David quietly displays three defining marks of wisdom while Saul digresses into hostility and hatred.First, walking wisely means responding to promotion with humility. David rises to command, yet he never boasts, never gloats, and never rubs his success in anyone's face. Second, walking wisely means tolerating the weaknesses of others with grace. When Saul hurls spears at him, David does not pick them up and throw them back. He offers the benefit of the doubt and refuses to join the downward spiral of hurt, hate, hostility, and harm. Third, walking wisely means surrendering to the providence of God without complaint. David is demoted, denied a promised bride, and then handed a deadly dowry, yet he keeps trusting the Lord and refuses to defend his own honor.This message will reshape how you handle both the applause and the arrows in your own life. You do not have to answer every insult. You do not have to defend every slight. You do not have to grasp for what God has not yet given. Walk humbly. Extend grace. Trust the God who is quietly writing your story.Learn more about twenty-five years of global impact, and reserve tickets to our gala. https://www.wisdomonline.org/mp/25 Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show

Share a commentHave you ever wondered what wisdom really looks like in the middle of ordinary life? Not the wisdom of clever answers or shrewd strategies, but the kind that shapes how you respond to praise, criticism, promotion, and setbacks. What does godly wisdom actually look like in flesh and blood?In this episode, Stephen Davey opens 1 Samuel 18 and continues his series on the life of David. Fresh from defeating Goliath, David is suddenly a national hero. Songs are sung in his honor. Jonathan gives him his own robe and sword. Everyone loves him. But behind the celebration, King Saul begins to boil with envy. Stephen walks you through this chapter and shows how David quietly displays three defining marks of wisdom while Saul digresses into hostility and hatred.First, walking wisely means responding to promotion with humility. David rises to command, yet he never boasts, never gloats, and never rubs his success in anyone's face. Second, walking wisely means tolerating the weaknesses of others with grace. When Saul hurls spears at him, David does not pick them up and throw them back. He offers the benefit of the doubt and refuses to join the downward spiral of hurt, hate, hostility, and harm. Third, walking wisely means surrendering to the providence of God without complaint. David is demoted, denied a promised bride, and then handed a deadly dowry, yet he keeps trusting the Lord and refuses to defend his own honor.This message will reshape how you handle both the applause and the arrows in your own life. You do not have to answer every insult. You do not have to defend every slight. You do not have to grasp for what God has not yet given. Walk humbly. Extend grace. Trust the God who is quietly writing your story.Learn more about twenty-five years of global impact, and reserve tickets to our gala. https://www.wisdomonline.org/mp/25 Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show

Prayer is more than a simple request—it is an invitation to trust in the power, goodness, and faithfulness of God. In this devotional, Lynette Kittle explores what it means to pray with genuine faith and believe that God is able to answer, provide, and move in ways beyond what we can accomplish on our own. Through the story of the father who cried out, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” in Mark 9:23-24, we are reminded that God does not ask us to rely on our own strength or add our own efforts to make prayer effective. Instead, He invites us to come to Him with confidence, trusting that all things are possible through Him. When we struggle to believe, prayer itself becomes a place where God strengthens our faith and teaches us to depend on Him. Highlights: Discover why prayer is enough when we trust the One we are praying to. Explore the difference between asking God in faith and doubting His ability to work. Learn from the father in Mark 9 who brought both his faith and his doubts to Jesus. See how Scripture reveals God’s power to do what seems impossible. Be encouraged to stop limiting your prayers based on what you think God can do. Reflect on how surrendering your unbelief can deepen your relationship with God. Want more encouragement throughout your week? Subscribe to The Good Word, LifeAudio’s free weekly newsletter. Sign up at LifeAudio.com/thegoodword Join the Conversation Where do you find yourself struggling to believe that God can answer your prayers? What would it look like to bring your doubts and requests to Him with greater faith? Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/ Do you want to listen ad-free? When you join Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors—resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts! Sign Up Today! Full Transcript Below: Is Prayer Enough on Its Own? By Lynette Kittle Bible Reading: “‘If you can’?’ said Jesus. ‘Everything is possible for one who believes.’” - Mark 9:23 How often do we pray, believing it will take more than prayer to receive our answer? By that meaning, do we, or someone else, need to do anything in addition to praying for God to answer us? Do we tend to believe that we have to give money, or volunteer, along with prayer? That it’s not enough in itself for God to answer and move on our behalf? Are we struggling to believe, thinking we can’t just ask and rely on Him to answer our prayers without adding to them in some way through our own efforts? Fox News reports that a study from the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Department of Family and Community Medicine found that, “Adult patients experienced significant relief from pain and anxiety after just five minutes of in-person prayer,” more than from listening to five minutes of music. Scripture describes how David, as a shepherd boy, played his harp to soothe King Saul, so history documents the popular saying “music soothes the savage beast.” As 1 Samuel 16:23 describes, “Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.” If God gave David’s music the power to bring relief, how much more has He given prayer the power to intervene in our lives? When We Ask, Do We Believe Jesus Can? Mark 9:22 reveals a man who wasn’t sure if Jesus could help his son who was being tormented, explaining and asking, “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” I love how Jesus answers, questioning the father and clarifying to him that it’s not a question of whether He can. It’s a given, because everything is possible with God, it just depends on our belief in Him. It’s not up to Him, but up to us to believe, because how many times before praying do we preface our requests by “Lord, if you can”? God doesn’t want us asking Him if He can; He wants us to believe that He is more than enough, as Jesus taught in John 15:7: “If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” He is calling us to believe that all things are possible with Him, as He explained in Matthew 19:26: “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” So if we struggle to believe, lacking in faith when we ask God, we can follow this father’s example as described in Mark 9:24: “Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!’” Prayer Is More Than Enough A powerful example of prayer being enough is found in the Old Testament book of Joshua. “On the day the Lord gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the Lord in the presence of Israel: ‘Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and you, moon, over the Valley of Aijalon’” (Joshua 10:12). Many of us wouldn’t even attempt to pray such an unlikely and seemingly impossible prayer. Yet, Joshua did ask, and when he did, the following happened: “So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies, as it is written in the Book of Jashar. The sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed going down about a full day” (Joshua 10:13). Sadly, many of us disqualify our requests to God before even asking Him, deciding that we’re asking too much or more than God can do. We make the decision ahead of time, rather than asking Him and seeing what happens. As James 4:2 explains, “You do not have because you do not ask God. Intersecting Faith & Life: Do you find yourself praying, but believing it’s not enough? Ask God to help your unbelief and to teach you how to believe that He can, and that prayer is more than enough. Further Reading: Does Prayer Really Change Things? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Share a commentHave you ever wondered what wisdom really looks like in the middle of ordinary life? Not the wisdom of clever answers or shrewd strategies, but the kind that shapes how you respond to praise, criticism, promotion, and setbacks. What does godly wisdom actually look like in flesh and blood?In this episode, Stephen Davey opens 1 Samuel 18 and continues his series on the life of David. Fresh from defeating Goliath, David is suddenly a national hero. Songs are sung in his honor. Jonathan gives him his own robe and sword. Everyone loves him. But behind the celebration, King Saul begins to boil with envy. Stephen walks you through this chapter and shows how David quietly displays three defining marks of wisdom while Saul digresses into hostility and hatred.First, walking wisely means responding to promotion with humility. David rises to command, yet he never boasts, never gloats, and never rubs his success in anyone's face. Second, walking wisely means tolerating the weaknesses of others with grace. When Saul hurls spears at him, David does not pick them up and throw them back. He offers the benefit of the doubt and refuses to join the downward spiral of hurt, hate, hostility, and harm. Third, walking wisely means surrendering to the providence of God without complaint. David is demoted, denied a promised bride, and then handed a deadly dowry, yet he keeps trusting the Lord and refuses to defend his own honor.This message will reshape how you handle both the applause and the arrows in your own life. You do not have to answer every insult. You do not have to defend every slight. You do not have to grasp for what God has not yet given. Walk humbly. Extend grace. Trust the God who is quietly writing your story.Learn more about twenty-five years of global impact, and reserve tickets to our gala. https://www.wisdomonline.org/mp/25 Learn more: https://www.wisdomonline.org/Support the show

Through the tragic downfall of King Saul, we see how jealousy can slowly chip away at our peace, ruin our relationships, and rot our character. Envy tempts us to resent God's goodness in the lives of others while completely ignoring His blessings in our own. How do we break free from the comparison trap in a world dominated by social media? Stuart reveals some practical steps to resist comparison, respond to others with love, and cultivate a life of radical gratitude.

Nobody has ever sat across from a pastor and said, “My problem is I love to be first.” It doesn't feel like a spiritual problem. It feels normal. That's what makes it dangerous.In week one of The Ghost of Diotrephes, Pastor David opens the shortest book in the Bible to meet a man remembered for a single sentence, and walks through three truths about who gets to tell you who you are.You can't tell yourself who you are. You've never once seen your own face, and you can't judge your own qualities either. We all need a word from the outside, and we all have our places we go looking for it: work, kids, a parent's approval that never comes.Attention is not love. King Saul had the crowd's song until somebody else got a louder one, and the comparison poisoned him for life. The approval of people is great candy and terrible food. Build a life on it and you'll starve with your mouth full.You are who the Father says you are. The Father has already spoken over you, lavished his love on you, and he sings over you. Your obedience can please the Father, but it can never produce the Father's love.The message ends where Jesus lived: secure in the Father's “This is my son,” with no need to be first.Scriptures: 3 John 1:9, Philippians 2:3, James 3:16, 1 Samuel 18:7, 1 John 3:1, Hebrews 13:16, Zephaniah 3:17Facebook: / believerscenter Instagram: / believerscenter Giving: https://pushpay.com/g/believerscenter First Time: https://believerchurch.churchcenter.com/people/forms/797243 Salvation / Rededication: https://believerchurch.churchcenter.com/people/forms/797600#BelieverChurch #Identity #FathersLove #TheGhostOfDiotrephesThanks so much for listening to the Believers Center podcast! Service Times:   Sundays at 10AM (online + in-person)Tuesdays at 7PM (in-person only)Follow us on Instagram @believerscenterTo learn more about Believers Center, visit https://www.believerscenter.com​​To submit a prayer request, or to get connected with a pastor, visit https://www.believerscenter.com/prayforme

David said to King Saul, “Your servant has killed both lions and bears…” in other words, what qualifies me to fight and be victorious over the very visible GIANT GOLIATH is the victories I have wrought in the UNSEEN REALM!

Summary The sermon, “The Deafening Silence of God,” focuses on what Christians should do when God seems silent or when prayers appear to go unanswered. The central message is that God's silence does not necessarily mean God is absent or inactive. Sometimes silence is itself part of how God works in a person's life. Key points: God primarily speaks through His Word. The Bible is presented as the first and most important way God communicates. Other forms of guidance—such as impressions from the Holy Spirit, spiritual leaders, godly counsel, pain, dreams, visions, and circumstances—should be evaluated against Scripture. Job illustrates the experience of God's silence. In Job 23, Job says he cannot perceive, see, or hear God despite desperately needing answers after losing his possessions, children, and health. Yet Job continues to trust God and says that, after being tested, he will come forth “as gold.” When God is silent, obey the last thing He told you. The speaker compares this to military communication: when communication is lost, soldiers follow the last valid instruction they received. Similarly, Christians should continue obeying what God has already revealed rather than constantly seeking a new word. God may be silent because of disobedience. The example of King Saul shows that disobedience can interfere with receiving further direction. Saul disobeyed God, failed to repent, and eventually sought guidance from a medium rather than turning back to God. The sermon emphasizes that repentance, rather than excuses or alternative sources of guidance, is the proper response to disobedience. God may be preparing us for greater maturity. Jesus told His disciples in John 16 that He had more to teach them but that they were not yet ready to receive it. Silence or a lack of dramatic spiritual experiences does not necessarily mean God has abandoned someone. It may mean God is developing their character and preparing them for what comes next. Faithfulness matters more than constant excitement or miracles. The sermon challenges the desire for instant spiritual results, especially in a culture shaped by social media and instant gratification. Christians are encouraged to keep serving, praying, attending church, making disciples, and doing ordinary acts of obedience even when nothing spectacular seems to be happening. Silence can help us hear God more clearly. Modern life is filled with notifications, social media, messages, entertainment, and constant stimulation. The speaker argues that intentionally practicing silence, waiting, meditation, and stillness before God can help Christians become more attentive to His voice. God's silence can be preparation. The approximately 400-year period between Malachi and John the Baptist is described as the “silent years.” The sermon uses this period to illustrate how apparent silence can precede something significant—in this case, the arrival of John the Baptist and ultimately Jesus. Silence can expose pride. The sermon concludes that God may use silence to confront pride and teach humility. Rather than asking only, “Why isn't God answering me?”, believers should also ask, “What is God trying to teach me through this?” Main takeaway When God seems silent, don't stop moving forward. Continue obeying what He has already revealed, repent where necessary, remain faithful, cultivate patience and humility, and wait for His direction. The sermon closes with the idea, attributed to Charles Spurgeon: When we cannot trace God's hand, we should trust His heart. In short: God's silence is not necessarily God's absence. It may be an invitation to trust, obey, mature, become still, and prepare for what He is doing.

Our study today is found in 1 Samuel 13. In this study, we step right into a high-stakes moment where King Saul faces a massive crisis. With a giant enemy army closing in, his own men fleeing to hide in caves, and his time running out, Saul becomes increasingly impatient.  and makes choices based on fear instead of faith.If nothing else, our text 1 exposes a sobering truth: taking matters into our own hands always comes with a hidden, devastating cost. In the end, the questions we'll be forced to answer are: Where do we run when panic sets in, and how do we stop putting our need for control over faithful obedience?

King Saul started strong but lost everything because he refused to fully obey the Lord. Rebellion and pride led him down a dark path of compromise, disobedience, and eventual destruction. Through his tragic story, we're reminded that rebellion in God's eyes is as serious as witchcraft. This message from Pastor Jeff Schreve will challenge you to heed the warnings from Saul's life and choose humble, wholehearted obedience to the Lord before it's too late. To support this ministry financially, visit: https://www.lightsource.com/donate/863/29

We explore the significant transition in Israel's history from the time of the judges to a monarchy. The people of Israel, desiring to be like other nations, ask for a king. God grants their request, leading to the anointing of the first king of Israel, Saul. Despite clear signs from God, Saul initially keeps his kingship secret. Samuel then publicly confirms Saul through a process involving the casting of lots. • Who was chosen as the first king of Israel?SaulDavidSamuelJonathan• From which tribe was Saul?JudahBenjaminEphraimLevi• How did Samuel initially anoint Saul as king?In front of all the peopleBy pouring oil on his head privatelyThrough a dreamBy giving him a crown• What did Saul do after as he was identified as king by Samuel to the people?He immediately accepted the roleHe refused the positionHe hid among the baggageHe demanded a ceremony• How did God confirm His choice of Saul to the people?Through a miracleBy sending fire from heavenThrough the casting of lotsBy speaking audibly to the crowdSupport the showRead along with us in the Bible Brief App! Try the Bible Brief book for an offline experience!Get your free Bible Timeline with the 10 Steps: Timeline LinkSupport the show: Tap here to become a monthly supporter!Review the show: Tap here!Want to go deeper?...Download the Bible Brief App!iPhone: App Store LinkAndroid: Play Store LinkWant a physical book? Check out "Bible Brief" by our founder!Amazon: Amazon LinkWebsite: biblebrief.orgInstagram: @realbiblebriefX: @biblebriefFacebook: @realbiblebriefEmail the Show: biblebrief@biblelit.orgWant to learn the Bible languages (Greek & Hebrew)? Check out our partner Biblingo (and use our link/code for a discount!): https://biblin...

If God knows the future, why would He create someone who will ultimately reject Him?This is one of the deepest questions in Christian theology, and one that was asked by a 15​-year-old Orthodox Christian. In this episode, Nathan Jacobs​ reads one of his favorite theological letters, exploring how the Eastern Church Fathers—especially St. John of Damascus—approach God's​ foreknowledge, human freedom, divine goodness, and the mystery of damnation.Rather than offering a simplistic answer, this discussion challenges many common assumptions​ about God's knowledge of the future and reveals a​ profoundly hopeful vision of God's unwavering love for every person He creates.======================================Timestamps00:00 Introduction01:48 A Letter to Agatha02:39 The Common Assumption About Damnation04:20 The Eastern Church Fathers' Answer05:10 Why We Exist07:03 God's Knowledge and Creation08:51 Why God Doesn't "Choose the Saved"09:27 Why Not Simply Avoid Creating the Damned?11:04 God Always Chooses the Good12:08 Outcomes vs. Goodness14:44 King Saul and Divine Justice16:26 The "Future Hitler" Thought Experiment18:11 Free Will and God's Omnipotence19:27 Can God Make a Square Circle?21:55 Abraham and Isaac24:20 Damnation Is the Creature's Choice25:20 Christ's Victory Over Hades27:18 A Prison Without Bars29:01 Hope for Universal Salvation?30:30 St. Sophrony's Final Reflection======================================Do you like this content? Join Jacobs Premium to get exclusive access to essays, lecture series, monthly Q&A Zoom calls, and ourbook club. Use code: LEWIS to get a discount: https://www.thenathanjacobspodcast.com/Support the East West Series: http://theeastwestseries.com/======================================Relevant Links:God's Omnipotence Explained: Can God Really Do Anything? https://youtu.be/qEYzy1Wbjcg ​From Heretic to Orthodox: https://youtu.be/cWcVOvEu7dM​ On Apokatastasis and Universal Salvation: https://open.substack.com/pub/nathanajacobs/p/on-apokatastasis-and-universal-salvation?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=webAll links:The Theological Letters (Substack): https://nathanajacobs.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenathanjacobspodcastX: https://x.com/NathanJacobsPodFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/nathanandrewjacobsAcademia: https://vanderbilt.academia.edu/NathanAJacobsListen and please review the podcast elsewhere:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0hSskUtCwDT40uFbqTk3QSApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nathan-jacobs-podcast

In this episode of Bible Stories, hosts Matt Mullins and Todd Haymans continue their Confrontations series by examining the powerful story of Samuel confronting King Saul in 1 Samuel 15. Together they explore one of the Bible's most challenging lessons: "To obey is better than sacrifice." Why did Saul lose God's favor? What does partial obedience reveal about our hearts? How should Christians lovingly confront sin, and how should we respond when we're the ones being corrected? In this Bible study, you'll discover: • Why partial obedience is still disobedience • The meaning of 1 Samuel 15:22: "To obey is better than sacrifice" • How to confront others with truth and grace • Why humility is essential for spiritual growth • Biblical principles for repentance, accountability, and Christian discipleship Whether you're studying 1 Samuel, preparing to teach the Bible, leading a small group, or simply seeking to grow in your walk with Christ, this episode offers practical, biblical encouragement for everyday faith. Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:10–26 Topics: King Saul, Samuel, 1 Samuel 15, obedience, confrontation, repentance, humility, discipleship, Christian living, Bible study, Old Testament, spiritual growth.

The David Alliance TDAgiantSlayer@Gmail.com Garth Heckman   Point 4:  Pain Trains, It Doesn't Just Test Greek: γυμνάζω (gymnazo) — Hebrews 12:11: "no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness for those who have been trained (gymnazo) by it."    Samuel 30 - David has been on the run for 14 years from King Saul… now they get sent packing from the Philistines… “not good enough”. They get back to camp and all of their wives, children, goods, food everything was taken by the Amakelites.  His men have had it… they want to stone him. V. 6 But David found strength in the LORD THIS IS DAVID IN TRAINING -  HE found strength   And he wrote Psalm 13 Psalm 13: 1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? 2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand? 3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God! Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. 4 Don't let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!” Don't let them rejoice at my downfall. 5 But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. 6 I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me   This verse is from David in the midst of his final crushing painful experience running from Saul…   He is ready to give up… his life. Literally… I'll just let them kill me!    But he goes to God… seeks his guidance. - what should I learn from this pain… They go and kill the Amalekites and not only get everything back but more….   HERE IS THE POINT HE WAS ONLY MONTHS AWAY FROM BEING KING!     What is around your corner of pain?

Join Pastor Derek Walker from the Oxford Bible Church as he explores the inspirational story of Mephibosheth. Delve into the biblical narrative revealing the profound lessons about covenant love, redemption, and the transformative power of God's promises through Jesus Christ. This enlightening talk offers a deep understanding of the parallels between the ancient covenant made between David and Jonathan and the eternal covenant between God and humanity through Jesus. The story of Mephibosheth is a picture of our salvation in Christ. David (God) made a covenant with Jonathan (Jesus), and those in Jonathan who accept the covenant (Mephibosheth) receive his blessing.

Many voices today promise that faith will bring money, influence, success, and comfort right now. But in today's episode of the MY Devotional Podcast, Dr. Michael Youssef reminds believers that Jesus never promised a life of ease—and the Gospel does not guarantee worldly riches. Psalm 16 points us to a far greater inheritance. David likely wrote this psalm not from a palace, but while running for his life from King Saul. He had no earthly comfort, no secure home, and no access to the land of his youth. Yet through eyes of faith, David could say, “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.” David understood that true inheritance is not found in money, land, luxury, or temporary success. Those things can be lost—and all earthly promises end at death. But the inheritance God gives His people is spiritual, supernatural, eternal, and kept in heaven. Most of all, David knew that no inheritance would be worth having apart from the presence of God. Like Moses, who refused to move forward without the Lord's presence, David declared, “Apart from you I have no good thing” and “LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup.” The greatest gift believers will ever receive is God Himself—and in His presence, there is fullness of joy and eternal pleasure. Pray with me.  Father God, I delight in Your mercy and goodness—You are my greatest treasure. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.  The voice you hear on the MY Devotional podcast is digitally generated with Dr. Youssef's permission. If today's devotional stirred a question, burden, or need for prayer, you don't have to walk through it alone.

Send us Fan MailGrab this week's free Episode Guide at michellenezat.com/541download — a one-page PDF that walks you through the Scriptures and Bible Interaction Tool Exercises from this episode so you can engage with God's Word for yourself.Josiah Queen's "demons" says darkness has to leave and fear doesn't get a home in your mind. But what happens if we don't tell those demons to run and hide?In this episode, we take the BITE of considering the opposite and let King Saul's story in 1 Samuel show us what it looks like to refuse to resist:Why reading in context (all the way back to 1 Samuel 8) reveals why the Spirit of the Lord departed from SaulHow Saul treated his calling as if it outranked his obedience—and why that's a warning for usWhy disobedience is still rebellion, even when we call it worshipHow the New Covenant doesn't soften the warning—but gives us what Saul never hadCome discover that resisting the devil isn't white-knuckled willpower. It's obedience—done in the power of everything Christ has already accomplished for you.Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

As David prepares to pass the crown to his son Solomon, his heart and mind continue to be fixed on God's glory, particularly through the building of the temple and structuring it properly. David has spent years of his life amassing materials for it's construction, and not only that, he has also drawn up architectural plans, built instruments, and created systems for all who work in and around the temple. For someone who knew scarcity and insecurity for a good portion of his life while running from King Saul, it is notable that David gives so much away and invests in the future of God's worship, rather than in himself. 1 Chronicles 24 - 1:09 .  1 Chronicles 25 - 5:03 .  1 Chronicles 26 -  9:59 .  Song of Songs 7 - 15:31 .  Song of Songs 8 - 17:50 .  :::Christian Standard Bible translation.All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Biblefacebook.com/commuterbibleinstagram.com/commuter_bibletwitter.com/CommuterPodpatreon.com/commuterbibleadmin@commuterbible.org

Ancient Israel had no king, mandatory literacy, and private land ownership 3,000 years before America existed, and the men who founded the United States studied it obsessively. Historian Bill Federer joins Lance Wallnau to reveal the "Hebrew Republic" blueprint hidden inside America's founding, and how it shaped the Constitution you live under today. In this episode, Bill Federer traces how the Puritans and Pilgrims looked past King Saul to ancient Israel's 400 year run with no monarchy, a nation where even children could read, land was permanently owned by families, and leaders like Deborah were elected on merit, not bloodline. You'll learn why John Calvin's writings pioneered government without a king, why James Madison spent a year studying Hebrew before drafting the Constitution, and what the First Amendment was actually written to prevent. Then Lance tells the untold story of what Declaration signers like Richard Stockton, Charles Carroll, and Stephen Hopkins actually sacrificed to defend it: homes burned, families imprisoned, and a will that left nothing but faith. In this episode: - Is America's 250th the bookend or a new chapter? - Bill Federer joins: faith's role in the founding - The Hebrew Republic: 400 years, no king - What Israel's demand for a king cost them - Calvin, the 22-letter alphabet, and Deborah the judge - The First Amendment's real target, explained - The state constitutions that required faith to hold office - The signers who paid with everything - The martyr's crown and the call to sacrifice today Podcast Episode 2192: Shocking History - The 'Hebrew Republic' Blueprint Shaped America's Founding | don't miss this! Listen to more episodes of the Lance Wallnau Show at lancewallnau.com/podcast

Today we finish up our series, Who is King?, in 1 Samuel. In the final chapter of 1 Samuel, Saul and his sons die in a battle against the Philistines, as the prophet Samuel warned King Saul just a few chapters earlier. Pastor AJ highlights three points from the chapter: 1) Earthly kingships only end one way. 2) What we do affects others. 3) Our lives answer the question, “Who is King?”.

What happens when a person continually rejects God's voice? Pastor Jeff Schreve delivers a sobering message from the tragic life of King Saul, revealing how rebellion, pride, and delayed repentance can lead to spiritual silence and disaster. Through Saul's encounter with the witch of En-dor, this episode warns listeners not to ignore God's truth while there is still time to respond.

I'm examining Christian lamenting. You could describe it as a prayer language, which God encourages us to use when we're in deep grief or anger or confusion. But this desperate prayer, as raw and painful as it may be, intentionally maintains trust in God's character. Some have characterized lamenting as “crying human but lamenting Christian.” I have a note taped to my desk that says, “Today I will not complain about anything!” It's there to remind me complaining in general is not good, not biblical, and should not be the language of a Christ-follower. Yet when David was hiding in a cave, running for his life from King Saul, he begins Psalm 142 like this: With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him (Psalm 142:1-2). He complains! Guess he never saw a sign like mine! But here's the thing: David is lamenting to the Lord about a very grievous, frightening situation. There's a difference in biblical laments and sinful complaints. Remember when the children of Israel were in the wilderness, having been miraculously rescued from slavery in Egypt. And what did they do? They complained! They complained about the food, about missing what they had in Egypt, about not having water, and they complained to Moses and to God. That is sinful complaining. I've done more than my share of it, too, haven't you? From complaining about the weather to having to deal with a difficult coworker or not getting a raise, complaints can truly become our language. We have to be intentional about not complaining and griping, and truly learning to give thanks in everything, as the Bible says. But a biblical lament is not a complaint against God; it is an appeal to God, and it's based on trust in who God is, on what he's done for you in the past, on his very character. Lamenting should move you along toward finding that peace that passes understanding, even when your questions are not answered. Complaining, on the other hand, will keep you mired in selfish attitudes and bring you down.

In the latest episode on Pastor Allen's series on the life of David, Pastor Allen explores what we can learn from David's years on the run from an angry and jealous King Saul. Get ready to hear how this powerful story can help impact your life for the best.