Chester ARP Devotional Podcast
720 episodes - English - Latest episode: 2 days ago -This is a devotional podcast of the Chester Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Chester, SC. These short 3-5 min devotionals are meant to help you to grow in your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and to proclaim his amazing love to the world. New episodes will generally be posted on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays by 10 am.
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Episodes
Listen to the Wisdom of Others -- 1 Kings 12:1-15
January 24, 2024 12:25 - 7 minutes - 7.1 MBRehoboam refused to listen to the counsel of older and wiser men when he became king of ancient Israel. It was a disastrous decision. We can learn what not to do from him.
Solomon's Cautionary Tale -- 1 Kings 11:9-13
January 23, 2024 12:00 - 7 minutes - 6.9 MBSolomon is a cautionary tale for anyone who fancies himself or herself to be a faithful follower of God. We are all in the same danger as Solomon for wondering away and chasing the gods of the nations around us. May we learn from him to guard our hearts and minds in faith and repentance.
Pursue God Alone -- 1 Kings 11:1-10
January 19, 2024 12:35 - 7 minutes - 6.55 MBSolomon allowed intimate partners to lead him away from his God. He and the people of Israel paid the consequences for his failure to pursue God above all others.
We Must Obey in Faith -- 1 Kings 9:1-9
January 18, 2024 16:11 - 5 minutes - 5.47 MBSolomon received the blessing of God's grace freely. Once he entered into a covenant with God, he was responsible for obeying his God's commands. We must do the same.
The Abundance of Offering -- 1 Kings 8:62-66
January 17, 2024 12:00 - 5 minutes - 5.21 MBSolomon and the people of God offered an abundance of sacrifices to the Lord for His good provision for them in the buidling of the Temple. We should be as grateful for his care over us.
A Good Word Pronounced -- 1 Kings 8:54-61
January 05, 2024 12:00 - 7 minutes - 7.25 MBSolomon pronounced a benediction over the people at the conclusion of his prayer of dedication on the day it was dedicated to the Lord. This good word reminded the people of God's faithfulness and challenged them to live lives of holiness and obedience so that God would be glorified.
A Prayer of Dedication -- 1 Kings 8:22-53
January 04, 2024 12:00 - 8 minutes - 7.69 MBSolomon's prayer of dedication at the Temple was realistic. It acknowleded the faithfulness of God, the realities of a fallen world, and God's grace for his people. May we learn to pray similar prayers through the ministry of the Holy Spiirt.
God Always Fulfills His Promises -- 1 Kings 8:12-21
January 03, 2024 11:58 - 7 minutes - 6.62 MBGod always fulfills his promises. Solomon recognized that God had used him to build the Temple in Jerusalem. We must realize that God uses us to fulfill his promises too.
God's Permanent Presence -- 1 Kings 8:1-11
December 06, 2023 12:27 - 7 minutes - 7.05 MBThe Temple signigfied God's permanent presence among His people in the Pomised Land. Up to the point of the Temple's conclusion, God had moved with his people. But, now He was settling them in a specific location and dweeling amongst them. Permanence is good.
Reflecting God's Glory -- 1 Kings 6:11-22
December 05, 2023 13:12 - 6 minutes - 5.82 MBSolomon built his Temple to reflect the glroy of God. There was no question that it had to be the most majestic building in all the land becaue it was the place where the Hebrews would meet with their glorious God. We can learn from them about giving our best to God.
God Graciously Provides -- 1 Kings 4:20-34
December 01, 2023 14:10 - 7 minutes - 7.16 MBGod graciously provided peace, security, and wealth for Solomon and the people of Isarel so that they could refelect His glory and establish His worship in Jerusalem through the building of the Temple. He often does the same for His Chruch.
Wisdom and the Perspective She Gives -- 1 Kings 3:16-28
November 30, 2023 12:00 - 9 minutes - 8.26 MBSolomon received wisdom from God and promptly put it to use when he had to judge between two women and a living baby. We can learn perspective from this story as well as see evidence of God's Spirit on Solomon.
Prayer That Pleases God -- 1 Kings 3:1-15
November 29, 2023 12:00 - 8 minutes - 8.11 MBSolomon had the opportunity to pray for anything he wanted. God would grant his request. What did he pray for? Wisdom to discern the will of God. That's what he needed, and that's what God gave him along with all the weath and honor that he could imagine. We should prayer similarly.
Executing the Lord's Will -- 1 Kings 2:36-46
November 29, 2023 03:51 - 9 minutes - 9.06 MBSolomon executed the Lord's will justly and swiftly. There is much for us to learn in these 10 verses.
Decisive Action to Clean House -- 1 Kings 2:13-35
November 27, 2023 12:10 - 9 minutes - 8.29 MBSolomon had to take decisive action to clean house after being crowned king following his father David's death. He killed Adonijah and Joab while banishing Abiathar, the priest. These men were threats to the advancement of the Lord's will. We must be willing to be decisive as well.
King David's Final Instructions -- 2 Kings 2:1-12
November 15, 2023 12:18 - 8 minutes - 7.75 MBDavid gave his son Solomon final instructions before he died. He told Solomon to act like a man, follow the Lord, and deal with the problems in the kingdom in order to establish himself as king and to have a long, healthy reign. We should follow his advice as well.
David Picked His Successor -- 1 Kings 1:28-53
November 14, 2023 12:11 - 7 minutes - 7.31 MBKing David picked his successor to be his son Solomon. He did it because Solomon was the best choice of Israel and for the glory of God. We should make similar decisions.
Discipline and The Good of the Kingdom -- 1 kings 1:5-27
November 13, 2023 12:39 - 9 minutes - 8.51 MBDavid failed to discipline his sons at home and it came back to bite him with Absalom and Adonijah. Thankfully, Nathan and Bathsheba had the best of Israel's future in mind as they conspired to put Solomon on the throne.
David Placed His Life in God's Hands -- 2 Samuel 24:10-17
November 07, 2023 12:05 - 7 minutes - 6.98 MBIt is always far better to place your life in the hands of our loving God than it it to place it in the hands of other men. May we learn that God will always be merciful to us even if He has to discipline us for our rebellion.
Rely Upon the Lord -- 2 Samuel 24:1-9
November 06, 2023 12:19 - 6 minutes - 6.13 MBDavid completed a census of the prople under his rule at the end of his reign. He did it because he wanted to know the number of fighting men in his kingdom. However, he was specifically told not to do that by God. He didn't trust the Lord's strength and saught to rely upon his own.
David's Apropos Last Words -- 2 Samuel 23:1-7
October 27, 2023 11:00 - 8 minutes - 7.67 MBDavid's final words as recorded in 2 Samuel 23 are most appropriate. In them, he speaks of the blessing that just rulers bring onto their followers and of the curses that unjust rulers bring. The unjust will be destroyed. These words are most apropos for us today.
Praise the Lord -- 2 Samuel 22
October 25, 2023 11:29 - 7 minutes - 6.8 MBDavid responded to God's good and gracious providence in his life by praising his.name. Will we do the same?
Worry About Those Who Care About You -- 2 Samuel 19:1-10
October 23, 2023 11:40 - 6 minutes - 6.04 MBJoab rebuked King David for spending too much time mourning the death of Absalom and not being concerend about the people who actually were loyal to him and stayed with him after Absalom rebelled. We must stop worrying about those who don't want anything to do with us.
A Son Is Never Far From His Father's Love -- 2 Samuel 18:19-33
October 20, 2023 11:00 - 8 minutes - 8.05 MBAbsalom rebelled against David and conspired to overthrow his reign, but he was never too far from his father's love. David desired reconcilliation with his son. However, he never got it. God pursues us the same way.
Just Consequences -- 2 Samuel 18:9-18
October 18, 2023 11:00 - 8 minutes - 7.95 MBGod is just and His justice will be served. Thankfully, Jesus paid the ultimate price for our sins with his death, but that does not mean we don't face the reality of God's justice in our lives.
God-Inspired Plans Work -- 2 Samuel 17:1-14
October 16, 2023 11:00 - 7 minutes - 7.11 MBGod showed David how he should set about defeating the counsel of Ahithopel. David followed the plan, and it worked perfectly. We should recognize that God's plans always work.
God Works In Various Ways -- 2 Samuel 16:15-23
October 13, 2023 11:00 - 8 minutes - 8.07 MBGod works in various ways to accomplish His purposes. In this story, He puts Hushai in Absalom's confidence and confuses the counsel of Ahithopel. God is not bound by the limits we may put on him.
Turn the Other Cheek -- 2 Samuel 16:5-14
October 12, 2023 18:25 - 8 minutes - 7.5 MBKing David turned his other cheek to Shimei as he cursed him on his journey from Jerusalem. We should learn to follow his example.
Don't Make Hasty Judgments -- 2 Samuel 16:1-4
October 11, 2023 11:00 - 7 minutes - 7.08 MBDavid made a hasty judgment when he rewarded Ziba with all the possessions of Mephibosheth. He did it because Ziba showed him kindness during the time he fled from Absalom. However, his decision was not warranted. Actually it was mistaken. We should always refrain from making rash decisions in the midst of crisis.
Wisdom and Faith During Crisis -- 2 Samuel 15:24-37
October 10, 2023 11:05 - 8 minutes - 7.5 MBKing David faced a great crisis when he had to leave Jerusalem after his son Absalom conspired against him. He acted wisely and trusted the providential grace of his God as he left. We should do the same when we face the crises of our lives.
Closer than Kinfolk -- 2 Samuel 15:18-23
October 09, 2023 11:21 - 7 minutes - 7.04 MBIttai the Gittite was closer to David than his own son Absalom was. Oftentimes the relationships we form with other believers are stringer than those we have with blood relatives.
Sin Takes Over Absalom's Heart -- 2 Samuel 15:1-12
October 06, 2023 12:44 - 8 minutes - 7.71 MBSin took over Absalom's heart and led him to conspire against his father David. If we aren't careful, sin will sear our consciences and harden our hearts. We must keep watch over ourselves.
Take Care of Things at Home -- 2 Samuel 13
October 04, 2023 10:45 - 8 minutes - 8.13 MBDavid didn't take care of things at home the way that he was supposed to and it cost him greatly. Dysfunction abounded with this children and it began with the incestual desires of Amnon for his sister Tamar. Absalom avenged her rape by killing Amnon.
Hoping for Grace and Trusting God's Will -- 2 Samuel 12:15-25
October 03, 2023 11:13 - 8 minutes - 7.89 MBDavid and Bathsheba's first son died. While the child was alive David fasted and wept before the Lord hoping for God's mercy and grace for the healing the of the child's life. After the child died, David worshipped, ate, and returned to leading Israel as he trusted the Lord's will.
The Consequences of Sin are Real -- 2 Samuel 12
October 02, 2023 11:14 - 7 minutes - 6.45 MBDavid committed grave sin when he had an adulterous affair with Bathsheba and then had her husband killed to cover it up. God forgave him, but that forgiveness did not take away the consequences of his sin.
Self-Indulgent Sins Have Consequences -- 2 Samuel 11:14-27
September 28, 2023 10:23 - 7 minutes - 6.8 MBDavid's sin of self-indulgence had tremendous consequences for him and all those who were touched by it. He committed adultery and murder, and the dysfunction it caused was great. God was gracious to forgive, but David still had to deal with the consequences.
Don't Allow Temptation to Knock on Your Door -- 2 Samuel 11:1-13
September 27, 2023 11:00 - 8 minutes - 7.81 MBKing David allowed temptation to knock on his door when re decided to stay at home instead of going to the battle field with his troops. Don't be like him. Follow Uriah's example, not David's.
Loyalty and Kindness -- 2 Samuel 9
September 26, 2023 11:00 - 7 minutes - 6.7 MBKing David was a man after God's own heart who allowed the godly characteristics of that heart to show in his daily life. He was loyal to Jonathan and kind to Miphibosheth. We are called to live similarly.
Be Grateful for God's Goodness -- 2 Samuel 7:18-29
September 25, 2023 10:16 - 7 minutes - 6.88 MBDavid recognized that God had been good and gracious to him by entering into the covenant with him. David didn't deserve to have a descendent on the throne forever. He didn't earn that right. No one does. But God graciously made that promise to him, and he was thankful.
God's People Reveal His Character -- 2 Samuel 7:1-17
September 21, 2023 11:12 - 9 minutes - 8.9 MBDavid wanted to build a temple to showcase the glory and the majesty of God, but God had other intentions. He wanted to establish His people and their king in order to reflect His glory to the nations. Why? Because God's people reflect His character to others.
You Have to Trust God's Timing -- 2 Samuel 7:1-17
September 20, 2023 10:30 - 7 minutes - 7.25 MBDavid desired to build God a house for His ark of the covenant to dwell in on the top of Mount Zion. He had a great motivation and desire, but God wasn't ready for the Temple to be built yet. David had to wait.
Despised Because of His Devotion -- 2 Samuel 6:18-29
September 19, 2023 10:38 - 7 minutes - 6.59 MBDavid's wife Michal despised him because he devoted himself to the Lord. She was angry with God and David and took that anger out on David when he worshiped the Lord. Folks still do that to Chrsitians today.
Do Things the Right Way -- 2 Samuel 6:1-15
September 18, 2023 11:00 - 7 minutes - 6.85 MBDavid wanted to bring the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, but he went about it the wrong way. God justifiably disciplined Uzzah for violating the holiness of God.
Finally, David's the King -- 2 Samuel 5
September 15, 2023 10:18 - 7 minutes - 6.51 MBGod prepared David for the tasks he would have to perform as the king of his people. He does the same with us.
Loyalty in Question -- 2 Samuel 3
September 14, 2023 11:19 - 10 minutes - 9.98 MBKing Saul's general Abner remained loyal to Saul's household until Saul's son questioned Abner's motives. Then, Abner joined forces with King David. We should learn to work through our differences with those who have been loyal to us in the past instead of accusing them of betraying us. Their past loyalty testifies to their heart.
David is Publicly Recognized as King -- 2 Samuel 2:1-7
September 13, 2023 11:00 - 7 minutes - 6.91 MBDavid is publicly recognized as king over the tribe of Judah and he expects them to give him the same loyalty that they gave to Saul. Why? Because he is the Lord's anointed king.
Lament Over a Lost Friend -- 2 Samuel 1:17-27
September 11, 2023 11:22 - 9 minutes - 8.9 MBDavid lamented the loss of Saul and Jonathan. it grieved his heart to lose them and to see the effects of thier loss on the people of Israel. We can learn from David here.
Respecting the Lord's Anointed -- 2 Samuel 1
September 08, 2023 11:08 - 8 minutes - 7.78 MBDavid grieved the death of Saul and Jonathan becasue he recognized their humna dignity and appointed roles of authority from the Lord. We can learn from him to treat those who are placed in authority over us with respect and affection.
God Works All Things for His Purposes -- 1 Samuel 31
September 07, 2023 11:13 - 8 minutes - 7.71 MBGod does all things in his time and for his purposes. He will be vctorios and we must trust him whille living in a world that is opposed to him and his will being done.
Share the Spoil -- 1 Samuel 30:15-31
September 06, 2023 11:10 - 7 minutes - 7.3 MBGod gave David and his men the victory over the Amalekites who had raided thier homes. David recovered the spoil. He was also willing to share that spoil with every one of his men regardless of whether or not the soldier went into battle. We should do the same.