Chester ARP Devotional Podcast

Ask the Lord -- 1 Samuel 30:1-15

September 05, 2023 12:13 - 7 minutes - 7.2 MB

David asks the Lord for direction as he responds to the capture of his wives and the families of his men. He follows the Lord's wisdom. We should learn from him.

God Works in Everything -- 1 Samuel 29

August 31, 2023 12:09 - 7 minutes - 7.24 MB

God works in everything to accomplish his will for his glory and our good. David was preserved from doing something extremely harmful to his future when King Achish sent him home from the battlefirled. God worked that out for David's protection.

It Is What It Is --1 Samuel 28:15-25

August 30, 2023 11:18 - 7 minutes - 6.83 MB

God rejected Saul, because Saul had rejected God. Sadly, Saul refused to recognize that reality and made a giant mess of his life. Finally, he heard the truth plainly from Samuel as Israel prepared for battle against the Philistines. The truth is the truth.

King Saul Being King Saul -- 1 Samuel 28:1-14

August 29, 2023 11:00 - 7 minutes - 6.91 MB

King Saul is in a bad situation as he looks over the valley and sees the army of the Philistines coming for him. What does he do? Tries to get a witch to conjure up Samuel from the dead to inquire of the Lord for him. He always does the wrong things.

Walking Away from Conflict -- 1 Samuel 27

August 28, 2023 11:00 - 8 minutes - 7.74 MB

David's situation after 1 Samuel 26 with Saul forced him to walk away from the land of Israel and to seek exile in Philisita. While there, he fulfilled his responsiblities to King Achish and waited on the Lord to deliver him from Saul's purusit of his life. We are called to do the same at times.

Doing the Right Thing -- 1 Samuel 25:2-22

August 24, 2023 11:20 - 6 minutes - 6.22 MB

Nabal refused to return the good fortunes that his men received from David. But, David had done the right thing by Nabal's men before he sought any repayment. We are to return the good we receive and be good to others because its the right thing to do.

Continuity with God -- 1 Samuel 25:1

August 23, 2023 11:00 - 7 minutes - 6.61 MB

The period of the Judges came to a complete end when Samuel died. Israel is now a monarchy with a power hungry madman on the throne. But, hope is not lost. God is still in control. He provides the continuity.

Preserve the Lord's Anointed -- 1 Samuel 24

August 22, 2023 11:10 - 6 minutes - 5.85 MB

David preserved the life of the Lord's anointed becasue it was the right thing to do. He was to honor Saul because Saul had been placed in a position of leadership by the grace and will of God. We are to do the same.

An Arrogant King -- 1 Samuel 22

August 21, 2023 11:29 - 9 minutes - 8.73 MB

King Saul was arrogant enough to think that somehow he would change the will of God. He thought he could guarantee the continuation of his kingdom by killing David. He thought he could go against God's will and win. He was wrong. We are too when we think like that.

Acting Crazy, but Why? -- 1 Samuel 21:10-15

August 18, 2023 11:00 - 6 minutes - 5.52 MB

David fled the land of Israel for the greener pastures of the Philistines in Gath. When recognized by the servants of King Achish, he changed his behavior to make the king think he was insane. He should have remianed in Israel and trusted the Lord.

God Uses Human's to Do His Will -- 1 Samuel 21:1-9

August 17, 2023 18:41 - 7 minutes - 6.89 MB

God uses ordinary men and women with all their flaws to accomplish his purposes. He is full of grace and truth.

Sacrificing for the Glory of God

August 16, 2023 11:12 - 7 minutes - 7.12 MB

Jonathan sacrificed his own spot on the throne of Israel so that David could be king one day. Jonathan wanted the will of God done more than he wanted to be king. He did it because he worshipped the Lord alone. We should learn from him.

Loyal to a Friend -- 1 Samuel 20:1-17

August 15, 2023 11:00 - 7 minutes - 6.91 MB

Jonathan was loyal to David. He had his back. That's what true friends do. They care for one another.

Protect Other People -- 1 Samuel 19

August 14, 2023 10:38 - 7 minutes - 7 MB

Jonathan and Michal protected David from their father Saul and his vicious plan to kill him. They played their part in the outworking of God's plan beautifully. We must be willing to intervene and intercede for others as well.

Character Matters -- 1 Samuel 18:12-30

August 11, 2023 14:20 - 7 minutes - 7.17 MB

The characters of Saul and David come out in the last half of 1 Samuel 18. Saul wants to maintain power and conives a way to destroy his enemy David. But, God has other plans. He presevers David for His own purposes.

Don't Pursue Power -- 1 Samuel 18:6-11

August 10, 2023 11:00 - 5 minutes - 5.36 MB

Saul pursued power above all other things. His identity was wrapped up in his position. David, however, was content to wait on the Lord. We should be as well.

Humility of Friendship -- 1 Samuel 18:1-5

August 09, 2023 11:00 - 6 minutes - 6.24 MB

Jonathan and David were fast freinds. They loved each other. We see Jonathan demonstrating the humility of freindship. His faith produced the fruit of humility and the desire of exalting others over oursleves.

David's Faith and the Lord's Victory -- 1 Samuel 17:40-58

August 08, 2023 11:10 - 8 minutes - 7.48 MB

David trusted the Lord to bring the victory to His people. He went in the name of the Lord of host and beleived that He would be vicotirous. David had the boldness and courage to do the work before him. We must as well.

I'll Go! -- 1 Samuel 17:31-40

August 04, 2023 11:00 - 7 minutes - 7.31 MB

David had the guts to go to the battle. He knew that God would be with him and deliver him from the hands of the giant. He had fought lions and bears. What was Goliath?

This is About God -- 1 Samuel 17:24-30

August 03, 2023 11:00 - 7 minutes - 6.89 MB

David recognized that Israel's battel with Goliath and the Philistines was not about them and the Philistines. Rather, it is about God and the Philistines. He knew he was fighting for the Lord. Too bad the Israelites didn't realize that too.

A Shepherd Boy and a Warrior -- 1 Samuel 17:12-24

August 02, 2023 19:54 - 6 minutes - 6.05 MB

David has an encourther with Goliath as he brings provisions to his brothers from their father. He hears Goliath's daily speech. What will the young shepherd boy do?

Victory for God's People -- 1 Samuel 17:1-11

August 01, 2023 11:00 - 6 minutes - 5.99 MB

Goliath challenged the army of Saul. He was an insurmountable warrior who represented Philistia on the battlefield. He all bu guaranteed victory for them. God's people, however, were delivered by a shepherd boy. There's a lesson in that for us.

A Man of Peace -- 1 Samuel 16:14-23

July 28, 2023 10:50 - 7 minutes - 6.71 MB

The Spirit of the Lord rests on David after He departed from Saul. Saul's spirit was harmful and broken because he rejected the Lord. God worked all things for His glory in then and still does today.

A Man After God's Heart -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13

July 27, 2023 11:00 - 7 minutes - 6.54 MB

David was God's choice to be Saul's successor on the throne of Israel. He was the complete opposite of Saul. And, that's the kind of man God wants. Humble. Trustworthy. Devoted.

A Kingdom Torn From Saul's Hands -- 1 Samuel 15:24-35

July 26, 2023 11:00 - 7 minutes - 6.63 MB

The Lord tore the kingdom of Israel from Saul becasue Saul had been disobedient and was unrepentant. We must learn that the Lord desires our hearts and devotion and he deserves it because He is the Lord.

The Lord YOUR God -- 1 Samuel 15:10-23

July 25, 2023 11:35 - 8 minutes - 8.17 MB

The Lord rejects Saul as king over Israel becaues Saul refused to fulfill His commands. However, the Lord's rejection of Saul follows Saul's rejection of Him. Saul's heart is not devoted to the Lord nor submitted to His will.

A Disobedient King -- 1 Samuel 15:1-9

July 18, 2023 11:03 - 7 minutes - 6.44 MB

Saul disobeyed the commands of God when he led the Israelites into battle against the Amalekites. God rejected him because it.

Don't Make Rash Promises -- 1 Samuel 14:24-46

July 17, 2023 11:10 - 8 minutes - 7.91 MB

Saul made a rash vow that could have had disasterous consequences for his family and Israel. Thankfully, God prevented him from taking Jonathan's life as the peole refused to allow him to kill his son. The Lord's work is seen in action rather than silly, ill-advised vows.

Faith and Action -- 1 Samuel 14:6-23

July 07, 2023 10:57 - 8 minutes - 8.06 MB

Jonathan was a man of faith and action. He trusted the Lord and took action against the Philistines. The Lord moved and brought victory to Israel. We must trust the Lord to fight our battles and take action in faith.

Saul Offered Unlawful Sacrifice -- 1 Samuel 13:8-23

July 06, 2023 11:05 - 8 minutes - 7.46 MB

Saul offered an unlawful sacrifice and had to face the consequennces of his sin. God rejects those who profane his holy things and refuse to follow his prescribed ways of worship.

We Need God -- 1 Samuel 13:1-7

July 05, 2023 11:00 - 7 minutes - 7.04 MB

Israel rejected God as their king in order to have a human king to deliver them from the hand of of their enemies. The problem was that they were helpless against their enemies without God. They needed him and so do we.

Trust the Lord -- 1 Samuel 12:6-25

July 03, 2023 11:00 - 7 minutes - 6.9 MB

Do not trust in princes of the earth, for they will let you down. Do not trsut in things that cannot profit you nor deliver you. It's a waste. Rather, trust the Lord and he will be you God into eternity.

Integrity Matters -- 1 Samuel 12:1-5

June 30, 2023 11:00 - 6 minutes - 6.14 MB

Samuel was a man of tremendous integrity. There was no charge to labeled against him, and because of that, he was well respected among God's people. Integrity matters in our lives as well.

King Saul Delivers His People -- 1 Samuel 11

June 29, 2023 11:15 - 8 minutes - 7.35 MB

For the first time during his reign, King Saul delivered his people from their enemies. By the power of God, he is beginning to take his place as leader and deliverer of his fellow Israelites.

No Coincidences with God -- 1 Samuel 10:17-28

June 28, 2023 11:00 - 8 minutes - 7.46 MB

Saul was "randomly" chosen to lead the people, or so it appeared to them. However, God is as sovereign over the random things in life as he is over those which appear to be clearly planned.

Anointed in the Lord's Will -- 1 Samuel 10:1-16

June 26, 2023 11:00 - 7 minutes - 6.63 MB

Samuel nointd Saul to be king over the people of Israel. He would deliver the peopel from their enemies and reign over the Israelites, and he'd receive the blessing from the Lord as long as he reamined in the Lord's will.

God Prepared the Way -- 1 Samuel 9:13-27

June 23, 2023 10:51 - 7 minutes - 6.57 MB

God prepared Saul for Israel and Israel for Saul. There was nothing left for chance in this momentous meeting between the prophet and future king. The people made their choice freely as did God.

Introduced to the King -- 1 Samuel 9:1-14

June 22, 2023 11:24 - 7 minutes - 7.05 MB

1 Samuel 9 introduces us to the future king of Israel -- Saul. He has all the worldly qualificatios and looks the part. He's the most intimidating figure in all of Isarel, but is he qualified to lead in accordance with God's will?

Be Careful of Ask For -- 1 Samuel 8:10-22

June 21, 2023 11:44 - 7 minutes - 6.82 MB

Samuel told the people of Israel to be careful what they ask for when asking for a king. They wantedto be like every other nation around them; yet, they weren't like every other nation around them. They were the Lord's.

Tired of Hardship? 1 Samuel 8:1-9

June 20, 2023 11:15 - 7 minutes - 6.94 MB

The Israelites got tired of the cycle of hardship that was prevalent during the period of the Judges. Their moral compass was gone and they wanted someone to give them a new one. They wanted a king.

Submissive Hearts -- 1 Samuel 7

June 19, 2023 11:40 - 7 minutes - 6.62 MB

Israel learned that their submission to the Lord in faith was necessary before he would give them victory over their enemies, the Philistines. We must learn to trust him as well.

Don't Miss the Blessing -- 1 Samuel 6

June 16, 2023 11:00 - 8 minutes - 7.82 MB

The men of Beth-shemesh missed the blessing of the Lord's presence because they were scared of his judgment on thier sin. God is just. We aren't. He also promises grace to those who will trust in Him. Let us not miss the blessing.

Israel's God is Greater -- 1 Samuel 5

June 15, 2023 11:00 - 6 minutes - 5.99 MB

Israel's God is greater than all the other pretenders. Dagon and the Philistines found that out, and so will everyone else who refuses to bow the knee to the God of all creation.

Prophecy Fulfilled -- 1 Samuel 4:12-22

June 14, 2023 11:00 - 6 minutes - 5.74 MB

God's fulfilled his prophecy to Eli ragarding his sons and their family's future in charge of Israel's worship. It was a day for great sorrow. But, God is still gracious to bring about his good in all things.

God Honors Faithfulness -- 1 Samuel 4:1-11

June 13, 2023 11:10 - 7 minutes - 6.75 MB

God honors faithfulness. Paln and Simple. The Israelites found that out in there battle with Philisties and we will as well if we don't learn from them.

Give Them The Lord's Word -- 1 Samuel 3

June 12, 2023 11:24 - 7 minutes - 6.58 MB

Sameul was called to give the Word of the Lord to the people of Israel. This task began with Eli. It wasn't a pleasant to message; yet, he had to give it to him. We are called to do the same thing -- give God's word to people even when it isn't pleasant.

Chester ARP Devotional Podcast

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