The Bible in a Year Podcast with Scott Purcell

What happens when God answers by fire, and what happens when He answers in a whisper? Today on Day 178, we witness some of the most iconic and dramatic moments in biblical history. In 1 Kings, Elijah challenges 450 prophets of Baal to an epic showdown on Mount Carmel to prove who is the true God. But right after this monumental victory, a death threat from Jezebel sends a depleted Elijah running into the wilderness, where God meets his deep depression not with a roaring wind or an earthquake, but with a gentle, low whisper.In the New Testament, Paul stands before the brilliant minds of Athens at the Areopagus in Acts 17 and 18. He boldly uses their own altar to the "Unknown God" to introduce them to the Creator of the universe who commands all people to repent because of the resurrection of Jesus. Afterward, Paul moves on to Corinth, teaming up with Aquila and Priscilla to anchor a brand-new church community.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Kings 18:16–19:21 – Elijah faces Ahab and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. Baal's prophets cry out all day to no avail, but when Elijah drenches his altar with water and prays, fire falls from heaven and consumes everything. Elijah executes the false prophets and rain floods the land. In chapter 19, Jezebel vows to kill him, and a fearful Elijah flees to Mount Horeb. God passes by—not in the wind, earthquake, or fire—but in a low whisper, comforting Elijah and commanding him to anoint Elisha as his successor.📖 Acts 17:22–18:8 – Paul addresses the Areopagus, declaring that the God who made the world does not live in man-made temples and is not far from us. He proclaims the resurrection, causing some to mock while others believe. In chapter 18, Paul arrives in Corinth, works as a tentmaker alongside Aquila and Priscilla, and reasons in the synagogue every Sabbath, leading to the high-profile conversion of Crispus, the ruler of the synagogue, and his entire household.📖 Psalm 78:17–31 – Asaph recounts how Israel rebelled in the desert, demanding food and doubting God's provision despite Him splitting the rocks. Though God rained down manna and meat like dust, His anger kindled against them because they ate greedily and refused to trust His power.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:1 Kings 18, 1 Kings 19, Acts 17, Acts 18, Psalm 78, Mount Carmel fire, prophets of Baal, still small voice, Elijah depression, Paul Areopagus sermon, unknown God, tentmakers Corinth, Aquila and Priscilla, audio bible.

What happens when the true living God aggressively confronts a culture of idols? Today on Day 177, we meet two of the most courageous figures in Scripture stepping onto hostile stages to declare the truth. In 1 Kings, the northern kingdom of Israel plunges into its darkest spiritual era under King Ahab and Jezebel. Out of nowhere, the prophet Elijah bursts onto the scene, shutting up the heavens with a word, surviving by ravens at a brook, raising a widow's son, and preparing a final showdown against the prophets of Baal.In the book of Acts, Paul carries that exact same confrontational fire into Thessalonica, Berea, and Athens. We watch him reason from the Scriptures, proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise. We look at the noble Bereans, who test everything against the Word, before following Paul to Athens, where his spirit is deeply provoked by a city completely smothered in pagan idols.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Kings 16:8–18:15 – Israel experiences bloody political chaos until Ahab takes the throne, doing more evil than all who went before him by marrying Jezebel and institutionalizing Baal worship. Elijah the Tishbite suddenly appears, declaring a multi-year drought. God hides Elijah at the brook Cherith where ravens feed him, then sends him to a widow in Zarephath, where her oil and flour miraculously never run out. When her son dies, Elijah stretches over him and prays, and God raises the boy to life. Three years later, Elijah steps out to confront Ahab.📖 Acts 17:1–21 – Paul and Silas preach in Thessalonica, causing a riot by envious critics who claim they are "turning the world upside down." They flee to Berea, where the Jews are praised as more noble because they received the word eagerly and examined the Scriptures daily. Driven out again, Paul travels to Athens. While waiting, his spirit is provoked by the city’s rampant idolatry, leading him to debate daily in the marketplace and catch the attention of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers at the Areopagus.📖 Psalm 78:9–16 – Asaph recalls how the tribe of Ephraim turned back on the day of battle because they forgot God's wonders—including how He split the rocks in the wilderness and made water run down like rivers.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:1 Kings 16, 1 Kings 17, 1 Kings 18, Acts 17, Psalm 78, Ahab and Jezebel, Elijah drought, ravens feed Elijah, widow of Zarephath raised, turning world upside down, noble Bereans, Paul in Athens, Areopagus, audio bible.

What do you do when your faithfulness lands you in a dark place? Today on Day 176, we face a stark contrast between kings who misuse their freedom and prisoners who find absolute liberty in chains. In 1 Kings, we slide through a rapid succession of rulers in both Judah and Israel. Most choose the path of idolatry, corruption, and warfare, illustrating how easily structural leadership collapses when it leaves behind the wisdom of God.In the book of Acts, the spiritual battle intensifies in Philippi. After delivering a slave girl from a demonic spirit of divination, Paul and Silas are stripped, beaten, and thrown into a maximum-security dungeon. Instead of grumbling or despairing, they turn their prison cell into a sanctuary, praying and singing hymns at midnight. When a violent earthquake shatters the chains and opens the doors, it paves the way for a desperate jailer and his entire household to find salvation.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Kings 14:21–16:7 – Rehoboam leads Judah into rampant idolatry, resulting in Egypt plundering the Temple treasures. He is succeeded by Abijam, who continues his sins, followed by Asa, who brings reform by destroying idols and deposing his grandmother for making an Asherah pole. Meanwhile, the northern kingdom of Israel experiences chaotic assassinations: Nadab is slaughtered by Baasha, who wipes out Jeroboam's lineage, only to face a similar prophetic doom from Jehu for continuing Jeroboam's sins.📖 Acts 16:16–40 – Paul casts out a fortune-telling spirit from a slave girl, infuriating her owners who lose their source of income. Paul and Silas are severely beaten and thrown into the inner prison with their feet in stocks. At midnight, as they sing hymns, an earthquake shakes the foundations, opening all doors. The jailer draws his sword to kill himself, assuming the prisoners fled, but Paul stops him. Stricken with awe, the jailer asks, "What must I do to be saved?" He and his household believe, rejoice, and are baptized.📖 Proverbs 15:21–30 – Wisdom on paths and perspective: "Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead." Solomon reminds us that plans fail without counsel and notes that a cheerful report refreshes the bones.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:1 Kings 14, 1 Kings 15, 1 Kings 16, Acts 16, Proverbs 15, King Asa reform, Baasha revolt, slave girl divination, Paul and Silas in prison, midnight singing, earthquake Philippi, jailer baptized, audio bible.

What happens when human ambition tries to manufacture its own security? Today on Day 175, we explore the danger of political compromise versus the beauty of divine guidance. In 1 Kings, the newly crowned King Jeroboam panics that his northern subjects will defect back to Jerusalem. To protect his power, he constructs counterfeit golden calves, setting off a tragic spiritual slide. God sends a bold prophet to rebuke him, but human stubbornness ultimately seals the doom of his household.In the book of Acts, we watch the Holy Spirit direct Paul’s second missionary journey. Systematically blocked from his own plans, Paul obeys a supernatural vision to cross into Europe. In Macedonia, there are no grand temples—just a small prayer meeting by a river where a wealthy merchant named Lydia has her heart gently opened by the Lord, establishing the first church on European soil.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Kings 12:25–14:20 – Jeroboam builds golden calves at Dan and Bethel, creating an unauthorized priesthood. A man of God from Judah arrives at Bethel, prophesying that a future king named Josiah will destroy the altar. When Jeroboam orders the prophet's arrest, his hand instantly withers, though it is healed after the prophet prays. Later, the prophet is tragically tricked by a false old prophet and killed by a lion for minor disobedience. In chapter 14, Jeroboam's son falls ill; the prophet Ahijah sees through the queen's disguise and pronounces final judgment on Jeroboam's lineage.📖 Acts 16:1–15 – Paul recruits young Timothy in Lystra, circumcising him to prevent offense among local Jews. As they travel, the Holy Spirit forbids them from speaking in Asia and Bithynia. At Troas, Paul receives a night vision of a man begging, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." Sailing straight for Philippi, they meet Lydia, a seller of purple goods. The Lord opens her heart to heed Paul's message, and she and her entire household are baptized.📖 Psalm 78:1–8 – Asaph issues an urgent call to the nation to listen to the parables of old, vowing to teach the next generation the glorious deeds of the Lord so they will not be stubborn and rebellious like their ancestors.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:1 Kings 12, 1 Kings 13, 1 Kings 14, Acts 16, Psalm 78, Golden calves Dan Bethel, withered hand, man of God, Macedonian call, Timothy, Lydia Philippi, seller of purple, next generation, audio bible.

What happens when proud human choices cause a sudden fracture? Today on Day 174, we step into a landscape altered by dramatic divisions, tracking both a tragic political collapse and a strategic restructuring of the early church's missionary team. In 1 Kings, the golden era of a united Israel shatters. Following Solomon's compromise, his foolish son Rehoboam ignores wise counsel and aggressively raises taxes, causing the ten northern tribes to revolt under Jeroboam, leaving the kingdom permanently divided.In the book of Acts, we see how the Lord handles sharp disagreements within His church. The Jerusalem Council issues an official letter confirming that Gentiles are free from the yoke of legalism, sparking massive joy in Antioch. However, a sharp disagreement over John Mark causes the dynamic duo of Paul and Barnabas to part ways—yet God uses this painful split to multiply their missionary reach across the globe.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Kings 11:14–12:24 – God raises up adversaries against a compromised Solomon, including Hadad the Edomite and Jeroboam, who receives a prophetic sign from Ahijah that he will rule ten tribes. Solomon dies, and his son Rehoboam ascends the throne. When the people beg for relief from heavy labor, Rehoboam rejects the elders' advice and listens to his young peers, telling the nation, "My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions." This foolish arrogance instantly triggers a massive civil revolt, leaving Rehoboam ruling only Judah.📖 Acts 15:22–41 – The apostles send Judas Barsabbas and Silas to Antioch along with Paul and Barnabas to deliver the council's decree, assuring the Gentiles that circumcision is not required. The church rejoices over the encouraging message. Afterward, Paul suggests a second missionary journey, but Barnabas insists on bringing John Mark. Paul strongly objects due to Mark's past desertion. The argument is so sharp they separate: Barnabas takes Mark to Cyprus, while Paul chooses Silas and travels through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.📖 Psalm 77:10–20 – Asaph shifts from deep despair to powerful remembrance by focusing on God's historical track record: "I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old." He praises God for redeeming His people, commanding the waters, and leading His flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).

What happens when compromise creeps into the center of our faith? Today on Day 173, we navigate a heartbreaking peak-and-valley transition in Israel's history alongside a crucial institutional battle for the purity of the gospel. In 1 Kings, Solomon reaches the absolute pinnacle of worldly wealth, wisdom, and international fame, epitomized by the visit of the Queen of Sheba. Yet, the narrative takes a tragic, dark turn. Solomon violates God's kingship laws, accumulating massive wealth, horses from Egypt, and hundreds of foreign wives who systematically turn his heart away from God, forcing a sovereign decree that his kingdom will be torn apart.In the book of Acts, a different kind of threat challenges the church. Legalistic teachers travel to Antioch, insisting that Gentile believers must be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses to be saved. This sparks the famous Jerusalem Council. Rather than sliding into a religion of heavy human striving, Peter, Barnabas, and Paul stand up to defend pure grace, refusing to place a yoke on the neck of new disciples that neither they nor their ancestors could bear.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Kings 9:10–11:13 – Solomon builds cities, commands a fleet of ships, and receives the Queen of Sheba, who is left breathless by his wisdom and the luxury of his palace. His annual revenue reaches an astounding 666 talents of gold. However, chapter 11 exposes his collapse: Solomon loves many foreign women—700 wives and 300 concubines—from nations God explicitly warned against. In his old age, his wives turn his heart after false gods like Ashtoreth and Molech. Furious at his betrayal, God declares that He will tear the kingdom away from Solomon's son, leaving only one tribe for the sake of David.📖 Acts 15:1–21 – Men from Judea arrive at Antioch, teaching: "Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved." Paul and Barnabas vigorously oppose this, taking the debate to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem. After sharp discussion, Peter reminds the council that God gave the Holy Spirit to Gentiles purely through faith. James agrees, citing the prophet Amos to prove God always intended to claim the nations, and concludes they should not trouble the Gentiles turning to God.📖 Psalm 77:1–9 – Asaph cries out to God in a season of intense, sleepless distress: "I cry aloud to God... in the day of my trouble I seek the Lord." He wonders if the Lord will cast him off forever, asking if God's steadfast love has ceased or if His compassion has been shut up in anger.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).

What happens when the true King encounters human worship and human hostility? Today on Day 172, we witness an epic royal prayer of dedication alongside the wild, unpredictable realities of the frontline mission field. In 1 Kings, Solomon stands before the newly filled Temple, spreading his hands toward heaven in one of the most comprehensive prayers in Scripture. He acknowledges that even the highest heavens cannot contain God, yet begs Him to hear His people whenever they pray toward this place.In the book of Acts, Paul and Barnabas experience the extreme volatility of human crowds in Lystra. After Paul miraculously heals a man lame from birth, the pagan crowd treats them like Greek gods. When the apostles furiously refuse the worship, the crowd flips instantly—stoning Paul and dragging him outside the city to die. Yet, in a stunning display of resurrection power, Paul stands right back up and walks back into the city to keep preaching.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Kings 8:22–9:9 – Solomon kneels before the altar, praying for God to keep His covenant with David. He asks that when Israel sins—whether through defeat, famine, or exile—and repents toward this Temple, God would hear from heaven and forgive. Following a massive feast of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep, God appears to Solomon a second time, promising to establish his throne forever if he walks in integrity, but warning that if Israel turns to idols, the Temple will become a heap of ruins.📖 Acts 14:8–28 – In Lystra, Paul commands a crippled man to stand, and he leaps up. The crowd shouts that the gods have come down, calling Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes. The apostles tear their clothes to stop the pagan sacrifices, crying out that they are only human. Soon, hostile leaders arrive from Antioch and Iconium, stirring up the crowd to stone Paul. Left for dead, Paul revives when the disciples gather around him. He finishes his journey through Derbe, appoints elders in every church, and returns to Antioch to report how God opened the door of faith to the Gentiles.📖 Proverbs 15:11–20 – Wisdom on the heart and character: "A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken." Solomon notes that Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord, and warns that a scoffer dislikes being reproved.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:1 Kings 8, 1 Kings 9, Acts 14, Proverbs 15, Solomon's prayer, temple dedication sacrifices, Gibeon dream, Lystra, Barnabas and Paul as Zeus and Hermes, Paul stoned at Lystra, appointing elders, door of faith to Gentiles, audio bible.

What happens when the undeniable reality of God confronts the hearts of men? Today on Day 171, we step into a grand moment of sacred fulfillment alongside the fierce realities of spiritual warfare on the mission field. In 1 Kings, the construction of the Temple is finally complete. We watch the priests carry the Ark of the Covenant into the dark, gold-lined Holy of Holies. The moment they step back, a thick cloud of the Lord’s glory floods the room so intensely that the priests cannot even stand to minister—God has officially moved into His house.In the book of Acts, we watch the explosive impact of that same divine presence moving through the apostles. In Antioch and Iconium, almost the entire city gathers to hear Paul and Barnabas preach. But where God works, opposition stirs. Driven by intense jealousy, the religious elite spark a wave of persecution, forcing the apostles to shake the dust from their feet and carry the fire of the gospel to the next town.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Kings 7:23–8:21 – Huram finishes casting the massive bronze furnishings, including the "Sea" (a colossal basin resting on twelve bronze oxen) and the mobile sacrificial carts. In chapter 8, Solomon assembles the elders of Israel to bring the Ark up from the City of David. When the priests place the Ark beneath the wings of the cherubim, the cloud of the Lord’s glory fills the Temple. Solomon blesses the assembly, praising God for fulfilling the ancient promise He made to David.📖 Acts 13:42–14:7 – The people beg Paul and Barnabas to speak more the following Sabbath, drawing nearly the whole city. Filled with jealousy, the Jewish leaders revile them, prompting Paul to declare that since they reject eternal life, the apostles will turn directly to the Gentiles. The Gentiles rejoice, but a persecution forces Paul and Barnabas to shake the dust off their feet and flee to Iconium. Filled with joy and the Holy Spirit, they preach boldly in Iconium until a violent plot forces them to flee again to Lystra and Derbe.📖 Psalm 76:1–12 – A majestic song of victory celebrating God as the ultimate, fearsome judge: "Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?" The psalmist declares that the wrath of man will ultimately praise God, who cuts off the spirit of princes.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).

How does God construct a place where His presence can dwell? Today on Day 170, we transition from the silent engineering of a grand stone temple to the dynamic proclamation of an eternal spiritual kingdom. In 1 Kings, Solomon begins constructing the highly anticipated Temple of God. Built with massive stones dressed at the quarry, the temple rises in reverent silence, lined with pure gold and intricate carvings, signaling that the holy Creator is moving into a permanent home among His people.In the book of Acts, we travel with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch in Pisidia. Stepping into the synagogue, Paul delivers a masterclass sermon that mirrors the architecture of Israel's history. He traces God's hand from the Exodus through the era of David, declaring that the ultimate, living Temple of God has arrived in Jesus—whom the leaders crucified, but whom God raised from the dead, offering a justification that the Law of Moses could never provide.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Kings 6:1–7:22 – Construction on the Temple begins 480 years after the Exodus. Incredibly, no hammer, axe, or iron tool is heard at the building site, as every stone is perfectly pre-cut at the quarry. The interior is overlaid with pure gold, carved with cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. God promises Solomon that if he remains obedient, He will dwell among the Israelites. Solomon then builds his own palace complex and commissions a craftsman named Huram to fashion two massive, artistic bronze pillars named Jachin and Boaz for the temple porch.📖 Acts 13:13–41 – John Mark abruptly leaves the mission group to return to Jerusalem. Paul and Barnabas push forward to Antioch in Pisidia. Invited to speak in the synagogue, Paul outlines Israel's history, pointing directly to King David, and announces that God has brought to Israel a Savior, Jesus, from David's seed. Paul emphasizes that though Jerusalem's leaders executed Jesus, God raised Him, fulfilling the Messianic promises of the Psalms and opening the door for the forgiveness of sins.📖 Psalm 75:1–10 – A song of thanksgiving celebrating God's timely, righteous judgment: "At the set time that I appoint I will judge with equity." The psalmist warns the arrogant not to lift up their horns, declaring that promotion comes from God alone, who puts down one and exalts another.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:1 Kings 6, 1 Kings 7, Acts 13, Psalm 75, Solomon's Temple, silent construction, gold overlay, Jachin and Boaz, Paul's sermon, Antioch in Pisidia, David's line, raised from the dead, justification by faith, audio bible.

What happens when God's authority encounters human deception? Today on Day 169, we witness a stunning demonstration of spiritual clarity operating on a royal scale and moving out onto the global mission field. In 1 Kings, the legendary wisdom of King Solomon is put on display in an intense courtroom drama involving two mothers. We watch his kingdom flourish in peace, administration, and prosperity as he prepares to build a majestic house for the Lord.In the book of Acts, the landscape of the early church shifts permanently as the Holy Spirit specifically sets apart Barnabas and Saul for the first intentional global missionary journey. Traveling to the island of Cyprus, they face direct spiritual warfare when a corrupt sorcerer tries to block their message. Saul—now explicitly called Paul for the first time—steps forward in supernatural authority to expose the fraud and bring light to an entire island.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Kings 3:16–5:18 – Solomon resolves a bitter dispute between two mothers claiming the same living baby by calling for a sword to divide the child, instantly revealing the true mother by her compassionate cry to spare the infant. Chapter 4 outlines Solomon’s massive, organized royal court and his sweeping international reputation for writing thousands of proverbs and songs. In chapter 5, Solomon partners with King Hiram of Tyre to secure cedar and stone cutters to begin construction on the grand Temple of God.The Judgment of Solomon, AI generatedThe Judgment of Solomon. Source: Christine_Kohler / Getty Images📖 Acts 12:20–23:12 – King Herod accepts divine worship from an adoring crowd and is immediately struck down by an angel, dying a horrific death. Meanwhile, the church in Antioch fasts and prays, prompting the Holy Spirit to say, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." Sailing to Cyprus, they confront a Jewish false prophet and sorcerer named Elymas who tries to turn the Roman proconsul away from the faith. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Paul rebukes him, causing temporary blindness to fall upon the sorcerer, which moves the proconsul to deep belief.Paul Blinds Elymas the Sorcerer, AI generatedPaul Blinds Elymas the Sorcerer. Source: mikroman6 / Getty Images📖 Psalm 74:18–23 – Asaph concludes his desperate corporate prayer, urging God to remember how the enemy scoffs and to plead His own cause: "Do not forget the clamor of your foes, the uproar of those who rise against you, which goes up continually."RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).

Where do you look for security when the pressure starts to mount? Today on Day 168, we watch leaders secure their platforms through earthly politics, while God demonstrates what true heavenly security looks like. In 1 Kings, a young King Solomon consolidates his new empire by systematically eliminating political threats inherited from his father's reign. Yet, when God offers him anything he desires, Solomon bypasses wealth and power, humbly requesting an understanding mind to govern his people—a request that delights the Lord.In the book of Acts, the early church faces an execution crisis under King Herod. James is put to death, and Peter is thrown into maximum-security confinement. But while Herod relies on chains, guards, and prison doors, the church leans into a different weapon: relentless prayer. In a spectacular, late-night display of cosmic authority, an angel of the Lord effortlessly walks Peter right past his guards and out into the streets of Jerusalem.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Kings 2:13–3:15 – Solomon firmly establishes his kingdom by executing Adonijah for a deceptive power play, replacing the corrupt priest Abiathar, and having Benaiah cut down Joab at the horns of the altar. In chapter 3, God appears to Solomon in a dream at Gibeon, saying, "Ask what I shall give you." Acknowledging his youth, Solomon asks for wisdom to discern between good and evil. God rewards his humility by granting him unmatched wisdom, along with unrequested riches and honor.📖 Acts 11:19–30–12:19 – The gospel spreads to Antioch, where Barnabas and a newly converted Saul teach a massive multi-ethnic church that is the first to be called "Christians." In chapter 12, King Herod Agrippa launches a persecution, executing James and imprisoning Peter under quadruple squads of soldiers. While the church prays fervently, an angel strikes Peter's side, shatters his chains, opens the iron city gate, and leads him to freedom, leaving a bewildered Herod to execute the useless guards.📖 Proverbs 15:1–10 – Timeless wisdom on the power of speech and character: "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Solomon reminds us that the eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good, and notes that the correction of a fool leads to death.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:1 Kings 2, 1 Kings 3, Acts 11, Acts 12, Proverbs 15, Joab killed at altar, Solomon asks for wisdom, dream at Gibeon, church at Antioch, first called Christians, James martyred, Peter's prison escape, angel releases Peter, audio bible.

What happens when God radically shifts the course of history? Today on Day 167, we watch old eras give way to monumental new beginnings. In 1 Kings, the golden reign of King David draws to a dramatic close. As David lies frail in his bed, a rogue son attempts to steal the crown, forcing a swift response to publicly anoint Solomon as the rightful heir. With his final breaths, David charges his son to walk faithfully in the statutes of God before passing away into history.In the book of Acts, an even greater shift unfolds. Peter steps across a forbidden threshold into the home of a Roman Centurion. As he preaches the gospel, the Holy Spirit falls raw and unedited upon these Gentile outsiders, completely shocking the Jewish believers and proving that God has granted repentance leading to life to all nations.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Kings 1:1–2:12 – An aging King David is frail and unable to stay warm. Seizing the power vacuum, his oldest surviving son, Adonijah, throws a feast to declare himself king, backed by Joab. Nathan the prophet and Bathsheba alert David, who acts decisively, ordering Solomon to be placed on his own mule and anointed king at Gihon Spring. The rebellion instantly dissolves as Adonijah flees for safety. In chapter 2, David gives Solomon a final charge to keep the Law of Moses, and David dies after ruling Israel for forty years.📖 Acts 10:23–11:18 – Peter arrives at the house of Cornelius in Caesarea, acknowledging it was traditionally forbidden for a Jew to associate with a Gentile. As Peter preaches that Jesus is Lord of all, the Holy Spirit falls upon all who heard the word, evidenced by tongues and praise. Peter commands them to be baptized. Returning to Jerusalem, Peter is criticized by circumcision traditionalists, but he recounts his vision and the Spirit's falling, prompting the council to glorify God: "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life."📖 Psalm 74:10–17 – Asaph continues his heavy plea, asking God how long the foe will scoff and mock His name. He shifts to declare God's ancient, cosmic power, praising Him as the King who divided the sea, broke the heads of the sea monsters, established the celestial lights, and made both summer and winter.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF 📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/ 🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT 📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected] 🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support 📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGAL The Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords: 1 Kings 1, 1 Kings 2, Acts 10, Acts 11, Psalm 74, Adonijah's coup, Solomon anointed king, David's final charge, death of King David, Cornelius house, Gentile pentecost, God shows no partiality, repentance to Gentiles, audio bible.

What does it cost to step into a new territory of God's presence? Today on Day 166, we travel through stories of deep sacrifice, miraculous power, and crumbling cultural walls. In 2 Samuel, we look at the courage of David’s elite group of "Mighty Men," before watching a devastating misstep by the king himself. David takes a prideful census of his empire, bringing a plague upon the nation, but the story ends with a profound act of worship on a plot of land that will become the home of the future temple: a threshing floor paid for in full.In the New Testament, the power of the early church ripples into new towns and completely rewrites long-held prejudices in Acts 9 and 10. We stand by as Peter raises a beloved believer named Dorcas from the dead, and then watch as God completely upends Peter's worldview through a bizarre vision of unclean animals, commanding him to take the gospel directly into the home of a Roman Centurion.Today’s Scripture:📖 2 Samuel 23:8–24:25 – We meet David's "Mighty Men"—elite warriors who stood their ground alone in fields of lentils and fought until their hands froze to their swords. In chapter 24, David succumbs to pride and counts his military forces against Joab's advice. Stricken with guilt, David chooses to fall into the merciful hands of God rather than men, enduring a three-day plague. The judgment stays when David buys the Threshing Floor of Araunah, famously declaring, "I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God that cost me nothing."📖 Acts 9:32–10:23 – Peter heals a paralyzed man named Aeneas in Lydda, causing an entire region to turn to the Lord. In Joppa, a devoted, generous disciple named Dorcas dies; Peter arrives, prays over her, and raises her from the dead. In chapter 10, a devout Roman centurion named Cornelius is told by an angel to fetch Peter. Simultaneously, Peter falls into a trance on a rooftop, seeing a sheet full of unclean animals lowered from heaven with a voice declaring, "What God has made clean, do not call common."📖 Psalm 74:1–9 – A heavy, communal lament by Asaph, crying out to God in a season where the sanctuary has been ruined by enemies. The psalmist mourns that the temple carvings have been smashed, the holy place burned, and that Israel no longer sees any prophetic signs or answers from God.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).

What happens when the ultimate hunter becomes the ultimate trophy of God's grace? Today on Day 165, we step into two of the most triumphant, breathtaking passages in the entire biblical narrative. In 2 Samuel, an aging King David looks back over a lifetime of running from spears, surviving betrayal, and enduring wilderness exiles. He pours his heart into a magnificent epic song of praise, celebrating the God who was his rock, his fortress, and his shield through every storm.In the book of Acts, the storm of persecution hits a wall of blinding light. Saul of Tarsus—the chief enemy of the early church—is marching toward Damascus to arrest Christians when he is flattened to the earth by the risen Jesus. In a shocking turnaround that could only be orchestrated by God, the church’s fiercest hunter is instantly transformed into its boldest preacher, turning the ancient world completely upside down.Today’s Scripture:📖 2 Samuel 22:1–23:7 – David sings a monumental song of praise to the Lord for delivering him from the hand of Saul and all his enemies. He describes God dramatically parting the heavens, riding on a cherub, and reaching down into deep waters to rescue him. Chapter 23 records the "last words of David," where he anchors his legacy not in his own military might, but in the everlasting covenant God established with his house.📖 Acts 9:1–31 – Saul breathes threats against disciples, but a light from heaven flashes around him on the Damascus road. Jesus asks, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?" Blinded, Saul is led into the city. A hesitant disciple named Ananias is sent by God to lay hands on him; scales fall from Saul’s eyes, he is baptized, and he immediately begins preaching in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God, leaving both friends and enemies completely stunned.📖 Psalm 73:15–28 – Asaph finds the resolution to his bitter crisis of faith. He admits he was envious of the wicked until he entered the sanctuary of God; there, he finally understood their ultimate destiny. He confesses his own past ignorance and concludes with beautiful assurance: "But for me it is good to be near God; I have made the Lord God my refuge."RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:2 Samuel 22, 2 Samuel 23, Acts 9, Psalm 73, David's song of praise, the Lord is my rock, last words of David, conversion of Saul, road to Damascus, why do you persecute me, Ananias and Saul, scales fell from his eyes, into the sanctuary of God, audio bible.

What happens when what looked like a tragedy becomes the catalyst for an explosion of grace? Today on Day 164, we see how God navigates the mess of human politics and uses the dispersion of His people to cross ancient boundaries. In 2 Samuel, King David faces yet another regional uprising, this time led by a Benjaminite named Sheba, while a multi-year famine forces David to settle a blood-guilt debt left behind by the reckless household of Saul.In the book of Acts, the brutal persecution launched by Saul backfires spectacularly on the forces of darkness. Instead of destroying the church, the scattered believers become flying seeds of the gospel. We travel with Philip into Samaria, watching an entire city erupt in joy over miracles and baptisms, before the Holy Spirit redirects him to a lonely desert road to open the Scriptures for a searching Ethiopian official, taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.Today’s Scripture:📖 2 Samuel 20:1–21:22 – A worthless man named Sheba starts a fresh revolt against David, drawing away the northern tribes. Joab ruthlessly murders his rival Amasa to reclaim command of the army, corners Sheba inside a city, and a wise woman saves her town by having Sheba's head thrown over the wall. In chapter 21, a three-year famine strikes Israel because Saul had broken a national vow by slaughtering the Gibeonites. David yields seven descendants of Saul to the Gibeonites to stay the judgment, and the passage ends by celebrating David’s aging warriors who cut down the last remnants of the giants of Gath.📖 Acts 8:4–40 – Scattered believers preach the word everywhere. Philip goes to Samaria, performing miracles and casting out demons. A local sorcerer named Simon attempts to buy the power of the Holy Spirit with money, drawing a fierce rebuke from Peter. The angel of the Lord then sends Philip to a desert road, where he encounters an Ethiopian eunuch reading Isaiah. Philip explains that the text points directly to Jesus, baptizes him in a roadside pool, and is miraculously caught away by the Spirit to preach up the coast to Caesarea.📖 Proverbs 14:25–35 – Wise principles for public and private life: "A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful." Solomon reminds us that the fear of the Lord is a fountain of life and note that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).

How do we navigate the crushing weight of grief and injustice? Today on Day 163, we reach two of the most emotionally raw, pivotal passages in all of Scripture. In 2 Samuel, the military victory over the rebellion is utterly swallowed up by a father's broken heart. We listen to King David weep uncontrollably in the gatehouse over the death of his rebellious son Absalom, paralyzing the nation until Joab forces him back to reality. We then watch a weary king navigate the complex, fragile process of reclaiming his fractured kingdom.In the book of Acts, the hostility against the gospel boils over into the first execution of a Christian witness. As Stephen boldly concludes his sermon, his furious accusers grind their teeth, drag him outside the city walls, and stone him to death. Yet, even as the rocks fall, Stephen echoes the very heart of Jesus, dying with a prayer of forgiveness on his lips while a young Pharisee named Saul stands by, approving of the slaughter.Today’s Scripture:📖 2 Samuel 18:19–19:43 – Runners race to bring David news of the battle. Learning of Absalom’s death, David breaks down crying, "O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom!" Joab sternly rebukes David, warning him that his public mourning humbles the very soldiers who just saved his life. David suppresses his grief and returns to Jerusalem, showing mercy to his old curser Shimei and welcoming back the loyal, elderly Barzillai, though deep tribal tensions immediately flare between Judah and Israel over the king's return.📖 Acts 7:44–8:3 – Stephen declares that God does not dwell in houses made by human hands. Convicted and enraged, the council rushes at him. Looking into heaven, Stephen sees the glory of God and Jesus standing at God's right hand. They drag him outside the city and stone him. Laying their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul, they execute Stephen as he prays, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." A great persecution breaks out, led by Saul, who ravages the church by dragging men and women off to prison.📖 Psalm 73:1–14 – Asaph opens the third book of the Psalms with a transparent crisis of faith. He admits his feet almost stumbled because he envied the arrogant, watching the wicked prosper with healthy bodies and prideful hearts while he felt plagued and punished all day long.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:2 Samuel 18, 2 Samuel 19, Acts 7, Acts 8, Psalm 73, O my son Absalom, Joab rebukes David, Shimei pardoned, Barzillai, martyrdom of Stephen, Jesus standing, Saul of Tarsus, church persecuted, envying the wicked, audio bible.

What happens when pride and rebellion run their full course? Today on Day 162, we see the devastating end of human arrogance and the tragic history of resisting God's chosen leaders. In 2 Samuel, the political warfare between David and Absalom peaks. Absalom relies on deceptive counsel and his own vanity, but God silently orchestrates events to protect His anointed king. The rebellion collapses in the dark woods of Ephraim, where Absalom’s long, celebrated hair becomes his literal trap, leading to a brutal, tragic end on the battlefield.In the book of Acts, Stephen continues his masterful defense before the high council. He takes his accusers deep into the history of Moses, showing that Israel has a multi-generational habit of rejecting the very deliverers God sends them. From grumbling in the wilderness to fashioning a golden calf, Stephen uses Israel’s history as a mirror to show the Sanhedrin that their rejection of Jesus is part of an ancient, tragic pattern.Today’s Scripture:📖 2 Samuel 16:15–18:18 – Absalom enters Jerusalem and publicly sleeps with David’s concubines to seal his rebellion, fulfilling Nathan's prophecy. Ahithophel advises an immediate attack, but David's spy, Hushai, counters with a grand, stalling strategy that buys David time to cross the Jordan. Realizing his advice was rejected, Ahithophel goes home and hangs himself. The armies collide in the Forest of Ephraim. David orders his men to spare his son, but Absalom's hair catches in an oak tree, leaving him helpless. Joab ignores David’s order and drives three javelins into Absalom's heart, burying him in a pit under a pile of stones.📖 Acts 7:20–43 – Stephen details the life of Moses, pointing out that when Moses first tried to deliver an Israelite, he was rejected with the words, "Who made you a ruler and a judge over us?" Even after God sent Moses back with signs, wonders, and the Law, the people refused to obey him, turning back in their hearts to Egypt and making an idol in the desert.📖 Psalm 72:1–20 – A majestic royal psalm written by or for Solomon, mapping out the ideal king: "May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor." The psalm ends with a glorious doxology, concluding the second book of the Psalms.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:2 Samuel 16, 2 Samuel 17, 2 Samuel 18, Acts 7, Psalm 72, Ahithophel hangs himself, Hushai's counsel, Absalom caught in oak, Joab kills Absalom, Stephen's defense, Moses rejected, golden calf, Moloch and Rompha, ideal king, audio bible.

How do you respond when those you trusted turn completely against you? Today on Day 161, we journey through intense seasons of betrayal, exile, and false accusations. In 2 Samuel, Absalom’s coup strikes the heart of the nation. King David is forced to abandon Jerusalem, weeping as he ascends the Mount of Olives while his top counselor defects to the enemy. Yet, even as rocks and curses are hurled at him, David refuses to retaliate, trusting entirely in the vindication of God.In the book of Acts, a different kind of conspiracy arises. As the early church expands, a faithful, Spirit-filled servant named Stephen emerges to care for the needy and work great wonders. Driven by jealousy, religious opponents stir up a mob and bring false witnesses to drag Stephen before the high council, setting the stage for a historic defense of the gospel that mirrors the trials of Jesus Himself.Today’s Scripture:📖 2 Samuel 15:13–16:14 – David learns that the hearts of Israel have gone after Absalom. To spare Jerusalem from the sword, David flees with his household and loyal foreign guards. He sends the Ark of the Covenant back to the city, committing his fate to God, and learns that his trusted counselor Ahithophel has joined the rebellion. As David walks in exile, a relative of Saul named Shimei relentlessly curses him and throws stones. David restrains his men from killing Shimei, declaring, "Leave him alone, and let him curse, for the Lord has told him to."📖 Acts 6:1–7:19 – The church appoints seven men of good repute—including Stephen—to resolve a food distribution dispute between Hellenistic and Hebraic widows. Stephen performs great miracles, provoking fierce opposition. Unable to withstand his wisdom, his enemies suborn false witnesses to claim he spoke blasphemy against Moses and God. Brought before the Sanhedrin, Stephen's face appears like the face of an angel. Challenged by the high priest, Stephen begins a brilliant historical defense, tracing God's covenant faithfulness from Abraham to Joseph’s rejection by his brothers.📖 Psalm 71:19–24 – The psalmist beautifully proclaims God’s towering, incomparable righteousness: "O God, who is like you?" He celebrates how God revives him out of the deep depths of the earth, vowing to praise His truth with the harp and the lyre while his tongue talks of God's righteous help all day long.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:

What happens when a movement becomes completely unstoppable? Today on Day 160, we look at two very different types of momentum—one built on human manipulation and another driven by the raw power of the Holy Spirit. In 2 Samuel, we watch a political coup slowly form in the dark. King David is manipulated into letting his exiled son Absalom return to Jerusalem, only for the handsome prince to systematically steal the hearts of the citizens, setting up a massive rebellion against his own father.In the book of Acts, a far greater, holy momentum is turning Jerusalem upside down. The religious elite throw the apostles into prison to stop them, but a supernatural jailbreak and a bold declaration before the high council prove that no human force can halt the Kingdom of God. As the wise teacher Gamaliel warns the council: "If this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them."Today’s Scripture:📖 2 Samuel 14:1–15:12 – Joab uses a wise woman from Tekoa to trick King David into bringing his exiled son Absalom home. Though back in Jerusalem, David refuses to see him for two years. Once reconciled, Absalom begins a calculated campaign—standing at the city gate, acting as a champion for the people, and undermining David's authority. After four years, Absalom travels to Hebron under a false pretense and blows the trumpet, declaring himself king.📖 Acts 5:12–42 – Signs and wonders multiply as people lay the sick in the streets hoping Peter’s shadow might touch them. Arrested out of jealousy, the apostles are freed from prison by an angel at night and told to go right back to preaching at the Temple. Hauled before the Sanhedrin again, Peter declares, "We must obey God rather than men." Beaten and released on Gamaliel's advice, the apostles leave rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus.📖 Proverbs 14:15–24 – Wisdom for testing human motives: "The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps." Solomon notes that a wise man is cautious and turns away from evil, while a quick-tempered man acts foolishly.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:2 Samuel 14, 2 Samuel 15, Acts 5, Proverbs 14, Wise woman of Tekoa, Absalom steals hearts, Absalom's rebellion, Peter's shadow heals, angel opens prison doors, Gamaliel advice, obey God rather than men, audio bible.

What happens when corruption creeps into a home or a community? Today on Day 159, we face a sobering study in generational consequences and corporate holiness. In 2 Samuel, the dark prophecy over David's house begins to unlock with heartbreaking precision. We watch David's oldest son, Amnon, commit a brutal act of assault against his half-sister Tamar, followed by the cold-blooded, vengeful assassination of Amnon by her brother Absalom. David's past failures cast a long, tragic shadow over his children.In the New Testament, we experience the early church navigating its own internal threats in Acts 4 and 5. After a powerful prayer meeting that shakes the building with Holy Spirit boldness, the community experiences an unmatched wave of generosity. But a husband and wife, Ananias and Sapphira, attempt to fake that sacrificial heart by lying to the Holy Spirit about a land sale, leading to a swift, terrifying reminder of God's absolute holiness.Today’s Scripture:📖 2 Samuel 13:1–39 – Amnon becomes obsessed with his half-sister Tamar. Following a wicked plan hatched by his cousin Jonadab, Amnon fakes an illness and assaults her, immediately discarding her in hatred. When King David hears of it, he is furious but fails to execute justice. Two years later, Tamar’s brother Absalom takes vengeance into his own hands, throwing a sheep-shearing feast where his servants assassinate a drunk Amnon. Absalom flees into exile, leaving a grieving David longing for his son.📖 Acts 4:23–5:11 – Released from custody, Peter and John return to the believers, who pray a majestic sovereign psalm. The place is shaken, and they are filled with boldness. Barnabas and others sell houses and lands to care for the needy. In chapter 5, Ananias and Sapphira hold back a portion of their land sale while claiming to give it all. Peter exposes their deceitful conspiracy, and both collapse dead on the spot, bringing great fear upon the entire church.📖 Psalm 71:9–18 – The psalmist continues his moving prayer for God's lifelong faithfulness: "Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent." He vows to praise God more and more, committing to proclaim His mighty deeds and saving righteousness to the next generation.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with Us: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:2 Samuel 13, Acts 4, Acts 5, Psalm 71, Amnon and Tamar, Absalom's revenge, David's family tragedy, place was shaken, Barnabas generosity, Ananias and Sapphira lie, great fear came upon the church, audio bible.

What happens when the truth we try to hide is brought into the light? Today on Day 158, we navigate a dramatic study in contrasts, moving from the secret corruption of a palace bedroom to the public boldness of a prison trial. In 2 Samuel, King David commits his most infamous sins. Staying home from the battlefield, he falls into adultery with Bathsheba, orchestrates a cold-blooded cover-up that costs the life of her husband, Uriah the Hittite, and falls under the blistering prophetic rebuke of Nathan: "You are the man!"In the New Testament, we watch a completely different kind of pressure unfold in Acts 4. Hauled before the exact same high council that condemned Jesus to death, Peter and John refuse to hide or back down. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they boldly proclaim the name of Jesus, leaving their powerful accusers entirely speechless at the courage of these uneducated, common men.Today’s Scripture:📖 2 Samuel 11:1–12:31 – David stays behind in Jerusalem while the army is at war. He sees Bathsheba bathing, sleeps with her, and she becomes pregnant. After a failed attempt to trick her husband Uriah into sleeping with her to cover the timeline, David orders Joab to abandon Uriah on the front lines to die. Chapter 12 brings reckoning: Nathan the prophet tells David a clever parable about a rich man stealing a poor man's lamb, trapping David into condemning himself. David repents deeply, but the consequences of his sin ripple out immediately through the tragic death of the child, followed later by the birth of Solomon.📖 Acts 4:1–22 – The Sadducees and Temple guards arrest Peter and John for preaching the resurrection, throwing them in jail. The next day, the Sanhedrin demands to know by what power they healed the lame beggar. Peter declares that salvation is found in no one else but Jesus, whom they crucified but God raised. Amazed by their boldness, the council orders them to stop preaching, but Peter and John counter: "We cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard."📖 Psalm 71:1–8 – A beautiful prayer of refuge for an aging believer: "In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame!" The psalmist praises God as his rock, his fortress, and his hope since youth, vowing that his mouth will be filled with praise and honor all day long.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).

What does radical grace look like when it meets human brokenness? Today on Day 157, we witness two breathtaking displays of compassion that illustrate the heart of God's Kingdom. In 2 Samuel, King David seeks out anyone left of the household of his former enemy, Saul. Instead of executing potential rivals—the standard practice of the ancient world—David pulls Jonathan's crippled son, Mephibosheth, out of hiding and seats him permanently at the royal dinner table.In the New Testament, we watch the power of the risen King flow directly through His disciples in Acts 3. Standing at the Beautiful Gate of the Temple, Peter and John meet a man lame from birth begging for money. Rather than passing him by or tossing him a coin, Peter declares, "Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee," healing him instantly in the name of Jesus and inviting a stunned crowd to look to the true Author of life.Today’s Scripture:📖 2 Samuel 9:1–10:19 – David demonstrates chesed (covenant kindness) by restoring all of Saul's land to Mephibosheth and treating him like his own son. In chapter 10, David tries to show kindness to the new king of the Ammonites, but his ambassadors are insulted and humiliated. This sparks a major war, forcing Joab and the army of Israel to fight a two-front battle against the Ammonites and Syrians, ending in a decisive victory for Israel.📖 Acts 3:1–26 – Peter and John encounter a lame beggar at the Temple gate. Peter commands him to walk in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and the man leaps up, praising God. As a crowd gathers in amazement at Solomon's Portico, Peter delivers a bold sermon, explaining that it was faith in Jesus—whom they delivered up but God raised—that made this man strong, calling them to repent so times of refreshing may come.📖 Psalm 70:1–5 – An urgent, passionate cry from David for swift deliverance: "Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Make haste to help me, O Lord!" He prays that those who seek his life would be turned back, while asking that all who seek God would rejoice and continually say, "God is great!"RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:2 Samuel 9, 2 Samuel 10, Acts 3, Psalm 70, Mephibosheth, kindness to Saul's house, Hanun insults David's men, lame man healed, Beautiful Gate, silver and gold have I none, Solomon's portico, times of refreshing, audio bible.

What happens when we try to build something for God, but He decides to build something for us instead? Today on Day 156, we encounter the bedrock promises that shape the rest of the biblical story. In 2 Samuel, King David looks out at his luxurious cedar palace and decides he wants to build a permanent stone temple for the Ark of God. But through the prophet Nathan, God completely flips the script: He tells David that He will build him a house—an enduring royal dynasty that will culminate in an eternal Kingdom.In the New Testament, we watch that very promise explode into physical reality. As Peter wraps up his thunderous Pentecost sermon in Acts 2, he points directly to David’s tomb, declaring that Jesus is the long-awaited King from David’s line who has conquered death. The crowd is cut to the heart, leading to the baptism of 3,000 people and the breathtaking birth of the first local church.Today’s Scripture:📖 2 Samuel 7:1–8:18 – David proposes building a temple for God, but the Lord responds with the Davidic Covenant, promising that a descendant of David will sit on the throne forever. Overwhelmed with humility, David prays a beautiful prayer of thanksgiving. Chapter 8 tracks David’s rapid military expansion as the Lord gives him victory wherever he goes, defeating the Philistines, Moabites, Syrians, and Edomites, establishing justice and equity throughout the land.📖 Acts 2:22–47 – Peter boldly accuses the crowd of crucifying Jesus, but proclaims that God raised Him from the dead, fulfilling David's prophecies in the Psalms. Stricken with conviction, the people ask, "What shall we do?" Peter calls them to repent and be baptized. About 3,000 souls are added that day, launching a vibrant community defined by the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, radical generosity, and daily growth.📖 Proverbs 14:4–14 – Timeless wisdom on human character and discernment: "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." Solomon reminds us that a faithful witness does not lie, that a prudent person looks where they are going, and that a backslider in heart will get filled with his own ways.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:2 Samuel 7, 2 Samuel 8, Acts 2, Proverbs 14, Davidic Covenant, Nathan the prophet, line of David, David's victories, Peter's Pentecost sermon, repent and be baptized, 3000 added to their number, fellowship of believers, breaking of bread, audio bible.

What happens when the unvarnished glory of God moves into our neighborhood? Today on Day 155, we experience two of the most explosive, dynamic manifestations of God's presence in all of human history. In 2 Samuel, King David conquers the fortress of Zion, establishes Jerusalem as his capital, and attempts to bring the Ark of the Covenant home. Through a sobering lesson on holiness and a display of uninhibited, radical worship, David leaps and dances before the Lord, securing Jerusalem as the spiritual heart of Israel.In the New Testament, we hit a monumental turning point in human history: Pentecost. The waiting is officially over. With the sound of a rushing wind and tongues of fire, the Holy Spirit fills the Upper Room, permanently shifting the dwelling place of God from a stone temple or a golden Ark directly into the hearts of everyday believers.Today’s Scripture:📖 2 Samuel 5:6–6:23 – David conquers the stronghold of Zion from the Jebusites, naming it the City of David, and twice defeats the attacking Philistines. In chapter 6, David gathers 30,000 men to bring the Ark of the Covenant up from Baale-judah. When Uzzah touches the Ark to steady it on a new cart, God's anger breaks out, and Uzzah dies, prompting a fearful David to leave it with Obed-edom. Three months later, David successfully brings the Ark into Jerusalem with sacrifices and ecstatic dancing, drawing the bitter scorn of his wife Michal, who is left childless for despising his worship.📖 Acts 1:23–2:21 – After casting lots to select Matthias to replace Judas, the day of Pentecost arrives. A sound like a mighty rushing wind fills the house, and divided tongues of fire rest on each disciple. Filled with the Holy Spirit, they begin speaking in foreign languages, declaring the mighty works of God to Jews from every nation under heaven. As skeptics mock them as drunk, Peter stands up to deliver a powerful sermon, explaining that this is the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy: God is pouring out His Spirit on all flesh.📖 Psalm 69:29–36 – David shifts his raw prayer to a song of profound praise, declaring that he will magnify God with thanksgiving. He reminds the people that the Lord hears the needy, calling on heaven, earth, and the seas to praise Him because God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah as an inheritance for those who love His name.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF 📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/ 🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT 📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected] 🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support 📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGAL The Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software. Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).

What happens when God's timing finally aligns with His promises? Today on Day 154, we cross major structural thresholds in both testaments, moving out of chaotic transitions into established, sovereign rule. In 2 Samuel, the messy, bloody chapter of civil war draws to a close. Despite backstabbing assassinations and political betrayal among the military generals, God's long-spoken promise is realized: all twelve tribes gather at Hebron to crown David as the undisputed king over all Israel.In the New Testament, we launch into the book of Acts! Luke picks up where his Gospel left off, tracking the final forty days of the resurrected Jesus. We stand on the Mount of Olives as the King of Glory delivers His final earthly commission to the disciples before ascending into heaven on a cloud, leaving them with a promise of supernatural power and an assignment to take His name to the ends of the earth.Today’s Scripture:📖 2 Samuel 3:22–5:5 – Joab returns from a raid, learns of Abner’s defection to David, and murders Abner in a gate to avenge his brother Asahel. David publicly laments Abner, cursing Joab’s household. Soon after, two captains assassinate the rival king Ish-bosheth in his bed and bring his head to David, expecting a reward; instead, David executes them for murdering a righteous man. Finally, all the elders of Israel come to Hebron, make a covenant, and anoint David king over the entire nation.📖 Acts 1:1–22 – Luke addresses Theophilus, detailing Jesus' forty days of post-resurrection appearances. Jesus commands the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the baptism of the Holy Spirit, declaring they will be His witnesses "to the end of the earth." Jesus is lifted up into a cloud, and two angels promise He will return the same way. The disciples return to the Upper Room in prayer, where Peter leads the selection of Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot.📖 Psalm 69:13–28 – David continues his urgent prayer from the mire, asking God to answer out of the abundance of His steadfast love. He laments that insults have broken his heart, leaving him helpless, and prays that God would pour out His indignation upon his merciless accusers who gave him vinegar for his thirst.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:2 Samuel 3, 2 Samuel 4, 2 Samuel 5, Acts 1, Psalm 69, Joab kills Abner, Murder of Ish-bosheth, Anointed at Hebron, Book of Acts, Ascension of Jesus, Mount of Olives, Holy Spirit power, Witnesses to the end of the earth, Matthias chosen, audio bible.

How does God pick up the pieces when things are fractured and broken? Today on Day 153, we navigate the messy reality of a divided nation and the beautiful, tender heart of a forgiving Savior. In 2 Samuel, a bitter civil war erupts between the house of David and the house of Saul. We watch political maneuvering, tragic battlefield skirmishes, and changing loyalties as human beings try to orchestrate their own power structures.In magnificent contrast, the Gospel of John concludes on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Having failed and drifted back to their old fishing nets, Peter and the disciples are met by the risen Jesus. Over a warm charcoal fire, Jesus doesn't lecture or condemn Peter for his three denials; instead, He beautifully restores him with three invitations to "Feed my sheep," demonstrating that our failures never have the final say when our King is doing the restoring.Today’s Scripture:📖 2 Samuel 2:8–3:21 – Saul's general, Abner, sets up Saul's son Ish-bosheth as a rival king over Israel, sparking a long civil war. A deadly tournament at the pool of Gibeon turns into a bloody battle where Joab's fleet-footed brother, Asahel, is relentlessly killed by Abner. As the house of David grows stronger and the house of Saul grows weaker, Abner insults Ish-bosheth, defects from his camp, and makes a pact to turn all of Israel over to David.📖 John 21:1–25 – Seven disciples go fishing but catch nothing all night. At dawn, Jesus stands on the shore and tells them to cast on the right side, yielding a miraculous catch of 153 fish. Recognizing Jesus, Peter plunges into the water. On shore, Jesus provides a breakfast of bread and fish, then three times asks Peter, "Do you love me?"—perfectly redeeming Peter's three denials and commissioning him to shepherd the Church.📖 Psalm 69:1–12 – A deeply emotional messianic psalm of David, crying out from the miry depths: "Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck." The psalmist endures insults and alienation for his devotion, declaring that zeal for God's house has consumed him.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:2 Samuel 2, 2 Samuel 3, John 21, Psalm 69, Civil war in Israel, Abner and Joab, Pool of Gibeon, Ish-bosheth, Miraculous catch of fish, 153 large fish, Peter restored, Feed my sheep, charcoal fire, daily devotional, audio bible.

How do you respond when life changes in an instant? Today on Day 152, we step into a landscape altered by radical shifts, moving from deep, respectful grief to overwhelming, breathtaking joy. In 2 Samuel, David receives confirmation of the death of King Saul and his beloved friend Jonathan. Rather than celebrating the demise of his stalker, David tears his clothes and pens a magnificent, heartbreaking lament for the fallen leaders of Israel before being anointed king over the house of Judah.In the Gospel of John, the ultimate turnaround occurs. We stand with Mary Magdalene as she weeps outside the empty tomb, only to have her grief instantly evaporate when the risen Jesus calls her name. We watch Him breathe the Holy Spirit onto His terrified disciples behind locked doors, and stand by as the doubting apostle Thomas falls to his knees in absolute surrender, uttering the pinnacle confession of the Gospel: "My Lord and my God!"Today’s Scripture:📖 2 Samuel 1:1–2:7 – An Amalekite runner arrives at David's camp, falsely claiming he delivered the death blow to King Saul, hoping for a royal reward. Instead, David executes him for lifting a hand against the Lord's anointed. David delivers The Song of the Bow, a deeply moving funeral lament honoring Saul and Jonathan. Afterward, David inquires of the Lord and moves to Hebron, where the men of Judah publicly anoint him as their king.📖 John 20:10–31 – Mary Magdalene stands weeping at the tomb. Turning around, she sees Jesus but mistakes Him for the gardener until He says, "Mary." That evening, Jesus miraculously passes through locked doors to stand among His fearful disciples, showing them His wounds and imparting His peace. A week later, Jesus appears again to address Thomas's doubts, inviting him to touch His hands and side, prompting Thomas's historic declaration of faith.📖 Proverbs 13:20–14:4 Solomon anchors our relational and household wisdom: "Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." He reminds us that a good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children and notes practically that "where there are no oxen, the manger is clean, but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox."RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:2 Samuel 1, 2 Samuel 2, John 20, Proverbs 13, Proverbs 14, David laments Saul and Jonathan, Song of the Bow, David anointed at Hebron, Mary Magdalene, Doubting Thomas, My Lord and my God, breathe the Holy Spirit, audio bible.

What happens when the story looks completely over? Today on Day 151, we experience the lowest valley and the highest mountain in biblical history. In 1 Samuel, the tragic reign of King Saul reaches its bitter end on the slopes of Mount Gilboa, as Israel is routed and their first king falls on his own sword. In absolute contrast, the Gospel of John takes us from the ultimate agony of the cross to the exploding hope of the resurrection. We hear Jesus utter His final, victorious breath, "It is finished," watch Him receive a king's burial, and then race along with Peter and John to find the stone rolled away and the burial cloths lying empty. Death does not get the final word.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Samuel 29–31 – The Philistine commanders distrust David and reject him from joining their army. David returns home only to find Ziklag burned and his family captured by the Amalekites; he strengthens himself in the Lord, pursues them, and recovers everything. Meanwhile, disaster strikes Israel on Mount Gilboa. Saul’s sons, including Jonathan, are killed, and a critically wounded Saul commits suicide to avoid capture, bringing a tragic close to Israel’s first kingdom.📖 John 19:28–20:9 – Jesus declares, "It is finished," bows His head, and gives up His spirit. A soldier pierces His side with a spear, bringing forth blood and water. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus wrap His body with costly spices and place Him in a new garden tomb. Early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene finds the stone removed. She runs to tell Peter and John, who race to the tomb and find it empty, realizing for the first time that He must rise from the dead.📖 Psalm 68:28–35 – A powerful, concluding shout of praise calling upon God to summon His power and rebuke the beasts. The psalmist invites the kingdoms of the earth to sing praises to the Lord who rides upon the ancient heavens, ascribing power to the God of Israel who gives strength to His people.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:1 Samuel 29, 1 Samuel 30, 1 Samuel 31, John 19, John 20, Psalm 68, Raid on Ziklag, Death of King Saul, Mount Gilboa, It is finished, Blood and water, Joseph of Arimathea, Empty tomb, Resurrection of Jesus, Peter and John racing, audio bible.

What happens when spiritual darkness closes in entirely? Today on Day 150, we witness a sobering contrast between a king who has utterly lost his way and a King who is perfectly fulfilling His destiny. In 1 Samuel, David displays remarkable mercy yet again by sparing a sleeping King Saul in the desert. But as Saul's paranoia reaches a fever pitch and God falls completely silent, the desperate king crosses a fatal spiritual line, sneaking into the dark to consult a medium at En-dor.In the Gospel of John, the ultimate darkness falls upon Jerusalem. We stand in the Roman courtyard as Jesus is brutally scourged, mocked with a crown of thorns, and displayed to a screaming crowd. Bleeding and exhausted, the King of Glory carries His own cross to Golgotha, establishing His throne not on a seat of gold, but on a rugged wooden beam.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Samuel 26–28 – For a second time, David infiltrates Saul's camp while a deep sleep from the Lord falls over the men. David refuses to strike Saul, taking only his spear and water jar as proof of his mercy. Weary of running, David flees to Philistine territory for safety. Meanwhile, facing a massive Philistine army and receiving no answers from God, a desperate Saul disguises himself and visits the Medium of En-dor. God allows the spirit of Samuel to appear, delivering a terrifying message: tomorrow, Saul and his sons will die.📖 John 19:1–27 – Pilate has Jesus scourged, and the Roman soldiers twist together a crown of thorns, shouting, "Hail, King of the Jews!" Pilate tries repeatedly to release Him, but the religious leaders declare, "We have no king but Caesar." Jesus is led away to Golgotha and crucified between two thieves. Even from the cross, Jesus demonstrates tender care, looking down at His mother Mary and committing her protection to the beloved disciple John.📖 Psalm 68:21–27 – A powerful declaration of God's final victory over His enemies. The psalmist describes a majestic sanctuary procession, led by singers and musicians, celebrating how the smaller and larger tribes of Israel march together in strength under the banner of God.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:1 Samuel 26, 1 Samuel 27, 1 Samuel 28, John 19, Psalm 68, David steals Saul's spear, Medium of En-dor, Samuel's ghost, Saul's final warning, Crown of thorns, Behold the man, Crucifixion of Jesus, Golgotha, Behold your son, audio bible.

What do you do when taking revenge is entirely within your power? Today’s reading contrasts the power of self-restraint with the tragedy of spiritual collapse. In 1 Samuel, David finds himself in a dark cave with King Saul completely vulnerable at his feet. Urged by his men to kill his pursuer, David refuses to take vengeance into his own hands, choosing to spare the Lord's anointed. We also meet Abigail, a wise and discerning woman who intervenes to stop David from making a bloody mistake against her foolish husband, Nabal.In the Gospel of John, we watch two tragic missteps: Peter utterly collapses under pressure, denying Jesus three times by a courtyard fire, while the Roman governor Pontius Pilate stands face-to-face with the Truth of the cosmos and cynically asks, "What is truth?" before choosing to release a violent criminal instead of the King.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Samuel 24–25 – Saul pursues David with 3,000 men into the Wilderness of Engedi. Saul steps into a cave to relieve himself—the exact cave where David and his men are hiding. David sneaks up and cuts off a corner of Saul’s robe, but his conscience strikes him, and he forbids his men from harming the king. In chapter 25, the prophet Samuel dies. David seeks provisions from a wealthy, harsh man named Nabal, who insults David’s men. David mounts up for slaughter, but Nabal’s intelligent wife, Abigail, intercepts David with a peace offering, saving David from bloodguilt. God strikes Nabal down days later, and David takes Abigail as his wife.📖 John 18:25–40 – While Jesus stands trial, Peter is questioned by the courtyard fire and denies Him twice more, punctuated by the crowing of a rooster. Jesus is led to Pilate’s palace. In a private interrogation, Jesus explains that His kingdom is not of this world. Pilate attempts to release Him using a Passover custom, but the crowd roars for the release of Barabbas, a notorious rebel.📖 Psalm 68:15–20 – The psalmist compares the majestic mountain of God to the towering peaks of Bashan. He praises the Lord who daily bears our burdens, celebrating Him explicitly as a God of salvation and deliverance who provides an escape even from death itself.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:1 Samuel 24, 1 Samuel 25, John 18, Psalm 68, Cave of Engedi, David spares Saul, Abigail and Nabal, Peter denies Jesus, Peter's third denial, rooster crows, Pilate trial, what is truth, release Barabbas, audio bible.

Where is God when you are cornered by betrayal? Today’s reading takes us deep into the pain of exile and arrest. In 1 Samuel, David is running for his life. Desperate and hungry, he stops at the holy city of Nob for bread and weapons, unwittingly setting off a horrific chain of events when Saul’s spy, Doeg the Edomite, reports the priests. We watch David move from cave to cave, building an army out of the broken and distressed while Saul’s madness grows.In the Gospel of John, the ultimate betrayal unfolds. Jesus steps into a dark olive grove across the Kidron Valley, where Judas arrives with a band of soldiers. Rather than hiding or fleeing like David, Jesus steps forward with absolute majesty, declaring "I Am He" with a voice so powerful it knocks His captors to the ground, willingly trading His freedom to ensure His disciples go free.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Samuel 21–23 – David flees to Nob, where Ahimelech the priest gives him the holy showbread and the sword of Goliath. David hides in the Cave of Adullam, gathering 400 distressed and indebted men. Madness consumes Saul, who orders Doeg the Edomite to slaughter 85 priests at Nob for helping David. David rescues the city of Keilah from Philistines but must flee again when the townspeople plot to hand him over to Saul. The reading ends with Jonathan finding David in the wilderness to encourage him, right before God uses a surprise Philistine raid to call Saul away from cornering David.📖 John 18:1–24 – Jesus enters a garden where Judas betrays Him. When Jesus says "I am he," the soldiers draw back and fall to the ground. Peter draws a sword and cuts off Malchus's ear, but Jesus rebukes him, declaring, "Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?" Jesus is bound and led away to Annas, the former high priest, while Peter follows at a distance, setting up his first tragic denial by a courtyard fire.📖 Proverbs 13:10–19 – Wisdom for maintaining our character under fire: "By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom." Solomon reminds us that wealth gained hastily dwindles, that "hope deferred makes the heart sick," and that a desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:1 Samuel 21, 1 Samuel 22, 1 Samuel 23, John 18, Proverbs 13, Showbread at Nob, Cave of Adullam, Slaughter of the priests, Doeg the Edomite, Keilah, Arrest of Jesus, Judas betrayal, Malchus ear, Cup the Father gave me, audio bible.

Where do you find safety when the world turns hostile? Today in 1 Samuel, David becomes a hunted man. King Saul’s jealousy boils over into open execution orders, forcing David to flee for his life. Through the brave intervention of his wife Michal and a famous, heart-wrenching hidden arrow signal from his covenant brother Jonathan, David escapes into the wilderness.In breathtaking tandem, the Gospel of John takes us behind the veil of eternity. As Jesus prepares to cross the Kidron Valley toward the cross, He finishes His High Priestly Prayer. He isn't praying for Himself; He is praying for you. He explicitly asks the Father to protect His disciples from the evil one and maps out a glorious prayer for absolute unity among all future believers, asking that the very love of the Father would rest inside us.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Samuel 19–20 – Saul tries to spear David again and sends assassins to his house, but Michal helps him escape through a window. David flees to Samuel at Ramah, where Saul's chasing guards are swept up by the Holy Spirit and begin to prophesy. In chapter 20, David and Jonathan hatch a secret plan at the Feast of the New Moon to test Saul’s intentions. When Saul hurls a spear at his own son in a rage, Jonathan realizes David is doomed. They share a weeping farewell in a field after Jonathan uses a hidden arrow signal to warn David to run.📖 John 17:6–26 – Jesus concludes the Upper Room Discourse by praying extensively for His immediate followers and all who will believe through their message. He asks the Father to keep them safe in the world, to sanctify them in the truth of the Word, and prays for a fierce, supernatural unity: "That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you."📖 Psalm 68:7–14 – David recalls God's historic march through the wilderness, where the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain, and God provided a generous inheritance for His needy people. The psalmist celebrates how the Lord gives the command, causing a host of women to shout the good news of fallen kings and scattered enemies.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:1 Samuel 19, 1 Samuel 20, John 17, Psalm 68, Saul tries to kill David, Jonathan and David covenant, hidden arrow signal, escape through window, high priestly prayer, protect them from the evil one, sanctify them in truth, daily devotional, audio bible.

How do we find courage when facing the giants of life? Today we reach the thrilling climax of the battle in the Valley of Elah. In 1 Samuel, young David refuses the king’s heavy armor, stepping out with a simple sling, five smooth stones, and absolute confidence in the name of the Lord. His historic victory over Goliath catapults him into national fame, sparking a deep covenant friendship with Jonathan, but also igniting a dangerous, murderous jealousy in King Saul.In the Gospel of John, Jesus prepares His disciples for their own upcoming battles with the world. He promises that the arrival of the Holy Spirit will guide them into all truth, comforts them with the reality of his resurrection joy, and closes the Upper Room Discourse with a definitive battle cry of hope: "In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Samuel 17:38–18:30 – David rejects Saul’s armor, confronts Goliath, and defeats him with a single stone to the forehead, routing the Philistine army. Afterward, Saul brings David into his permanent service. Jonathan forms an immediate, deep covenant friendship with David, stripping off his own royal robes to honor him. However, as crowds chant that David has slain his ten thousands compared to Saul's thousands, Saul grows paranoid, repeatedly trying to spear David and setting dangerous marriage traps using his daughters, Merab and Michal.📖 John 16:5–17:5 – Jesus explains that it is to the disciples' advantage that He leaves so the Helper can come to convict the world. He promises that their current sorrow will soon turn to joy, just like a woman giving birth. As He transitions from teaching the disciples to praying to the Father, Jesus opens His High Priestly Prayer, asking to be glorified so that He may give eternal life to all who believe.📖 Psalm 68:1–6 – A triumphal processional psalm celebrating God's majestic power. The speaker cries out, "Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered!" while praising Him as a father to the fatherless, a protector of widows, and the One who sets the solitary in families.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:1 Samuel 17, 1 Samuel 18, John 16, John 17, Psalm 68, David and Goliath, smooth stones, David and Jonathan, Saul's jealousy, Saul has slain his thousands, Holy Spirit, I have overcome the world, high priestly prayer, daily devotional, audio bible.

What does God look for when He searches a human heart? Today we step into one of the most famous transitions in biblical history. In 1 Samuel, the prophet Samuel is sent to Bethlehem to anoint a new king. While human eyes focus entirely on outward appearance, God delivers a timeless standard: "The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." We watch as David, a simple shepherd boy, is anointed. This heart for God is immediately put to the test as David steps up to face the giant Goliath while the rest of the army is paralyzed by fear.In the Gospel of John, Jesus uses a powerful, organic image to explain how we cultivate that exact kind of heart. He reveals Himself as the True Vine and describes His followers as the branches. Our spiritual success doesn't depend on our striving, but on our connection—abiding in Him to produce fruit that lasts.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Samuel 16:1–17:37 – Samuel travels to Bethlehem to meet the sons of Jesse. Bypassing the oldest seven brothers, young David is brought from the pastures and anointed. The Spirit of the Lord rushes upon David, while an harmful spirit torments Saul. Chapter 17 takes us to the Valley of Elah, where the giant Goliath terrorizes Israel. David arrives with provisions, hears the giant's blasphemies, and volunteers to fight him, trusting the God who delivered him from lions and bears.📖 John 15:1–16:4 – In the Upper Room, Jesus delivers the "Vine and Branches" discourse, emphasizing that apart from Him, we can do nothing. He defines true love as laying down one's life for friends and explicitly warns the disciples that because they belong to Him, the world will hate and persecute them.📖 Psalm 67:1–7 – A beautiful global prayer for blessing, echoing the Aaronic blessing: "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us." The psalmist prays that God's ways may be known across the earth and that all nations would sing for joy.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG 📺 Watch on YouTube: 📖 Follow the Text (LEB): 🗓️ Download the Full Plan:CONNECT & SUPPORT 📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected] 🎁 Partner with our Ministry: 📩 Get Ministry Updates:CREDITS & LEGAL The Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software. Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords: bible in a year, daily bible reading, 1 Samuel 16, 1 Samuel 17, John 15, John 16, Psalm 67, Samuel anoints David, man looks on the outward appearance, Valley of Elah, David and Goliath, I am the True Vine, abide in me, world will hate you, daily devotional, audio bible.

Is it possible to do the right thing for all the wrong reasons? Today in 1 Samuel, King Saul's leadership grows increasingly erratic. He binds his army with a foolish oath that almost costs his son Jonathan his life, and then completely fails a direct test of obedience regarding the Amalekites. When Saul tries to substitute religious rituals for actual compliance, Samuel delivers a searing truth: "To obey is better than sacrifice." In beautiful contrast, John 14 takes us back into the Upper Room. Facing the ultimate storm of the crucifixion, Jesus comforts His troubled disciples not with rules, but with His presence, declaring Himself the path to the Father and promising a Helper who will never leave them.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Samuel 14:24–15:35 – Saul makes a rash vow forbidding his starving army from eating until evening, which backfires when the soldiers end up sinning by eating meat with the blood. In chapter 15, God commands Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites. Instead, Saul spares King Agag and the best cattle, blaming his people for the choice. Samuel famously confronts him, declares that God has rejected him as king, and turns away as Saul tears his robe.📖 John 14:1–31 – Jesus addresses the anxiety in the room: "Let not your hearts be troubled." He reveals that He is going to prepare a place for them, uttering the definitive statement, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." He promises the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (the Helper) and leaves them with an otherworldly gift: "My peace I give to you."📖 Proverbs 12:28–13:9 – Wisdom for our daily walks: "In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death." Solomon reminds us that a wise son hears his father’s instruction and that "the light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked will be put out."RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:bible in a year, daily bible reading, 1 Samuel 14, 1 Samuel 15, John 14, Proverbs 12, Proverbs 13, Saul and the Amalekites, to obey is better than sacrifice, I am the way the truth and the life, Holy Spirit helper, my peace I give to you, Samuel rebuikes Saul, daily devotional, audio bible.

What handles the pressure when everything starts falling apart? Today in 1 Samuel, King Saul faces his first massive crisis. With an overwhelming Philistine army massing against him and his own soldiers scattering in fear, Saul panics and takes matters into his own hands—disobeying God to offer an unlawful sacrifice. But where the king fails, his son Jonathan shines. Armed with nothing but a single armor-bearer and radical faith, Jonathan steps out to see what God might do. In the Gospel of John, the pressure cooks inside the Upper Room. Jesus openly exposes Judas Iscariot as His betrayer, hands him the piece of bread, and watches him step out into the dark night, setting the cross into motion.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Samuel 13:1–14:23 – Saul’s premature sacrifice costs his dynasty the kingdom, as Samuel sharply rebukes him and declares that God is seeking a "man after his own heart." To make matters worse, the Philistines have disarmed Israel, leaving only Saul and Jonathan with actual swords. Jonathan, trusting that "nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few," climbs a rocky crag to attack an entire garrison, sparking a divinely sent panic that routes the Philistines.📖 John 13:18–38 – Jesus identifies His betrayer by dipping a piece of bread and handing it to Judas. The moment Judas leaves, Jesus speaks of His impending glory and issues a foundational command: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you." The text ends on a sobering note as Jesus lovingly punctures Peter's bravado, predicting that Peter will deny Him three times before the rooster crows.📖 Psalm 66:13–20 – The psalmist shifts from national thanksgiving to personal testimony, fulfilling his vows by bringing burnt offerings into the temple. He invites the faithful to listen to what God has done for his soul, celebrating a God who does not reject our prayers or remove His steadfast love.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:bible in a year, daily bible reading, 1 Samuel 13, 1 Samuel 14, John 13, Psalm 66, Saul's unlawful sacrifice, Jonathan and armor bearer, man after God's own heart, Judas betrays Jesus, new commandment, Peter's denial predicted, daily devotional, audio bible.

What does a true leader look like? Today in 1 Samuel, Saul is publicly chosen by lot as king, wins his first major military victory against the Ammonites, and has his kingship confirmed at Gilgal. Yet, as Samuel delivers his farewell address, he warns the nation that having a human king will not save them if they rebel against God. In the Gospel of John, we see a completely different picture of power. On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus stands up from the dinner table, wraps a towel around His waist, and drops to His knees to wash the dirt from His disciples' feet—showing that in His Kingdom, the greatest of all must become the servant of all.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Samuel 10:9–12:25 – God changes Saul’s heart, and he begins to prophesy. When chosen by lot before the nation, Saul is found hiding among the baggage. He soon proves himself in battle by rescuing Jabesh-gilead. At Gilgal, the kingdom is renewed, and Samuel delivers a sobering farewell speech, calling down a supernatural harvest-time thunderstorm to remind Israel of their sin in demanding a king.📖 John 12:37–13:17 – John reflects on the people's stubborn unbelief, fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecies. The narrative then shifts to the Upper Room. Knowing that His hour has come, Jesus washes His disciples’ feet, overcoming Peter's protests and telling them: "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet."📖 Psalm 66:1–12 – A joyous corporate song of praise inviting the whole earth to shout for joy to God. The psalmist recalls the parting of the Red Sea and acknowledges that though God has tested and refined His people like silver through fire and water, He ultimately brings them out to a place of abundance.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF 📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/ 🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT 📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected] 🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support 📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGAL The Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software. Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords: bible in a year, daily bible reading, 1 Samuel 10, 1 Samuel 11, 1 Samuel 12, John 12, John 13, Psalm 66, Saul hiding in the baggage, King Saul, Samuel's farewell address, Jesus washing feet, Upper Room, servant leadership, daily devotional, audio bible.

What happens when we get exactly what we ask for? Today in 1 Samuel, an aging Samuel faces a heartbreaking rebellion. The people of Israel reject God as their direct ruler, demanding a human king so they can "be like all the nations." God grants their request, leading to the selection of Saul—a man who looks the part but carries deep flaws. In the Gospel of John, we see the ultimate contrast. The crowds pour into the streets of Jerusalem, waving palm branches and shouting "Hosanna!" to welcome Jesus. Yet, He doesn't arrive with military pomp on a warhorse; He comes riding on a humble donkey, ready to show that His crown is won through a cross.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Samuel 8:1–10:8 – Samuel’s sons prove corrupt, giving Israel an excuse to demand a king. Samuel warns them of the heavy taxes and conscription a king will bring, but the people refuse to listen. God leads Samuel to Saul, a tall, impressive young man from the tribe of Benjamin who is out looking for his father's lost donkeys. Samuel privately anoints Saul as the prince over God's heritage.📖 John 12:12–26 – The Triumphal Entry takes place as the Passover crowd hails Jesus as the King of Israel. Even some Greeks arrive seeking an audience with Him, prompting Jesus to declare that His hour has finally come. He introduces the profound principle of the Kingdom: "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit."📖 Psalm 65:1–13 – A beautiful harvest psalm celebrating God’s overwhelming bounty and care for creation. David praises the God of our salvation, who silences the roaring of the seas and clothes the pastures with flocks and valleys with grain.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:bible in a year, daily bible reading, 1 Samuel 8, 1 Samuel 9, 1 Samuel 10, John 12, Psalm 65, Israel demands a king, Saul anointed, Triumphal Entry, Palm Sunday, unless a grain of wheat dies, Hosanna, King of Israel, daily devotional, audio bible.

What happens when the presence of God invades our spaces? Today in 1 Samuel, the Philistines discover that capturing the Ark of the Covenant is a terrifying curse, not a victory. From the temple of Dagon to the streets of pagan cities, God establishes His unshared authority, forcing the Philistines to return the Ark on a driverless cart. In the Gospel of John, the resurrection of Lazarus sparks two opposing reactions. While the religious elite cynically plot to murder Jesus to preserve their political power, Mary of Bethany responds with beautiful, costly devotion, pouring out an inheritance worth a year’s wages to anoint the feet of her King.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Samuel 5–7 – The captured Ark is placed in the temple of the idol Dagon, only for the statue to be found face-down and shattered. Plagues break out across Philistia until they return the Ark to Israel on a new cart pulled by milk cows. Later, Samuel calls Israel to put away their foreign gods at Mizpah, leading to a massive victory over the Philistines and the setting up of the Ebenezer stone—the stone of help.📖 John 11:45–12:11 – The Sanhedrin panics over Jesus' popularity, and Caiaphas unwittingly prophesies that Jesus must die for the nation. Six days before Passover, Jesus dines with Lazarus. Mary opens an expensive jar of pure nard to anoint Jesus' feet, drawing sharp criticism from Judas Iscariot, while the chief priests decide they must kill Lazarus too because his story is convincing so many to believe.📖 Proverbs 12:18–27 – Solomon contrasts the impact of our words and work ethic: "There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." He adds that "anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad."RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:bible in a year, daily bible reading, 1 Samuel 5, 1 Samuel 6, 1 Samuel 7, John 11, John 12, Proverbs 12, Dagon falls, Ark of the Covenant, Ebenezer stone, Mary anoints Jesus, Alabaster jar of pure nard, Caiaphas prophecy, daily devotional, audio bible.

What happens when God breaks His silence? Today in the Book of 1 Samuel, the spiritual darkness of Eli's household reaches a breaking point. In an era when "the word of the Lord was rare," God bypasses the corrupt priesthood to call a young boy sleeping in the Tabernacle, altering the course of Israel's history. Meanwhile, the Ark of the Covenant is captured in a disastrous battle with the Philistines. In the Gospel of John, we witness the ultimate demonstration of divine authority over the grave. Confronted with the devastating grief of Martha and Mary, Jesus declares, "I am the resurrection and the life," before standing at a tomb and commanding a man dead for four days to step out into the light.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Samuel 2:27–4:22 – A man of God pronounces judgment on Eli’s house. Soon after, the Lord calls young Samuel in the night, establishing him as a trusted prophet. Disaster strikes when Israel treats the Ark of the Covenant like a magic charm; the Philistines slaughter the army, capture the Ark, and kill Eli's sons, causing Eli to collapse and die as the glory departs from Israel.📖 John 11:1–44 – Jesus receives word that His friend Lazarus is sick, but intentionally delays His arrival. When He reaches Bethany, Lazarus has been dead for four days. After sharing in the deep grief of the sisters, Jesus comes to the tomb, thanks the Father, and cries out with a loud voice: "Lazarus, come out!"—proving that death has no power over His word.📖 Psalm 64:1–10 – David prays for protection against secret plots and the "whet tongues" of the wicked who shoot arrows of bitter words from ambush. He rejoices knowing that God will suddenly shoot His own arrows, turning their own tongues against them, while the righteous find refuge in the Lord.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF 📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/ 🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT 📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected] 🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support 📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGAL The Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software. Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords: bible in a year, daily bible reading, 1 Samuel 3, 1 Samuel 4, John 11, Psalm 64, Speak Lord your servant hears, Call of Samuel, Ark of the Covenant captured, Ichabod, Resurrection and the Life, Lazarus come out, Jesus wept, daily devotional, audio bible.

Where do you turn when your soul is deeply distressed? Today we begin 1 Samuel with the moving story of Hannah, a barren woman enduring relentless mockery. In her deep grief, she pours her heart out to God at the Tabernacle, promising to dedicate her child to His service. God answers her cry, giving birth to Samuel, the prophet who will transition Israel into the era of kings. In the New Testament, Jesus walks through the Temple during winter and faces intense interrogation. He offers an unbreakable promise of security to those who belong to Him, declaring that His true sheep are held so securely by the Father that absolutely nothing can tear them away.Today’s Scripture:📖 1 Samuel 1:1–2:26 – Hannah prays in bitterness of soul for a son, and Eli the priest initially mistakes her fervor for drunkenness. God remembers Hannah, and she gives birth to Samuel, eventually presenting him at Shiloh to be raised in the house of the Lord. The reading includes Hannah’s Song, a prophetic poem celebrating how God reverses human fortunes, contrasted immediately with the wicked behavior of Eli’s biological sons.📖 John 10:22–42 – Jesus is in Jerusalem during Hanukkah (the Feast of Dedication). Surrounded by hostile leaders demanding a straight answer, Jesus points to His works and states, "I and the Father are one." The religious leaders pick up stones for blasphemy, but Jesus escapes across the Jordan, where many remember John the Baptist’s words and believe in Him.📖 Psalm 63:1–11 – A classic psalm of David written while he was fleeing in the Wilderness of Judah. It is an intense cry of spiritual thirst: "O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you." David resolves to satisfy his soul by meditating on God's past faithfulness through the watches of the night.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:bible in a year, daily bible reading, 1 Samuel 1, 1 Samuel 2, John 10, Psalm 63, Hannah's prayer, Birth of Samuel, Feast of Dedication, Hanukkah, My sheep hear my voice, Soul thirsts for God, Eli's wicked sons, daily devotional, audio bible.

What does it mean to be bought back from hopelessness? Today we conclude the beautiful story of Ruth. On a dark threshing floor, Ruth appeals to Boaz to act as her "kinsman-redeemer"—a legal protector who can buy back her family's lost land and secure their future. Through a righteous legal transaction at the city gate, Boaz redeems her, bringing Naomi’s family back from the brink of extinction and securing a place in the lineage of King David and King Jesus. In the Gospel of John, Jesus uses this exact heart of protection to describe Himself. He is not a hireling who runs away when danger comes; He is the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep by name and willingly lays down His life to keep them safe.Today’s Scripture:📖 Ruth 3–4 – Following Naomi's advice, Ruth goes to the threshing floor at night and asks Boaz to spread his cloak over her, signaling her request for marriage and redemption. Boaz acts swiftly, clearing a legal hurdle with a closer relative at the city gate. He marries Ruth, and they give birth to Obed—the grandfather of King David.📖 John 9:35–10:21 – After the religious leaders cast out the healed blind man, Jesus finds him and reveals His identity as the Son of Man. Jesus then delivers the powerful discourse on the Good Shepherd, contrasting Himself with the "thieves and robbers" who came before Him. He declares, "I am the door of the sheep... I came that they may have life and have it abundantly."📖 Psalm 62:1–12 – A powerful psalm of absolute trust. David declares that his soul finds rest in God alone: "He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken." He admonishes the people to pour out their hearts before God at all times.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:bible in a year, daily bible reading, Ruth 3, Ruth 4, John 9, John 10, Psalm 62, Kinsman Redeemer, Boaz and Ruth, Threshing floor, Genealogy of David, The Good Shepherd, Abundant life, Rock and Salvation, daily devotional, audio bible.

Where is God when life leaves you completely empty? Today we begin the book of Ruth, a beautiful story of loyalty and redemption set during the dark era of the Judges. We follow Naomi, a woman emptied by tragedy, and her daughter-in-law Ruth, whose radical faithfulness leads her into the fields of a righteous man named Boaz. In the Gospel of John, we encounter another story of unexpected grace. Jesus heals a man who has been blind from birth, transforming him from a helpless beggar into a bold witness who confounds the religious authorities with a simple truth: "One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see."Today’s Scripture:📖 Ruth 1–2 – Famine drives an Israelite family to Moab, where tragedy strikes, leaving Naomi a childless widow. Her daughter-in-law Ruth refuses to abandon her, uttering the famous vow: "Where you go I will go... your people shall be my people, and your God my God." Returning to Bethlehem, Ruth happens to glean in the field of Boaz, a wealthy relative who shows her extraordinary kindness and protection.📖 John 9:1–34 – Jesus rejects the idea that a man's blindness was caused by sin, declaring it an opportunity for the works of God to be displayed. He spits on the ground, makes mud, anoints the man's eyes, and tells him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. The miraculous healing sparks an intense interrogation by the Pharisees, who ultimately cast the healed man out for defending Jesus.📖 Proverbs 12:8–17 – Solomon contrasts the speech and habits of the wise and the foolish: "A man is commended according to his good sense... but the words of the wicked are a lying ambush." He reminds us that "prudence covers an insult."RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:bible in a year, daily bible reading, Ruth 1, Ruth 2, John 9, Proverbs 12, Ruth and Naomi, Boaz, gleaning in the fields, man born blind, pool of siloam, once I was blind but now I see, where you go I will go, daily devotional, audio bible.

What happens when the truth is forgotten and everyone becomes their own authority? Today, we finish the Book of Judges with a heartbreaking civil war that nearly annihilates one of the twelve tribes. It is a grim conclusion to a period defined by the recurring phrase: "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes." In the Gospel of John, Jesus offers the only true solution to human chaos—the Truth that sets us free. In a heated debate with religious leaders, He makes the ultimate claim of divinity, declaring that before Abraham was even born, "I Am."Today’s Scripture:📖 Judges 20–21 – The outrage at Gibeah leads to a massive civil war. The eleven tribes of Israel unite against the tribe of Benjamin. After initial defeats, Benjamin is nearly wiped out. The book ends with the desperate and morally questionable attempts of the Israelites to find wives for the surviving Benjaminites, illustrating the total social and spiritual breakdown of the nation.📖 John 8:31–59 – Jesus speaks to those who have believed in Him, explaining that true discipleship is found in abiding in His word. He challenges the leaders' reliance on their ancestry, claiming a lineage that predates the patriarchs. The confrontation reaches a fever pitch when Jesus uses the Divine Name for Himself, leading the crowd to pick up stones to kill Him.📖 Psalm 61:1–8 – A beautiful prayer of trust from a faint heart. David cries out from the ends of the earth, asking God to "lead me to the rock that is higher than I." He vows to sing praises to God’s name forever.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF 📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/ 🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT 📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected] 🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support 📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGAL The Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software. Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords: bible in a year, daily bible reading, Judges 20, Judges 21, John 8, Psalm 61, Civil War in Israel, Benjamin nearly destroyed, The Truth shall set you free, Before Abraham was I Am, The Rock that is higher than I, daily devotional, audio bible.

How dark can things get when everyone does what is right in their own eyes? Today we enter one of the most difficult and graphic portions of the Old Testament. In Judges, we see the tribe of Dan abandon their God-given inheritance to steal a priest and an idol, followed by the harrowing account of a Levite and his concubine in Gibeah. These stories serve as a visceral reminder of what happens when a society abandons its moral compass. In the Gospel of John, we find the remedy for such darkness. Jesus stands in the Temple and declares, "I am the light of the world," promising that whoever follows Him will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.Today’s Scripture:📖 Judges 18–19 – The tribe of Dan, seeking a territory of their own, steals Micah’s carved image and his priest before destroying the peaceful city of Laish. Chapter 19 records a dark turning point for Israel: a Levite and his concubine are met with extreme wickedness in the city of Gibeah—an event so shocking that it mirrors the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah and shakes the entire nation.📖 John 8:12–30 – In the Treasury of the Temple, Jesus continues His teaching during the Feast. He identifies Himself as the Light of the World and warns that those who do not believe He is "I Am" will die in their sins. Despite the mounting tension, many who hear Him begin to believe.📖 Psalm 60:5–12 – David appeals to God's ownership of the land, listing the regions that belong to Him. He concludes with a powerful prayer for help against the foe: "With God we shall do valiantly; it is he who will tread down our foes."RESOURCES & READ-ALONG 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF 📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/ 🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT 📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected] 🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support 📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGAL The Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software. Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords: bible in a year, daily bible reading, Judges 18, Judges 19, John 8, Psalm 60, Tribe of Dan, Levite's concubine, Gibeah, Light of the World, I Am, Treasury of the Temple, moral decay, daily devotional, audio bible.

What happens when our secret compromises finally catch up to us? Today in the Book of Judges, we reach the climax of Samson’s story. Despite his incredible strength, his lack of self-control leads him into the hands of Delilah. We watch as he is blinded and mocked, only to find one last moment of strength in his death. In the Gospel of John, we see a different kind of drama. The religious leaders attempt to trap Jesus using a woman caught in adultery as bait. Instead of falling into their legalistic snare, Jesus mirrors the heart of God by offering a path of grace that neither condemns nor ignores the sin.Today’s Scripture:📖 Judges 16–17 – Samson falls in love with Delilah, who systematically wears him down until he reveals the secret of his strength. Captured and blinded by the Philistines, Samson’s final act is to pull down the temple of Dagon, killing more enemies in his death than in his life. Chapter 17 introduces Micah, whose personal idol-worship illustrates the deepening spiritual decay of Israel.📖 John 7:45–8:11 – While the Temple guards return empty-handed, awestruck by Jesus’ words, the Pharisees bring a woman caught in adultery to Him. Jesus stoops to write in the dirt, challenging the accusers: "Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone." One by one, they leave, and Jesus tells the woman, "Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more."📖 Psalm 60:1–4 – A prayer for restoration after defeat. David acknowledges that God has "rejected us and broken our defenses," yet he asks for a banner to be displayed for those who fear God, that they may be delivered.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF 📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/ 🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT 📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected] 🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support 📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGAL The Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software. Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords: bible in a year, daily bible reading, Judges 16, Judges 17, John 8, Psalm 60, Samson and Delilah, Samson's death, Woman caught in adultery, Let him who is without sin, Micah's idols, Philistines, grace and truth, daily devotional, audio bible.

Where does true strength come from? Today in the Book of Judges, we follow the beginning of Samson’s public life. Though he is a Nazirite set apart for God, Samson’s story is a whirlwind of impulsive desires, violent outbursts, and clever riddles. We see him tear a lion apart and strike down thirty men over a bet, proving that while the Spirit of the Lord gives him power, his character remains a work in progress. In the Gospel of John, Jesus stands in the Temple during the Feast of Booths. As the priests perform the ritual water pouring, Jesus cries out with a different kind of power: the offer of "Living Water" to anyone who thirsts.Today’s Scripture:📖 Judges 14–15 – Samson insists on marrying a Philistine woman, leading to a wedding feast defined by a riddle about a lion and honey. When his wife betrays the answer, it sparks a cycle of revenge involving burning grain fields and a battle at Lehi, where Samson kills a thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey.📖 John 7:14–44 – Jesus arrives halfway through the Feast and begins to teach. The crowd is divided: some believe He is the Christ, while others want to arrest Him. On the last day of the feast, Jesus invites those who are thirsty to come to Him, promising that "rivers of living water" will flow from within those who believe.📖 Proverbs 11:29–12:7 – Wisdom for our daily conduct: "Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind." Solomon reminds us that "a good man obtains favor from the Lord" and that the "root of the righteous will never be moved."RESOURCES & READ-ALONG📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected]🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGALThe Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords:bible in a year, daily bible reading, Judges 14, Judges 15, John 7, Proverbs 11, Proverbs 12, Samson's riddle, Jawbone of a donkey, Feast of Booths, Living Water, Holy Spirit, Samson and the Philistines, daily devotional, audio bible.

Will you stay when the message gets difficult? Today in the Book of Judges, we see the tragic fallout of internal strife as a "password" becomes a matter of life and death for the tribes of Israel. Amidst this chaos, a glimmer of hope appears as the Angel of the Lord visits a barren couple to announce the birth of Samson—a child set apart from birth to begin the rescue from the Philistines. In the Gospel of John, we witness a mass departure. Many of Jesus' followers find His teaching too hard to accept and turn back, prompting Jesus to ask the Twelve: "Do you want to go away as well?"Today’s Scripture:📖 Judges 12–13 – The men of Ephraim pick a fight with Jephthah, leading to a civil war where the word "Shibboleth" is used as a phonetic test to identify enemies. After a period of minor judges, the scene shifts to the birth of Samson. His parents are given strict instructions for his Nazirite vow, marking him as holy to God from the womb.📖 John 6:60–7:13 – Following the "Bread of Life" discourse, many disciples grumble and leave. Peter, however, delivers a beautiful confession: "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." We then see Jesus' brothers mocking His ministry as He prepares to go secretly to the Feast of Booths in Jerusalem.📖 Psalm 59:9–17 – David concludes his prayer with a song of morning praise. Even while enemies prowl the city like howling dogs, David sings of God's strength: "For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress."RESOURCES & READ-ALONG 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF 📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/ 🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT 📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected] 🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support 📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGAL The Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software. Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords: bible in a year, daily bible reading, Judges 12, Judges 13, John 6, John 7, Psalm 59, Shibboleth, Birth of Samson, Nazirite Vow, Manoah, Peter's Confession, Words of Eternal Life, Feast of Booths, daily devotional, audio bible.

What are we truly hungry for, and what are we willing to sacrifice to get it? Today in the Book of Judges, we see Israel once again crying out in distress. We meet Jephthah, an outcast turned deliverer, whose military brilliance is overshadowed by a rash and heartbreaking vow. In the Gospel of John, the crowd that Jesus fed yesterday catches up to Him, seeking more physical bread. Jesus pivots the conversation to the eternal, identifying Himself as the "Bread of Life" and challenging them to "eat His flesh and drink His blood"—a teaching so radical it begins to sift His followers.Today’s Scripture:📖 Judges 10–11 – After the minor judges Tola and Jair, Israel falls into deep idolatry and is oppressed by the Ammonites. They turn to Jephthah, a social outcast and mighty warrior. Jephthah attempts diplomacy but ultimately leads Israel to victory—though his success is marred by a vow that costs him his only daughter.📖 John 6:25–59 – Jesus delivers the "Bread of Life" discourse in the synagogue at Capernaum. He explains that just as manna sustained Israel in the wilderness, He has come down from heaven to give eternal life. He emphasizes that true life is found only through a spiritual union with Him.📖 Psalm 59:1–8 – Another "Miktam of David," written when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him. David prays for deliverance from his "bloodthirsty" enemies, acknowledging God as his "High Tower" and laughing at the plots of the wicked because he knows God’s strength.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF 📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/ 🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT 📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected] 🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support 📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGAL The Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software. Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords: bible in a year, daily bible reading, Judges 10, Judges 11, John 6, Psalm 59, Jephthah's vow, Ammonite war, Bread of Life, Manna from heaven, Capernaum synagogue, deliver me from my enemies, daily devotional, audio bible.

What kind of leader do we truly hunger for? Today in the Book of Judges, we see the disastrous consequences of seeking a king outside of God's timing. Abimelech, the son of Gideon, murders his brothers to seize power, leading to a dark chapter of civil strife and the prophetic "Parable of the Bramble." In the Gospel of John, we see a different kind of power. Jesus feeds a massive crowd with just five loaves and two fish. When the people try to take Him by force to make Him a king, He withdraws, proving that His Kingdom is not of this world—even as He demonstrates His authority by walking on the stormy sea.Today’s Scripture:📖 Judges 9 – Abimelech conspires with the leaders of Shechem to kill the seventy sons of Gideon. Only Jotham escapes, delivering a scathing parable about a "bramble" bush that becomes king because the fruitful trees refuse the position. The chapter ends with the violent downfall of Abimelech, fulfilling Jotham’s curse.📖 John 6:1–24 – Jesus performs one of His most famous miracles, feeding 5,000 men (plus women and children) from a boy’s small lunch. After the crowd attempts to make Him king by force, Jesus retreats to a mountain. Later that night, the disciples encounter a storm on the Sea of Galilee, only to see Jesus walking on the water toward them, saying, "It is I; do not be afraid."📖 Psalm 58:1–11 – A bold cry for justice against corrupt rulers. David asks if leaders actually speak righteousness and prays for God to "break the teeth" of the wicked, concluding with the assurance that there is indeed a reward for the righteous and a God who judges the earth.RESOURCES & READ-ALONG 📺 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYKi8-_5xHGL_nFAZOthHtZhcb4CqW4ZF 📖 Follow the Text (LEB): https://biblia.com/books/leb/ 🗓️ Download the Full Plan: https://www.biblica.com/resources/reading-plans/CONNECT & SUPPORT 📧 Questions? Reach out to Scott: [email protected] 🎁 Partner with our Ministry: https://huttobible.churchcenter.com/giving/to/go-pastor-support 📩 Get Ministry Updates: https://scott-purcell.epistle.org/subscribeCREDITS & LEGAL The Lexham English Bible is used by permission. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software. Music: "Be The Hero" by Pumpupthemind via Free Music Archive (CC BY 4.0).Keywords: bible in a year, daily bible reading, Judges 9, John 6, Psalm 58, Abimelech, Jotham's Parable, Feeding of the five thousand, Jesus walks on water, Bramble King, bread of life, sea of galilee, daily devotional, audio bible.