And the Spirit of God came upon him also, and as he went he prophesied until he came to Naioth in Ramah. And he too stripped off his clothes, and he too prophesied before Samuel and lay naked all that day and all that night. Thus it is said, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” 1 Samuel 19:23-24 ESV And Saul listened to the voice of Jonathan. Saul swore, “As the Lord lives, he shall not be put to death.” 1 Samuel 19:6 ESV Reflection: God works in our lives through both discip...
Feb 27, 2025•1 min•Ep. 51
1 Samuel 18:3 - Day #143 Would you risk everything—even a kingdom—for your best friend? That's exactly what Jonathan did for David, and it might just revolutionize how you think about friendship. “Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.” 1 Samuel 18:3 ESV We've traded being known for being found. Yet when we risk being truly known—like David and Jonathan—we find support during life's storms. This week, choose one person: share deeply, listen fully, and red...
Feb 24, 2025•1 min•Ep. 50
And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you!” 1 Samuel 17:37 ESV Past Proves Faithful: Just as God has seen me through past triumphs, I trust He'll guide me now. My memories of His faithfulness then give me confidence He'll be faithful today. Like David with his lions and bears, I've seen God show up before and know He'll show up again....
Feb 23, 2025•42 sec•Ep. 49
“One of the young men answered, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him.”” 1 Samuel 16:18 ESV God sees the heart and chooses those who's heart produces good character. I desire to continuously be: 1. Developing godly characteristics such as faith, integrity, and humility. 2. Led by the Holy Spirit in my decisions and actions. 3. Valuing and nur...
Feb 21, 2025•54 sec•Ep. 48
“And Samuel said, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22 ESV Unmodified Obedience: God desires us to obey above all else. In the past, I have taken what God has given me and have distorted it either to make others happy or to make myself feel better. It never ends well and robs God of his goodness for me.
Feb 21, 2025•1 min•Ep. 47
Jonathan said to the young man who carried his armor, “Come, let us go over to the garrison of these uncircumcised. It may be that the Lord will work for us, for nothing can hinder the Lord from saving by many or by few.” 1 Samuel 14:6 ESV The difference between Jonathan and Saul in this chapter is active faith. Jonathan actively sought God's presence and direction rather than remaining passive. I want to make sure I always seek God first before taking action in my life. Not as an excuse to be p...
Feb 19, 2025•49 sec•Ep. 46
“So Saul said, “Bring the burnt offering here to me, and the peace offerings.” And he offered the burnt offering.” 1 Samuel 13:9 ESV Rather than waiting, Saul took matters into his own hands. His impatience led him to disobey God's command by offering the sacrifice himself instead of waiting for Samuel. I struggle with patience and when I am struggling with it, I look for shortcuts. I trust in my own strength and understanding instead of seeking Christ first. If I want God's hand over my endeavo...
Feb 19, 2025•53 sec•Ep. 45
And Samuel said to the people, “Do not be afraid; you have done all this evil. Yet do not turn aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart. And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty. For the Lord will not forsake his people, for his great name’s sake, because it has pleased the Lord to make you a people for himself.” 1 Samuel 12:20-22 ESV I desire to have wise counsel in my life - people who truly know me and my capabilit...
Feb 16, 2025•1 min•Ep. 44
Now, behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen. And Saul said, “What is wrong with the people, that they are weeping?” So they told him the news of the men of Jabesh. And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled. 1 Samuel 11:5-6 ESV A good example of righteous anger. It's often that my anger comes from a place of selfish frustration showing that my desires of how things should be are out of alignment with how God would have them...
Feb 15, 2025•1 min•Ep. 43
And when all who knew him previously saw how he prophesied with the prophets, the people said to one another, “What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?” 1 Samuel 10:11 ESV When people who previously knew me see me now, do they see someone whose life has been transformed? Someone who used to have different interests and priorities? Someone who used to speak and act differently? Does who they see now lead them to ask what has come over me that I am so different than I w...
Feb 13, 2025•54 sec•Ep. 42
Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?” 1 Samuel 9:21 ESV God often works through ordinary circumstances to accomplish His purposes. It's easy to think that God can't use us in big ways but if we are open and receptive to his will and purpose, anything can happen.
Feb 12, 2025•58 sec•Ep. 41
Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah and said to him, “Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge us like all the nations.” 1 Samuel 8:4-5 ESV I feel like we've asked for the same thing here in the US in Trump. It's important to ensure our focus remains on trusting God above all else and not placing ultimate faith in any human authority.
Feb 11, 2025•1 min•Ep. 40
And Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the Lord with all your heart, then put away the foreign gods and the Ashtaroth from among you and direct your heart to the Lord and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.” 1 Samuel 7:3 ESV I can't love God and the distractions that I've brought into my life. As long as I give distractions a stronghold the longer I will be oppressed by them. Putting them aside makes room in my heart and my mi...
Feb 09, 2025•45 sec•Ep. 39
They said, “If you send away the ark of the God of Israel, do not send it empty, but by all means return him a guilt offering. Then you will be healed, and it will be known to you why his hand does not turn away from you.” 1 Samuel 6:3 ESV I am thankful that God sent Jesus and that his death and resurrection fulfilled and conquered the Old Testament sacrificial system and its offerings. Colossians 1:22 ESV he (Jesus) has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you h...
Feb 08, 2025•58 sec•Ep. 38
But when they rose early on the next morning, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord, and the head of Dagon and both his hands were lying cut off on the threshold. Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. 1 Samuel 5:4 It's crucial that God remains in His rightful place in my heart and life. I pray for conviction that leads me to remove anything causing me to worship other than the true God.
Feb 08, 2025•40 sec•Ep. 37
7 Steps to Strengthen Your Unseen Faith: https://becomingtheredeemed.com/unseen-faith-1-samuel-410-day-129/ “So the Philistines fought, and Israel was defeated, and they fled, every man to his home. And there was a very great slaughter, for thirty thousand foot soldiers of Israel fell.” 1 Samuel 4:10 ESV Why was Israel defeated? They failed to recognize their own sin, they used the Ark of the covenant as a good luck charm putting their trust in it as a physical object rather than trusting in God...
Feb 07, 2025•1 min•Ep. 36
“And the Lord came and stood, calling as at other times, “Samuel! Samuel!” And Samuel said, “Speak, for your servant hears.”” 1 Samuel 3:10 ESV Lord, create space and peace in my life where Your voice can be heard clearly. Help me silence the external and internal noise that drowns out Your whispers. When distractions crowd my mind, guide me back to stillness, so that Your scripture and guidance can penetrate my heart. Grant me the wisdom to recognize Your voice amid life's constant cl...
Feb 06, 2025•57 sec•Ep. 35
““There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.” 1 Samuel 2:2 ESV I’ve read this chapter multiple times, and as a father, I pray that my children, as they grow, remain close to the Lord. I find solace and strength in Jesus’ unwavering faithfulness in my life. He stands alone in his devotion and reliability. I hope by witnessing my faith, my children may also cultivate a deep connection with the Lord.
Feb 05, 2025•1 min•Ep. 34
“Now this man used to go up year by year from his city to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord of hosts at Shiloh, where the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests of the Lord. On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his wife and to all her sons and daughters.” 1 Samuel 1:3-4 ESV How much am I sacrificing for my family and are they receiving the first fruits of the time I spend with the Lord? Am I being consistent? Where is my heart when I approach this...
Feb 03, 2025•1 min•Ep. 33
“So I thought I would tell you of it and say, ‘Buy it in the presence of those sitting here and in the presence of the elders of my people.’ If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not, tell me, that I may know, for there is no one besides you to redeem it, and I come after you.” Ruth 4:4 ESV I will seek transparency and accountability in all my decisions. I will include wise counsel and trusted individuals in important matters to ensure that my actions are fair, ethical, and above rep...
Feb 03, 2025•1 min•Ep. 32
“Then Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, should I not seek rest for you, that it may be well with you?” Ruth 3:1 ESV There are a lot of uncertainties in this world but one I know to be true is that rest and contentment comes from a heart grounded in Christ’s love. I am learning this for myself so I can guide my kids by example.
Feb 02, 2025•38 sec•Ep. 31
“Then Boaz said to Ruth, “Now, listen, my daughter, do not go to glean in another field or leave this one, but keep close to my young women.” Ruth 2:8 ESV This chapter had me thinking about my own daughters and how as their father, I desire to provide a safe environment for them to live in, offer guidance and direction as I see a need for it, make sure they feel like they are a part of this family, teach them the value of work, and model kindness and respectfulness for them so that they desire t...
Jan 31, 2025•51 sec•Ep. 30
“But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” Ruth 1:16 ESV I pray that the way I care for others draws them closer to the Lord. Though I am not a perfect example of love and sacrifice I will strive to always point myself back to the Lord in hope that others will choose to do the same.
Jan 30, 2025•47 sec•Ep. 29
“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25 ESV When God isn’t King over my life I am making rash decisions and justifications to get what I want. Reading His word is a priority because I desire to hear from him. His word guides and corrects my heart. Praying through his word and my thoughts helps realign me with Christ.
Jan 29, 2025•51 sec•Ep. 28
“Then all the people of Israel, the whole army, went up and came to Bethel and wept. They sat there before the Lord and fasted that day until evening, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord.” Judges 20:26 ESV After going into battle alone and suffering loss after loss Israel finally came to the Lord for help. Their fasting and various offerings was a confession of their sin. How often it is that I try to fight my own battles when confession is the answer....
Jan 28, 2025•42 sec•Ep. 27
“In those days, when there was no king in Israel, a certain Levite was sojourning in the remote parts of the hill country of Ephraim, who took to himself a concubine from Bethlehem in Judah.” Judges 19:1 ESV The initial sins committed in this story escalated into increasingly horrific acts, impacting numerous lives. This serves as a reminder that our personal choices can have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the immediate need we seek to fill.
Jan 28, 2025•1 min•Ep. 26
“Then the five men who had gone to scout out the country of Laish said to their brothers, “Do you know that in these houses there are an ephod, household gods, a carved image, and a metal image? Now therefore consider what you will do.”” Judges 18:14 ESV How important it is to surround yourself with people who point you to the Lord and that those people are aligned with the Lord themselves. The five men desired what Micah had and prioritized self-interest and idolatry over obedience to God’s com...
Jan 26, 2025•56 sec•Ep. 25
“In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” Judges 17:6 ESV When I am not aligned with Christ it’s easy for me to justify things I normally wouldn’t. I start compromising in different areas of my life. I start seeking out other things and placing them where God should be. My actions and attitude start effecting those around me. I must keep my eyes on Christ and cling near to him at all times, especially when I’m feeling comfortable....
Jan 26, 2025•46 sec•Ep. 24
“Then Samson called to the Lord and said, “O Lord God, please remember me and please strengthen me only this once, O God, that I may be avenged on the Philistines for my two eyes.”” Judges 16:28 ESV How great is God’s mercy that even after we compromise ourselves over and over again that he is willing to accept us back into his arms to strengthen and restore us? Lord help me stay true to my convictions and flee from the temptations that lead to overconfidence in my own abilities....
Jan 24, 2025•54 sec•Ep. 23
“And he was very thirsty, and he called upon the Lord and said, “You have granted this great salvation by the hand of your servant, and shall I now die of thirst and fall into the hands of the uncircumcised?” And God split open the hollow place that is at Lehi, and water came out from it. And when he drank, his spirit returned, and he revived. Therefore the name of it was called En-hakkore; it is at Lehi to this day.” Judges 15:18-19 ESV I often expect the Lord to fulfill my needs after I went a...
Jan 24, 2025•58 sec•Ep. 22
