Commuter Bible

When Israel went to battle against the Philistines they assumed that they could bring out the ark of the covenant to the battlefield, and that it’s presence would either oblige God to win the battle for them or that the object itself had some kind of mystical power. They were sorely mistaken, and the Philistines promptly defeated them captured the ark. Assuming that their victory is a victory over Israel’s God, the Philistines place the ark in Dagon’s temple. Time and again, however, the Lord silently causes destruction, catastrophe and misery for the Philistines wherever the ark is taken, until finally, they become so desperate they put it on a cart and send it back where it came from.

1 Samuel 5 - 1:10 . 

1 Samuel 6 - 3:44 . 

1 Samuel 7 - 8:39  . 

1 Samuel 8 - 13:05 . 

Proverbs 27 - 16:43 . 

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Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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The instructions that the Lord has given to his people concerning justice, holiness, and priesthood have all been shattered in the time of the judges. It seems like all is lost for Israel, but even here we can see foreshadows of the Christ who has yet to come. There is a woman incapable of having children who is faithful to the Lord. In His providence, kindness and mercy, the Lord raises a prophet and priest from the barren womb of this woman, who had promised the Lord that her son would serve God all the days of his life. This young boy is at home in the Lord’s service and eventually replaces sinful men and intercedes between God and His people. One day, Samuel will usher in a new kingdom, though he himself will not be king.

1 Samuel 1 - 1:13 . 

1 Samuel 2 - 6:21 . 

1 Samuel 3 - 15:12 . 

1 Samuel 4 - 19:10 . 

Proverbs 26:13 - 24:40 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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As we open Paul’s letter to the church at Ephesus it becomes immediately clear that Paul is overflowing with joy in Christ. The source and origin of this joy is Christ Himself, whom Paul notes as the one who is responsible for our salvation. Take note of how often Paul uses the phrase “In Him” or “In Christ”. He goes on to make clear that it is not our works that bring such blessing and righteousness, but free grace through faith. Having received this gift, Paul then encourages the church to live worthy of God’s calling. Though we may often fail, we should make it our aim to grow into maturity, submitting to the order of King Jesus.

Ephesians 1 – 1:14 . 

Ephesians 2 – 4:46 . 

Ephesians 3 – 8:17 . 

Ephesians 4 – 12:05 . 

Ephesians 5 – 16:40 . 

Ephesians 6 – 21:05 . 

Proverbs 26:1-12 – 24:52 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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It seems like so much has been lost in the time of the judges, but the author of Ruth gives us a glimmer of hope. In a season of drought, a family leaves Israel and moves to Moab hoping to find relief, but instead they find sorrow. The wife, Naomi, becomes a widow without family to help her. Her daughter-in-law, a foreigner, commits to love her and care for her, returning with her to the people of Israel. There, she meets Boaz, a family redeemer who honors Ruth, cares for her, and in obedience to the Lord, redeems her into his own family. Ruth is part of a bigger story of redemption, as her lineage will include not only King David, but Jesus the Christ.

Ruth 1 – 1:12 . 

Ruth 2 – 5:33 . 

Ruth 3 – 11:18 . 

Ruth 4 – 14:49 . 

Proverbs 25 – 19:45 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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The call to love one another continues as Paul encourages church members not to quarrel over opinions. From one believer to the next, you’ll find that Christians have varying convictions about what is acceptable concerning things like dietary restrictions or celebration of particular days, and Paul says that’s OK. Let each one be convinced without quarreling with one another. Moreover, if your actions make another brother or sister stumble, you shouldn’t let your preferences take precedence over the good of your brother or sister. Paul ends by sending affectionate greetings to specific believers he knows.

Romans 13 - 1:11 . 

Romans 14 - 3:56 . 

Romans 15 - 8:38 . 

Romans 16 - 13:55 . 

Proverbs 24 - 18:02 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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When we consider that God “hardens hearts,” our minds may try to conceive of a defense for God or fight against the idea that the Lord would direct our steps in such a way. Paul recognizes this instinct and asks, “Is there injustice with God?” Absolutely not! If we have earned or merited anything in this life, Scripture says that our proper wages are only sin and death. We praise God that He has mercy on anyone, for what we deserve is hell and separation from a holy God for rebelling against Him. The free gift, that which is entirely undeserved, is to be made right before God the Father through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Romans 9 - 1:11 . 

Romans 10 - 7:45 . 

Romans 11 - 11:19 . 

Romans 12 - 18:10 . 

Proverbs 23 - 21:49 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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True righteousness comes by faith in Jesus Christ, not by the works of the flesh. Paul has masterfully explained that Abraham is the father of all who come to faith in Christ, both Jew and Gentile, as by faith he received the promise before the institution of circumcision and then received circumcision as a seal of that faith. Today he explains that while Adam’s sin brings death to all, Christ’s obedience brings life to all who trust in Him. In this new life, we called to offer up every part of our being to God, rejecting sin at every turn. Having been redeemed you can walk confidently in obedience, for the Lord watches over your life.

Romans 5 – 1:08 . 

Romans 6 – 4:55 . 

Romans 7 – 9:37 . 

Romans 8 – 14:44 . 

Proverbs 22 – 21:31 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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Paul’s letter to the house churches of Rome is full of rich, theological truth, often presenting ideas that are both mind-boggling and comforting all at once. In today’s passage, Paul begins to present his case for a righteousness that comes by faith. He begins by explaining that the world rejects God because they love their unrighteous behavior more than their Creator. There is no one righteous and no one who seeks God, for all have sinned and fall short of His glory. The good news is that if we, whether Jew or Gentile, have faith in Christ Jesus, we will be declared righteous in God’s sight.

Romans 1 - 1:12 . 

Romans 2 - 7:37 . 

Romans 3 - 12:28 . 

Romans 4 - 17:58 . 

Proverbs 21 - 22:53 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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At this point in the narrative of Judges, the Lord is surprisingly absent from the life of Israel. It seems like nobody knows how any of this covenant stuff works, even in the slightest. It becomes so bad that a Levite is involved in a scenario almost identical to that of Sodom & Gomorrah, only this time, those who are intent on sexually assaulting the town’s visitors are successful because the Levite betrays his concubine. Though he is not supposed to touch a dead body, he then mutilates her corpse just to make a point. Time and again the author captures this darkness by stating that there was “no king in Israel” for Israel had rejected their Lord.

Judges 17 - 1:14 . 

Judges 18 - 3:34 . 

Judges 19 - 10:26 . 

Judges 20 - 17:19 . 

Judges 21 - 25:51 . 

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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In short, Samson is a picture of Israel in one person. Meant to be set apart and holy, he instead takes his vows and his God lightly, defiling himself over and over. A Nazirite was supposed avoid dead bodies, yet he eats honey from a lion’s carcass and uses a jawbone for a weapon. A Nazirite was supposed to abstain from wine, yet Samson threw a drinking party for the Philistines. The last vow to go is that of not cutting his hair, which he hands over to a Delilah, a woman of the very nation that Israel had been tasked with destroying for their perpetual evil. In the end, the angel’s prediction is true: he will begin to save Israel from the power of the Philistines.

Judges 13 – 1:14 . 

Judges 14 – 6:20 . 

Judges 15 – 10:52 . 

Judges 16 - 15:52 . 

Psalm 75 - 23:30 . 

Psalm 76 – 24:49 .

:::

Christian Standard Bible translation.

All music written and produced by John Burgess Ross.

Co-produced by Bobby Brown, Katelyn Pridgen, Eric Williamson & the Christian Standard Bible

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