Commuter Bible

Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi is full of love and instruction for the Lord’s church. He rejoices that the gospel is moving forward even while he is in prison, and encourages the church to endure suffering, to be united in love, and to serve one another sacrificially, looking to the King of Kings who humbled Himself even to death on a cross. Our boast is no longer in the flesh, but in the cross of Christ. Paul had much to boast about before surrendering to Christ but he says he now counts at all as loss in comparison to knowing Christ. Knowing that the Lord is near, we should be anxious for nothing, opting instead to pray and to consider the goodness of God.

Philippians 1 - 1:11 . 

Philippians 2 - 5:42 . 

Philippians 3 - 11:08 . 

Philippians 4 - 14:57 . 

Proverbs 31 - 19:01 . 

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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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Today, Saul set his sights on David once more, bringing three thousand men with him, but David again has compassion on him. David and his men defect from Israel and escape to Philistine territory, where the king gives him the city of Ziklag. Later, as Saul faces the Philistine armies, he becomes fearful and tries to consult the Lord, but God does not respond. Being more concerned for himself than for God’s glory, Saul consults a medium, and in a totally backwards way, attempts to consult the man of God who had anointed him as Israel’s king so many years ago. In the end, the Philistines claim victory over Saul and his sons, and after being mortally wounded, Saul takes his own life.

1 Samuel 26 - 1:12 . 

1 Samuel 27 - 7:12 . 

1 Samuel 28 - 10:39 . 

1 Samuel 29 - 16:05 . 

1 Samuel 30 - 18:34 . 

1 Samuel 31 - 24:44 . 

Proverbs 30:18 - 27:19 . 

:::

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 a paranoid rage, Saul has slaughtered a city of priests and their families. One man has escaped from that raid and joined David’s ranks; his name is Abiathar and he has come with a priestly ephod in hand. At every turn, it seems that Saul is hot on David’s tail until, at long last, he unwittingly happens upon the cave where David is hiding. However, he doesn’t realize David and his men are there, and when he goes in to relieve himself, David takes advantage of the opportunity, but not in the way you might expect from someone who is being hunted down by the ruler of a kingdom.

1 Samuel 23 - 1:13 . 

1 Samuel 24 - 7:53 . 

1 Samuel 25 - 12:38 . 

Proverbs 30:1-17 - 23:48 . 

:::

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 our last episode, King Saul’s jealousy and hatred for David began to grow as David successfully conquered the Philistines in battle time after time. Saul began plotting David’s demise, but his plans to see him killed were all foiled. Today, Saul’s rage becomes clear to everyone, and David flees from the king’s presence. As he takes shelter in a distant cave, his family catches word and they join him, along with other men who seek escape from Saul’s reign. Later, Saul starts to crack under pressure and he begins to imagine that David could strike at any moment. In a rage, he puts a city of priests and their family to the sword.

1 Samuel 19 - 1:10 . 

1 Samuel 20 - 5:50 . 

1 Samuel 21 - 15:10 . 

1 Samuel 22 - 18:18 . 

Proverbs 29:15 - 24:43 . 

:::

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 the subject of a historical account like this one tells you the reason why he will be victorious before he achieves his victory, we should probably pay attention to that right? So often when someone references David & Goliath, they frame it as if it’s about a big guy versus small fry, and the underdog wins the day because of his ingenuity. Let’s just make this clear: you are not David and this account is not about facing your giants. If anything, we are the cowering Israelites who cannot face our foe; we need a champion, a savior, to step forward in the power of God and rescue us from sin and death.

1 Samuel 16 - 1:10 . 

1 Samuel 17 - 6:03 . 

1 Samuel 18 - 18:28 . 

Proverbs 29 - 24:20 . 

:::

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 the end of our last episode, Saul had just been appointed as king in Gilgal. Samuel gave him instructions to wait for him there, but when he feels like he is pressed for time he assumes that it will be best to make the burnt offering himself. Saul, however, is not a part of the priesthood, and while he is king, it doesn’t mean that he can do whatever he wishes, especially if it means going against the Lord’s statutes. As we’ll find out today, Saul’s tendency to pay little attention to God’s instructions has huge ramifications on his life and his reign as king.

1 Samuel 13 - 1:12 . 

1 Samuel 14 - 5:52 . 

1 Samuel 15 - 18:45 . 

Proverbs 28:15 - 26:10 . 

:::

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 our last episode, the nation of Israel asked an aging Samuel to appoint a king over them before his death. Samuel warned them about what a king would demand from them, but the people urged him all the more. Ultimately, the concern is not so much that they want a king, but that they were looking to have a human king as a source of strength, protection, and provision. All throughout their history, God had been their strength, their protection, and their provider, but they failed to trust in Him. As Samuel installs Saul as king in today’s reading, take note of Samuel’s longing for the good of his people and for the glory of God.

1 Samuel 9 - 1:10 . 

1 Samuel 10 - 7:27 . 

1 Samuel 11 - 13:02 . 

1 Samuel 12 - 17:15 . 

Proverbs 28 - 22:32 . 

:::

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 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 .  

:::

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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instagram.com/commuter_bible

twitter.com/CommuterPod

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