The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: The Life and Leadership of King David (Part 2)

   In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook (Ep. 329), I continue the story of David through one of the darkest and most difficult seasons of his life. From his covenant friendship with Jonathan and his desperate escape to Gath, to the humiliation of pretending to be insane, David finds himself with no home, no resources, and seemingly no future. Yet even in the lowest moments, the hand of God is still upon him. Psalm 34 becomes David’s testimony of that deliverance: “This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him.” As David gathers a band of unlikely men at the cave of Adullam, God begins rebuilding what appeared to be completely broken. Through David’s failures, resourcefulness, loyalty, and refusal to take Saul’s life into his own hands, we see a powerful reminder that God’s purposes do not depend on our circumstances. When crisis comes, we must learn to encourage ourselves in the Lord, seek His direction, and trust Him with our destiny. God is still at work when the promise seems farther away than ever. – Dr. Mark Rutland

   September 08, 2026·54min
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   Number 2: Revelation Pt. 2 | You've Got Mail (Part 13)

   In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook, I conclude the You’ve Got Mail series by returning to the Book of Revelation and asking what its message means for believers living in the world today. Revelation is not merely a sequence of end-times events to be organized into a timeline. It is a letter to the Church—a sweeping, symbolic vision that pulls back the curtain and reveals Jesus Christ as Lord over history, eternity, and every power that rises against Him. We will explore the seals, trumpets, visions, beasts, and judgments of Revelation without losing sight of its central message: above every tyrant, conflict, and spirit of Antichrist stands the Lamb upon Mount Zion. Jesus is both the sacrificed Lamb and the conquering Lion, and all the redeemed stand with Him in victory. Revelation reminds us that the forces of darkness are real, but they are temporary. Christ will overcome them all. The final message of Revelation is not fear, speculation, or confusion—it is grace. No matter what suffering, uncertainty, persecution, or hardship we face, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ remains with His people. We have received the message: Jesus is Lord, His victory is certain, and His grace will sustain us to the very end. - Dr. Mark Rutland

   August 25, 2026·41min
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   Number 3: Revelation Pt. 1 | You've Got Mail (Part 12)

   In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook, I invite you to approach the Book of Revelation not as a complicated timeline to be decoded, but as a powerful revelation of Jesus Christ. Written by the Apostle John during his exile on Patmos, Revelation is both a letter to the Church and a sweeping spiritual vision filled with images, sounds, symbols, and promises. Rather than reading it like a Western textbook, we should experience it more like a great Hebrew opera—allowing its message to reveal the glory, authority, and ultimate victory of Christ. We will examine Jesus’ letters to the seven churches and the message He gives to every generation: He knows the truth about His Church, He calls His people to overcome, and He promises eternal life and fellowship to those who hear His voice. Revelation was never intended to frighten believers with beasts, tribulation, or the spirit of Antichrist. It was written to assure us that evil is temporary, Christ is victorious, and the outcome has already been decided. No matter what happens in history, Jesus remains present among His people. The question is not whether difficulties will come, but whether we will listen to His voice, remain faithful, and live as overcomers. - Dr. Mark Rutland

   August 18, 2026·43min
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   Number 4: The Life and Leadership of King David (Part 1)

   In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook (Ep. 328), I begin a journey through the life of David, one of the most fascinating and complex people in Scripture. Before we ever get to Goliath, David’s story is shaped by the world around him, from the era of the Judges and the rise of Saul to his unlikely family heritage through Rahab and Ruth. David was a shepherd boy from Bethlehem, yet God saw something in him that others could not see. We look at David’s anointing by Samuel, his victory over Goliath, his rise as a military leader, and the growing jealousy of Saul. David’s story reminds us that God’s calling does not always make immediate sense, and that success, recognition, and even God’s favor can create complicated seasons of testing. We also see the remarkable friendship of David and Jonathan and the supernatural moments that protected David when his life was in danger. As we begin this study, Psalm 23 gives us a beautiful glimpse of the heart of the man behind the history: “The Lord is my shepherd.” – Dr. Mark Rutland

   September 01, 2026·57min
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   Number 5: The Life and Leadership of King David (Part 4)

   In this episode of The Leader’s Notebook (Ep. 331), I continue looking at the life of David in 2 Samuel 5–6 and one of the most difficult spiritual disciplines we will ever learn: waiting on God. David had been promised the throne years before he actually became king, yet he refused to force God’s promise through his own strength or timing. He waited for God to fulfill what He had spoken, and when God gave him direction, David learned to listen, obey, and move forward in faith. We also see David establish Jerusalem, defeat the Philistines, and bring the Ark of the Covenant into the city. His first attempt reveals an important lesson: we can have the right goal and still try to accomplish it the wrong way. David learns that we do not prop God up—God props us up. And when the Ark finally enters Jerusalem, David worships with unrestrained joy and generosity. Through David’s victories, failures, worship, and patience, we are reminded that a life after God’s own heart is built on believing God, consulting God, obeying God, and waiting on God. – Dr. Mark Rutland

   September 22, 2026·56min
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