VinceMiller

Are you aware of God's presence in your life? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 7. I've titled this chapter "Stand Up And Make A Declaration." We begin this chapter with 1 Samuel 7:1 reads: And the men of Kiriath-jearim came and took up the ark of theLordand brought it to the house ofAbinadab on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to have charge of the ark of theLord. — 1 Samuel 7:1 First, I think it's crucial, as it relates to this text, to recall the journey of the Ark of God for the last few chapters. First, the Ark was in Shiloh. This was where it was supposed to be, inside the Holy of Holies in the Tabernacle. But the wicked sons of Eli removed the Ark of God and brought it into battle using it like a good luck charm and then lost it to the Philistines. Then the Philistines take it, assuming a victory over God. But God strikes them with a plague and hemorrhoids, and they pass it from town to town until they are ready to be rid of it. Then it ends up in Beth-Shemesh. But the priest inappropriately handled it, and God struck 70 of them dead, which may have been the whole lot of them. Now, like the Philistines, the Israelites are frightened of it. So this is where we pick up in verse one. Israel had to decide what to do with it. They don't take it back to Shiloh, which is pretty close, and we are not told why. There could be many reasons, one of which might be the desecration of the Tabernacle by Eli's sons. But they take it about 15 miles up the road to Abinadab's house (who was one of the remaining priests) and consecrate his son (Eleazar),and they keep the Ark of God in their house. Here's a thought for you. Imagine that the Ark of God appeared at your doorstep today. How would your thoughts, attitudes, and actions change? I bet the way you lead would shift. I bet how you care for your wife, the words you choose, and even the media you consume would change. I assume your thoughts and attitudes would transform, as well. But this is not a hypothetical thought. God's presence is not confined to a box. His Spirit lives within every believer. The power of the Holy God is with us wherever we go. We are a temple of the Holy Spirit. So, if this is the case, we should live with each moment of every day with a healthy awareness of holy reverence and divine dread in us, consecrating every thought, attitude, and action. Dwell on that today, and live like it. #GodsPresence #DailyDevotional #LiveInHisLight Ask This: How can you cultivate a greater awareness of God's presence in your daily routines and interactions? Reflecting on today's message, what practical steps can you take to consecrate your thoughts, attitudes, and actions to honor God's presence in your life? Do This: Dwell on the presence of God in you, and act like it. Pray This: Father, help me to live each day with a deep awareness of Your presence within me. Guide my thoughts, words, and actions to reflect Your holiness and grace to those around me. Amen. Play This: Here in the Presence.

Are you ready to make a declaration? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 7. I've titled this chapter "Stand Up And Make A Declaration." For me, this chapter underscores the importance of personal commitments that are publicly declared to God. In the early 1800s, a preacher named Charles Finney revolutionized the way we publicly declare our faith with what he dubbed the "Altar Call." This call, absent from many churches today, was an invitation to step forward in a service and. proclaim Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Influential figures like Billy Graham and ministries like Promise Keepers adopted it as a. The narrative in 1 Samuel 7 will read and feel like this. It's an "Altar Call" given by Samuel to the entire nation of Israel. It's a monumental day in their history, with interesting details and occurrences that I will let unfold naturally. But at the conclusion of the day, Samuel sets up a monument. They stand up a stone to commemorate and remember the commitments that they have publicly made to God. This leads us to the key verse of this chapter. 1 Samuel 7:12 reads: Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen and called its name Ebenezer; for he said, “Till now the Lord has helped us.” — 1 Samuel 7:12 Of course, some of you know this verse because it was popularized by a well-known Hymn, "Come Thou Fount." One of the verses sings: Here I raise my Ebenezer; Hither by thy help I’ve come; This moment of this song recalls this moment in Israel's history. It's a song that calls us to reflect on a great day of repentance in Israel's history. All believers need moments like this. We need standing-stone moments to remind us. There is nothing special about the markers or the monuments—all they are meant to do is remind us of the commitments and covenants we have made personally and publicly with God. Today, look back on some of those moments when you stood up a stone in your relationship with God. Reflect on two questions. Where were you when you stood up a stone, and what change did you commit to make with God? Share them in the comments below, and let's celebrate the Ebenezers we have stood up in our lives. And if you are ready to make a declaration to God, you can take this moment to stand up a new stone. #DailyDevo, #DeclareYourFaith, #StandUpForGod Ask This: When was the last time you publicly declared your faith in God, either through words or actions? How did that moment impact your relationship with Him? Reflecting on your spiritual journey, what "stones" or markers can you identify where God has shown His faithfulness and helped you overcome challenges? How can these reminders encourage you to continue growing in your faith today? Do This: Share a standing stone moment below. Pray This: Father, thank you for moments of declaration and commitment in my journey with You. Help me to continually raise my Ebenezer, acknowledging Your faithfulness and seeking deeper intimacy with You each day. Amen. Play This: Come Thou Fount.

Are you tired of the confusion and ready to find clarity? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 6. I've titled this chapter "From Confusion to Clarity." In chapter 6, the Ark of God is taken and returned. Seventy men of Beth-shemesh have been struck dead, and the chapter closes with this declaration and resolution. Verses 20-21 read: Then the men of Beth-shemesh said, “Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom shall he go up away from us?” So they sent messengers to the inhabitants of Kiriath-jearim, saying, “The Philistines have returned the ark of the Lord. Come down and take it up to you.” — 1 Samuel 6:20-21 Clarity In Humility Sometimes, when we read the text, we don't fully connect with the severity of such moments. But God is serious—very serious. Both the Philistines and the Israelites made themselves enemies of God. They chose to live outside his righteousness, so they became the focus of his justice. Their arrogance and disobedience only added to their problems, creating more confusion to the point that they just wanted to be rid of the Ark of God. I cannot imagine how the terror these people felt. If you are living through a season of confusion, the only place you will ever find clarity is in humility before God. Once in a while, you might find your way through confusion with a tactic, strategy, or clever ingenuity. But occasionally, the confusion in your life will be so intense and immense that it will humiliate you. And the only proper response in these moments is to go low before the Holy God. It's to get on your knees and tell God you don't know what to do and are ready to do only what he wants you to do. This is usually a humiliating and terrifying experience, yet it's right here where men are transformed from being their own manto being God's man. Are you confused today? Go low before the Holy God, for no man can stand before him. #ClarityThroughHumility #SeekingGodsWill #FromConfusionToClarity Ask This: How can you cultivate a more profound sense of humility in your daily life, especially during times of confusion or uncertainty? Reflect on a recent experience where you faced confusion or difficulty. How did your response align with seeking God's clarity, and what adjustments can you make moving forward? Do This: Go low! Pray This: Father, in moments of confusion, I humble myself before You. Please give me clarity of mind and heart to discern Your will and follow Your direction faithfully. Amen. Play This: Gracefully Broken.

Do you really want to know what's in the Ark of God? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 6. I've titled this chapter "From Confusion to Clarity." In chapter 6, the Ark of God returns. The priests offer a sacrifice upon the return, but they make a fatal mistake: And he struck some of the men of Beth-shemesh, because they looked upon the ark of the Lord. He struck seventy men of them, and the people mourned because the Lord had struck the people with a great blow. — 1 Samuel 6:19 One Quick Peek We're curious beings, aren't we? I've been curious since my teens. I remember taking things apart to understand how they worked. But as I've grown older and wiser, I've learned there are lines and limits to curiosity. Sometimes curiosity pays off positively; other times, it brings severe consequences. In our relationship with God, it's good to be curious about Him and His will in our lives. Yet, we must tread carefully when our curiosity leads to selfish thoughts, attitudes, or actions. God sets boundaries that shouldn't be crossed. When we defy these boundaries, we distance ourselves from Him and face the consequences. Why Do The Priests Peek? Here's the big question: Why did these 70 priests of God dare to peek into the Ark? They knew better—they were explicitly instructed never to touch, open, or even look inside it. That's basic priestly training. Their curiosity may have stemmed from eagerness to see if the Philistines took anything from the Ark, or perhaps it was their first chance to see it outside the Tabernacle. Whatever the reason, their disobedience cost them their lives. What Was In The Box? So, are you curious? Do you want to know what was in the Ark of God? I know you do. According to Hebrews 9:4, the Ark contained three objects: The Tablets of Stone: The tablets on which God wrote the Ten Commandments. Aaron's Rod: This was a stick that belonged to Aaron, who was a high priest of Israel. A Jar of Manna: This was the bread that God provided for the Israelites when they were wandering in the desert. They represented the rule, protection, and provision of God. Hard Lessons for Men of The Cloth God's boundaries apply to all. His justice doesn't spare insiders who defy His will. Recent events involving prominent spiritual leaders prove this point. For example, consider James McDonald, Ravi Zacharias, Bill Hybels, and the latest, Tony Evans. For some, this is heartbreaking, but it is simply a strong reminder. Curiosity within God's will is safe and beneficial, but beyond it lies danger. So be curious, but don't be tempted to step outside the will of God. #CuriosityAndConsequences, #GodsBoundaries, #WisdomInObedience Ask This: How can we maintain a healthy balance between curiosity and obedience in our daily walk with God? Reflecting on times when curiosity led to positive outcomes versus negative consequences, how can we apply lessons from the priests' mistakes to our own lives today? Do This: Be appropriately curious. Pray This: Father, help me discern between healthy curiosity that seeks Your will and selfish curiosity that leads astray. Guide me to honor Your boundaries, knowing Your wisdom protects and guides me always. Amen. Play This: Every Direction.

Here is something you should always do when walking into a confusing season. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 6. I've titled this chapter "From Confusion to Clarity." In chapter 6, after enduring the consequences of holding the Ark of God for seven months—plagued by both the Black Plague and severe hemorrhoids—the Philistines decided they couldn't bear it any longer. Their solution was to send the Ark back. They placed it on a cart led by a couple of milk cows and watched as it returned to Israel. Here's what unfolds next in verses 13-16: Now the people of Beth-shemesh were reaping their wheat harvest in the valley. And when they lifted up their eyes and saw the ark, they rejoiced to see it. The cart came into the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh and stopped there. A great stone was there. And they split up the wood of the cart and offered the cows as a burnt offering to the Lord. And the Levites took down the ark of the Lord and the box that was beside it, in which were the golden figures, and set them upon the great stone. And the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and sacrificed sacrifices on that day to the Lord. And when the five lords of the Philistines saw it, they returned that day to Ekron. — 1 Samuel 6:13-16 Intriguing Details This is a pretty interesting moment. The Philistines are satisfied with returning the Ark of God, and the Israelites are also satisfied with its return. But there are four details worth noting: The five kings of Philistine followed behind the Ark of God the entire way back to Israel. The town it comes to is called Beth-Shemesh, the closest Israelite town. The cows stop at a great stone, which they took as a divine sign that God wanted a sacrifice to be made. They strip down the cart and sacrifice the animals as burnt offerings right there on the spot. Then the five kings return. But the most intriguing detail was the town it came to: Beth-Shemesh. This town was not just any Israelite town; it was the home of the priestly tribe, the Levites. This tribe should have been especially careful in following Torah guidelines regarding the proper treatment of the Ark of God. However, in the coming verse, we see that in their excitement, they will fail to adhere to the appropriate care of the Ark of God (Num 4:15, 1 Chr 15:11–15). Strict Obedience When we seek clarity in confusion, we must commit ourselves to strict obedience to God. The priesthood, led by Eli and his sons, Hophni and Phinehas, had strayed. Their sinful actions led to the capture of the Ark of God. After its return, we would have expected Israel and the priesthood to repent and resume strict adherence to the Law's customs during the seven months that followed. However, as we will see in the coming verses, they drifted too far. Pain and punishment were about to become their harsh teachers. Our Strict Obedience If you are going through a confusing time in your life, let the wisdom of these Scriptures train you. It's essential to make every effort to obey God strictly. Nothing makes a confusing situation worse than sinful reactions; it only brings unnecessary attention to yourself and your sin. So, if you are facing a difficult divorce, recent layoff, financial crisis, or family conflict, stop making stupid and sinful choices. Instead, strive to be as strictly obedient in this season as possible. Seek the wisdom you need in the Word of God and only make right and righteous decisions. This will prevent further complications and bring clarity to your confusion. If this happens to be you today. Here's a prayer for you today: God, give me clarity in my time of confusion. May my actions and reactions be in strict alignment with your Word and ways. Amen. #ClarityThroughObedience #SeekingGodsWisdom #FromConfusionToClarity Ask This: How can we maintain strict obedience to God's Word in the midst of confusion or challenging circumstances in our own lives? Reflecting on the story of Beth-shemesh and their response to the Ark's return, what steps can we take to ensure our reactions to God's interventions align with His will and bring clarity rather than confusion? Do This: Be obedient in seasons of confusion. Pray This: Father, grant me the strength to obey Your Word diligently in times of uncertainty, seeking clarity and wisdom in every decision I make. Guide my steps and actions to reflect Your will, bringing honor to Your name and peace to my heart. Amen. Play This: Clarity.

Are you trying to discern what God wants you to do? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 6. I've titled this chapter "From Confusion to Clarity." In chapter 6, the Philistines have had enough of the Ark of God. Since capturing the Ark seven months ago, they have been tortured with the Black Plague and severe hemorrhoids. Some pagan priests devised a plan to rid themselves of the Ark, and they decided to try this unusual experiment with a couple of cows. Here is how this plays out in verses 7-12: Now then, take and prepare a new cart and two milk cows on which there has never come a yoke, and yoke the cows to the cart, but take their calves home, away from them. And take the ark of the Lord and place it on the cart and put in a box at its side the figures of gold, which you are returning to him as a guilt offering. Then send it off and let it go its way and watch. If it goes up on the way to its own land, to Beth-shemesh, then it is he who has done us this great harm, but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us; it happened to us by coincidence.” The men did so, and took two milk cows and yoked them to the cart and shut up their calves at home. And they put the ark of the Lord on the cart and the box with the golden mice and the images of their tumors. And the cows went straight in the direction of Beth-shemesh along one highway, lowing as they went. They turned neither to the right nor to the left, and the lords of the Philistines went after them as far as the border of Beth-shemesh. — 1 Samuel 6:7-12 Test It For some reason, after seven months of torture, the Philistines are still unsure if God was behind the disease and pestilence that had struck their land. It had poisoned people, weakened wealth, and created conflict among their people. Yet still, the five kings of Philistine wonder if this is just a coincidence or if it is the God of the Ark. So they devise a plan to deploy a cart that will carry the ark, pulled by milk cows, to test and see if the God of the Ark takes it home. Milk It The pagan priests decided to use milk cows, not draft animals. Typical draft animals in their day were castrated oxen mainly because they were strong, steady, and orderly. Milk cows would not be the choice, mostly because they were tribal and protective mothers who primarily produced milk. Strapping them to a cart, freshly separated from their young, was a remedy for disaster. But we see they respond unexpectedly. They head directly for the closest Israel territory, lowing as if they were being called and guided to their home. This was highly unusual given all the factors that could have gone awry. Discern It God, by nature of his supreme authority, is always "leading the cart" of his creation. Yet there are times in our lives when his leading is more difficult to discern. When it is difficult, we will often look for his leading in and through the circumstances of this life. We look for his move so we can determine our move. We are trying to discern his general revelation, or how he reveals himself to us through the natural world and human experience. General revelation has a whole lot to say about God. The apostle Paul clarifies this in Romans 1:19-20: For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. — Romans 1:19-20 Thus, through general revelation, we, like the Philistines, are without excuse. God demonstrates through creation that he exists. But we don't just have a general revelation. We have more specific revelations. God gave us Jesus, Scripture, and the Spirit. He also gave us a means to talk with him in prayer and a means to hear of him through the wisdom of other believers. When it comes to discerning God's leading, we have all kinds of resources at our disposal daily and all the time. Seek It So, if you need direction today, you could look merely to general revelation. Or, if you don't want to wait through seven months of torment and track down a couple of milk cows, you could turn to the resources and tools God has already given you. But I will leave it up to you. #DiscerningGodsWill, #SeekingClarity, #DivineGuidance Ask This: How can you distinguish between God's leading and mere coincidence in your own life circumstances? What specific steps can you take today to deepen your reliance on God's guidance through prayer, Scripture, and wise counsel from fellow believers? Do This: Seek general and specific revelation. Pray This: Father, help me discern Your will clearly amidst life's uncertainties, relying on Your guidance through Scripture, prayer, and the wisdom of others. Strengthen my faith to trust in Your leading with confidence and obedience. Amen. Play This: Lead Me On.

Do you want temporary relief or lasting relief? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 6. I've titled this chapter "From Confusion to Clarity." In chapter 6, the Philistines have had enough of the Ark of God. Since capturing the Ark seven months ago, they have been tortured with the Black Plague and severe hemorrhoids. Next, they will devise a plan for how to send it back. Since they know it's a divine box, they petition their pagan priests to devise the plan, and here's what they decide to do in verses 3-9: 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.” And they said, “What is the guilt offering that we shall return to him?” They answered, “Five golden tumors and five golden mice, according to the number of the lords of the Philistines, for the same plague was on all of you and on your lords. So you must make images of your tumors and images of your mice that ravage the land, and give glory to the God of Israel. Perhaps he will lighten his hand from off you and your gods and your land. Why should you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? After he had dealt severely with them, did they not send the people away, and they departed? Now then, take and prepare a new cart and two milk cows on which there has never come a yoke, and yoke the cows to the cart, but take their calves home, away from them. And take the ark of the Lord and place it on the cart and put in a box at its side the figures of gold, which you are returning to him as a guilt offering. Then send it off and let it go its way and watch. If it goes up on the way to its own land, to Beth-shemesh, then it is he who has done us this great harm, but if not, then we shall know that it is not his hand that struck us; it happened to us by coincidence.” — 1 Samuel 6:3-9 When men are desperate, they will try almost anything and everything, won't they? But here is what is fascinating about the Philistine response. While desperate for relief, all they want is immediate relief of God. They are tired of being tormented and even believe God is tormenting them. They want God to stop, yet they are still not ready to submit their lives to God. They would prefer to rid themselves of God and his torment and return to life as it was without the Ark rather than submit their lives to God. This is how mankind tends to behave. When we are desperate and things are out of control, we want to get them back under our control. But before we get too judgmental, let's turn the application of this text toward a believer. When our lives are out of control, we may initially petition God. But if we were honest, most of us petition God to regain the control we feel we have lost. In behaving this way, we act pretty much like the Philistines do here. The Philistines just wanted to be relieved of God, and we only want God's relief. One is self-centered, and the other is self-righteous, yet both are selfish and sinful. What we want is similar even though it might have a religious appearance. We ask God for our will, assuming our will is his will, and thus, miss the opportunity to submit our will and find lasting relief. The Philistines weren't afraid to admit this because all they wanted was to be relieved of God, not submission to God. So, how about you? Are you desperate for relief today? If so, instead of seeking to regain control and pretending to pray God's will, why not submit your will to God? Here is my prayer for you today: God, I need relief. There are many things I could pray for right now, and there are many ways you could provide relief. But instead of asking you to do my will in this situation, I submit my will to you and ask you to do only your will until I fully surrender to all of your will. Amen. #SeekingGodsWill, #SurrenderingToGod, #FindingLastingRelief Ask This: How often do you find yourself seeking relief from God rather than seeking His will in challenging circumstances? What steps can you take today to more fully surrender your will to God, trusting His plans over your own desires? Do This: Submit your will and find relief. Pray This: Lord, in my desperation for relief, help me surrender my will completely to Yours, trusting Your plans and finding lasting peace in Your presence. Amen. Play This: Peace Be Still.

A big crisis will bring out bigger questions. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 6. I've titled this chapter "From Confusion to Clarity." In this chapter, we witness the Philistines' journey of parting with the Ark of God and its eventual return to Israel. This tale holds valuable lessons for guiding us from a state of confusion to one of clarity. Today, I am reading verses 1-2: The ark of the Lord was in the country of the Philistines seven months. And the Philistines called for the priests and the diviners and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the Lord? Tell us with what we shall send it to its place.” — 1 Samuel 6:1-2 When we encounter confusion in this life, we ask questions. As the issues get bigger, so do the questions that go with them. If the problem is small, we ask more tactical or strategic questions that are found in solutions we can provide. However, as the issues linger, becoming more sizeable, and solutions are out of our reach, the questions move from tactical to metaphysical. I have seen this a thousand times in my life. When people encounter tragedy, death, and crisis, our questions get bigger. Our questions become spiritual because we cannot make natural sense of them. One of the great questions that I believe every man must address is "What will you do with God?" or, in New Testament language, "What will you do with God's Son, Jesus?" This question is not just for philosophical pontification. It demands a decision that every man will meet in his lifetime. Just like the Philistines and Israelites here, every man must choose. Believers and unbelievers will be confronted by it. But when confronted by it, we must give an answer. We must decide to either rid ourselves of Jesus or receive him. That is the tension of this text and the tension of all life. So, my question for you today is: What will you do with Jesus? #FaithJourney, #BiblicalWisdom, #LifeDecisions Ask This: When faced with life's biggest questions and crises, how do you typically respond? Reflect on a recent situation where you felt confused or uncertain—how did you seek clarity, and what role did your faith play in that process? The Philistines had to decide what to do with the Ark of God, just as we must decide what to do with Jesus. How have you personally answered the question, "What will you do with God's Son, Jesus?" How does this decision impact your daily life and the way you handle challenges? Do This: Answer the question. Put an answer in the comments below. Pray This: God, when I face confusion and uncertainty, guide me to seek clarity through Your wisdom and truth. Help me to faithfully respond to the question of what I will do with Jesus, choosing to embrace Him wholeheartedly in every aspect of my life. Amen. Play This: Jesus Does.

Are you trying to find your way from chaos and confusion to clarity? Happy Father's Day, and welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 6. I've titled this chapter "From Confusion to Clarity." So far, in the story of 1 Samuel, we have been introduced to a few key figures, like Samuel and Eli, but rather quickly, we come upon a battle between the Philistines and the Israelites. Israel sustains devastating losses, and the Ark of God is taken. The problem for the Philistines is that the Ark of God proved to be a curse to them for about seven months. It tormented the five lords of the five cities with the Black Plague and severe hemorrhoids. The situation is so bad that their attention has turned from their victory over God to what to do with God. The chapter we are reading this week chronicles how the Philistines rid themselves of the Ark of God and how the Israelites received the Ark of God. Through their experiences, we uncover some profound lessons on how both unbelievers and believers find their way through chaos and confusion to clarity. The key verse of this chapter is verse 20, which reads: "And the men of Beth-shemesh said, 'Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God? And to whom shall he go up away from us?'" — 1 Samuel 6:20 If you read through the chapter, you will notice that it begins with big questions and ends with big questions. However, the questions at the beginning are very different from those at the end. The Philistines' initial question in verse two is: “What shall we do with the ark of the Lord?" The Israelites' final question in verse twenty is: "Who is able to stand before the Lord, this holy God?" As we compare these questions, we can see three distinct differences. First, the nature of the questions is different. The Philistines are grappling with how to handle an object of God, while the Israelites are wrestling with the very nature of God. Second, the motivation behind the questions is different. The Philistines are driven by self-preservation, while the Israelites are motivated by self-renunciation. Third, the responses to the questions are different. The Philistines' response to God is superficial, while the Israelites' response is spiritual. This chapter is bookended by two questions from two different people with two different responses that attempt to address the chaos and confusion in life. Eventually, the chapter concludes with one nation seeking clarity by ridding itself of God and the other finding clarity by returning to the reverence of God. We all face moments of chaos and confusion. Through these times, we are confronted with the most profound questions we will ever have about God and his work in this life. These questions either guide you to rid yourself of God or to reverence of God. But if you rid yourself of God, you will never find the clarity you need through the chaos of this life. Chaos and confusion will come again. Permanent clarity is only found if you are willing to come to the end of yourself and submit to the heavy hand of the Holy God. In full submission of all we are to God we find the clarity we need through every time of chaos and confusion in this life. So if you need this today, submit to him. God, on this Father's Day, we men submit our lives to you. We all have some form of chaos and confusion in our lives right now. We need your clarity and know this is only found bowed low before you. We are sons. You are the only Father. Lead the way we are ready to obey. Amen. #FaithInChaos, #FindingClarity, #SubmitToGod Ask This: How do you typically respond to moments of chaos and confusion in your life? What steps can you take to ensure your response draws you closer to God rather than pushing Him away? In what areas of your life do you need to submit more fully to God's authority? How can you practically begin to bow low before Him and seek His clarity in those situations? Do This: Submit to God. Pray This: Father, I surrender my chaos and confusion to You, seeking Your divine clarity and guidance. Help me trust in Your wisdom and revere You in every aspect of my life. Amen. Play This: I Surrender.

Do you see God's glory in this world? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 5. I've titled this chapter "Clearing The Path To Glory." So far, in Chapter 5, God has cleared his own path to glory. He has afflicted the Philistines with hemorrhoids, and in doing so, they have passed him around from Philistine town to town until there is a meeting of the five kings in Philistine. Here is how this chapter closes off in verses 11-12: They sent therefore and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and said, “Send away the ark of the God of Israel, and let it return to its own place, that it may not kill us and our people.” For there was a deathly panic throughout the whole city. The hand of God was very heavy there. The men who did not die were struck with tumors, and the cry of the city went up to heaven. — 1 Samuel 5:11-12 If you recall, at the end of Chapter Four, the wife of Phinehas declared that the "Glory had departed from Israel." This was such a significant moment that in her death, she named her orphaned son Ichabod based on this declaration. While the glory has departed, it has not vanished. In Chapter Five, we learned that God's glory has been moving around independently, self-sustained, self-proclaiming, and finding its own way back home. God wants to work in harmony with his creation. However, when humanity desires to play God and seeks its glory, this won't work. Our glory and God's glory are no match. We either submit to the heavy hand of God, or we are subject to the heavy hand. It's better to submit to it than to be smitten by it. This life is full of God's glory. Through his revelation, we can see it everywhere. Today, anticipate it and point it out. See it moving and making its way. Look beyond the noise of propaganda, lawfare, war, hate, and violence and see his glory. God's glory is still moving. Then, when you see it, point to it, praise it, and proclaim it. It's far better to submit to the heavy hand of God than to suffer under it to the point of pain, pestilence, and punishment by death. #GodsGloryInMotion, #DivinePresence, #SubmittingToGodsHand Ask This: How can we actively recognize and celebrate God's glory moving in our lives and in the world around us, even amidst challenges and difficulties? In what areas of our lives do we struggle to submit to God's heavy hand, and how can we cultivate a posture of surrender and obedience to His will? Do This: Look for God's glory, point to it, and praise it. Pray This: Father, help me to see your glory moving in every aspect of my life and give me the full courage to submit my will, knowing that your heavy hand is for my good. May your presence be my constant guide, leading me closer to you, which is ultimately found each day. Amen. Play This: Here Comes The Glory.

Are you just moving your problems around? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 5. I've titled this chapter "Clearing The Path To Glory." So far, in Chapter 5, we've discovered that the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant and took it back to Ashdod, and now it's given everyone in the land a bad case of hemorrhoids, and here is what happens next in verses 8-10: So they sent and gathered together all the lords of the Philistines and said, “What shall we do with the ark of the God of Israel?” They answered, “Let the ark of the God of Israel be brought around to Gath.” So they brought the ark of the God of Israel there. But after they had brought it around, the hand of the Lord was against the city, causing a very great panic, and he afflicted the men of the city, both young and old, so that tumors broke out on them. So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. But as soon as the ark of God came to Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, “They have brought around to us the ark of the God of Israel to kill us and our people.” — 1 Samuel 5:8-10 When we began this chapter, we said five different lords governed five Philistine cities. What is happening here is one lord is passing it to the next until they finally concur that one lord is using the box to kill off another lord and his people. The irreverent capture of the Ark of the Covenant has led to disease, death, disorder, conspiracy, and conflict. God has worked the Philistines over without Israel needing to lift a finger. If they only would have just trusted the Lord! But there is an excellent lesson in this. We are all prone to move our problems around. I know I do this. You do, too. When we encounter problems, we instinctively look first for natural solutions. We find ways to rectify the situation by making corrections and adjustments. Once in a while, it works, but that does not necessarily mean it worked. It might have only been a temporary solution to a larger problem that we have moved around or moved for someone else to deal with. The people of Ashdod and Gath rid themselves of a problem, but they have not rectified it. They have merely moved it from themselves to someone else, and the people of Ekron are wise to this. They don't want to inherit a problem that demands a divine solution they are unwilling to accept. Had they just acknowledged God and accepted their wrong, they might have dealt with the situation and resolved it. But they were unwilling to acknowledge God or their sin, so instead, they moved the problem around. Today, when you face a problem, instead of looking at every problem as a natural issue needing your incredible solution, consider the potential for a divine problem and divine solution. Look at the situation in the same way God would. Most of the time, the issue arises because of some sin (personal or corporate), causing a problem you haven't yet identified. Look first for that, diagnose it, and then respond to it. You will get to the heart of the core issue much faster, and it's far better than continually moving it around. #TrustGod, #DivineSolutions, #BiblicalWisdom Ask This: In what areas of your life are you tempted to seek natural solutions instead of seeking God's divine intervention? How can you start inviting God into these situations today? Reflect on a time when you moved a problem around instead of addressing the root issue. What steps can you take to ensure you confront and resolve issues with God's guidance in the future? Do This: Look for a divine solution first. Pray This: Father, help me recognize when I rely on my solutions instead of seeking Your divine guidance. Grant me the wisdom to address the root of my problems and the faith to trust in Your perfect plan. Amen. Play This: God Of Miracles.

BUY THE 1 SAMUEL JOURNAL Is God punishing you or preparing you? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 5. I've titled this chapter "Clearing The Path To Glory." So far, in Chapter 5, we've discovered that the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant and took it back to Ashdod, setting it up in the temple of Dagon. The following day, the people awoke to find that Dagon had fallen prostrate before the Ark. Despite their shock, they propped him back up. The next morning, they discovered Dagon had fallen again with his head and hands cut off, which terrified them. Then we read verses 6-7: The hand of the Lord was heavy against the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory. And when the men of Ashdod saw how things were, they said, “The ark of the God of Israel must not remain with us, for his hand is hard against us and against Dagon our god.” — 1 Samuel 5:6-7 There are a couple of choices as to what disease this was, and we are not sure. Some think it was the Bubonic Plague transmitted by fleas and rats that spread to humans. Or it could have also been a massive break of hemorrhoids that afflicted the people. Either way, this outbreak was a major pain in the butt, so much so that they associated the affliction with the recent capture of the Ark. What is fascinating about this situation is that people who believed that they just defeated God now believe God was defeating them. They have seen enough occurrences to believe God is punishing them. At some point, we are all disciplined by God. Most of the time, discipline by God comes in the form of natural consequences stemming from disobedience to him or his authority in this life. These consequences inflict pain and compel us to pay attention, thus driving us to pay attention to God. For instance, if you are intoxicated and drive a vehicle and then get pulled over, there are numerous consequences. You will be arrested, ticketed, lose driving privileges, incur legal fees, face probation, and insurance increases. In this example, it is relatively easy to see the connection between our human defiance and God's divine punishment. It is even easier to see you have a biblical worldview that assumes God is the divine judge who governs all things and operates through human government to administer judgment for human defiance. But in the case of the Philistines, they did not have a biblical worldview. They held polytheistic views, but they were right in this situation to establish a divine connection. The "heavy hand of God's judgment" was afflicting them. Through natural circumstances, he was trying to get their attention, and they made the connection. What they neglected to do was worship him. Instead, they would dispose of him by sending the Ark of God to another town. Here is what you need to see today. When you experience affliction and discipline in life, you should pause and assess the divine signs. Afflictions by God are meant to get our attention. Take time to pause, reflect, and assess. Go to God in prayer and ask God to show you why this is happening in your life. Discern if God is afflicting you for disobedience or to drive you toward deeper obedience. Either way, God will likely show you something that he wants you to see. Remember, there are moments when we experience affliction without seeing the act of disobedience. For example, consider the stories of Job or even Jesus. Afflictions in both cases did not stem from disobedience but were designed to stretch their obedience. Both types of discipline and affliction have occurred in this story. Some people in Israel were not disobedient to God and yet were being disciplined, like Samuel and his family. On the other hand, God was directly disciplining others, like Eli and his family who had been blatantly disobedient. Either way, the right response is always to bow and worship the Lord. It is to submit to him and his discipline and be changed by his affliction. It is not to do what the Philistines do here and merely suppose it is God and then dispose of him. #DivineDiscipline, #GodsCorrection, #FaithJourney Ask This: When have you experienced a situation that felt like divine discipline? How did it impact your relationship with God and your understanding of His guidance in your life? How can you better recognize and respond to God's discipline in your daily life? How can this awareness transform your spiritual growth and obedience? Do This: Pause, reflect, and accept the afflictions and discipline of God. Pray This: Lord, help me recognize Your discipline in my life and respond with humility and obedience. Guide me to deeper understanding and faith, trusting that Your correction is for my growth and good. Amen. Play This: The Struggle.

What idol do you fear? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 5. I've titled this chapter "Clearing The Path To Glory." So far, in Chapter 5, we've discovered that the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant and took it back to Ashdod, setting it up in the temple of Dagon. The following day, the people awoke to find that Dagon had fallen prostrate before the Ark. Despite their shock, they propped him back up. The next morning, they discovered Dagon had fallen again with his head and hands cut off. We read this in verses 4-5: Only the trunk of Dagon was left to him. This is why the priests of Dagon and all who enter the house of Dagon do not tread on the threshold of Dagon in Ashdod to this day. — 1 Samuel 5:4-5 This event created a lasting fear for the priests of Dagon and the Philistines. Many suggest this letter was written about three centuries later, indicating that God's intervention in the temple of Dagon lingered in the people's collective memory for an extended period. This moment clarifies that wooden or stone idols are not what terrifies mankind. Rather, what we fear are the idols we build in the construct of our minds. In fear of being nothing, we construct idols that make something of us. These idols aren't statues; they are ideologies founded on things that give us confidence in the flesh—our professions, possessions, and personal success. When these idols are threatened or fall, they generate fear and insecurity. For the Philistines, the fall of Dagon was a direct confrontation with the one thing they truly feared—powerlessness. Their idol, which they believed held power and protection, was shown to be powerless before the Almighty God. This left them fearful and uncertain, propping up their idol desperately trying to regain control and security. This attempt would never succeed. God instilled in them a terror that would never dissipate. What is interesting is that the Philistines never changed their minds about this fear. Instead of turning to the God of all Power, they continued in fear for hundreds of years. Unwilling to face their powerlessness, they were led into an endless cycle of fear and frustration. In contrast, a believer is called to recognize these moments as opportunities to trust more deeply in God. When our idols fall, it's a call to a new way and path. Instead of living in human fear, we should respond with holy reference, fearing the God with whom there is nothing to fear. So stop living in endless cycles of fear today, trusting only in ideologies based in the flesh. Fear the Almighty God, with whom there is nothing to fear—before him, all the other idols bow and are cut down. #TrustInGod, #OvercomeFear, #BreakIdols Ask This: What are some modern-day idols in your life that you rely on for security and confidence? How can you dismantle these idols and place your trust more fully in God? How does recognizing and facing your fears lead to a deeper faith and reliance on God? Share a time when confronting a personal fear helped you grow spiritually. Do This: Fear God, not idols. Pray This: Father, help me to recognize and dismantle the idols in my life that I have placed above You. Grant me the courage to trust in Your power and sovereignty, knowing that in You alone, I find true security and peace. Amen. Play This: Fear Is Not My Future.

Are you propping up an idol? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 5. I've titled this chapter "Clearing The Path To Glory." Yesterday, we discovered that the Philistines captured the Ark of the Covenant and took it back to Ashdod, setting it up in the temple of Dagon. The following day, the people awoke to find that Dagon had fallen prostrate before the Ark. Despite their shock, they propped him back up. They then discovered this in verses 3-4: So they took Dagon and put him back in his place. 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 5:3-4 A Battle of Gods So, the same mysterious event occurs overnight, but this time, his head and hands are chopped off. The picture that plays in my mind is of two deities battling in this temple, and God takes a sword and chops off Dagon's head and hands. I know that in our time and our country, we don't prop up idols in the same way. Our idols are not man-made objects of stone and wood but are just as consuming. Propped-Up Idols More often than not, our idols are the ideologies we prop up in our minds. We prop up ideas, beliefs, and pursuits that consume our thoughts, time, and energy. Eventually, these propped-up idols establish strongholds of worship within our minds. Eventually, the pursuit of wealth, success, titles, and fame becomes our primary focus in thought and conversation. Possessions, achievements, and conquests dominate every conversation. Consequently, we become enslaved to our idolatrous ideology and its need for approval, validation, and acceptance from others. We mold our lives and identities around these propped-up ideas until they are abandoned on the threshing floor with their head and hands lopped off. Cutting Down Idols This is the hard-learned lesson of propped-up idols. If we have propped up an idol in our minds for too long, challenging it will require us to rethink everything. When they fall, we are prone to prop them up because we have become accustomed to them. Dealing with them is too much work when we have constructed our lives based on them. Only when the idol is cut down and chopped up do we face the fact that they can no longer be propped up, and we need to rethink the idols we have made in our minds. This is what the people of Ashdod were probably thinking to themselves—who is this God, and what will we do with him now that he has slaughtered Dagon? Stop Propping; Start Cutting But let's get practical: What idol do you need to stop propping up today? What idol stands between you and God? Tracing it back should be easy. You talk about it a lot. You think about it all the time. If you lost it, you would lose yourself. So what is it? Can you name it? If you know it, remember that you don't merely need to stop propping it up. You need to cut off its head and hands and come to the Lord before who stands no idol. #IdolsExposed, #ClearingThePath, #SeekingGod'sGlory Ask This: Reflect on the idols in your life: What beliefs, pursuits, or ideologies consume your thoughts, time, and energy? How can you start acknowledging and confronting these idols in your life? Consider the implications of propping up idols: What practical steps can you take today to confront and dismantle the idols that stand between you and a deeper relationship with God? How can you refocus your thoughts and actions on seeking God's glory above all else? Do This: Cut down an idol today. Pray This: Lord, help me identify and confront the idols in my life, surrendering them to You completely. Guide me in prioritizing Your glory above all else as I seek to align my thoughts and actions with Your will. Amen. Play This: No One Else (Tear Down The Idols).

Is God sitting in second place in your life? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 5. I've titled this chapter "Clearing The Path To Glory." Today, I am reading verses 1-3: When the Philistines captured the ark of God, they brought it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. Then the Philistines took the ark of God and brought it into the house of Dagon and set it up beside Dagon. And when the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, behold, Dagon had fallen face downward on the ground before the ark of the Lord. — 1 Samuel 5:1-3 God Set Second The Philistines did with the ark what they would've done with any trophy taken in war. Notice the arrogance of the narrating verbs: they captured it, took it, brought it, and set it in the house of their idol god, Dagon. For the enemy, there could be no more powerful expression of victory. The Philistines, with Dagon, had triumphed over the God who defeated the powers of Egypt. However, overnight, something happened in their temple. We are not told what happened, only that the next day when the people enter the temple, they discover that Dagon has fallen to the ground. Dagon is found prostrate before the Ark of God. This surely frightened the people of Ashdod. God Never Sits Second The lesson is this: The Almighty will not sit in second place. He will not be used by his creation for his power or bow to the carvings that man constructs from his imagination. Both the Israelites and the Philistines were guilty of wrong treatment. Israel treated the Ark of God like a good luck charm and the Philistines like an inferior trophy of war. Because they fail to comprehend God's might, he smites them both and makes his own path back to Shiloh. So, let's apply this practically because most of you will not fight an actual war today. Put God First Let's say today, you claim a small victory in your life. Let's also assume that you claim this victory without a thought of God. Your pride takes hold, and you think, "I did it." Because you were successful this time, you repeat the same thing. If you meet with success again, this will train you to believe that you did it, you can do it on your own, and there is no need for God. Eventually, pride combined with the power of human effort takes over until you see no need to pray, consult the Spirit, or call on God. And this keeps going until you encounter a battle that is beyond your power or ability. Then, like Israel, you finally bring God into battle, but all you are doing is using his power to win your battle to get your victory. You will lose if you fail to see that you set yourself first and God sits second. It is interesting that this pride is evident in the actions of the Philistines, while it is less apparent in the conduct of the Israelites. However, it is the same pride that ultimately results in defeat. Stop putting God in second place in your life. God will not be satisfied with being a periodic part of your life. God demands to be at the center of everything. When you place God in second place, you put yourself in first place, and like Dagon, you will inevitably bow before the Almighty Lord, who can clear his path to glory with or without you. #PutGodFirst, #PriorityOfFaith, #ClearPathToGlory Ask This: Reflect on a recent victory or success in your life. How did you acknowledge God's role in that achievement, or did you attribute it solely to your efforts? How can you ensure that God remains at the center of your victories moving forward? Consider areas in your life where you may inadvertently place God in second place. What steps can you take to realign your priorities and ensure that God holds the primary position in every aspect of your life? Do This: Give God first place. Pray This: Lord, forgive me for the times I have placed myself before You and help me recenter my life around Your sovereignty, acknowledging Your presence in every victory and trial. Guide me to continually seek Your will above my own so that You may always reign first in my heart. Amen. Play This: First.

How do you respond to God's discipline? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 5. This chapter recounts the Philistines' capture of the Ark and the subsequent divine intervention that led it back to its rightful place. I've titled this chapter "Clearing The Path To Glory." At the end of the last chapter and the beginning of this chapter, Israel has sustained severe losses. The wife of Phinehas summarized it well: The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured. — 1 Samuel 4:22 The sad ending in Chapter 4 marks an abrupt conclusion to a once glorious period for Israel. It represents a dark time of profound loss for God's people. If you have experienced a similar moment in your life, you understand the feeling it brings. These moments are characterized by darkness and overwhelming despair, often leaving one uncertain of how to react. But then we come upon the key verse of Chapter 5. Verse 6 reads: The hand of the Lord was heavy against the people of Ashdod, and he terrified and afflicted them with tumors, both Ashdod and its territory. — 1 Samuel 5:6 The "heavy hand of God" is the great metaphor of this chapter. It describes God's tangible involvement in human affairs in profound and mysterious ways. But this metaphor takes us back to another place where similar language was used—Egypt. In the book of Exodus, God's "heavy hand" is displayed numerous times through mighty plaques against the Pharaoh that deliver his people from bondage (Exodus 3:19-20; 6:1; 9:3; 15:6-7). God's "heavy hand" had been an image of the forceful discipline he used to bring about his glory. Thus, in the previous chapter, we witness God's "heavy hand" against Israel. Then, in this chapter, we witness His "heavy hand" against the Philistines. I couldn't help but notice that Israel regrets God's "heavy hand" against them but then relishes His "heavy hand" against others. God disciplines us all. Sometimes, his hand is heavy, and other times, it is light. He disciplines us in public or private, great or small, and it always has a purpose. His discipline directs us to his glory. You see, God's glory never fades, but we fail to reflect it. He does not need us to sustain it, but he does want us to know it, enjoy it, celebrate it, praise it, never abuse it, use it, misuse it, and defame it. The key is submitting to his discipline. In Chapter 5, we will see the Ark of God move from Philistine town to town until it returns to Shiloh. (There is a map in the video today illustrating the journey). It is carried from Shiloh to battle at Ebenezer. Then, it is captured and taken into Philistine territory in Ashdod. Then, it is carried down to Gath, next to Ekron, and finally returned to Shiloh. Some mysterious "heavy-handed" events occur that hold fascinating lessons for us. And you will have to join us for the next six days to discover them. God Never Sits Second Chair. When Idols Fall, Don’t Prop Them Up. What Idol Do You Fear? When God Becomes a Pain in Your Butt. Don’t Move Your Problem Around. The Return of The Lord. #GodsDiscipline, #SpiritualGrowth, #DivineIntervention Ask This: How do you typically respond when faced with challenges or discipline, whether from God or otherwise? Reflecting on Israel's journey with the Ark in 1 Samuel 5, what lessons can you apply to your life regarding embracing God's discipline and seeking His glory? Do This: Submit to God's discipline and know his Glory. Pray This: Lord, help me to embrace Your discipline with humility and trust, knowing that Your guiding hand leads me closer to Your glory each day. Grant me the wisdom and strength to learn from Your lessons and reflect Your love to those around me. Amen. Play This: The Heart of Worship.

Are you ready to reveal God's glory where there is no glory? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 4. I've titled this chapter "Misusing Divine Power." In the first few verses of Chapter 4, we discover that the Israelites were at war with the Philistines. They lose two battles, killing 37,000 men. The Ark of God is taken because Hophni and Phinehas make another stupid decision. They are both killed, and a messenger brings back news: Eli, their father, falls out of his chair because he is fat, apathetic, and blind, breaking his neck and dying. And then this happens to Eli's daughter-in-law: Now his daughter-in-law, the wife of Phinehas, was pregnant, about to give birth. And when she heard the news that the ark of God was captured, and that her father-in-law and her husband were dead, she bowed and gave birth, for her pains came upon her. And about the time of her death the women attending her said to her, “Do not be afraid, for you have borne a son.” But she did not answer or pay attention. And she named the child Ichabod, saying, “The glory has departed from Israel!” because the ark of God had been captured and because of her father-in-law and her husband. And she said, “The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” — 1 Samuel 4:19-22 This chapter concludes with the fulfillment of God's prophecy against Eli and his household. In just a few hours, the impact of this prophecy on many generations is evident. Eli, a long-standing Judge, has tipped over and died. His sons, who were high priests, were also slaughtered. Additionally, his daughter-in-law dies during childbirth, leaving his grandson, Ichabod, orphaned. The repercussions are not limited to the family alone - 37,000 families have lost their sons, brothers, fathers, and husbands. The spiritual dismay of Israel, a result of the loss of their high priests, is also significant. Furthermore, there is a looming fear of complete destruction as the glory of God has departed from the Tabernacle in Israel. If you are a father or grandfather and you are reading this with me today, I hope you feel compelled to step up your game because your spiritual apathy affects others. Like Eli, you can sit around, get old, blind, and fat, and become apathetic in your old age. Or you can get into the spiritual game and start doing something. My life was changed by a grandfather who refused to sit around in apathy in his old age. In his retirement, he taught me manners, self-care, and chivalry. He gave me driving lessons, taught me a work ethic, and demonstrated how to love, give, and forgive. He spiritually mentored me when I was desperate for a male role model. He tabernacled his life around my needs and then told me about a man who tabernacled his life on this earth to redeem my soul. The Word became flesh and dwelt [tabernacled] among us, and we have seen his glory. — John 1:14. Through Jesus, where there was no glory [Ichabod], glory was revealed. Fathers and grandfathers, start fulfilling your duty to reveal God's glory today before it's too late. #RevealGodsGlory #SpiritualLeadership #FromIchabodToImmanuel Ask This: In what areas of your life do you see signs of spiritual apathy creeping in, and what steps can you take to actively cultivate a deeper connection with God? Reflecting on the legacy of Eli and his family, how can you ensure that your actions today positively impact future generations spiritually, especially as a father or grandfather figure? Do This: Step Up Your Game. Pray This: Father, help me to recognize and overcome any spiritual apathy in my life, so that I may faithfully reveal Your glory in all that I do. Empower me to lead with wisdom and love, leaving a legacy that honors You and blesses future generations. Amen. Play This: Here Comes the Glory of the Lord.

Feeling disillusioned by the state of national leadership? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 4. I've titled this chapter "Misusing Divine Power." In the first few verses of Chapter 4, we discover that the Israelites were at war with the Philistines. They engaged in two battles sustaining devastating losses, first 7000 dead, then 30,000 dead, until the Philistines claimed victory, captured the Ark of God, and then sent the Israelites running. Now Eli was ninety-eight years old and his eyes were set so that he could not see. And the man said to Eli, “I am he who has come from the battle; I fled from the battle today.” And he said, “How did it go, my son?” He who brought the news answered and said, “Israel has fled before the Philistines, and there has also been a great defeat among the people. Your two sons also, Hophni and Phinehas, are dead, and the ark of God has been captured.” As soon as he mentioned the ark of God, Eli fell over backward from his seat by the side of the gate, and his neck was broken and he died, for the man was old and heavy. He had judged Israel forty years.— 1 Samuel 4:15-18 What we witness here is not just a catastrophic defeat in battle. This is the end of an era. The end of 200 years of the nation of Israel being led by Judges. It is a sad ending that comes about by an apathetic Priest and Judge who fails to lead. But it also marks the beginning of a new chapter. Samuel, the great Judge, will lead us from a Theocracy led by Judges into a Monarchy led by Kings, a transition that brings with it the promise of hope and change. As I have aged, I have learned a thing or two about national leaders and government powers. There isn't one who isn't corrupted by some form of sin. Israel, God's people, would be led by Judges, Priests, Kings, and Prophets, and not one of these men and their systems were without sin. There was and is only one perfect leader. He is our Judge, Priest, King, and Prophet — Jesus Christ. Till he comes to reign earth again and take us home, he reigns within our hearts. He is the only perfect leader. Till Jesus comes, we will live under the leadership of some unfortunate leader or power. In the next four years, Americans will either be led by a babbling puppet president or a self-absorbed playboy. Those are the choices we have in our Constitutional Republic. It does not matter how you present or position either one of these men. Neither man is our Savior because neither is a match for the Savior. And that is what Eli just learned. His failures in leadership were no match for God's plan, promises, and power. Age, blindness, apathy, poor parenting, and his failure to lead were not an excuse. God held him accountable for all this, tipped over his chair, and took the reigns from another apathetic and pathetic leader. We have a ruler. He is the only ruler. He rules all creation. It doesn't matter who rules and reigns our nation. The only thing that matters is if God rules your heart. If he doesn't, then you will have hell to pay, just like Eli. #DivinePower, #SpiritualLeadership, #GodsSovereignty Ask This: Reflecting on Eli's leadership, how can we ensure we don't become apathetic in our roles of influence, whether in our families, workplaces, or communities? Considering the contrast between human rule and God's sovereignty highlighted in this passage, how can we actively invite God to rule our hearts and guide our decisions in a world filled with imperfect leadership? Do This: Submit to the King. Pray This: Lord, help me recognize and resist the temptation of apathy in my leadership roles. Guide me to lead with integrity and passion, reflecting Your divine power and sovereignty in all I do. Have Your will with our national leaders. Amen. Play This: Champion.

Your sin can become a national crisis. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 4. I've titled this chapter "Misusing Divine Power." In the first few verses of Chapter 4, we discover that the Israelites were at war with the Philistines. They engaged in two battles sustaining devastating losses, first 7000 dead, then 30,000 dead, until the Philistines claimed victory, captured the Ark of God, and then sent the Israelites running. A man of Benjamin ran from the battle line and came to Shiloh the same day, with his clothes torn and with dirt on his head. When he arrived, Eli was sitting on his seat by the road watching, for his heart trembled for the ark of God. And when the man came into the city and told the news, all the city cried out. When Eli heard the sound of the outcry, he said, “What is this uproar?” Then the man hurried and came and told Eli. — 1 Samuel 4:12-14 This is a tragic moment for Israel. In a short devotional, it's tough to capture how devastated God's people might have felt. The unnamed Benjamite makes the 20-mile run retreating from the battle and shows up wearing all the signs of a man in mourning “with his clothes torn and dirt on his head.” The only way to capture the feeling of this moment is to imagine that you receive a call in the next few moments that your spouse or child was killed and then multiply it by 37,000. That's the message this man delivered to this city: 37,000 souls lost on the field of battle, including sons, husbands, and fathers. But let's not forget that all of this stemmed from the apathy of one man. Eli, the last in a long line of Judges, allowed his sons to continue to act in disobedience until finally, they did the unthinkable. They took the Ark of the Covenant from the House of the Lord into battle, which led to slaughter. Disobedient actions concern God, but so does disobedient inaction. Eli had plenty of time to deal with his sons' disobedience, but he didn't. He was apathetic. He took no action, and his inaction was counted as disobedience. This devious sin had devastating consequences for him, his family, his legacy, and 37,000 families who were also impacted. Listen carefully: your sin never only affects you. Disobedient action and disobedient inaction have consequences for everyone. Here's the application. Don't be spiritually apathetic to God today. Address your secret sin and stop hiding it. Address the issue in your marriage that you still need to address. Address your child who is acting in sin. Move from disobedient inaction into obedient action and rally those around you to godly action. If you keep putting it off, that situation will have the same devastating consequences in your life as it did to Eli, his family, and the nation of Israel because your apathy never affects only you; it affects everyone around you.

God's promises are greater than your plans. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 4. I've titled this chapter "Misusing Divine Power." In the first few verses of Chapter 4, we discover that the Israelites were at war with the Philistines. They engaged in a short battle between the towns of Ebenezer and Aphek. They sustained some losses, and then they got the crafty idea to bring the Ark of God to battle, so let's see how that turns out in the next reading, verses 5-11: As soon as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel gave a mighty shout, so that the earth resounded. And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shouting, they said, “What does this great shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean?” And when they learned that the ark of the Lord had come to the camp, the Philistines were afraid, for they said, “A god has come into the camp.” And they said, “Woe to us! For nothing like this has happened before. Woe to us! Who can deliver us from the power of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with every sort of plague in the wilderness. Take courage, and be men, O Philistines, lest you become slaves to the Hebrews as they have been to you; be men and fight.” 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. And the ark of God was captured, and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, died. — 1 Samuel 4:5-11 Man Up And Fight As we can see, there was initial excitement about the idea. Even the Philistines were initially frightened by the understanding of how God had defeated an empire in Egypt that was far greater than them. But then the Philistines rally, resulting in a raging slaughter with 30,000 dead, and the ark is compromised. I find it especially interesting that if you look at this situation only from the perspective of the Philistines, you would be convinced that the victory resulted from courage in facing adversity and their resolve to "be men and fight." But we know it wasn't. This situation fulfilled the prophecy spoken by Samuel, stemming from the disobedience of Eli and his sons. God determined the outcome of this battle, not the Philistines or their courage. And because Israel had not trusted in God's power and tried to use his power for their pleasure, he was going to display his power without them. Limited Perspectives Make Wrong Deductions Humanity often has a limited perspective on God's plans. We can only see immediate events, so we make deductions based on what we can see. When we cannot see God's plans, we sometimes become uneasy. Instead of trusting God by faith and obeying him, we take matters into our own hands. In doing so, we justify our actions and make natural human deductions that do not align with God's intentions. Like the Philistines and the Israelites, we may think we need to "man up and fight." While this approach could lead to an occasional victory, it can also result in catastrophic failure. Regardless of the outcome, we must recognize that our deductions and connections may not necessarily be correct, even if we have manned up and fought. Both Israel and the Philistines were about to learn a hard lesson: God's promises are greater than their battle plans. God's Promises Versus Your Plans You have plans. You have career plans, financial plans, marital plans, family plans, and retirement plans. You battle for these plans. Sometimes, you think you need to put in more effort and fight harder. But occasionally, your plans will contest God's promises. Given your limited perspective, you will mistakenly think fight harder. Sometimes, you might win and wrongly think you did it, mustering more courage for another fight. Sometimes, you will lose, causing you to reflect and change course. Before you man up and fight, here are four preliminary actions: Immerse yourself in God's promises. Let God's promises inform your perspective and plans. Be obedient. Trust by faith. Then, man up and fight. If you don't do this first, you will only end up fighting against God, and no man can man up, fight, and win against God's promises. #GodsPromises #TrustHisPlan #FaithOverFear Ask This: How can you discern between your own plans and God's promises in your daily decisions and pursuits? What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper trust in God's promises, even when faced with uncertainty or adversity? Do This: Do all four actions. Pray This: Father, help me to surrender my plans to Your promises, trusting in Your wisdom and sovereignty over my life. Grant me the courage and faith to follow Your lead, even when it requires letting go of my own understanding. Amen. Play This: God of the Promise.

God's power is not your pleasure. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 4. I've titled this chapter "Misusing Divine Power." Today, I am reading verse 1-4, which states: Now Israel went out to battle against the Philistines. They encamped at Ebenezer, and the Philistines encamped at Aphek. The Philistines drew up in line against Israel, and when the battle spread, Israel was defeated before the Philistines, who killed about four thousand men on the field of battle. And when the people came to the camp, the elders of Israel said, “Why has the Lord defeated us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.” So the people sent to Shiloh and brought from there the ark of the covenant of the Lord of hosts, who is enthroned on the cherubim. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. — 1 Samuel 4:1-4 The contention between Israel and the Philistines will continue throughout this book, so it might be helpful to understand the tension between these two peoples. The Philistines and the Israelites, both relatively new to the region, emerged around the same time. The Philistines settled primarily in the coastal plain to the west of the hill country, establishing their dominance in five main cities: Ekron, Ashdod, Gath, Ashkelon, and Gaza. Each city was governed by a Philistine lord or king. This geographical and political context is crucial to understanding the dynamics of the conflict between these two peoples. When we begin Chapter Four, a battle unfolds. But since we have just started reading 1 Samuel, we would be wrong to think this was the first battle. This loss was only one of many battles that had been going on for some 200 years through the time of the Judges. For Israel, this loss in battle was one of many, and it was the last straw that broke the camel's back. You can see Israel returns to Shiloh conflicted about this. They concluded they were defeated by "the Lord" and not by the Philistines, which is perfect theology—making their theology right and their subsequent response wrong. The issue at hand for the Israelites is "Why?" Why has the Lord allowed this to continue for the last 200 years, even though they entered the land with such a promise of prosperity? The "Why" is probably threefold: The disobedience as a nation. The disobedience of Eli and his sons. The promise of punishment to Eli and his house is prophesied by Samuel. But rather than exploring the answer to "why" and seeing the connection to their disobedience, they took matters into their own hands. They decided if God would not use his power to give them victory, they would use his power for themselves. In failing to see God's "why," their theology makes a radical turn. They change their minds about what God is and is not able and capable of doing and make themselves the enemy of God. Listen to their reasoning again: "Let us bring the ark of the covenant of the Lord here from Shiloh, that it may come among us and save us from the power of our enemies.” Initially, they proclaimed God did it. But now they deduce God's proximity is too far; therefore, they do something they should not have done—remove the ark of God from Shiloh. In the coming days, you will see the result of this wrong decision. This happens to believers on a personal level all the time. We are fine with God being sovereign and in total control of the events in our lives until we don't understand the "why." When his "why" evades us, we become irritated because we can only sustain so many losses until we change our minds about what God is or is not doing. We justify ourselves, assuming we are innocent of sin, and then take matters into our own hands because we don't like the mystery and the faith required when there is no answer to the "why." If you find yourself in this place today, wondering why things are happening, rest assured that there is an answer. God knows it and will reveal it in time. However, be careful not to misuse God's power for your own pleasure, as this could lead to an uncomfortable and challenging lesson. Instead of asking "why," have faith in God's timing and power and focus on the more important question: "How can I obey God today?"

Are you misusing God's power, thus missing his power? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 4. I've titled this chapter "Misusing Divine Power." Today, I am reading verse 22, which states: And she said, "The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” — 1 Samuel 4:22 This verse is the shocking moment in this chapter. It is a statement of national stupidity. Israel made foolish choices, thinking they could harness God's power for personal means, which led to the capture of the ark of God. For those unfamiliar, the ark was a sacred chest containing the Ten Commandments that rested in the Temple, symbolizing God's presence and power. Humanity has long been intrigued by God's power. Even if we don't fully comprehend the intricacies of religion, we know that God, by nature, is considered all-powerful. The idea that God's power could somehow be harnessed for our benefit is undeniably attractive. The thought of this takes me back to those old classic Indiana Jones movies, like "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "The Last Crusade" where notorious explorers are allured by the proposition that the Ark of the Covenant and the Holy Grail hold power that one could harness for personal pleasure and means. For many, God's power is exactly what draws them to God. Consider the businessman burdened by anxieties and challenges. In desperation, he comes to God, praying that God's power will give him success or prevent the success of his competitors. If God's power can do that, the businessman sees value in God. Or consider the unbeliever who is terminally ill. Even though they have lived a prayerless life, their illness brings them to one of those "Hail Mary Prayers" for God’s healing power. If God can offer that, then they see some value in God. The applications of this twisted understanding of God's power are endless. But this is exactly what the followers of God in Israel attempt to do in 1 Samuel 4. Believers attempt to harness the power of the ark of God for their own personal means, resulting in a mass casualty event of proportions that is catastrophic to the people of Israel. And that is what the woman in this text has learned. Her husband (Phinehas), brother-in-law (Hophni), and father-in-law (Eli) are all dead because they misunderstood and misused the power of God. This entire chapter warns everyone about the misuse of God's power for personal pleasure. Harnessing God’s power even in our fragilities may be alluring, but it's fatal. We might even try to camouflage our attempt to harness our power behind a religious front, but still, this is fatally wrong. With that, here are the six topics we will address in this chapter: God’s Power Is Not Our Pleasure. God’s Promises Are Powerfully Fulfilled. Personal Sin Becomes A National Crisis. God’s Power Is Not Your Good Luck Charm. God’s Power Reveals Godless Corruption. God’s Judgement is Painful for Everyone. So get ready for a powerful chapter where we discover the God of all power. #MisusingDivinePower, #HarnessingGodsPower, #BiblicalWarnings Ask This: How do you discern between seeking God's power for personal gain versus aligning yourself with His will and purposes? In what areas of your life do you find yourself tempted to misuse or manipulate God's power for your own desires, and how can you realign your perspective to honor His sovereignty and wisdom? Do This: Don't misuse God's power. Pray This: Lord, help me surrender my desires for personal gain and align my heart with Your will, recognizing Your sovereignty over all things. Grant me wisdom to use Your power in accordance with Your purposes so that I may honor You in all aspects of my life. Amen. Play This: In Christ Alone.

When God is silent no more! Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 3. I've titled this chapter "Into Our Silence God Speaks." Today, I am reading verses 19-21, which states: And Samuel grew, and the Lord was with him and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the Lord. And the Lord appeared again at Shiloh, for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel at Shiloh by the word of the Lord. — 1 Samuel 3:19-21 This passage describes Samuel's character. After receiving guidance from the Lord, he experienced spiritual growth and matured. The presence of the Lord was evident with him, in stark contrast to Eli, Hophni, and Phinehas. Furthermore, his words carried weight; people listened and remembered when he spoke. As a result, his reputation grew and surpassed others in his time, spanning from Dan to Beersheba, which is like saying from San Francisco to New York. We are given four distinct characteristics of Samuel. There are four things we could aim for as a follower. Receptivity to Spiritual Growth. Intimacy with the Lord. Speaking the Unforgettable Word. Reputation that Advanced. Most men want the fourth item without doing the other three. We want a reputation without putting in the hard work of being receptive, intimate, and teaching the Word. This is mainly because we confuse our fame with God's fame. It's not about our fame and reputation that we need to promote, but about advancing God's fame and His reputation. The chapter and book serve as something other than a self-help guide on how to become a great leader from the perspective of someone who was a great leader. Instead, the book focuses on how God used a man to usher in a new season for the people of Israel. It's worth noting that in times of crisis, God's initial response to a nation is not to send a political leader but to communicate His Word through a man. I believe God is looking for this man right now in our time: one who is receptive to growth, intimate with him, speaks his truth and is concerned about His fame, not his own. This is what we need. Are you that man? #GodSpeaksThroughMen, #SamuelEffect, #ReceptiveLeadership Ask This: Following Samuel's example, How can we cultivate a deeper receptivity to spiritual growth in our lives? How can we prioritize advancing God's fame over our reputation in our daily interactions and leadership roles? Do This: Be God's man: a receptive, intimate man of His Word. Pray This: Lord, help me to be like Samuel—receptive to Your guidance, intimate with You, and bold in speaking Your truth, all for the glory of Your name. May Your fame be my foremost concern as I seek to lead and influence others by Your will. Amen.

Are you willing to swallow the hard truth? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 3. I've titled this chapter "Into Our Silence God Speaks." Today, I am reading verses 15-18, it states: Samuel lay until morning; then he opened the doors of the house of the Lord. And Samuel was afraid to tell the vision to Eli. But Eli called Samuel and said, “Samuel, my son.” And he said, “Here I am.” And Eli said, “What was it that he told you? Do not hide it from me. May God do so to you and more also if you hide anything from me of all that he told you.” So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, “It is the Lord. Let him do what seems good to him.” — 1 Samuel 3:15-18 In the popular movie series The Matrix, the lead character, Neo, is given an option at the beginning of the film. He could take a red pill, enabling him to understand the truth outside the illusion of the Matrix. Or he could take a blue pill, allowing him to return to the illusion. Neo, of course, chooses the red pill, which opens his eyes to a discomforting truth. The life he had been living was nothing but an illusion. He was living a lie. This illustration fits here because Samuel and Eli have to swallow some troubling truths. But notice a few details about the two men. First, Samuel lay there all night, likely unable to sleep due to the troubling message about his mentor and feeling afraid to inform Eli about what God had said. Second, Eli calls Samuel as if he were a son, fully aware that God spoke to him but demanding to hear the truth about God's words. In a way, they both have a red pill to swallow. Samuel has to speak a hard truth. Eli has to accept a hard truth. I said this yesterday, but when God speaks, his truth is always a hard pill to swallow. God's truth declares that we are sinful, and then we have to accept the truth that we are sinful and need his salvation. Some people don't want to believe this truth. They prefer the blue pill. They buy into the illusion that they are good enough and that this life is all about pleasure and personal gratification. But ignoring the hard truth does us no good if we are going to be confronted by it at some point. If we are going to face judgment by God at the end of life, isn't it pointless to ignore the truth? Make today the day you make a change. Swallow the red pill, accept your sinfulness, and receive salvation and redemption before all you get is God's judgment. If this is you today and you are ready to make a change, pray this prayer along with me: God, I realize my life is ridden with sin. I accept this truth and need your salvation. I receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior and his life, death, and resurrection as my means of redemption. I am ready to accept your truth and live by it all my days. In Jesus' name, Amen. If you prayed this today, reply and let me know. I would love to support you in some next steps. #EmbraceTheRedPill, #CourageousFaith, #FacingHardTruths Ask This: Reflecting on Samuel's hesitation to share God's message with Eli, consider a time when you've struggled to speak the truth in love. What steps can you take to cultivate courage and honesty in your relationships, even when it's difficult? In what areas of your life are you tempted to take the "blue pill" of denial rather than confronting uncomfortable truths? How can you actively choose the path of courageous faith, embracing God's truth, and pursuing transformation in those areas? Do This: Accept the truth from God, even when you don't like it. Pray This: Lord, grant me the courage to embrace the red pill of truth, confronting the uncomfortable realities in my life with faith and humility. May Your grace empower me to walk boldly in Your truth, trusting in Your redemption and transformation. Amen. Play This: Jesus, I Need You.

What do you do when God speaks and says something you don't like? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are reading 1 Samuel 3. I've titled this chapter "Into Our Silence God Speaks." Today, I am reading verses 11-14, it reads: Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and he did not restrain them. Therefore I swear to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli's house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” — 1 Samuel 3:11-14 Samuel is not just receiving any communication but direct communication from God. Let that sink in. Samuel is hearing the voice of the Lord in the house of the Lord from the Lord Himself—inspiring and humbling. Four Realities About God's Voice To Man But I want to pause briefly and state four realities about this experience. First, every believer, at some point, wishes they could have an experience like this with God. Second, some think they are hearing God's voice when they are not. Third, others say they have heard God's voice and use it to coerce or control others. Fourth, and this is the vital point. You can hear from God and speak to God all the time. We hear from God in his Word. We are directed by God by his Spirit. We hear from God through other believers who are also in God's Word and led by the Spirit. We can speak with God in prayer, and God gives divine direction through events around us. You can have a very lively, vibrant, real communication with God all the time. This is one of the benefits of the Cross: Jesus made it possible for us all to access God at any time and anywhere (Eph. 3:11-12, Luke 23:44-47, John 14:6-7). When God Speaks, And You Don't Like It The startling issue of this communication from God is that it was a divine message with a damning message. God told young Samuel that his mentor, the High Priest of Israel, and his family would no longer have their sins atoned. That's eternal damnation by God. The message is "You are going to Hell." So, let me make an observation: God speaks a lot, but we don't listen. God's Word is His spoken word. If you want to hear from God, all you have to do is read His Word. In His Word, God has things to say about everything, but especially about you—your life, sin, vocation, family, finances, marriage, identity, and holiness. But here's the problem: When we read God's Word and hear his message, we don't like what he says because God demands a change. He is Holy, and we are not. This means that his message to us is not always positive and predictive but frequently painful because God demands change. By chapter three, two men—Eli and Samuel—had heard from God. Eli and his sons were given plenty of time to hear and change. They didn't, so they were damned. But, now it's Samuel's turn to hear from the Lord. Will he embrace the discomfort and deliver the message, or not? We will see... But what about you? Do you want to hear from the Lord? If so, gird up your loins. Embrace the discomfort. Do what God says. This is what it is like for a fallen creature to hear from the Creator of all Humanity. God, help us be courageous today. Please speak to us, and may we hear your truth, embrace the discomfort, and do what you demand. Amen. #GodsVoice, #DivineCall, #CourageousObedience Ask This: How can we discern between our own desires and God's voice when faced with challenging decisions or messages? In what areas of our lives are we resisting God's call for change, and how can we cultivate a willingness to embrace discomfort and obedience? Do This: Embrace the discomfort and do what God says. Pray This: Lord, grant me the courage to listen attentively to your voice, even when it challenges me to change. Help me embrace discomfort and walk in obedience, trusting in your wisdom and guidance. Amen. Play This: The Truth.