Vince Miller Podcast Vince Miller

Do you want to live with the Lord or without the Lord?
Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller.
This week, we are in 1 Samuel 7. I've titled this chapter "Stand Up And Make A Declaration."
Today's scripture is 1 Samuel 7:2, it reads:
From the day that the ark was lodged at Kiriath-jearim, a long time passed, some twenty years, and all the house of Israel lamented after the Lord. — 1 Samuel 7:2
After the Ark of God was taken from Shiloh, it never returned. This verse chronicles a sad moment because the Ark of God will remain in this location for almost 50 years, not just for the next 20 years. It will stay here until King David requests that It be paraded up to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6).
As modern readers, we often fail to see the effects of what has happened. The wicked sons of Eli removed the Ark of God, defiling the Tabernacle. This meant there was no longer a holy place for worship and sacrifice. Failed spiritual leadership caused a rift and drift from God, and the consequences devastated the religious nation. Thus, there is a long two decades of lament for these actions.
This concerns me about our time and our nation. If we want to live without the Lord, the Lord will allow us to live without him. If we turn to the New Testament book of Romans, Paul has something to say about this. This is a reading from Romans 1:21-32
For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.
Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.
For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error.
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. — Romans 1:21-32
If you want moral flexibility, God will let you have it. But here's the deal, you will live without God. A life lived this way, without God, has all kinds of national and individual spiritual consequences. I believe this is the time in which we live.
But there is a way back, and to see that you will have to show up tomorrow.
But for now, reflect on this question: Do you want to live with the Lord or without the Lord?
#ChooseGod
#ReturnToGod
#SpiritualConsequences
Ask This: How can we recognize areas in our lives where we may be drifting away from God's presence, similar to the Israelites during the time of 1 Samuel 7? In what practical ways can we ensure that our worship and devotion to God remain sincere and faithful, even amidst the distractions and temptations of modern life? Do This: Ask this and answer honestly: Do you want to live with the Lord or without the Lord?
Pray This: Father, help me to discern when I am drifting from Your presence and guide me back into a deeper relationship with You. Strengthen my resolve to honor You in all aspects of my life, reflecting

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 the Lord and brought it to the house of Abinadab on the hill. And they consecrated his son Eleazar to have charge of the ark of the Lord. — 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 man to 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? Reflec