The Power of Words: Blessings and Curses | 1 Samuel 1:9-17
Vince Miller Podcast
Are your words building up or tearing down? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. We are in a new series on 1 Samuel, and we are currently in chapter one. The theme of chapter one is the six people who influenced Samuel's life: So far, we have identified Elkanah, Peninnah, Hannah, and today Eli, Israel's judge and priest. I am going to read verses 9-17, which pick up on this interaction between Hannah and Eli. After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply distressed and...
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God’s Provision in Times of Trial | 1 Samuel 1:9-11
Vince Miller Podcast
Do you need provision from God in a present trial? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. We are in a new series on 1 Samuel and have just begun chapter one. The first chapter's theme is the six people who influenced Samuel's life: Elkanah, Peninnah, and today, Hannah. We are jumping down to verses 9-11. Hannah has slipped away from the family while in Shiloh and is headed to the Tabernacle by herself to pray. The text reads: After they had eaten and drunk in Shiloh, Hannah rose. Now Eli the priest was sitting on the seat beside the doorpost of the temple of the Lord. She was deeply...
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God’s Provision In Rivalry | 1 Samuel 1:4-8
Vince Miller Podcast
Is there a rivalry holding you back? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. We are in a brand new series on 1 Samuel, and we have just begun chapter one. The theme of the first chapter is the six people who influenced Samuel's life. The first is Elkanah, Samuel's father. The second is Peninnah, Samuel's second wife. Before we read the text, let's set the stage for Peninnah. We know little about her, but her actions in verses 4-8 reveal a lot about her character and the dynamics of her relationship with Hannah. On the day when Elkanah sacrificed, he would give portions to Peninnah his...
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Insignificant Yet Significant | 1 Samuel 1:1-3
Vince Miller Podcast
Do you feel small, like a nobody from nowhere? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. We are in a brand new series on 1 Samuel. As I mentioned yesterday, we will do an overview of the chapter on Mondays and then, for the following six days, a closer look at that chapter. The theme we are looking at in chapter one is the six people who influenced Samuel's life. The first of these is Elkanah, his father. What's interesting about Elkanah is that he is a nobody from nowhere. We know little about him and his father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-great-grandfather, all named in...
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Undeniable Influences | 1 Samuel 1
Vince Miller Podcast
GET THE 1 SAMUEL JOURNAL HERE: 👉🏼 https://bit.ly/1SamuelJournal Who are the people who have undeniably influenced your life? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. We are in a brand new series on 1 Samuel. As this is a rich and expansive story, I will provide a birds-eye view of the chapter each Monday, followed by six devotionals from that chapter for the next 31 weeks. This will allow us to explore the larger story at the beginning of the week and the smaller details for the remainder of the week. 1 Samuel is divided into three major parts that discuss three important men: Part...
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The Legacy of a Mother | 1 Samuel 1:20
Vince Miller Podcast
Happy Mother's Day! And in due time Hannah conceived and bore a son, and she called his name Samuel, for she said, “I have asked for him from the Lord.” — 1 Samuel 1:20 Today, we begin a new book of the bible, and it's fitting that today is Mother’s Day because 1 Samuel begins with a humble and obedient mother. Her name is Hannah. Hannah is one of two wives married to a man named Elkanah, and why a man would want two wives perplexes me. But anyhow, this man has two. Their names are Peninnah and Hannah. As we read chapter one, we discover that Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none....
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From Drama to Grace | Galatians 6:17-18
Vince Miller Podcast
Are you tired of all the pointless drama? We begin 1 Samuel tomorrow, so get your from the website so you can follow along. From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen. — I love the allusion in the closing text. If I were to put this text in my own words, Paul is saying: If you want to see and know the marks of Jesus, let me take off my shirt for you. Five times, I have been beaten with 39 lashes. I have been shipwrecked. I have been stoned and left for dead. Your...
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The Peace of Submitting to God’s Story | Galatians 6:16
Vince Miller Podcast
It's all for God. It's his mission, his people, and his glory, not yours. We are days away from beginning the book of 1 Samuel. So remember to visit our website and secure your copy of the . Pick it up so you're fully prepared to dive into this study. And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.— As Paul closes this letter, he wants the Galatians to know that they don't get to have their way with God's story. It's God's story about Israel. They only get to tell the story as it is. While there are Judaizers who want to modify and...
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Boasting in Christ Alone | Galatians 6:13-15
Vince Miller Podcast
Are you boasting about the wrong things? We are days away from beginning the book of 1 Samuel. So remember to visit our website and secure your copy of the . Pick it up so you're fully prepared to dive into this study. For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.— Paul is so familiar with twisted acts of legalism that he tells the Galatians (both Gentiles and Jews) how twisted the motives of legalism can be. Simply put, he says that some legalists will invade your churches and try to...
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Motives Revealed | Galatians 6:12
Vince Miller Podcast
Are you scared of the truth because you are trying to please people? We are days away from beginning the book of 1 Samuel. So remember to visit our website and secure your copy of the . Pick it up so you're fully prepared to dive into this study. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh who would force you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. — There are all kinds of reasons we do the things we do. Sometimes, the motive is clear, and other times, the motive is murky. Sometimes, we do it for the payoff, and...
info_outlineDo you want more fruit in your life?
We are going to be starting a new book of the Bible soon. We are returning to the story of three men: Samuel the Prophet and Kings Saul and David. The book of 1 Samuel tells the story of Israel's transition from a theocracy to a monarchy, marked by intrigue, betrayal, and divine intervention. Through the lives of Samuel, Saul, and David, it vividly illustrates the complexities of leadership, the consequences of disobedience, and the continuing faithfulness of God amidst human sin. So go to the website and grab the 1 Samuel Scripture Journal today so you are ready to go when we begin!
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. — Galatians 5:22-23
Paul's words serve as a stark contrast to the behaviors of the flesh he discussed earlier. He urges believers to embrace the blessings of the "fruit of the Spirit." These qualities, however, are not just positive signs but tangible manifestations of a believer who is guided by the Holy Spirit's desires.
But here's the issue with this list.
Many believers consider these items a list of things they need to do. Therefore, they aim to be more loving, joyful, peaceful, etc. And yes, it is good to be more loving, joyful, peaceful, and the like. But if you reduce the outputs of the Spirit to mere behaviors, you have now engaged in the same legalism Paul has argued against throughout this letter. The goal is not legalism by righteous behaviors but liberty by surrendering to the desires of the Holy Spirit. When we surrender to the desires of the Spirit, fruit is a byproduct of our behaviors. The best part is that it's not just one fruit but many and all fruits simultaneously because they are not our fruit. It's his fruit.
So, how do we cultivate this fruit in our lives?
Start by examining your behaviors and discerning the true source of your desires. Ask yourself: Are my thoughts and actions aligned with the Spirit's desires or my own? If you already know the answer, make a conscious choice to follow the Spirit's leading, and you'll bear fruit. If unsure, seek guidance through Scripture, prayer, or wise counsel from a fellow believer. Then, once you have clarity, surrender to the Spirit's direction, and you'll witness abundant fruitfulness.
#SpiritualFruitfulness
#SurrenderToTheSpirit
#CultivateTheFruit
ASK THIS:
- Reflect on a recent decision or action in your life. Was it motivated by the desires of the Holy Spirit or your own? How might consciously surrendering to the Spirit's guidance have impacted the outcome?
- Consider a relationship in your life where you desire to see more fruitfulness. How can you align your thoughts and actions with the qualities of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, allowing the Spirit to work through you in that relationship?
DO THIS: Assess your desires then act and be fruitful.
PRAY THIS: Father, help me to surrender my desires to the leading of your Spirit, so that I may bear fruit that reflects your character and brings glory to your name. Guide me in aligning my thoughts and actions with the qualities of love, joy, peace, and all the fruits of your Spirit. Amen.
PLAY THIS: Nothing Else + The Heart of Worship.