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Big Questions That Demand An Answer | 1 Samuel 6:1-2

The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller

Release Date: 06/17/2024

How to Cast Your Anxiety on God | 1 Peter 5:7 show art How to Cast Your Anxiety on God | 1 Peter 5:7

The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller

Our text today is : casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. —  Some burdens feel too important to put down. We tell ourselves that continuing to think about them is responsible. If we stop rehearsing the possibilities, anticipating every problem, or trying to control every outcome, something may fall apart. But responsibility can slowly become the belief that everything depends on us. Yesterday, Peter told us to humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand. Today, he shows us what humility does with the weight it cannot carry: “Casting all your anxieties on...

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How to Humble Yourself Before God | 1 Peter 5:5-6 show art How to Humble Yourself Before God | 1 Peter 5:5-6

The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller

Our text today is : Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you. —  Humility is one of the hardest virtues to examine. Because the moment we become impressed with our own humility, it has already become pride. For the past couple of days, Peter has been speaking to Christian leaders. He has called them to shepherd God’s people and model...

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How Should Christian Leaders Use Authority? | 1 Peter 5:3-4 show art How Should Christian Leaders Use Authority? | 1 Peter 5:3-4

The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller

Our text today is : not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. —  Peter never forgot the night Jesus picked up a towel. John tells us that Jesus knew the Father had given all things into His hands. He knew where He had come from and where He was going. Yet those hands did not grasp for greater status. They removed His outer garment, tied a towel around His waist, and washed the feet of His disciples. The One with absolute authority used it to serve. In that moment,...

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What Makes a Good Christian Leader? | 1 Peter 5:1-2 show art What Makes a Good Christian Leader? | 1 Peter 5:1-2

The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller

Our text today is : So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; —  Leadership becomes dangerous the moment we forget whom the people belong to. For four chapters, Peter has been teaching us how believers stand firm under pressure. Now, as we enter the final chapter of this letter together, he...

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What Does “Judgment Begins at the House of God” Mean? | 1 Peter 4:17-19 show art What Does “Judgment Begins at the House of God” Mean? | 1 Peter 4:17-19

The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller

Our text today is : For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And “If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?” Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. —  Some verses sound frightening until you read them in context. Peter writes, “It is time for judgment to begin at the household of God.” That statement can make sincere believers...

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Stand Firm When the Fire Comes | 1 Peter 4 show art Stand Firm When the Fire Comes | 1 Peter 4

The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller

What if the fire isn’t proof that you missed God’s will but the moment your faith becomes visible—in 1 Peter 4, Peter shows how to stay faithful when following Jesus becomes costly. Summary Peter prepares believers for fiery trials by calling them to arm their minds with Christ’s resolve and give the rest of their lives to God’s will. He urges them to use their remaining time for clear-minded prayer, earnest love, openhearted hospitality, and faithful service. He also warns that not every consequence is persecution, so Christians must make sure their suffering comes from faithfulness...

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How Should Christians Respond to Persecution? | 1 Peter 4:12-16 show art How Should Christians Respond to Persecution? | 1 Peter 4:12-16

The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller

Our text today is : Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. — ...

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How to Discover and Use Your Spiritual Gifts | 1 Peter 4:10-11 show art How to Discover and Use Your Spiritual Gifts | 1 Peter 4:10-11

The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller

Our text today is 1 Peter 4:10-11: As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. — 1 Peter 4:10-11 One year ago today, Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University. Much of his public life had been spent speaking to students, inviting debate, building an organization, and...

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What Does “Love Covers a Multitude of Sins” Mean? | 1 Peter 4:8-9 show art What Does “Love Covers a Multitude of Sins” Mean? | 1 Peter 4:8-9

The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller

Our text today is : Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. —  Pressure has a way of exposing what relationships are made of. When life is calm, patience comes more easily. But when people are tired, frightened, disappointed, or under strain, small offenses begin to feel larger. Weaknesses become harder to overlook, and relationships that once felt effortless can become difficult to maintain. Peter was writing to believers living under increasing opposition. They needed one another...

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How Should Christians Live in the End Times? | 1 Peter 4:7 show art How Should Christians Live in the End Times? | 1 Peter 4:7

The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller

Our text today is 1 Peter 4:7: The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. — 1 Peter 4:7 When Christians talk about the end times, the conversation often gets louder as charts appear, headlines are decoded, and predictions multiply. Peter takes the conversation in a quieter—and more demanding—direction: Pray. Listen again to what he writes, “The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.” Peter is not giving his readers a date for Christ’s return. He is...

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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.