The Daily + Weekly by Vince Miller

Get ready to be inspired and transformed with Vince Miller, a renowned author and speaker who has dedicated his life to teaching through the Bible. With over 36 books under his belt, Vince has become a leading voice in the field of manhood, masculinity, fatherhood, mentorship, and leadership. He has been featured on major video and radio platforms such as RightNow Media, Faithlife TV, FaithRadio, and YouVersion, reaching men all over the world. Vince's Daily Devotional has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of providing them with a daily dose of inspiration and guidance. With over 30 years of experience in ministry, Vince is the founder of Resolute. www.vincemiller.com

The Danger of Spiritual Privilege | 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 03/22/2026

The Danger of Spiritual Privilege | 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Greg Houts from Box Elder, SD. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. — Paul opens this chapter with a warning that should make every confident Christian uncomfortable. He does not question Israel’s salvation story. He questions their assumption that it made them safe. They had miracles behind them. Redemption around them. God’s presence among them. And still—most of them fell. This is the danger of spiritual privilege. When past experiences with God are treated as protection instead of preparation, faith slowly turns into presumption. Paul is deliberate in his language. Five times he uses the word “all.” All under the cloud. All through the sea. All baptized. All fed. All sustained. No one was left out. Israel shared the same rescue, the same provision, the same spiritual experiences. And yet, Paul delivers the blow: “Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased.” Participation did not equal protection. Experience did not guarantee obedience. Access to grace did not excuse compromise. Paul goes even further. He says the Rock that followed them was Christ. This wasn’t a different God or a lesser covenant. Christ was present. Christ was sustaining them. Christ was providing. And still, they fell. That warning is aimed directly at us—because spiritual privilege can quietly convince us we are secure when we are actually drifting. Baptism. Communion. Knowledge. Church attendance. Worship songs. Past victories. None of these replace daily obedience. None of them make us immune to temptation. None of them guarantee faithfulness tomorrow. Israel didn’t fall because they lacked access to God. They fell because they assumed access meant approval. Collapse rarely begins with rebellion. It usually begins with assumption. Saved together. Fallen apart. The lesson is clear: spiritual privilege is a gift—but it is never a guarantee. DO THIS: Take inventory of the spiritual experiences you rely on for confidence, and ask whether they are producing present obedience or quiet presumption. ASK THIS: Where might I be confusing past experiences with present faithfulness? What signs of spiritual overconfidence might I be ignoring? How can gratitude for grace deepen obedience instead of dulling it? PRAY THIS: Lord, thank you for every way you have met me, rescued me, and sustained me. Guard me from assuming that yesterday’s grace excuses today’s obedience. Teach me to walk humbly, faithfully, and alert before you. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Lord, I Need You.” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39964100

When the Messenger Undermines the Message | 1 Corinthians 9:27 03/21/2026

When the Messenger Undermines the Message | 1 Corinthians 9:27 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Andrew Hoekwater from Grand Rapids, MI. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. — Paul ends this chapter with a warning that is both personal and piercing. He is not worried about losing his salvation. He is worried about undermining the gospel he proclaims. Paul knows something every generation must relearn: truth can be preached accurately and still be discredited by an undisciplined life. When the messenger contradicts the message, the message suffers. That is why Paul disciplines himself. Not to earn grace. Not to appear righteous. But to ensure his life does not sabotage his words. History gives us sobering examples. Gifted communicators. Trusted leaders. Global platforms. And private compromises left undisciplined. For example, the exposure of Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias revealed patterns of horrific sexual misconduct that shattered trust and disoriented countless family members, employees, and believers. When private compromise goes unchecked, the message inevitably suffers. The moral failure of Christian author Philip Yancey through adultery disrupted his ministry and weakened the confidence many had placed in his teaching. The collapse of leaders like megachurch pastor Bill Hybels showed how blurred relational boundaries, when ignored, quietly erode integrity long before consequences become public. These stories are not shared to shame. They are warnings. None of these men lacked gifting. None lacked opportunity. What failed was discipline—private restraint that protects public witness. Paul refuses to let that happen to him. He understands that preaching without practice is spiritual malpractice, that authority without accountability breeds deception, and that charisma without character eventually collapses. This is not just a warning for pastors or public leaders. It applies to parents teaching their children. Christians speaking into cultural chaos. Believers posting, debating, and representing Christ every day. Undisciplined lives don’t stay private. They preach. And when they do, they preach a distorted gospel. Paul’s resolve is clear: the gospel is too valuable to be undermined by his own lack of restraint. Discipline is not optional—it is protective. The message deserves a messenger whose life aligns with the truth he proclaims. DO THIS: Identify one area of your private life where discipline would strengthen the credibility of your public witness. ASK THIS: Where might inconsistency be quietly weakening my testimony? What disciplines would guard my integrity over the long haul? Who has permission to speak honestly into my life? PRAY THIS: Lord, guard my heart and train my habits. Give me the discipline to live what I proclaim, so my life strengthens—not undermines—the gospel. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Jesus, Have It All.” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39904725

Run Like It Matters | 1 Corinthians 9 03/21/2026

Strong Enough to Say No | 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 03/20/2026

Strong Enough to Say No | 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Patrick Greer from Corry, PA. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. — Paul now shifts metaphors—from mission to muscle, from adaptability to discipline. After explaining how he flexes wisely for the sake of the gospel, Paul makes something unmistakably clear: flexibility without discipline leads to drift. Freedom without restraint leads to confusion. Paul assumes something most modern readers resist. Strength is not indulgence. Strength is self-control. Athletes don’t train by accident. They submit themselves to intentional limits. They regulate what they eat, how they sleep, what they pursue, and what they avoid. They say no to many good things so they can say yes to the one thing that matters most. Paul applies this logic directly to the Christian life—and especially to how believers engage the surrounding culture. He does not merely discipline his behavior. He disciplines his theology and practice. He disciplines how he engages and when he refrains. He knows that careless words, reactive arguments, and unrestrained engagement can undermine the very gospel he is trying to advance. This matters enormously in a moment when moral clarity is fading, and public debate is loud, emotional, and often unhinged. Many believers feel pressured to engage constantly, respond instantly, and argue endlessly. But Paul models a better way. He refuses to run aimlessly. He refuses to shadowbox cultural outrage. He engages with purpose, restraint, and direction. Self-control, then, is not weakness—it is wisdom. It is the discipline that keeps conviction sharp and witness clear. Paul runs with intention because eternity is real. The prize is imperishable. And a life without restraint cannot carry that weight. Being strong enough to say no is not retreat. And sometimes this is saying no to ourselves. DO THIS: Identify one area where you need to practice restraint in how you engage culture, media, or debate for the sake of clarity and faithfulness. ASK THIS: Where might my engagement be reactive instead of disciplined? How does self-control strengthen—not weaken—my witness? What limits would help me run with greater purpose? PRAY THIS: Lord, train me to live with intention. Give me discipline in thought, speech, and action so my life reflects the weight and worth of the gospel. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Take My Life and Let It Be” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39904370

Flexible Methods, Fixed Message | 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 03/19/2026

Flexible Methods, Fixed Message | 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Bruce Bald from New Richmand, WI. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. — Paul now explains how his pure motive shows up in real life. He is free—but he doesn’t use his freedom to demand, dominate, or distance himself from people. He uses it to serve. He adapts his approach so the gospel can be heard, but he never alters the message so the gospel can be accepted. This clarification is essential—especially today. Paul’s flexibility is often misused as a license to blur the truth. But that is not what he is doing. He does not redefine sin to sound loving. He does not celebrate lifestyles Scripture calls people to repent from. He does not confuse compassion with compromise. Paul flexes his methods, not his message. He adjusts language. He observes customs. He enters people’s world. But he stays anchored to what he calls “the law of Christ.” His freedom always lives under authority. This is where many Christians have flexed too far. Love gets redefined as acceptance. Grace gets reduced to affirmation. And standing firm on truth gets labeled as unloving or unhelpful. But Paul shows us something better. Biblical love does not erase truth—it carries it with clarity and courage. Paul becomes “all things to all people,” not so everyone feels affirmed, but so some might be saved. That word matters. Salvation, not social approval, is the goal. Flexibility that abandons truth is not mission—it’s confusion. And truth delivered without love is not faithfulness—it’s a clanging symbol. Paul refuses both. An effective witness requires wisdom. We meet people where they are, but we never leave Christ behind. We speak in ways people can understand, but we never say things Scripture does not support. The gospel does not flex. Our methods may. So learn to listen, adapt, and engage—without ever surrendering what Christ has clearly spoken. DO THIS: Ask where you may need to adjust how you communicate the gospel—without adjusting what you believe or live. ASK THIS: Where might I be confusing love with compromise? How can I speak truth more clearly without becoming harsh? What does it look like to be flexible while remaining faithful? PRAY THIS: Lord, give me wisdom to love people well without surrendering truth. Help me speak clearly, live faithfully, and adapt wisely for the sake of the gospel. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Speak O Lord” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39904120

Why Pastors Are Afraid To Preach Hard Truths 03/19/2026

The Gospel Isn’t My Leverage | 1 Corinthians 9:15-18 03/18/2026

The Gospel Isn’t My Leverage | 1 Corinthians 9:15-18 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Ed Grusch Jr. from Kansas City, MO. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship. What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel. — Paul doesn’t just explain what he gave up. He explains why. He refuses to let the gospel become leverage. Paul has rights. He has biblical permission to receive financial and material support. But he is adamant about this one thing: he will not preach in a way that allows anyone to question his motives. The gospel is not a means to income, influence, or advantage. He says something every minister and pastor needs to hear—especially those who feel called. Preaching isn’t a career choice. It’s the stewardship of a way of life. “Necessity is laid upon me,” he says. That is a weighty statement. It means constraint. It's infers obligation. A summons that doesn’t ask what you want in return. Paul even says his reward isn’t compensation. His reward is presenting the gospel without strings attached. That cuts straight to the heart. Because there has always been a temptation to do business with God. To attach ministry to money. To confuse calling with platform. To pursue spiritual authority for personal gain. Long before our modern ministry culture, there was a man who thought he could purchase the power of God—and was sharply rebuked for it. That temptation hasn’t disappeared. This passage forces every would-be minister—and every actual one—to ask an uncomfortable question: Why do I want to do this? If the answer is money, power, recognition, control, or security, then something needs to be confronted before anything else is built. Calling that hasn’t dealt with those desires will eventually use the gospel rather than serve it. What I do here is personal for me. Ministry tempts the heart in subtle ways. It can baptize ambition. It can spiritualize the ego. That’s why this text matters to me. It calls ministers to do honest business with God before they ever do public ministry with people. The gospel isn’t leverage. It’s a trust to be stewarded with people like you. DO THIS: Ask God to reveal any mixed motives connected to your service or sense of calling, and surrender them honestly. ASK THIS: Why do I want to serve in the ways I do? Where might I be tempted to tie obedience to benefit? What would it look like to serve with no strings attached? PRAY THIS: Lord, search my heart. Purify my motives. Free me from using spiritual things for personal gain, and anchor my calling in obedience and trust. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Nothing But the Blood.” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39903960

Nothing That Obscures the Gospel | 1 Corinthians 9:12-14 03/17/2026

Nothing That Obscures the Gospel | 1 Corinthians 9:12-14 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Jaime Green from Ostego, MN. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel. — Paul now makes his decision unmistakably clear. After establishing that his rights are real and his support is biblically legitimate, Paul chooses restraint—not because he must, but because he loves the gospel more than his entitlements. This is self-sacrifice, not deprivation imposed by others. Paul is not bowing to cultural pressure that says ministers should be unpaid. In fact, he explicitly rejects that idea by reaffirming the Lord’s command that gospel workers should receive their living from the gospel. Paul’s restraint flows from conviction, not coercion. His concern is singular: nothing must obscure the gospel of Christ. If exercising a right—even a God-given one—creates confusion, distraction, or suspicion, Paul is willing to endure hardship instead. This is not about avoiding offense at all costs. The gospel will offend. But Paul refuses to add unnecessary obstacles that might cause people to misunderstand the message or question his motives. So he endures. He works. He refuses support in Corinth—not as a rule for all ministers, but as a strategic choice for that moment and that mission. Paul’s life teaches us something vital: gospel clarity sometimes requires personal cost. Not because the gospel demands poverty, but because love demands wisdom. Self-sacrifice is only meaningful when it is freely chosen. Paul lays down his rights precisely because they are real. The gospel does not need to be propped up by demands or defended by entitlement. It shines brightest when servants are willing to step aside so Christ can be seen clearly. That is Paul’s resolve here. Nothing that obscures the gospel. So what is one legitimate right or preference that you could voluntarily set aside if it helped remove confusion about Christ? DO THIS: Identify one legitimate right or preference that you could voluntarily set aside if it helped remove confusion about Christ. ASK THIS: Where might my rights unintentionally distract from the gospel? How do I discern between cultural pressure and Spirit-led restraint? What would it look like to choose clarity over comfort? PRAY THIS: Lord, give me wisdom to know when to stand firm and when to step aside. Teach me to love your gospel more than my rights, and to choose self-sacrifice when it serves your glory. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Jesus, Thank You” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39900865

Ministry Is Not Anti‑Paycheck | 1 Corinthians 9:7-12 03/16/2026

Ministry Is Not Anti‑Paycheck | 1 Corinthians 9:7-12 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Ron Frick from Wayzata, MN. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is 1 Corinthians 9:7-12a. Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk? Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? For it is written in the Law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more? — 1 Corinthians 9:7-12a Paul knows exactly what some people are thinking, so he addresses it head‑on. People working in ministry shouldn’t expect to get paid. Paul responds with a simple question: Does that make sense anywhere else in life? Soldiers get paid. Farmers eat from what they harvest. Shepherds benefit from the flock they care for. None of these realities are controversial—they are obvious expectations. Work is sustained by the provision it brings. Then Paul raises the stakes. This isn’t just common‑sense reasoning. It’s biblical logic. He reaches back to the Law of Moses and quotes an ordinance about oxen treading grain. Muzzling an ox was abusive—it prevented the animal from eating while it worked, forcing nonstop labor without relief or reward. Paul uses this image deliberately. God forbade that kind of exploitation, and Paul applies the same moral logic to ministry: those who labor in the gospel are not to be worked relentlessly while being denied the fruit of their labor. God is not anti‑paycheck when it comes to ministry. And the Bible is not embarrassed by material support for spiritual labor. Provision does not corrupt calling; it sustains it when handled rightly. Supporting gospel work is not indulgence. It is obedience. It reflects God’s order, not human greed. This matters because confusion here leads to two opposite errors. One is suspicion toward anyone who is supported in ministry. The other is pride in those who refuse support, as if forced deprivation itself proves holiness. Paul rejects both. The right to support is legitimate. It is reasonable. It is biblical. And in the next breath, Paul will tell us why he chooses not to use it. And what I am about to say may sound self‑serving, but it isn’t: ministry is not anti‑paycheck. God has always designed his work to be sustained by the people it serves. DO THIS: Reflect on how you view material support for spiritual work and ask whether your perspective aligns with God’s design. ASK THIS: Do I associate spiritual purity with financial deprivation? How does Scripture reshape the way I think about provision and calling? Where might I need to replace suspicion with biblical clarity? PRAY THIS: Father, align my thinking with your design. Help me honor the work you value and support what you sustain. Guard my heart from pride, suspicion, or confusion. Amen. PLAY THIS: “All I Have Is Christ” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39900095

Freedom Without Apology | 1 Corinthians 9:1-6 03/15/2026

Freedom Without Apology | 1 Corinthians 9:1-6 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Douglass Fetters from Port Orchard, WA. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. This is my defense to those who would examine me. Do we not have the right to eat and drink? Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? — Paul opens this chapter without hesitation and without apology. He asks the questions out loud—questions that force the issue of identity before the issue of sacrifice. “Am I not free?” Paul does not ground his freedom in public approval, personal achievement, or cultural status. His freedom is grounded in one decisive reality: he belongs to Christ and has been called by Christ. He has seen the risen Lord. He has been commissioned by him. And the Corinthians themselves are living evidence of that calling. Their faith is the seal of his apostleship. Paul’s point is not arrogance. It is clarity. Before Paul ever talks about restraint, he establishes something essential: he is genuinely free, fully authorized, and rightfully entitled. His sacrifices are not the result of weakness, pressure, or insecurity. They flow from identity. That’s why he names the rights plainly. The right to financial support. The right to marriage. The right to live without the need to labor. These are not theoretical privileges. They are real, recognized, and biblically affirmed. And Paul has them. Paul is establishing these rights because sacrifice only means something when the rights are realized. You cannot lay down what you never possessed. You cannot surrender what you were never given. Paul is showing the Corinthians—and us—that gospel-shaped sacrifice does not come from a lack of confidence. It comes from confidence rooted in Christ. When freedom isn’t anchored in identity, it turns into entitlement. And when identity isn’t secure, freedom is often surrendered out of fear. But when identity is secured in Christ, freedom becomes something you can hold loosely. Paul’s life is about to illustrate this truth in full. He will willingly lay down rights, limit freedom, and endure hardship—not to prove devotion, but because devotion has already been established. This chapter begins where all true sacrifice must begin: with freedom that knows who it belongs to. DO THIS: Name one right or freedom you possess and reflect on how your identity in Christ changes the way you hold it. ASK THIS: Where do I ground my sense of freedom—identity in Christ or affirmation from others? Which rights do I cling to most tightly, and why? How might a secure identity free me to sacrifice more willingly? PRAY THIS: Lord Jesus, anchor my freedom in you. Free me from insecurity and entitlement, and teach me to live from the confidence that comes from belonging to you. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Christ Is Mine Forevermore” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39897305

Is Iran in Bible Prophecy? What the Bible Actually Says About Israel and the End Times 03/14/2026

Is Iran in Bible Prophecy? What the Bible Actually Says About Israel and the End Times Every time conflict erupts in the Middle East, Christians ask the same question—but most don’t actually understand what the Bible says about Iran, Israel, and prophecy. Short Summary When war breaks out in the Middle East, speculation about prophecy spreads quickly across Christian media and social platforms. This teaching walks carefully through what the Bible actually says about Israel, Persia (modern Iran), and the end times without sensationalism. By examining God’s covenant with Abraham, the role of Persia in biblical history, and key prophetic passages like Ezekiel 38, we see how Scripture connects to the modern conversation. Ultimately, the focus of prophecy is not geopolitical speculation but the return of Jesus Christ and the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. Reflection & Small Group Discussion Questions Why do global conflicts—especially involving Israel—often spark conversations about biblical prophecy? What promise did God make to Abraham in Genesis 15:18, and why is it important to biblical theology? Why is it important to distinguish between Israel the people, Israel the land, and Israel the modern nation-state? How does understanding Persia’s role in books like Ezra, Daniel, and Esther shape how we think about modern Iran? What does Ezekiel 38 actually emphasize about the future conflict involving Persia and other nations? Why is humility important when interpreting prophecy and connecting it to modern events? What are the main differences between dispensational and covenant approaches to biblical prophecy? How does Romans 11 shape the way many Christians think about the Jewish people today? Why did Jesus warn believers not to speculate about exact prophetic timelines (Matthew 24:36)? How can Christians stay informed about world events without falling into prophecy sensationalism? /episode/index/show/resolute/id/40472480

Never Is a Strong Word | 1 Corinthians 8:13 03/14/2026

Never Is a Strong Word | 1 Corinthians 8:13 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to John Comstock from San Jose, CA Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble. — We close the chapter without hedging. No footnotes. No exceptions. No expiration date. “I will never.” This is not legalism. It is a self-imposed sacrifice. Paul does not argue that eating meat is sinful. He has already made that clear. Food is morally neutral. Freedom is real. Rights are intact. And yet Paul voluntarily draws a line—not because he must, but because he loves sacrificially. This is the final bow of Christian maturity. It is not about discovering how much freedom you have. It is about deciding how much you are willing to give up. Paul refuses to let his liberty become someone else’s liability. He would rather surrender a legitimate freedom than risk another believer’s faith. That is not weakness. That is strength under control. Notice the posture. Paul does not wait to be corrected. He does not demand agreement. He does not insist that others change first. He chooses restraint. That is what makes this chapter so confronting to "mature" believers. Self-imposed sacrifice always feels unnecessary to those who prize their rights. But Paul understands something deeper: love is not proven by what you are allowed to do, but by what you are willing to lay down. Christian freedom is never the goal. Sacrificial love is. And sometimes love draws permanent boundaries. Paul’s “never” is not a rule for everyone—it is a resolve for himself. A conscious decision to prioritize another believer’s spiritual health over his own preferences. That is how the chapter ends. Not with permission—but with decisive purpose. DO THIS: Identify one freedom you could voluntarily limit—not because it is sinful, but because it might protect or strengthen another believer. ASK THIS: What freedoms am I most defensive about? Where might self-imposed sacrifice reflect Christ more clearly in my life? Who could be strengthened by my restraint? PRAY THIS: Lord Jesus, you laid down your rights for me. Teach me when to say no—not out of fear, but out of love. Shape my freedom so it serves others and honors you. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Lord I Need You.” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39689500

You Can Be Right—and Still Be Wrong | 1 Corinthians 8 03/14/2026

There Is No Such Thing as a Victimless Sin | 1 Corinthians 8:12 03/13/2026

There Is No Such Thing as a Victimless Sin | 1 Corinthians 8:12 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Aric Carpenter from Manitou Beach, MI. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. — Paul strips away the most common excuse we make for sin. “I’m not hurting anyone.” With one sentence, Paul exposes the lie. When you wound a fellow believer’s conscience—especially when they are still learning to walk in obedience—you are not merely harming them. You are sinning against Christ himself. This is the unavoidable logic of union with Christ. Believers are not spiritually independent individuals. They are members of Christ’s body. What touches them touches him. What wounds them wounds him. That means there is no such thing as a private sin when other believers are involved. No such thing as neutral participation. No such thing as harmless freedom. Paul says that careless liberty doesn’t just create relational fallout—it also creates spiritual offense. The Corinthians believed their knowledge insulated them. Paul says it indicts them. You can be right and still be wrong. You can know the truth and still sin against Christ by how you treat those who belong to him. This verse prompts us to seriously reconsider how we practice our freedom within the church community. When we accept behaviors that Scripture prohibits, disregard biblical beliefs as irrelevant, or encourage others to join us in ambiguous situations, we aren't merely influencing behavior—we're harming the consciences that Christ Himself redeemed. Christ does not stand at a distance from his people. He identifies with them. So when a believer stumbles because of your example, Christ says, “You did that to me.” Sin always has a target. And when believers are involved, that target is Christ. DO THIS: Examine one area of freedom where you’ve said, “It’s not hurting anyone,” and ask how Christ might see its impact on others. ASK THIS: Where have I minimized sin by calling it personal or private? How does union with Christ reshape the way I view my influence? What freedoms might Christ be asking me to restrain out of love? PRAY THIS: Jesus, forgive me for the ways I’ve separated my freedom from my responsibility. Teach me to see your people as you see them—and to walk in love that honors you. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Yet Not I But Through Christ in Me.” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39689300

Your Freedom Can Kill Someone’s Faith | 1 Corinthians 8:10-11 03/12/2026

Your Freedom Can Kill Someone’s Faith | 1 Corinthians 8:10-11 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Andries Esterhuizen from St. Albert, Alberta. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. — Paul intensifies his warning. Yesterday, the issue was stumbling. Today, the word is destroyed. This is no longer theoretical. Paul describes a chain reaction. A believer watches a “knowledgeable” Christian participate. They follow the example. Their conscience collapses. Their faith is damaged. And Paul places responsibility not on the one who followed—but on the one who led. Read it carefully. The destruction does not come from ignorance. It comes from another believer's assuming confidence. The Corinthians thought knowledge made them stronger. Paul says knowledge can be deadly when it is not governed by love for others. When believers with influence normalize what Scripture forbids—or casually participate in practices that blur obedience—the watching believer sees no nuance. They see permission and some walk right back into sin, actions done from ignorance and misunderstanding. They conclude that a certain spiritual conviction is optional. That boundaries are flexible. That obedience is negotiable. And their faith erodes. Paul adds a declaration meant to stop this reckless liberty: “The brother for whom Christ died.” At the center of this proclamation is a word that refocuses freedom and a believer's spiritual arrogance. This is no longer about our freedoms. This is about the value of a soul purchased by the blood of Jesus. If Christ went to the cross for them, then their conscience matters. Their faith journey matters. Their preservation matters. Freedom exercised without love can undo what discipleship is trying to produce. Maturity is not measured by how boldly you assert your rights. It is measured by how carefully you guard another believer’s faith. It's not you-focused; it's Christ-focused, and others concerned. The call of Christ is not merely about being right, but being responsible. DO THIS: Consider one area where your example carries weight. Choose one intentional act of restraint this week for the sake of another believer’s faith. ASK THIS: Who might be encouraged to follow my example without sharing my maturity? Where could my confidence be weakening someone else’s conscience? How does remembering Christ’s sacrifice for others reshape my freedom? PRAY THIS: Jesus, you laid down your rights for me. Teach me to lay down mine for others. Guard the faith of those around me, and make me a servant who builds rather than destroys. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Nothing Else” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39689165

Your Freedom Has a Body Count | 1 Corinthians 8:9 03/11/2026

Your Freedom Has a Body Count | 1 Corinthians 8:9 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Greg Burger from Eau Claire, WI. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. — Paul’s warning is short—but it’s severe. Freedom, when exercised without love, leaves casualties behind. Paul does not accuse the Corinthians of rebellion. He does not question their theology. He does not deny their rights. Instead, he issues a sober command: “Take care.” Why? Because freedom is never isolated. Every action has a witness. Every choice has influence. Every liberty has a trajectory. A stumbling block is not accidental. It is something placed in another person’s path. And Paul holds believers responsible not only for what they believe—but for what their actions make possible in others. When believers publicly participate in what Scripture clearly forbids—or casually normalize what God calls sin—they may feel free, informed, or mature. But the watching believer receives a different message. They do not hear nuance. They see permission. A believer fighting sexual temptation watches Christians celebrate sexuality Scripture rejects. A believer struggling toward sobriety watches Christians boast about drinking in excess. A believer learning obedience watches Christians dismiss spiritual conviction as legalism. And their faith stumbles—not because truth failed—but because freedom was flaunted wrongly. Paul’s point is blunt: your freedom does not end with you. It either strengthens faith or weakens it in others. It either clears the path or clutters it for others. This is not a call to fear every decision we make in front of others. It is a call to love them wherever they may be in their walk with the Lord. Spiritual maturity is not proven by how much freedom you can exercise, but by how much you are willing to surrender for the sake of another’s faith. Christ did not insist on his rights. He laid them down. And those who follow him must ask the harder and introspective question—“Who might fall because of what they hear me say or do?” DO THIS: Identify one freedom you regularly exercise and honestly evaluate whether it could become a stumbling block to someone else. ASK THIS: Who might be watching my choices more closely than I realize? Where could my freedom unintentionally weaken another believer’s conscience? What would it look like to limit liberty for love’s sake? PRAY THIS: Lord, teach me to see beyond myself. Give me a heart that values another’s faith more than my own freedoms. Shape my life to reflect your sacrificial love. Amen. PLAY THIS: “I Surrender” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39688530

When Your Freedom Becomes Someone Else’s Burden | 1 Corinthians 8:7–8 03/10/2026

When Your Freedom Becomes Someone Else’s Burden | 1 Corinthians 8:7–8 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Rusty Beck from Corinth, TX. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. — Freedom is never private when other people are watching. Paul shifts the conversation in this section from theology to people. He has already affirmed the truth: idols are nothing, and food is morally neutral. But now he introduces a critical reality—not everyone has arrived at that understanding yet. Some believers in Corinth came out of real idol worship. Their past shaped their conscience. So when they saw mature Christians eating idol meat, they didn’t see theological freedom—they saw permission to do something that was contrary to their former lives. Thus, participation communicated approval. That’s the danger Paul exposes here. The issue isn’t that the food suddenly becomes sinful. The issue is that someone else’s conscience is still being formed, thus one believer's freedom becomes a template and a temptation. This is where our modern parallels become unavoidable. A believer rescued from sexual confusion watches Christians attend a same-sex marriage and concludes the Bible must have changed. Or that they have understood scripture wrongly A believer fighting addiction sees Christians joke about drunkenness or normalize marijuana use and assumes self-control no longer matters. In each case, the message received is permission. Paul’s point is precise: what feels neutral to you can become formative for someone else. That’s why he reminds them that food doesn’t commend us to God. Freedom doesn’t earn favor. Participation doesn’t make us stronger. Abstaining doesn’t make us weaker. None of it changes our standing with God. What does change is the conscience of the one watching. Spiritual maturity isn’t proven by how far you push your freedom, but by how carefully you steward it. Love slows liberty. Wisdom watches the room. Faithfulness considers who might stumble behind you. Paul isn’t calling believers to live in fear. He’s calling them to love someone else by reducing our freedoms for their benefit. True sacrificial love considers a question better than, “Am I allowed?” It asks of ourselves, “In my freedom, what message could this send to someone else?” DO THIS: Before exercising a freedom, ask who might be watching and how your action could shape their conscience. ASK THIS: Where might my freedom be interpreted as permission by someone else? Who around me is still learning to separate old patterns from new faith? How can I practice freedom in a way that protects others? PRAY THIS: Father, help me to love others more than I love my freedom. Give me wisdom to see beyond myself and courage to limit liberty for the sake of another’s faith. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Make Room” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39688360

One God Means One Allegiance | 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 03/09/2026

One God Means One Allegiance | 1 Corinthians 8:4-6 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Drew Amey from Roanoke, VA. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. — We live in a world that tells us we can believe anything, affirm everything, and submit to nothing. Our culture celebrates pluralism—not just diversity of people, but diversity of moral authorities. Competing visions of truth, justice, and identity coexist, each claiming legitimacy and demanding allegiance. Corinth felt the same pressure. It was a city shaped by migration, trade, and constant cultural exchange. Many gods were named. Many lords were honored. Many systems promised meaning and belonging. Paul does not deny this reality. He acknowledges it. “There are many so-called gods and many lords.” But then he draws a decisive line. “Yet for us…” That small phrase changes everything. Paul is not arguing that other belief systems do not exist. He is arguing that they do not rule. For followers of Christ, allegiance is not divided. Truth is not negotiated. Authority is not shared. There is one God, the Father—from whom all things come and for whom we exist. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ—through whom all things were made and through whom we live. This is not religious narrowness. It is moral clarity based on the truth of God's Word and revelation. A pluralistic world suggests that multiple systems can define good and evil simultaneously. That identity is self-determined. That justice is endlessly adjustable. That truth evolves with culture. These systems—political, ideological, and moral—do not merely offer opinions. They demand allegiance and thus worship. Paul’s point is simple and unavoidable: you can live among many belief systems, but you cannot live under many lords. That is why participation in them is never neutral. What you permit, endorse, normalize, or excuse motions allegiance—whether you intend it or not. Food sacrificed to idols was never just about food. It was about communicating or indicating loyalty or misunderstood loyalty. Jesus does not offer coexistence with rival authorities. He offers coherence. In him, creation, truth, love, justice, and freedom hold together. He does not compete for lordship—he defines Lord and Lordship. In a morally fragmented world, the answer is not retreat or rage. It is allegiance. One God. One Lord. One allegiance. DO THIS: Identify one belief, habit, or cultural pressure that subtly competes for your allegiance and intentionally place it under the authority of Christ. ASK THIS: 1. Where am I tempted to divide my allegiance between Jesus and cultural values? 2. What systems most shape my sense of justice, identity, or truth? 3. How does Jesus’ lordship clarify the choices I make? PRAY THIS: Father, I confess how easily my allegiance drifts. Anchor my heart in You alone. Teach me to live under one Lord, one truth, and one authority—Jesus Christ. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Be Thou My Vision” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39688125

Right Beliefs Can Still Lead You Wrong | 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 03/08/2026

Right Beliefs Can Still Lead You Wrong | 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to George Zeck from Venice, FL. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. — You can be theologically correct—and spiritually careless. Paul opens this section with a warning that cuts against a familiar instinct in believers: the belief that being right automatically makes us faithful. The real danger in a secular culture is not ignorance, but arrogance—truth held without consideration for others. The Corinthians understood that wooden and stone idols were nothing. They knew meat was just meat. Paul doesn’t dispute that. He affirms it. But he exposes the problem. Knowledge alone inflates. It creates distance. It feeds superiority. It subtly shifts the question from “What honors God?” to “What am I allowed to do?” Do you see the shift? It is a shift from "He" to "me". But thoughtful "love" for God and others, combined with good theology, does stretch the believer to do some things they would not usually do. Stay humble in moments where pride could be misunderstood. Restrain actions where freedom is allowed. Consider how our accurate theological freedom might adversely affect others. That’s why this section of chapter 8 still presses on us today. We may not debate food sacrificed to idols, but many believers still rationalize the so-called “gray areas” of life—places where Scripture allows freedom, yet pride tempts us to lean toward self rather than love. The Corinthians weren’t arguing whether idols were real; they were arguing whether their knowledge gave them permission to participate, signal approval, or remain indifferent anyway. In the same way today, the issue is often not personal involvement but endorsement, celebration, or normalization. What God calls sin is reframed as virtue. Sexual immorality is affirmed as love. Abortion is defended as compassion. Same-sex marriage is praised as progress. Drunkenness, pornography, marijuana use, and indulgence are excused as harmless freedoms. Believers may not practice these things themselves, but participation, silence, or celebration can quietly communicate approval. And the defense often sounds spiritual: “I know better.” “I’m free in Christ.” “This doesn’t affect my faith.” “I’m not hurting anyone.” Paul dismantles that logic. Being right is not the same as being faithful. If knowledge does not lead to love, it has already begun to lead us wrong. Truth without humility hardens hearts. Freedom without love compromises witness. Paul ends with a quiet but profound shift. Maturity is not defined by how much you know about God, but by whether you are known by God. Faithfulness in a pagan world is not measured by how much freedom you can defend, but by how carefully you steward it for the good of others and the glory of God. DO THIS: Before exercising a freedom you believe you have, pause and ask whether it builds others up or subtly elevates yourself. ASK THIS: Where am I more focused on being right than being loving? How might my freedoms affect the conscience or faith of others? Am I using knowledge to serve—or to justify myself? PRAY THIS: Father, guard my heart from pride disguised as conviction. Teach me to hold truth with humility and freedom with love. Shape my life so that it reflects Your heart, not just correct beliefs. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Make Room” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39687845

Brief | A Biblical Response to James Talarico’s Abortion Argument 03/07/2026

Freedom With Fences in Betrothal | 1 Corinthians 7:39-40 03/07/2026

Freedom With Fences in Betrothal | 1 Corinthians 7:39-40 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to John Deedrick from Andover, MN. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. Yet in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God. — Paul closes this long and careful chapter with calm clarity. After addressing desire, marriage, singleness, freedom, and faithfulness, he brings everything to rest on one steady truth: covenant still matters. He begins where Scripture consistently begins—with commitment. Marriage is not a temporary arrangement or a casual agreement. It is a covenant meant to endure for life, and Paul states this plainly, without apology or embellishment. At the same time, Paul is not careless with those who have suffered loss. When death ends a marriage, freedom is real. A widow is not bound forever; she is free to marry again, and Paul affirms that freedom without hesitation. But freedom is never detached from devotion. Paul adds a clarifying expression that shapes everything that follows: “only in the Lord.” Choice is permitted, but allegiance remains. Desire may move, but it must move under the Lordship of Christ. Paul then offers his pastoral judgment—not as a command or pressure. He suggests that remaining single may bring greater happiness, not because marriage is lesser, but because undistracted devotion often produces more profound peace. His concern throughout the chapter has never been status, but spiritual steadiness. When Paul closes by saying that he speaks with the Spirit of God, he is not claiming superiority. He expresses confidence that wisdom shaped by the Spirit leads to a freedom that does not fracture faith. This final word is the heart of the chapter. Marriage is good. Singleness is good. Freedom is good. But none of them are ultimate. Freedom flourishes best where God's covenant is honored. When boundaries disappear into a field of choices, freedom does not expand—it collapses. But when freedom is shaped by devotion to the Lord, it becomes a gift rather than a threat to your soul. So we are all left with an invitation: live freely, choose wisely, honor the covenant, and remain anchored in the Lord. DO THIS: If you are facing a relational decision, write down what freedom looks like “in the Lord.” Ask not only what you want, but what honors Christ. ASK THIS: Where do I confuse freedom with the absence of boundaries? How does covenant protect rather than restrict true freedom? What decision am I being called to make in the Lord right now? PRAY THIS: Father, thank You for the freedom You give and the wisdom You provide. Teach me to choose within Your design, to honor covenant, and to trust that true freedom is found in devotion to You. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Even If” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39647930

Mixed Marriage, and Singleness: What the Bible Actually Says | 1 Corinthians 7 03/07/2026

Freedom With Conviction | 1 Corinthians 7:36-38 03/06/2026

Freedom With Conviction | 1 Corinthians 7:36-38 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Cory Doden from Red Wing, MN. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. So then he who marries his betrothed does well, and he who refrains from marriage will do even better. — Paul is doing something important here. He is teaching believers how to make faithful decisions when Scripture allows freedom. This passage has sparked debate for centuries—about fathers and daughters, fiancés and engagements—but Paul’s pastoral point remains clear regardless of the scenario: Godly decisions are not driven by pressure. Paul describes two faithful paths. In the first situation, marriage is the wise and obedient choice. Desire is strong, self-control is strained, and covenant is the proper place for that desire. Paul says plainly: “Let them marry—it is no sin.” In the second situation, restraint is the wiser choice—not because marriage is wrong, but because conviction is settled, self-control is present, and no external pressure is forcing the decision. Paul says this person “will do well.” What matters most is not the outcome, but the posture. Paul highlights three marks of a wise decision: No coercion — being under no necessity. Self-control — desire is governed, not denied. Conviction — a settled heart, not spiritual panic. This is freedom with conviction. Paul refuses to turn marriage or restraint into a spiritual competition. One is not sinful. The other is not superior in every circumstance. Both can be faithful when chosen wisely. This is important to know situationally, because some believers equate restriction with holiness. We assume that the harder path must be the godlier one. And Paul gently corrects that thinking. Holiness is not measured by severity. It is measured by obedience flowing from conviction, where there is freedom. But where God gives freedom, He also expects wisdom. And wisdom requires clarity, patience, and honest self-assessment. Paul’s guidance reminds us that faithfulness is not found in rushing decisions—or avoiding them—but in making them with a heart settled before God. DO THIS: Think about a decision you’re currently facing. Before acting, ask whether it’s being driven by pressure, fear, or comparison—or by prayerful conviction before God. ASK THIS: Where do I feel pressure to choose quickly rather than wisely? How do I distinguish conviction from guilt or fear? What would it look like to wait until my heart is settled before deciding? PRAY THIS: Father, thank You for the freedom You give within Your wisdom. Help me resist pressure and fear, and lead me into decisions shaped by conviction, self-control, and trust in You. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Trust in You” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39644965

Free To Please The Lord | 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 03/05/2026

Free To Please The Lord | 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Jay T. Stilkey from Post Falls, ID. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord. — Paul slows down here. He doesn’t issue commands. He offers care. He doesn’t shame. He clarifies. His opening line reveals his heart: “I want you to be free from anxieties.” Paul isn’t ranking marriage and singleness. He’s naming reality. Life adds weight. Responsibilities multiply concerns. Love creates legitimate obligations that divide attention—not because something is wrong, but because something is real. Marriage is not sinful. Singleness is not superior. Both are gifts. Both come with costs. Paul’s point is simple but searching: devotion is shaped by attention. The unmarried believer has fewer competing demands and more flexibility to focus on pleasing the Lord. The married believer carries additional responsibilities—to a spouse, to a household, to shared decisions—and that naturally divides attention. Paul does not condemn that division. He acknowledges it. And then he tells us why he’s saying any of this: “I say this for your own benefit… to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.” That's the key phrase in this section. Paul is not trying to restrict your life. He is trying to protect your focus. He knows that devotion doesn’t usually disappear overnight—it gets crowded out slowly. Good things pile up. Legitimate concerns take center stage. And before long, what matters most gets pushed to the margins. Paul wants better for us. He wants a life ordered around what lasts. A heart that knows why it exists. A devotion that is clear, intentional, and unconflicted. This is not a call to escape responsibility. It’s a call to clarity. Whether married or single, the question is the same: What has my attention—and what is quietly competing with my devotion to the Lord? Paul’s vision is not a stripped-down life, but a focused one. Not fewer loves, but rightly ordered loves. Because true freedom is not the absence of responsibility. It is the ability to live with clear, undivided devotion to the Lord. DO THIS: Take five quiet minutes today and list the top five things that currently demand your attention. Ask God to show you which ones are crowding out your devotion to Him. ASK THIS: What responsibilities most divide my attention right now? Where have good things begun to crowd out devotion to the Lord? What would undivided devotion look like in my current season of life? PRAY THIS: Lord, You know the weight I carry and the concerns that fill my mind. Help me order my loves rightly. Free me from anxiety and lead me into clear, undivided devotion to You. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Clear the Stage” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39641445

Live Ready | 1 Corinthians 7:25-31 03/04/2026

Live Ready | 1 Corinthians 7:25-31 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Elijah Kovar from Independence, MN. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . Now concerning the betrothed, I have no command from the Lord, but I give my judgment as one who by the Lord's mercy is trustworthy. I think that in view of the present distress it is good for a person to remain as he is. Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife. But if you do marry, you have not sinned, and if a betrothed woman marries, she has not sinned. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the present form of this world is passing away. — Paul does not tell believers to abandon life or withdraw from the world. Instead, he urges them not to build their lives as if this world were permanent. This scripture is not meant to create panic or anxiety, but to cultivate preparedness—a steady, eternal perspective that reshapes how we hold everything we have. As Paul considers a list of items—marriage, grief, joy, possessions, and daily responsibilities—he offers a word that still unsettles us because it runs against our instincts. He calls believers to hold everything with open hands. The reason is simple and sobering: “Your time is very short.” Paul is not predicting a date or stirring fear; he is shaping a posture. Time is limited, eternity is near, and that reality should change how tightly we cling to the things of this world. Marriage is good, but it is not ultimate. Grief is real, but it is not final. Joy is sweet, but it does not last forever. Possessions are useful, but they are not secure. None of these things are wrong; they are temporary and changing. Paul’s call, then, is not withdrawal from life but readiness within it. Believers are invited to stay engaged without becoming entangled, to care deeply without clutching desperately, and to enjoy God’s gifts without confusing them with God himself. This is what it means to live ready: to obey when God redirects, to suffer without losing hope, to rejoice without forgetting eternity, and to let go when the world begins to fade. Then Paul closes with authority: “For the present form of this world is passing away.” Everything we see is temporary. Everything we hold will one day be released. Only what is rooted in Christ will remain. So do not anchor your identity in what is fading. Anchor it in the kingdom that cannot be shaken, and live today with eternity clearly in view. DO THIS: Identify one thing you’re holding too tightly—status, comfort, possessions, plans—and intentionally loosen your grip by surrendering it to God today. ASK THIS: Where am I living as if this world is permanent? What earthly attachment most distracts me from eternal priorities? How would my daily choices change if I truly believed time is short? PRAY THIS: Father, help me live ready. Teach me to enjoy Your gifts without worshiping them, to grieve without despair, and to rejoice without forgetting eternity. Fix my heart on what lasts. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Build My Life” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39640930

God Meets You Where You Are—Not Where You Wish You Were | 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 03/03/2026

God Meets You Where You Are—Not Where You Wish You Were | 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Kevin Kinney from Mahtomedi, MN. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. — We often assume that spiritual growth requires a new setting. A new job. A new relationship. A new city. A new season. But Paul confronts that assumption head-on. He writes to believers who thought they needed to change their circumstances to live more faithfully. Paul says the opposite: God meets you where you are—not where you wish you were. Paul’s command is repeated so often in this short section that it’s impossible to miss: “Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called.” Paul is not trapping people. He’s freeing them. He points to examples that mattered deeply in the first-century world—circumcision and social status. Jews wanted to erase their Jewishness. Gentiles wanted to adopt it. Slaves wanted out. Free people wanted upward mobility. Paul’s response cuts through all of it. Circumcision doesn’t save you. Uncircumcision doesn’t sanctify you. Status doesn’t define you. Obedience is what you need. This is Paul’s core conviction: “Neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.” In other words, stop confusing change with calling. God is not waiting for you to upgrade your life before he works. He works in ordinary obedience—right where you are. That doesn’t mean opportunities for change are wrong. Paul even says if freedom is possible, take it. But don’t believe the lie that faithfulness is postponed until circumstances improve. Paul reframes identity entirely. A slave in Christ is free. A free person in Christ is owned. Everyone stands on equal ground at the foot of the cross. And then Paul reminds them—and us—why: “You were bought with a price.” Your life isn’t owned by culture. Your worth isn’t assigned by status. Your calling isn’t delayed by circumstances. God meets you where you are—and walks with you as you obey. So be obedient today, in the place where you are standing right now. /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39637420

When Marital Obedience Is Complicated | 1 Corinthians 7:8-16 03/02/2026

When Marital Obedience Is Complicated | 1 Corinthians 7:8-16 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Our shout-out today goes to Justin Gulbrandson from Olathe, KS. Thanks for your partnership in . We cannot do this without donors like you. Our text today is . To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am. But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion. To the married I give this charge (not I, but the Lord): the wife should not separate from her husband (but if she does, she should remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband), and the husband should not divorce his wife. To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy. But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace. For how do you know, wife, whether you will save your husband? Or how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife? — Some passages of Scripture are clean and crisp. This one isn’t. Paul is dealing with real people in real situations—singles struggling with desire, marriages under strain, believers married to unbelievers, and relationships where obedience isn’t simple or symmetrical. And Paul doesn’t flatten the complexity. Instead, he shows us something vital: Our faithfulness is practiced in complicated places. Paul speaks first to singles and widows. Singleness can be a gift—but not everyone is given that assignment. Desire for a relationship isn’t spiritual failure. But ignoring the boundaries and parameters is dangerous. For some, faithfulness means remaining single. For others, faithfulness means entering covenant marriage. Then Paul turns to married believers. His counsel is clear and rooted in Jesus’ teaching: don’t treat divorce as your spiritual escape hatch. Holiness doesn’t come from abandoning the covenant when things get hard. But then the situation gets even more complicated. What if you’re married to someone who doesn’t share your faith? Or what if you made a faith commitment in an existing marriage where your spouse is not a believer? In this instance, Paul doesn’t jump to separation. He doesn’t demand instant withdrawal. He doesn’t spiritualize abandonment, like some do and will. If the unbelieving spouse is willing to stay, Paul says: stay. Your presence matters. Your faith shapes the spiritual environment of the home. God works through covenant faithfulness more often than dramatic exits. But Paul also refuses to turn marriage into a prison cell. If the unbelieving spouse chooses to leave, the believer is not enslaved. God does not call His people to endless relational warfare. God has called you to peace. That line matters. You are responsible for your obedience to God's Word—not outcomes you don't control. You cannot convert your spouse by force, pressure, or guilt. Faithfulness is not the same as control. Then Paul ends with holy expectation: “How do you know… whether you will save your spouse?” In other words, trust God with what only God can do. This section teaches us something important that some believers forget—obedience isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes it looks like staying. Sometimes it looks like releasing. But it always looks like faithfulness, obedience, and trust in God’s work beyond our control. Faithfulness is practiced in complicated places. DO THIS: Name your current relational reality honestly before God—without minimizing it or dramatizing it. Ask Him what faithfulness looks like here, not somewhere else. ASK THIS: Where am I tempted to escape rather than obey? How can I pursue peace without compromising holiness? What outcome am I trying to control that I need to entrust to God? PRAY THIS: Father, You see the complexity of my relationships. Give me wisdom to know when to stay faithful, when to pursue peace, and when to trust You with outcomes beyond my control. Teach me obedience that honors You in hard places. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Trust in God” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39628375

Sexless Marriage: When Desire Is Disconnected from Covenant | 1 Corinthians 7:1-7 03/01/2026

Sexless Marriage: When Desire Is Disconnected from Covenant | 1 Corinthians 7:1-7 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is . Now concerning the matters about which you wrote: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.” But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. For the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. Likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. Do not deprive one another, except perhaps by agreement for a limited time, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, so that Satan may not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. Now as a concession, not a command, I say this. I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another. — Corinth celebrated sexual indulgence as entertainment, expression, escape, and even religion. Sex was merely a convenience—not commitment. But Paul doesn’t invent a new sexual ethic here. He reaffirms the historic, biblical blueprint of marriage. The sexual ethic the Corinthians had forgotten: Sex belongs in monogamy. Sex outside marriage violates the covenant. Sex inside marriage is a shared responsibility—not one-sided. Here is how he starts: “But because of the temptation to sexual immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.” — Our sexual desires aren’t the problem. Dislocation of sexual desires from the covenant is the core problem. God created us with sexual desires. He is very much pro-sex, but he is also pro-covenant and designed our sexual desires and sexual acts for inside the covenant, not outside it. Sex in the wrong place fractures the plan and design of God and impacts you and others. But sex in the right place fortifies. And then Paul goes where no Greco-Roman man expected him to go: “The husband should give to his wife… and likewise the wife to her husband.” — This isn't Paul trying his hand at sex therapy like —it was ancient biblical wisdom: Her needs matter. His needs matter. Her authority matters. His authority matters. Paul’s words shatter the cultural norm: “The wife does not have authority over her own body… likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body.” — He is not suggesting domination—sexual devotion. He is not suggesting ownership—sexual surrender. He is not suggesting power—sexual partnership. He is dispelling the myth that sex was designed to be a bargaining chip, a tool of control, or a means of manipulation. It was designed to be a covenant bond. That’s why Paul warns: “Do not deprive one another… so that Satan may not tempt you.” — Withholding doesn’t heal—it harms. Distance doesn’t purify—it exposes. Neglect doesn’t strengthen—it weakens. Paul is not condemning couples in sexless seasons that they did not choose. He is confronting sexless marriages created by indifference, resentment, avoidance, or false holiness. When intimacy disappears by choice rather than circumstance, the marriage weakens—and temptation looks for an opening. Marital intimacy is spiritual protection. A safeguard. A shared shield against temptation. Then, finally in verse 7, he says: “Each has his own gift from God…” — Marriage is a gift. Singleness is a gift. The assignment differs—the grace is the same. So Paul pulls it all together: Desire matters. Marriage matters. Holiness matters. And God designed them to work together. Sex outside marriage fractures. Sex inside marriage fortifies. Because God made desire holy—and He placed it inside the covenant for our good. DO THIS: Invest intentionally in your marriage today: initiate a needed conversation, express affection, schedule time together, or remove a distraction that’s weakening your connection. ASK THIS: Where have I treated desire as convenience rather than covenant? How can I serve my spouse (or future spouse) with greater mutuality and intentionality? What part of my understanding of sex or marriage needs to realign with God’s design? PRAY THIS: Father, thank You for designing desire with purpose and placing it inside the covenant for our good. Teach me to honor You—whether married or single—with purity, mutuality, and devotion. Strengthen marriages, protect hearts, and anchor us in Your design. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Goodness of God” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39627505

Jesus Didn’t Shed Discount Blood — Flee | 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 02/28/2026

Jesus Didn’t Shed Discount Blood — Flee | 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day. Read more about and partner with us as we teach every verse of the Bible on video. Our text today is . We don’t flirt with fire. We don’t negotiate with danger. And when it comes to sexual sin, Paul gives only one command: Run. Sprint. Get out fast. Not because you’re weak—but because you know what’s at stake. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. — Paul doesn’t tell you to manage sexual sin. He doesn’t tell you to reason with it. He doesn’t even tell you to pray near it. He tells you to flee. Why? Because sexual sin cuts deeper. It reshapes your desires. It wounds your soul. It touches the very place where God dwells. And then Paul gives the identity anchor that makes the command make sense: You. Are. Bought. Bought with blood. Bought at full price. Bought out of slavery. Bought into freedom. Jesus didn’t shed discount blood to redeem you into discount living. That’s why Paul’s logic is so sharp: If Christ paid full price, stop selling yourself at bargain rates. You don’t belong to sin anymore. You don’t belong to your impulses. You don’t belong to your past desires. You belong to Christ. And belonging determines behavior. This is why fleeing isn’t cowardice—it’s courage. It’s saying: “I know my worth. I know my calling. I know my Redeemer. I know who paid for me.” Every step away from sin is a step toward the Savior who bought you. Every act of fleeing is an act of worship. So glorify God in your body. Run like someone who knows what they’re worth. Run like someone who has been bought with priceless blood, not discount blood. DO THIS: Choose one practical step to “flee”: delete an app, cut off a pathway to sin, confess to a trusted believer, or move physically away from a tempting environment. ASK THIS: Where have I tried to manage sin instead of fleeing from it? What “bargain-rate” lies have convinced me my body is mine to use however I want? How does remembering the price Jesus paid reshape how I treat my body? PRAY THIS: Father, thank You for buying me at the highest cost. Help me flee what destroys my soul and run toward the One who redeemed me. Strengthen my mind, guard my desires, and make my body a place that honors You. Amen. PLAY THIS: “Jesus Paid It All” /episode/index/show/resolute/id/39506820

Sexual Identity, Lawsuits, and the Lie of “My Body, My Choice” | 1 Corinthians 6 02/28/2026

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