Podcasts about daily devo

In this episode of Tent Talk Podcast, we continue our reflection from Oswald Chambers' My Utmost for His Highest, centering on Romans 6:5 and the powerful reality of co-resurrection with Christ. If we have died with Him, we are also raised with Him. The resurrection of Jesus has given Him the authority to give the life of God to us. Holiness isn't earned but imparted– the complete invasion of the Holy Spirit into every corner of our lives, and the call to live in the resurrection life of Christ. This is our moment in history. How will we respond? Are you ready to walk in the light and live from the life you now carry? Here we go! Thanks for Listening! I hope that after listening to The Tent Talk Podcast, you'll want to start discussions with your team or small group. These resources can help guide your discipleship journey to maturity and destiny with the Father: Episode Notes & Conversation Guide DOWNLOAD HERE https://nancymccready.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Daily-Devo-5.0.pdf LINKS The Producer's Way School https://theproducersway.com Nancy's book, From Trauma to Trust https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZML6R3/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION Every journey begins with a conversation, join us on social media to get started! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbmccready Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbmccready/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nancymccreadyministries SUBSCRIBE Like what you hear? Subscribe to Tent Talk with Nancy McCready so you don't miss an episode! https://nancymccready.com/podcast/ ABOUT NANCY MCCREADY Nancy McCready is redefining discipleship across nations, cultures, and denominations. Through Nancy McCready Ministries, she partners with leaders to build deep, transformative discipleship cultures that provoke people to walk in freedom and live as mature sons of the Father.  Her powerful message comes from her journey of overcoming abuse, addiction, and self-destruction to walk in true freedom. She now dedicates her life to helping others grow in intimacy with the Father and live unto Him.  ABOUT TENT TALK PODCAST Tent Talk with Nancy McCready is a listener-funded podcast dedicated to helping Christians along their journey of a deeper walk with Christ. With the support of donors like you, we are able to help our listeners gain a deeper spiritual understanding and connection with the Father. Thank you for your support of the Tent Talk Podcast! https://nancymccready.com/giving/ Brought to you by Nancy McCready Ministries https://nancymccready.com/

In today's Tent Talk, we read from Oswald Chambers' classic My Utmost for His Highest and dive deep into one of the most powerful decisions a believer can make: the radical decision that sin must die in us. What does it mean to be co-crucified with Christ? Are you still identifying as a sinner, or have you fully embraced your new identity as one resurrected in Him? Join Nancy McCready as she provokes us to examine our hearts, align our will with God's, and come into full agreement with the finished work of Jesus. Are you prepared to let the Spirit of God search you until you know what the level and nature of sin is in your life? Here we go! Thanks for Listening! I hope that after listening to The Tent Talk Podcast, you'll want to start discussions with your team or small group. These resources can help guide your discipleship journey to maturity and destiny with the Father: Episode Notes & Conversation Guide DOWNLOAD HERE https://nancymccready.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Daily-Devo-4.0.pdf LINKS The Producer's Way School https://theproducersway.com Nancy's book, From Trauma to Trust https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZML6R3/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION Every journey begins with a conversation, join us on social media to get started! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbmccready Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbmccready/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nancymccreadyministries SUBSCRIBE Like what you hear? Subscribe to Tent Talk with Nancy McCready so you don't miss an episode! https://nancymccready.com/podcast/ ABOUT NANCY MCCREADY Nancy McCready is redefining discipleship across nations, cultures, and denominations. Through Nancy McCready Ministries, she partners with leaders to build deep, transformative discipleship cultures that provoke people to walk in freedom and live as mature sons of the Father.  Her powerful message comes from her journey of overcoming abuse, addiction, and self-destruction to walk in true freedom. She now dedicates her life to helping others grow in intimacy with the Father and live unto Him.  ABOUT TENT TALK PODCAST Tent Talk with Nancy McCready is a listener-funded podcast dedicated to helping Christians along their journey of a deeper walk with Christ. With the support of donors like you, we are able to help our listeners gain a deeper spiritual understanding and connection with the Father. Thank you for your support of the Tent Talk Podcast! https://nancymccready.com/giving/ Brought to you by Nancy McCready Ministries https://nancymccready.com/

Have you seen Jesus? Not just what He's done for you, but who He truly is? In this episode of Tent Talk Podcast, we continue to explore Oswald Chambers' classic devotional, My Utmost for His Highest, and uncover what it truly means to encounter Jesus—not just to believe in Him, but to see Him. Once you have seen Him, you can never be the same. Are you ready to see Him this Easter? Here we go! Thanks for Listening! I hope that after listening to The Tent Talk Podcast, you'll want to start discussions with your team or small group. These resources can help guide your discipleship journey to maturity and destiny with the Father: Episode Notes & Conversation Guide DOWNLOAD HERE https://nancymccready.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Daily-Devo-3.0.pdf LINKS The Producer's Way School https://theproducersway.com Nancy's book, From Trauma to Trust https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZML6R3/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION Every journey begins with a conversation, join us on social media to get started! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbmccready Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbmccready/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nancymccreadyministries SUBSCRIBE Like what you hear? Subscribe to Tent Talk with Nancy McCready so you don't miss an episode! https://nancymccready.com/podcast/ ABOUT NANCY MCCREADY Nancy McCready is redefining discipleship across nations, cultures, and denominations. Through Nancy McCready Ministries, she partners with leaders to build deep, transformative discipleship cultures that provoke people to walk in freedom and live as mature sons of the Father.  Her powerful message comes from her journey of overcoming abuse, addiction, and self-destruction to walk in true freedom. She now dedicates her life to helping others grow in intimacy with the Father and live unto Him.  ABOUT TENT TALK PODCAST Tent Talk with Nancy McCready is a listener-funded podcast dedicated to helping Christians along their journey of a deeper walk with Christ. With the support of donors like you, we are able to help our listeners gain a deeper spiritual understanding and connection with the Father. Thank you for your support of the Tent Talk Podcast! https://nancymccready.com/giving/ Brought to you by Nancy McCready Ministries https://nancymccready.com/

Ever wonder what Jesus' resurrection really means for you—right now, today? In today's episode of Tent Talk Podcast, Nancy reads from the April 8th devotion from My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, and explores the profound truth of Christ's resurrection and what it means for us as sons. Christ's resurrection is not just a historical event—it's a gateway into His life. His resurrection means that He has the power to convey His life to us. But what does it mean to walk in newness of resurrection life? Join us as we learn to seek the Lord directly, dive into Scripture, and let the Holy Spirit be our first teacher! Here we go! Thanks for Listening! I hope that after listening to The Tent Talk Podcast, you'll want to start discussions with your team or small group. These resources can help guide your discipleship journey to maturity and destiny with the Father: Episode Notes & Conversation Guide DOWNLOAD HERE https://nancymccready.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Daily-Devo-2.0_20250407_133425_0000.pdf LINKS The Producer's Way School https://theproducersway.com Nancy's book, From Trauma to Trust https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZML6R3/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION Every journey begins with a conversation, join us on social media to get started! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbmccready Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbmccready/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nancymccreadyministries SUBSCRIBE Like what you hear? Subscribe to Tent Talk with Nancy McCready so you don't miss an episode! https://nancymccready.com/podcast/ ABOUT NANCY MCCREADY Nancy McCready is redefining discipleship across nations, cultures, and denominations. Through Nancy McCready Ministries, she partners with leaders to build deep, transformative discipleship cultures that provoke people to walk in freedom and live as mature sons of the Father.  Her powerful message comes from her journey of overcoming abuse, addiction, and self-destruction to walk in true freedom. She now dedicates her life to helping others grow in intimacy with the Father and live unto Him.  ABOUT TENT TALK PODCAST Tent Talk with Nancy McCready is a listener-funded podcast dedicated to helping Christians along their journey of a deeper walk with Christ. With the support of donors like you, we are able to help our listeners gain a deeper spiritual understanding and connection with the Father. Thank you for your support of the Tent Talk Podcast! https://nancymccready.com/giving/ Brought to you by Nancy McCready Ministries https://nancymccready.com/

What comes to mind when you think about Easter? In this series of daily Tent Talk episodes, Nancy provokes us to quiet ourselves and reflect on the true meaning of Christ's resurrection. Drawing from J. Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, she reminds us that the resurrection is a daily reality: we were crucified and resurrected with Christ, giving us a fresh start as a new creation. Jesus came, sent by the Father, to deal with every inch of the curse that brings separation between God and people. But are we truly living in the fullness of that new life? Let's quiet our flesh and allow the slow fire of His presence to work within us. Here we go! Thanks for Listening! I hope that after listening to The Tent Talk Podcast, you'll want to start discussions with your team or small group. These resources can help guide your discipleship journey to maturity and destiny with the Father: Episode Notes & Conversation Guide DOWNLOAD HERE https://nancymccready.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Daily-Devo-1.0.pdf LINKS The Producer's Way School https://theproducersway.com Nancy's book, From Trauma to Trust https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096ZML6R3/ JOIN THE CONVERSATION Every journey begins with a conversation, join us on social media to get started! Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nbmccready Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nbmccready/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nancymccreadyministries SUBSCRIBE Like what you hear? Subscribe to Tent Talk with Nancy McCready so you don't miss an episode! https://nancymccready.com/podcast/ ABOUT NANCY MCCREADY Nancy McCready is redefining discipleship across nations, cultures, and denominations. Through Nancy McCready Ministries, she partners with leaders to build deep, transformative discipleship cultures that provoke people to walk in freedom and live as mature sons of the Father.  Her powerful message comes from her journey of overcoming abuse, addiction, and self-destruction to walk in true freedom. She now dedicates her life to helping others grow in intimacy with the Father and live unto Him.  ABOUT TENT TALK PODCAST Tent Talk with Nancy McCready is a listener-funded podcast dedicated to helping Christians along their journey of a deeper walk with Christ. With the support of donors like you, we are able to help our listeners gain a deeper spiritual understanding and connection with the Father. Thank you for your support of the Tent Talk Podcast! https://nancymccready.com/giving/ Brought to you by Nancy McCready Ministries https://nancymccready.com/

Have you ever caught yourself speaking critically about someone, convinced you were in the right, only to feel uneasy later? Slander and judgment often feel justified in the moment, but they leave behind a trail of broken relationships, unresolved tension, and a deeper issue that we rarely stop to examine. Welcome to the Daily Devo. Our text today is James 4:11-12: Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? — James 4:11-12 So, this text is worth a short inductive study. I like to do this occasionally so you can see how we study the text. First, lets make some observations in this text: OBSERVATIONS Keywords: "Katalaleō" (speak evil) appears three times, emphasizing the severity of slander. "Judge" conveys both condemnation and the assumption of divine authority. "Brother" stresses the familial bond of believers. "Law," "lawgiver," and "judge" highlight the legal and divine authority. "Save" and "destroy" remind readers of God's ultimate sovereignty over eternal destinies. Characters: "Brothers": Fellow Christians within the community. "Lawgiver and Judge": God alone, the one with authority over the law and human souls. "Neighbor": Broadens the scope to include all people, not just believers. Grammar: Subjects: "The one who speaks evil" or "judges." Verbs: "Speaks," "judges," "slanders," and is "not a doer." Objects: The "law," the "brother," and "God's authority." Contrast: "Speaking against others" vs. "doing the law." "Humans who judge" vs. God, the "true Judge." Structure: James moves from a command ("Do not speak evil") to explaining slander's more serious implications. The logical flow: Speaking evil → judging the brother → judging the law → usurping God's authority. Genre: A mix of moral exhortation and theological correction INTERPRETATION Who: James addresses believers struggling with internal conflict and self-deception, often marked by slander, rivalry, and judgmental attitudes. What: Slander is not just a relational offense; it is an act of arrogance that defies God's law of love and usurps His role as Judge. Judging others reveals a presumptive heart—claiming divine authority over matters of eternal significance. Where/When: Likely written to dispersed Jewish Christians in the early church, a time of persecution and internal tensions that led to interpersonal conflicts. How: James uses strong language to confront the readers with the gravity of their actions: slander and judgment are not minor offenses but direct challenges to God's sovereignty. Why: To expose the root issue, a lack of humility and an indifference to their own sinfulness, and to remind believers of their obligation to live out mercy, reflecting God's own mercy toward them. THE DEVOTIONAL James highlights a fundamental problem within the church: slander and judgment. These sins go far beyond careless thoughts or words—they're acts of rebellion where we attempt to climb onto God's throne, assuming His role as Judge. In doing so, we not only harm our relationships but challenge God's authority and distort His mercy. Let's be honest: everyone has slandered at some point. It often stems from unresolved conflicts, inflated pride, or personal agendas. We might excuse it as harmless venting or a way to “set things straight,” but James tears down these justifications. He calls slander and judgment what they truly are—arrogant attempts to take God's seat of authority. Instead of obeying His law, we elevate ourselves above it, making ourselves judges of others and, ultimately, judges of the law itself. But here's the reality: God alone is the Lawgiver and Judge. He alone has the wisdom, knowledge, and moral perfection to discern hearts and make eternal judgments. Our role is not to rule from a place of self-righteousness but to step off the throne, trust God's perfect justice, and reflect His mercy. As recipients of His abundant grace, we are called to extend that same grace to others by showing love and humility in every relationship. So, it's time to stop slandering. It's time to stop making sinful, self-righteous judgments. It's time to step off the throne that was never yours to sit on in the first place. Instead of playing God, surrender to Him. Trust in His perfect justice, guard your words, and examine your heart. Let His mercy be the lens through which you see others, and ask Him to cultivate humility in you. Today, step down and let God's mercy rule your heart, mind, and words. Let's do this together. Say it out loud today. "I am stepping off Your throne." #GuardYourWords, #GodIsJudge, #SpeakMercy

An undivided life is a powerful life. Yet, so often, we feel pulled in opposite directions—God's desires on one side and worldly distractions on the other. This inner conflict leaves us spiritually stuck, relationally strained, and out of sync with God's purpose. But today's text offers a clear and compelling path to realignment. Are you ready to embrace it and discover the keys to living fully devoted to God? Welcome to the Daily Devo. Our text today is James 4:8-10: Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. — James 4:8-10 James speaks to believers whose divided hearts waver between God's truth and the world's attraction. Their double-mindedness creates inconsistency in their faith, relationships, and ability to live out God's will. But James calls them—and us—toward an undivided life through repentance, reconciliation, and renewal. 4 Keys to Undivided Living First | Draw Near to God: Living undivided begins with you coming close to a God who has never drifted from you.  Pursue Him intentionally through prayer, worship, and service. The more you seek Him, the more He transforms your heart, aligning it with His. Second | Cleanse Your Hands and Purify Your Heart: An undivided life requires clean hands (pure actions) and a pure heart (godly motives). Ask God to cleanse you inside and out, dedicating every part of your life to His will. Third | Mourn Over Sin: Living undivided means taking sin seriously. Genuine sorrow for anything that separates us from God leads to repentance and a deeper experience of His grace. Fourth | Humble Yourself Before the Lord: Pride divides, but the humble seek the divine who raises us with new purpose. When we surrender our will to Him, He lifts us, giving us strength, joy, and direction. Undivided living requires us to take some intentional steps. If you feel fragmented spiritually, take time today to reflect on where this feeling is arising and what worldly desires or sins diverge your attention from God. Start by drawing near to Him, letting His presence bring clarity and peace. Align your actions and motives with His will, mourn over sin that separates, and humble yourself before Him. And here is why—an undivided heart unleashes God's exalting power. #UndividedHeart, #DailyDevotional, #James4 ASK THIS: What worldly distractions or sins make you feel spiritually divided? How can you intentionally draw nearer to God this week? Why is it important to mourn over sin instead of dismissing it? In what area of your life do you need to humble yourself before God? DO THIS: Take five minutes today to reflect on what's pulling you away from God and pray for His help to realign your heart. PRAY THIS: Lord, I come to You with a divided heart, longing for the clarity and peace that only You can bring. Help me to draw near, repent, and humbly align my life with Your purpose. Amen PLAY THIS: Jesus We Repent.

I used to think resisting temptation was all about sheer determination—trying harder, staying disciplined, and pushing through. At first, it worked. I'd rack up a few wins and feel confident. But then, without warning, I'd stumble—hard. The harder I fought, the more exhausting it became. Failure wasn't just frustrating; it was defeating. It wasn't just temptation either. I saw the same struggle in trying to control outcomes, fix relationships, or manage stress. No matter how much effort I gave, I kept falling short. That's when I realized I'd been making a critical mistake—a mistake James warns us about. But the solution? It wasn't at all what I expected… Welcome to the Daily Devo. Our text today is James 4:6-7 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. — James 4:6-7 James provides a vital reminder for believers, especially those weary from spiritual effort—or, more precisely, those relying too heavily on their own efforts. There is a balance when it comes to striving in faith. Yes, we are called to exert effort in our spiritual lives. Our faith is evidenced by good works, and we are instructed to resist the devil and reflect the character of Jesus. However, there is a point where effort crosses into self-reliance, and we begin to trust in our ability to resist and reflect rather than in God's power. This tipping point varies for each of us, but it's identifiable—it's where personal pride starts to take over. Pride has all kinds of manifestations, unique to each of us, that hinder grace. I don't know what manifestation of pride hinders God's grace in your life but here is a quick list of ten and how they might hinder God's grace in your life. 10 Forms of Pride That Hinder Grace 1. Self-Reliance: Description: Trusting in your own abilities instead of God. Hindrance: Blocks dependence on God's help. 2. Spiritual Pride: Description: Seeing yourself as more righteous than others. Hindrance: Undermines humility needed for grace. 3. Stubbornness: Description: Refusing to submit or admit wrongs. Hindrance: Resists repentance and surrender. 4. Intellectual Pride: Description: Trusting your knowledge over God's wisdom. Hindrance: Limits faith and openness to God's guidance. 5. Relational Pride: Description: Refusing to forgive or reconcile. Hindrance: Blocks grace that comes through restoration. 6. Achievement Pride: Description: Taking full credit for your successes. Hindrance: Ignores God as the source of all success. 7. Reputational Pride: Description: Obsessing over reputation or approval. Hindrance: Focuses on people instead of God. 8. Moral Pride: Description: Believing rule-keeping makes you superior. Hindrance: Replaces mercy with self-sufficiency. 9. Cultural/Social Pride: Description: Thinking your background is better than others. Hindrance: Breeds division and exclusivity. 10. Defensive Pride: Description: Overreacting to criticism or correction. Hindrance: Rejects the growth grace provides. When pride takes the reins—whatever form it takes—it drives you to rely on your own strength instead of resting in God's grace. We all have a tipping point where pride manifests in our lives. Today, take a moment to identify yours. Recognize how it hinders your faith and blocks the flow of God's grace. Confess it in the comments, pray against it, and surrender it to God. Remember: the most righteous effort is not working harder but letting God's grace work where your effort falls short. Remember, pride strives, but grace abides. #OvercomingPride, #GraceAbides, #James4 ASK THIS: Which form of pride resonates most with your current struggles? How has pride blocked the flow of God's grace in your life? In what areas are you striving instead of abiding in God's strength? How can you practically submit to God in your daily battles? DO THIS: Identify one form of pride hindering grace in your life, confess it to God, and ask Him for the humility to surrender it. PRAY THIS: Father, I confess the pride in my heart that hinders Your grace. Teach me to submit fully to You and rely on Your strength instead of my own. Amen PLAY THIS: Gracefully Broken.

Have you ever felt the tension of being torn between two loyalties? One path pulls you toward comfort, popularity, and worldly approval, while the other demands total devotion to God. That tug-of-war is more common than we admit, which we will discover in our text today. Welcome to the Daily Devo. Our text today is James 4:4-5 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? — James 4:4-5 James confronts his audience with a bold accusation: "You adulterous people!" This isn't just harsh language; it's a profoundly intentional analogy that draws on the imagery of a covenant relationship—much like a marriage. Throughout Scripture, God is portrayed as the faithful husband of His people (Isaiah 54:5; Hosea 2:19-20) and His people as His beloved bride. Adultery, then, is a metaphor for spiritual unfaithfulness and a heart divided between love for God and love for the world. God desires an exclusive, covenantal relationship with His people, not out of need but out of love. Yet, when we align ourselves with the world's values, priorities, and allure—when we give our hearts to anything other than Him—we betray that sacred relationship. It's like a spouse giving their affection to another which shatters trust and intimacy. James even adds that "friendship with the world is enmity with God" because the world's system is fundamentally opposed to God's truth. The world seeks self-promotion over humility, indulgence over righteousness, and independence from God rather than dependence on Him. To side with the world is not a neutral choice—it's a declaration of hostility toward the very heart of God. Here's the truth for today: You are faithfully God's or adulterously divided. But James is not going to leave us in despair. He reveals the depth of God's relentless love: “He yearns jealously over the spirit He has made to dwell in us.” This jealousy is not the sinful jealousy of humans but the pure and holy jealousy of a God who created us for Himself. The kind of jealousy burns with a desire to protect, restore, and reclaim. God's jealousy is a passionate commitment to our ultimate good and His eternal glory. Even when we stray, He calls us back with an undying love, longing for our hearts to be wholly His. In this vivid analogy, James invites us to examine where our affections lie: Are we honoring our covenant with God, or are we dividing our loyalty with the world? God's jealous love reminds us that He will not settle for half-hearted devotion—He wants all of us. So are you giving all of you to him, like he was given all for you? Friend, have you felt that tug-of-war in your heart? The pull of the world promising comfort, approval, and success—but leaving you empty? God's Word reveals that divided loyalties lead to enmity with Him. Yet, in His relentless love, God still calls us back, offering us the gift of reconciliation through Jesus Christ. The truth is, we've all been unfaithful. Our sin separates us from God, and no amount of effort can bridge that gap. But God, in His mercy, made a way. Jesus, the perfect Son of God, came to restore what was broken. He lived a sinless life, died on the cross in your place, and rose again to offer you new life—free from the weight of sin and the grip of the world. Today, God is inviting you to leave behind the emptiness of divided loyalties and come into a relationship with Him through Jesus. He yearns jealously for you, not to condemn but to restore, to reclaim your heart for Himself. Will you respond to His call? Will you give your whole heart to the One who gave His all for you? Pray this prayer with me if you're ready to surrender your life to Him: Lord, I know I've been unfaithful. I've sought the approval of the world and turned away from You. Forgive me. Thank You for sending Jesus to die for my sins and to rise again, offering me new life. Today, I give You my heart and my life. Help me to live faithfully for You from this day forward. Amen. If you've prayed this, welcome to the family of God! Lean into His Word, connect with a Bible-believing church, and grow in your newfound faith. Remember, God's love for you is unwavering, and He will walk with you every step of the way. You are faithfully His—no longer divided. #FaithfulnessToGod, #FriendshipWithTheWorld, #UndividedHeart ASK THIS: Where in your life are you tempted to prioritize worldly approval over God's truth? How does God's jealous love challenge your view of faithfulness? What does spiritual adultery look like in your daily decisions and relationships? How can you realign your heart to live fully devoted to God this week? DO THIS: Examine one area of your life where you've prioritized worldly values over God's truth, and take a specific step to realign it with Him today. PRAY THIS: Lord, forgive me for the times I have divided my heart between You and the world. Help me to live faithfully, giving You my whole heart and devotion. Amen PLAY THIS: Faithfully.

Have you noticed the loudest voices aren't always the wisest? Bold words often leave broken relationships and chaos in their wake. What if the tension around us—and within us—comes from trusting the wrong kind of wisdom? Welcome to the Daily Devo. Our text today is James 3:17-18. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. — James 3:17-18 PART 1: OBSERVATION — What the Text Says Words & Phrases: Wisdom from above: Wisdom originating from God. Pure: Without corruption or contamination, holy. Peaceable: Promoting peace, avoiding conflict. Gentle: Kind, considerate, not harsh. Open to reason: Willing to listen, teachable, not stubborn. Full of mercy and good fruits: Overflowing with compassion and producing virtuous actions. Impartial: Not showing favoritism, treating everyone equally. Sincere: Genuine, without hypocrisy. Harvest of righteousness: Refers to the results of living rightly according to God's standards. Sown in peace: Actions taken peacefully lead to good outcomes. By those who make peace: Peacemakers actively foster peace. Characters: No specific individuals other than those who would receive the open letter. Grammar: A list of qualities for "wisdom from above." A conjunction "then" shows a sequence of wisdom attributes. A metaphor of "a harvest of righteousness" connects cause and effect. Structure: Verse 17 defines the attributes of "wisdom from above." Verse 18 shifts to the outcome: "peace sown by peacemakers." Genre: James is an epistle or letter written to many groups. Mood: The tone is instructive. PART 2: INTERPRETATION — What the Text Says to the Original Audience Who: Author: James, the brother of Jesus, writes to Jewish Christians scattered among the nations (James 1:1). Audience: Believers struggling with division, favoritism, and worldly wisdom within their community. What: James contrasts earthly, unspiritual wisdom from below (described earlier in James 3:14-16) with divine wisdom from above. Where: Written to the early church addressing practical issues in Christian communities. When: It was written around AD 45-49 when early Christians learned to live out their faith amidst cultural and spiritual challenges. How: The metaphor of sowing and harvesting resonates with the audience's agricultural context. Why: To guide believers in discerning true wisdom and encourage them to be peacemakers, fostering unity and righteousness. PART 3: APPLICATION — What the Text Means to Me & You Today Bridge the Gap: Timeless Truth: Godly wisdom is characterized by seven attributes that produce righteousness through peacemaking. God's Character: God values wisdom that aligns with His nature. Personal Reflection: Do my attitudes and actions reflect God's character and wisdom, or am I seeking selfish ambition? If my attitudes and actions reflect "wisdom from above," I should see a "harvest of righteousness" around me. I shouldn't see "burned bridges" and "tense relationship" or "wins for me and losses for them." I should see "peace" and "peacemaking" all around me, and people should be drawn to me for this reason. If you've ever chased after the loudest voices or leaned into selfish ambition, you know tension and division don't take long to creep in. But we are reminded there's a better way. Godly wisdom isn't about being the loudest or getting ahead; it's about living a life that reflects the character of Christ. Ask yourself: Do my words and actions leave peace or conflict in their wake? Am I open to God's wisdom—pure, peaceable, gentle, full of mercy—or have I let earthly desires take over? It's never too late to surrender. Give up the ambition that burns bridges. Let go of attitudes that stir chaos. Step into the wisdom of God that produces a harvest of righteousness. Today, I invite you to give in to God. If you're tired of burning bridges, come to Him. Ask Him to replace selfish ambition with His peace and righteousness. Ask Him to make you a peacemaker in your home, workplace, and community. Here is a prayer, I am going to prayer over you and me today: Father, I've tried to lead with my own wisdom, and it's left me weary and broken. I surrender my desires, my plans, and my pride to You. Teach me to live with Your wisdom and to sow peace wherever I go. May my life reflect Your character and bring glory to Your name. Amen. #GodlyWisdom, #Peacemakers, #HarvestOfRighteousness ASK THIS: Do my words and actions promote peace or create tension and conflict? How can I reflect God's wisdom in my daily decisions? What attitudes or ambitions do I need to surrender to God? Am I open to being teachable and gentle in my relationships? DO THIS: Ask God to reveal one attitude or habit that hinders peace and commit to replacing it with an action that reflects His wisdom. PRAY THIS: Father, guide my heart to seek Your wisdom above all else, letting it shape my words, actions, and relationships. Help me to be a peacemaker, sowing righteousness and reflecting Your character in everything I do. Amen PLAY THIS: Christ Our Wisdom.

Did you know the average person makes over 35,000 decisions daily—many driven by impulse or fleeting emotions? Imagine if even 10% more of your decisions were guided by true wisdom. How radically different would your life look? Today, James reveals seven attributes of godly wisdom that can illuminate your thoughts and actions, leading to peace and purpose in every area of your life. Welcome to the Daily Devo. Our text today is James 3:17-18. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. — James 3:17-18 Here are his seven attributes of godly wisdom and a simple definition of each: Purity: Keeping your heart clean by focusing on God and living with integrity in your thoughts, words, and actions. Peace: Working to create harmony in your relationships and avoid unnecessary conflict. Gentle: Showing kindness by putting others first, even when you feel you're in the right. Willing: Open to listening, learning, and embracing wise counsel. Full of mercy and good fruit: Letting compassion move you to practical acts of kindness. Impartial: Staying consistent and fair in treating others, sticking to your values no matter the situation. Sincere: Being genuine and honest in everything you do, with no hidden motives or pretense These seven attributes of wisdom are more than a checklist—they illuminate the nature of God's wisdom and Jesus' character. Striving for godly wisdom aligns our hearts, minds, and will with His, inviting His peace and purpose to flourish in our lives and relationships. Today, take a moment to reflect: which of these seven attributes of godly wisdom stands out to you as an area for growth? Is there one where you've struggled to reflect God's wisdom and Jesus' character? Maybe it's gentleness, sincerity, or showing mercy in action. Identify the one attribute you need to work on, confess it, and take a step toward turning it up even a small percentage—it could make a profound difference in your life and relationships. Drop your response in the comments below. For example, if you've struggled with gentleness, share how you plan to show more kindness this week. Let me pray for you as you take this next step in growing in godly wisdom. Remember, God's wisdom is available to all who ask. Together, let's seek His peace and purpose in our lives. #GodlyWisdom, #BibleStudy, #James317 ASK THIS: Which attribute of godly wisdom do you find most challenging to practice daily? How can growing in gentleness or sincerity improve your relationships this week? When have you acted impulsively instead of seeking God's wisdom? What was the result? What step can you take today to align your decisions more closely with God's wisdom? DO THIS: Choose one attribute of godly wisdom to focus on this week, and practice it daily in your thoughts, words, and actions. PRAY THIS: Father, help me to seek and reflect Your wisdom in every decision I make today. Guide my heart to live with purity, peace, and sincerity so my life glorifies You. Amen PLAY THIS: Thank You, Jesus.

Did you know that Scripture links selfish ambition and jealousy to something much darker—earthly, unspiritual, and demonic force? That means these aren't just minor character flaws; they're part of a deeper battle that affects every aspect of our lives, creating chaos and leading to every kind of evil. But there's another kind of wisdom—a wisdom from above—that's pure, peaceful, and powerfully transformative. If you've ever felt trapped in cycles of conflict or disorder, our Scripture today might hold the key to breaking free and living with clarity and purpose. Welcome to the Daily Devo. Our text today is James 3:13-16. Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. — James 3:13-16 James goes straight to the heart of the issue, exposing bitter jealousy and selfish ambition for what they truly are—demonic. Let that sink in. Jealousy and selfish ambition aren't harmless flaws or personal quirks; they're deeply rooted forces that distort our thinking, shaping attitudes and actions that lead us away from God. This duplicity isn't just a momentary slip-up—it's an earthly, unspiritual, and demonic way of life. It subtly prioritizes personal gain, power, and control while masquerading as truth, wisdom, and understanding. This duplicity appears in subtle yet destructive ways. It shows up in manipulation within relationships, where people exploit others for their own benefit. It infiltrates workplaces through deceit, backstabbing, and constant jockeying for position. It even divides churches when selfish ambition takes precedence over sacrificial love. At first glance, it might look like wisdom—after all, the world often rewards selfish ambition—but it actually plants seeds of chaos, conflict, and destruction. James calls us to something far greater—a wisdom from above, evidenced by understanding and marked by meekness. True wisdom isn't only about how much we know; it's revealed in how we live. It's not merely intellectual; it's profoundly moral and spiritual, rooted in humility, meekness, and reverence for God. It's the kind of wisdom that produces actions aligned with God's truth. Think of this process like building a house. Wisdom is the blueprint for a strong, sturdy home—you can see the design and understand what it's supposed to look like. Understanding is the actual construction—pouring the foundation, putting up walls, and carefully following the blueprint to bring it to life. Without the blueprint, the house would be chaotic, poorly constructed, and prone to collapse. Without understanding, the blueprint would remain just a nice idea on paper, never becoming a reality. When wisdom and understanding work together, they create something lasting, strong, and purposeful—just as God intended for our lives. In the same way, knowing God's truth (wisdom) and living it out (understanding) must be accompanied by the right attitude—meekness. When we align our actions with God's wisdom, the results are unmistakable: clarity replaces confusion, peace overcomes turmoil, and order arises from chaos. This isn't merely a better way to live; it's God's design, powerfully transforming our hearts, homes, and communities. Together, these elements build a life of enduring purpose and beauty. Take a moment to examine your heart. Where has jealousy or selfish ambition crept in? Confess it to God and ask for His wisdom, then choose one way to live it out today—with humility, peace, and truth. Wisdom from above builds up; ambition from within tears down. #GodlyWisdom, #BreakFreeFromAmbition, #James316 ASK THIS: Where have jealousy or selfish ambition created conflict in your life? How can you seek wisdom that's pure and peaceable? What practical steps can you take to live with meekness today? How does God's wisdom bring clarity and order to your daily choices? DO THIS: Confess any jealousy or selfish ambition to God, then choose one humble action today that reflects His wisdom and peace. PRAY THIS: Father, reveal any jealousy or selfish ambition in my heart and help me surrender it to You. Grant me Your wisdom to live with humility, peace, and purpose today. Amen PLAY THIS: Every Hour.

A few years ago, I was wrapping up a workout at the gym, drenched in sweat and parched. You know that kind of thirst where you feel like you could drink an entire lake? I wandered over to the cooler, casually chatting with someone, my mind elsewhere. I grabbed my container, popped it under the spigot, and filled it up without a second thought. Still mid-conversation, I raised the cup to my lips, eager for a refreshing gulp of cold water. But instead of quenching my thirst, I jerked back in shock as my lip sizzled in pain. I'd filled my cup with steaming hot water. Instantly, my careless mistake turned what I thought would refresh me into something that burned me. It was a surprising and not-so-gentle reminder to pay attention to the water I was putting in my cup. In the same way, careless words that come out of our mouths can soothe or burn. That is what James is concerned about today. Welcome to the Daily Devo. Our text today is James 3:9-12. With [the tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so. Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, bear olives, or a grapevine produce figs? Neither can a salt pond yield fresh water. — James 3:9-12 James uses some very vivid illustrations in these short verses: He illustrates that the human tongue can bless God and curse God's people. He illustrates that the human mouth is an orifice of blessing and cursing simultaneously. He illustrates that natural elements act consistently, such as a freshwater spring or a sea of saltwater. He illustrates that plant life is also consistent in its produce. Unlike the natural order, James points out that humanity, specifically believers, are the only creatures in all God's creation that can act inconsistently. The propensity is almost schizophrenic. But here is James's bottom line: The tips of our tongues and the orifices of our mouths reveal our inconsistencies and the nature of our hearts. They expose us. We have all said stupid things. But James is not just concerned about the stupid things you and I say. He is concerned about the inconsistency of our hearts, which think and believe inconsistent thoughts and ideas, thus communicating inconsistent messages that burn us and others. James is leading us all toward deep consistency. Consistency starts in the heart. When Christ rules your heart, your words should follow. So, if you have been compartmentalizing your faith in Jesus, it's time to stop. Let Christ and his Spirit live in all the rooms, hallways, and corners of your heart. Open up to God where you have held onto pain, anger, regret, bitterness, and guilt with others. Start looking at all people through the lens of God, fallen but created by him for a relationship with Jesus. Then speak life, bless others, align your words with God's heart, and maybe you'll stop getting into hot water. #TamingTheTongue, #SpeakLife, #FaithInAction ASK THIS: How have my words both blessed and hurt others recently? In which areas am I inconsistent between my heart and speech? What steps can I take to let Christ rule my entire heart? How can I align my words today to reflect God's love? DO THIS: Speak a blessing to someone you've struggled with this week, reflecting God's love through your words. PRAY THIS: Lord, transform my heart so that my words reflect Your love and truth. Help me speak life and bring blessings to others. Amen PLAY THIS: I Speak Jesus.

As the wildfires rage across Los Angeles, consuming homes and devastating lives, we're reminded of the sheer power and destructive force of a single spark. What starts as something small—a stray ember, a careless mistake—quickly becomes uncontrollable, leaving destruction in its wake. James uses this same image to describe the tongue: a small spark capable of setting the entire course of life on fire. As we grieve for those affected by these fires, let's reflect on how the unchecked words from our own mouths can cause harm far beyond what we ever intended. Welcome to the Daily Devo. Our text today is James 3:5-8. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. — James 3:5-8 James doesn't hold back when addressing the power of our words in Chapter 3. Now, he describes the tongue as a fire capable of immense destruction. The image is vivid and unsettling in light of what is happening in Southern California—a tiny member of the body with the power to stain the whole person and set life ablaze. Worse yet, James says the source of this destructive fire is hell itself. We've all experienced the devastation of careless words. A thoughtless insult, a lie, or a cutting remark can unravel relationships, damage reputations, and ignite conflicts. James doesn't exaggerate when he calls the tongue a “restless evil, full of deadly poison.” It's a force we cannot tame on our own, no matter how much we try to control it. But here's the hope: the same tongue that sparks destruction can also spark repentance, restoration, and reconciliation when surrendered to God. Words spoken in humility can mend broken relationships. Words of truth can lead someone to repentance. And words of encouragement can breathe life into weary souls. James reminds us of the danger, but the Gospel reminds us of the opportunity—when the Spirit guides the tongue, it can become a powerful instrument of God's grace. Today, take a moment to consider the fires you might have started with your words. Is there a need for repentance, restoration, or reconciliation in your life? Where might your words spark healing and hope? Surrender your tongue to the Lord and ask Him to guide your words, turning sparks of destruction into flames of grace and redemption. #TameTheTongue, #SpeakLife, #WordsOfGrace ASK THIS: How have your words recently sparked harm or healing in your relationships? Is there someone you need to reconcile with through humble words? What steps can you take to surrender your speech to God daily? How can your words encourage repentance, restoration, or hope this week? DO THIS: Speak one intentional word of encouragement or apology today to spark healing or hope in someone's life. PRAY THIS: Lord, help me to tame my tongue and use my words to build others up, not tear them down. Guide me to speak with humility, grace, and truth, reflecting Your love in every conversation. Amen

Picture a massive horse galloping at full speed or a colossal ship navigating through fierce winds. What's the common factor? Both are controlled by something incredibly small—a bridle and a rudder. Likewise, your tongue, though small, can steer the course of your life. Where will your tongue lead you today? Welcome to the Daily Devo. Our text today is James 3:3-5. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. — James 3:3-5 Our tongues are small but wield immense power, often causing destruction through careless or harmful words. Most of us remember the slap that was heard around the world at the Oscars in 2022. Will Smith walked on stage and violently slapped Chris Rock for a joke about his wife. We know today that they both said things they regret, and the fallout lasted a long time. That moment illustrates the profound truth and effect James is communicating in this text. But we all know the real issue isn't just the muscle in our mouth, which we call a tongue—it's what happens in the space between our thoughts and the words that come out of our mouths. Without intentional control, the tongue can act as a loose rudder, steering us into dangerous waters. But "bridling the tongue" isn't simply about pulling back on our words—it's about directing, leading, and controlling the will behind them. Just like a pilot sets a course for a ship or a rider guides a stallion, we must engage our minds and hearts before we speak and act. Here's your task today: Harness your tongue, bite your tongue, direct your tongue, and then speak with intention. Do this, and your words might echo grace instead of creating the kind of ripple that turns into a slap heard around the world. #DailyDevo #PowerOfWords #FaithInAction ASK THIS: When was the last time your words caused harm or healing? How could you have used them differently? What steps can you take to pause and think before speaking today? How do your words reflect your relationship with Christ to others? In what areas of your life do you struggle most to control your tongue? DO THIS: Harness your tongue, bite your tongue, direct your tongue, and then speak with intention. PRAY THIS: Lord, help me to pause and reflect before I speak, guiding my words to bring life and encouragement. Teach me to use my tongue to glorify You and build others up today. Amen PLAY THIS: Greater Than All My Regrets.

magine gripping an Olympic barbell, its cold steel pressing into your palms. Now, with every word you speak, imagine spotters steadily adding weight—one pound at a time. Each phrase makes the bar pounds heavier until it becomes unbearable. That's the kind of weight spiritual leadership carries. This devotional is about 1100 words long. Just imagine trying to deadlift that—not a chance, right? That would be an record, If I were able to lift it. And yet, that's the reality of teaching God's truth. In James 3:1-2, we're reminded that those who teach will be judged with greater strictness. So, how do we step up to the bar without being crushed? Let's dig into that together. Welcome to the Daily Devo. Our text today is James 3:1-2. Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. — James 3:1-2 James opens this chapter with a warning: not everyone should aspire to be a teacher. And what is his reason? Teaching God's Word comes with weightier spiritual responsibility and accountability because it carries the power to shape others' faith and lives. Misusing this gift can cause spiritual harm, so James emphasizes the weightier judgment for teachers. And honestly, these verses have always humbled and incited a holy fear in me—which is necessary for the spiritual teacher. Just so you know, I think about this every day as I approach God's Word—if I am rightly handling the weight of the Word. I do my very best to dig deep and let God's Word speak precisely as the original author intended so that I make applications to our lives that are as surgically correct as possible. But even though James warns spiritual teachers about the weight, he also acknowledges a universal truth: we all stumble or struggle to bear the burden of the weight, which reminds teachers and every one of us with a mouth about the weight of our words. For the Disperions of believers James addressed, this was a warning about the dangers of false teaching and spiritual pride. In a time of persecution and fragile church communities, their words mattered deeply. Teachers had to rely on God's truth, not their cleverness or ambition, to guide others rightly. Today, this truth is just as critical. God's Word reveals the way, the truth, and the life. Whether you are teaching it from a pulpit, leading from it in a small group, or mentoring someone one-on-one, the weight of your words about God's Word is real. Here's the key I always try to remember when communicating God's Word: it's not about my ability or strength to carry its weight. When I teach the Word, I rely on the All-Powerful God who spoke it. I let its weight rest on me and then share it with you. In the end, my prayer is that we both entrust our lives to the One who can truly bear that weight—Jesus Christ. Here's the good news: Jesus came to carry the burden we could never bear. He lived the perfect life we couldn't live—He never stumbled in word, action, or thought. And on the cross, He bore the crushing weight of sin for you and me, paying the price so we could be free from its burden. Today, you have the opportunity to let go of that unbearable weight. Jesus invites you with these words: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). You can let go of the barbell. All you need to do is surrender to Him. Confess your need for His grace. Believe in Him as your Savior. And follow Him as your Lord. If you're ready to make that decision, pray this with me: “Jesus, I can't carry this weight anymore. I've stumbled in many ways and need your forgiveness. Thank you for living the perfect life and dying for my sins. I believe you rose again, conquering sin and death. Today, I surrender my life to you. Be my Savior and my Lord. Amen.” If you just prayed this prayer for the first time, welcome to God's family! If you prayed because you needed to let go of some burdens again, praise the Lord! I want to walk alongside you on your discipleship journey. Follow us here daily as we grow together in God's Word and learn to trust Him more deeply. #SpiritualLeadership, #JesusOurStrength, #WordOfGod ASK THIS: How can you better rely on God's strength when teaching or sharing His Word? What burdens do you need to surrender to Jesus today? How have your words impacted others spiritually this week? What steps can you take to ensure your teaching aligns with God's truth? DO THIS: Let Jesus take the weight of the burden. PRAY THIS: Lord, I surrender the weight of my words and my life to You. Help me trust Your strength and speak Your truth faithfully. Amen PLAY THIS: Burdens.

What do Abraham, a patriarch, and Rahab, a prostitute, have in common? At first glance, it seems nothing—one is a giant of the faith, the other a woman with a checkered past. Yet James places them side by side, using them as examples of how men and women of living faith should aspire to live. Welcome to the Daily Devo. Our text today is James 2:21-26. Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. — James 2:21-26 Abraham's faith is legendary in the Bible. It led him to the ultimate act of trust—total obedience to God and the willingness to offer up his son Isaac on the altar. Even though God did not let him carry out the final act, Abraham's willingness to follow God's command revealed a faith so deep and complete that he became known as the Father of Faith. This wasn't just about belief; it was about belief that acted. His legacy of faith became the foundation for generations to come, marking him as a friend of God and a model for all who follow. Rahab's story, though seemingly different, echoes the same truth. As a Gentile woman with a sinful past, Rahab had no reputation to lean on—only a choice to make. Her faith moved her to risk her life by hiding Israelite spies and helping them escape. This single act of courageous trust in God not only saved her family but also grafted her into the lineage of Jesus Christ. Her legacy? Proof that faith can transform even the most unlikely life into a story of redemption. What binds these two together is a faith that moves—faith that acts, responds, and lets God write the story. Abraham's faith shaped nations. Rahab's faith redeemed her family and secured her place in history. Faith that moves writes stories that endure. So, what story does God want to write with your life and faith? The only way to find out is to live out your faith through action. Remember, Jesus didn't just speak of love—He demonstrated it through the ultimate act of obedience and sacrifice. Leaving the glory of heaven, He took on human form and laid down His life on the cross for our sins. His unwavering faith in the Father's plan was lived out in perfect action, securing redemption for all who believe. Jesus went all in for us—now it's our turn to live all in for Him. #FaithInAction, #LivingFaith, #TrustAndObey ASK THIS: How does your faith inspire you to take action in your daily life? What sacrifices might God be calling you to make in obedience? How can you trust God more boldly, as Abraham and Rahab did? What practical steps can you take today to align your actions with your faith?

Have you ever met someone who talks a good game but doesn't back it up? Whether it's the friend who promises to help but never shows up or the coworker with big ideas but no follow-through, we all know the frustration of empty words. James confronts a similar issue when it comes to faith: faith without action is like words without deeds—it's empty. Welcome to the Daily Devo. Our text today is James 2:18-20. But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? — James 2:18-20 James makes a comparison today on a topic he has already been building on. He presents a fictional debate between two people who live in two ways: one who claims they have faith without evidence and the other with faith with evidence. This comparison cuts to the core of a decision for Jesus that demonstrates no decisive change. In James' mind, what we might think of as "easy believism" might be a belief, but it is not a living, working, and active faith in Jesus. He calls it foolish, useless (James 2:20), and dead (James 2:17). He then makes another comparison to emphasize the preposterous nature of the logic of "easy believism." He highlights that demons themselves hold an orthodox understanding of God's existence and oneness. They acknowledge the truth of God's sovereignty. They even tremble in fear because they know God's power and authority. However, their faith is not a genuine saving faith because it fails to produce evidence of authentic faith. Their belief does not produce signs of repentance, obedience, or a transformed relationship with God. God is merely a fact they cannot deny, yet it does nothing to change their rebellion. The shocking implication is that "faith without evidence" is similar to the "faith" of demons. Both may believe God exists, believe he is one, know God is sovereign, and tremble in fear before God but demonstrate no demonstrative. Faith that is not demonstrative is demonic. James challenges his readers to examine their proclamation of faith carefully. Is it only acknowledgment, like the demonic, or is it demonstrative? The easiest way to begin is by connecting your faith to straightforward action. Here is a list of seven actions you could take to connect your faith with action. Choose one. Commit to doing it, and let's demonstrate authentic faith to those around us. 1. Serve Someone Look for an opportunity to help someone in need, whether a neighbor, coworker, or stranger. It could be as simple as lending a listening ear, sharing a meal, or helping with a task they can't handle alone. Faith in action serves others selflessly. 2. Speak Life Be intentional with your words. Encourage someone who might be struggling or share a Scripture that has impacted you recently. Let your speech reflect the hope and truth of Christ. 3. Step into Obedience Identify one area where God has been calling you to obedience. Maybe it's forgiving someone, confessing sin, or starting a new habit like daily prayer. Take the first step today, trusting that God's strength will carry you through. 4. Practice Generosity Give something tangible—a financial gift, your time, or resources—to someone or an organization that could use it. Generosity demonstrates trust in God's provision and care for others. 5. Reflect God's Love at Home Sometimes, the most challenging place to live out our faith is with those closest to us. Show patience, kindness, or humility to your spouse, children, or roommates. Let your actions match your faith in Christ's transforming love. 6. Commit to Growth Spend intentional time with God by studying Scripture and praying daily. Then, look for ways to share what you learn with others, making your spiritual growth an encouragement to their faith. 7. Stand for Truth When faced with a situation that challenges your values or beliefs, respond with grace and boldness. Share your faith when opportunities arise, trusting God to use your witness. #FaithInAction, #LivingFaith, #WalkTheTalk ASK THIS: How does your life demonstrate the evidence of your faith? What actions reveal your trust in Christ today? In what ways can you connect faith to service this week? Are there areas where your faith feels more belief than action?

What good is your faith if it sits on the bench instead of stepping into the game? James warns us today that true faith doesn't stay idle. It moves, takes action, and meets the needs of those around us. Faith that doesn't act is dead—lifeless, useless, and disconnected from God's purpose. So, is your faith alive and thriving? Or does your faith need a resurrection? Welcome to the Daily Devo. Our text today is James 2:14-17. What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. — James 2:14-17 To be clear, James isn't suggesting that works save us. Salvation is by faith alone, through the finished work of Christ on the Cross. What James is saying is this: true, saving faith produces visible evidence. A faith that doesn't show itself in action is not alive—it's counterfeit. James' message cuts straight to the heart of Christian apathy. If we claim to follow Christ, we can't just say it; we must show it. If I believe in a God who loves, then my life must overflow with love. If I trust a God who provides, my actions should reflect generosity. And if I know a God who forgives, then I must extend forgiveness and mercy to others. Faith that works isn't optional—it's essential. James paints a vivid picture: if you see someone shivering in the cold and starving and all you offer are empty words, “You've got this!” you're missing the point entirely. They don't “got this.” They're cold. They're hungry. Real faith doesn't drive by; it stops, steps in, and meets the need. Here's the hard truth: selfishness and a desire for convenience lie at the root of dead faith. We avoid helping because it disrupts our plans, our comfort, or our resources. But a living faith embraces the inconvenience because it reflects the sacrificial love of Christ. Faith that works, works. This year, don't just proclaim your faith—live it. God didn't just say He loved us; He demonstrated it by sending Jesus to die for our sins. Jesus' sacrifice is the ultimate act of faith in action. If you've experienced His love, let it move you to love, serve, and act in ways that reflect Him. Take a moment to examine your heart. Is your faith alive and active, or does it need a resurrection? Confess where you've fallen short and ask God to breathe life into your faith so it overflows into your actions. Lord, I confess that my faith has been stagnant in too many areas of my life. Thank You for showing me mercy through Jesus. Help me to live out my faith by meeting the needs of those around me and showing Your love through my actions. Amen. If you're ready to get off the bench and into the game, write “I'm in the game” in the comments below. Let's live a faith that moves, reflecting the God who moved heaven and earth to save us. Join me tomorrow as we continue our study through James! ASK THIS: How does your daily life show evidence of your faith? When have you chosen convenience over meeting someone's need? What steps can you take to make your faith more active? Does your faith reflect the sacrificial love of Christ?

What if one mistake made you guilty of everything? According to James, that's exactly how God's law works. But here's the lifeline: God's mercy steps in where we fall short. The 1% we can't earn but desperately need is available in Christ. Welcome to the Daily Devo. Our text today is from James 2:10-13. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become guilty of all of it. For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. So speak and so act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. — James 2:10-13 God's standard is perfection. Breaking just one part of His law makes us guilty of it all. Think about that: one small sin in a lifetime of goodness still leaves us entirely guilty before a holy God. His law reflects His perfect character, and breaking even one command dishonors the Lawgiver Himself. That leaves no room for pride, comparison, or judgmentalism—we're all in the same boat. As Paul reminds us in Romans 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” But here's the good news. James points us to the “law of liberty,” the freedom we have in Christ because of God's mercy. Jesus' life, death, and resurrection are the proof and provision of that mercy. The question is: will you receive it or reject it? Rejecting Jesus is rejecting mercy itself. And if we receive His mercy, we're called to reflect it—because withholding mercy reveals we haven't truly accepted it. Are you ready for God's final judgment? Without Christ, none of us can stand before God's perfect standard. But through God's mercy in Jesus, we're offered forgiveness and freedom. If you've been relying on your own goodness, it's time to trust in God's grace. Confess your sins, big or small, and place your faith in Jesus. His mercy sets you free from the law of sin and death. Here's a prayer to take that first step: “Lord, I confess that I fall short of Your perfect standard. Thank You for the mercy You've shown me through Jesus. I surrender my life to You and ask for Your forgiveness. Help me to walk in Your grace and extend mercy to others. Amen.” If you prayed this prayer today, write "I choose Jesus" in the comments below and follow me daily as we study the bible. I would love to be your mentor as you begin the journey. Let's live all in for him, who lived all in for you. #GodsMercy, #FinalJudgment, #James2 Ask This: How does knowing God's perfect standard change how you view your own sin? Have you been relying on your goodness instead of God's mercy? How can you better reflect God's mercy in your daily interactions? Are you ready to stand before God's final judgment? Why or why not? Do This: Choose Jesus and choose mercy. Pray This: Lord, I confess that I fall short of Your perfect standard and need Your mercy. Thank You for offering forgiveness through Jesus; help me to live in Your grace and share Your mercy with others.Amen. Play This: Mercy.

Two people walk into church. One is a polished executive, exuding confidence and commanding attention. The other is someone worn out by life, with tattered clothes and weary eyes. Who catches your attention first? The confident one, or the struggler barely holding it together? How we respond to these two reveals what we truly believe about God and His church. Welcome to the Daily Devo. Our text today is from James 2:5-9. Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. — James 2:5-9 James reminds us that God's kingdom flips our understanding of value upside down—or perhaps, sets it right side up. What the world prizes often holds little worth in God's eyes. In fact, worldly values can blind us to true spiritual worth. God doesn't measure value by appearances, achievements, or accolades but by His love, His law, His promises, and the honor of His name. True value, then, isn't something we decide—it's defined by God. James highlights that those who lack material wealth are often more aware of their spiritual poverty than those who rely on their own resources. Why? Because the poor depend on God, not on what they can offer themselves. This means that the world's values—money, status, power—don't carry the same weight in God's community. Instead, James gives us the royal law: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Favoritism fails, but love fulfills the royal law. If favoritism has taken root in your heart, now is the time to bring it before God. Just yesterday, I caught myself slipping into a judgmental spirit. My thoughts were swirling about people, situations, and moments from the day. Then, I read these verses and was convicted. While James applies this to favoritism in the church, the root issue is the same: a judgmental heart. I had to speak God's truth to my thoughts, repent, and confess my sin to Him. Even though no one else knew, I turned my heart back to the royal law of love. Like me, I invite you to turn from favoritism and judgment. Begin by asking God to forgive you for evaluating people through the lens of worldly standards. Then, pray for His help to see others through His eyes. What step can you take this week to love someone the world has overlooked? Together, let's value what matters to God and show others the God who values them. #RoyalLaw, #NoFavoritism, #GodsKingdom Ask This: How have you judged others based on worldly standards instead of God's values? Who in your life have you overlooked or undervalued? How can you better live out the royal law of loving your neighbor this week? What steps will you take to see others through God's eyes and not your own? Do This: Repent of favoritism and judgmentalism. Pray This: Lord, forgive me for judging others by worldly standards and playing favorites. Help me to love all people as You do and reflect Your grace.Amen. Play This: Holy Spirit.

Have you ever felt invisible? Maybe you walked into a room, and no one noticed you because you didn't fit the mold. Imagine walking into a church to seek hope only to find rejection. How you treat others could be the difference between them being drawn to Jesus or driven away from him. And this is what James is concerned about in today's text in James 2:1-4. Welcome to the Daily Devo. If you are new here, it is not too late to get your James Scripture Journal. If you missed a few devotionals you can go back and listen and catch up on our study through James. There are hundreds of us studying the book of James right now, and you can join the community. Let's read the text for today: My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? — James 2:1-4 James does not pull punches here. He directly tackles a widespread issue in the church: favoritism. I think we can all imagine this situation: two people walk into the same church. One is decked out in designer threads, radiating success. The other looks like they just crawled out of bed from a hard week. What do you think? What's your judgment? Will you disregard the disheveled and favor the decked-out? Will you ignore the one to seek the benefit and approval of the other? If you do, even within your mind, James defines this as “judging with evil thoughts.” We all have been the target of favoritism and the instigator of it. However, favoritism in the church is a deadly disease to the gospel and the glory of God. When we come to a gathering of believers in "judgment mode," judging the people around us we objectify the wrong thing—ourselves. God's church was not designed to be a place to build our network or net worth. It is a place where together we focus our hearts and minds on God, glorifying and worshiping him, not ourselves. This is one of the things I appreciate about the church and the gospel. We are all sinners through and through, redeemed only by his grace, not by factors determined by the government, education, pop culture, net worth, or genetics. Why would we rely on such factors, unless we've become judges with evil thoughts? Favoritism reveals our faithlessness. Check your heart this week. Notice how you judge those within your Christian community. Who do you gravitate toward? Who do you ignore? Then ask yourself the hard and reflective question: why do I ignore one and gravitate to the other? Then, make it a point to intentionally greet or sit with someone you'd normally overlook at church. When you do this, you are glorifying God and sharing the gospel of God's great grace. The same grace he extended to you. If our favoritism reveals our faithlessness, then the gospel reveals God's boundless grace and perfect judgment. None of us can stand before him based on what we wear, what we've done, or who we know. We're all sinners in desperate need of a Savior, and the good news is this: Jesus judges perfectly and welcomes us just as we are even though he demands a change. While we often judge by appearances or selfish motives, Jesus looks beyond the surface. He sees your heart and offers grace—not because of what you bring, but because of what he has done. He lived the perfect life we couldn't, died the death we deserved, and rose again to offer us forgiveness and eternal life. So today, if you feel overlooked, unworthy, or even guilty of favoritism, know that Jesus offers a better way. His perfect judgment leads to perfect grace. You don't have to earn his favor. You can accept his gift of forgiveness and trust him to transform your life. Confess your sin, believe that he is Lord, and trust in his sacrifice for your salvation. He will judge you not by your failures, but by the righteousness he gives freely to all who believe. “Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner in need of Your grace. Thank You for dying for me and offering me forgiveness. I trust You as my Savior and submit to Your perfect judgment. Change me, and help me live for Your glory. Amen.” If you prayed this prayer write the words, "I choose Jesus" below. We want to celebrate with you and help you take the next step in your faith journey! #NoFavoritism, #GodsGrace, #FaithInAction Ask This: Who have you overlooked or judged based on appearances this week? How does favoritism reflect a lack of faith in God? What steps can you take to value others as God does? How has Jesus' perfect judgment changed the way you see yourself and others? Do This: Don't be faithless and play favorites. Befriend a brother or sister in Christ. Pray This: Lord, help me to see others as You see them, with love and grace, free of favoritism or judgment. Transform my heart to reflect Your perfect mercy and draw others to You through my actions. Amen. Play This: Great Is.

It is frustrating to see people who claim to be religious act like complete jerks. And this is precisely what James will call out today in James 1:26-27. Welcome to the Daily Devo. Remember, tomorrow, you will receive a chapter study on James 1 on the Vince Miller Show. If you are new here, get your James Scripture Journal now so you can take notes as we study this letter together. Let's read the text for today: If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. — James 1:26-27 James gives three marks of an authentic believer. How you steward words. How you show compassion. How you stand pure. These marks prove our authenticity. They are easy to control, or "bridle," when life moves as expected. But how do you respond when life metaphorically speeds up, hits unexpected traffic, a sudden turn, or an object in the road? Can you then steward your words, show compassion, and stand pure? A few days ago, I embarked on a whirlwind trip to help my son travel from Minnesota to Florida. I flew out of Florida at 1:00 p.m. on Friday and landed in Minnesota. An hour later, we hit the road in his car. We drove nonstop from Friday night through Saturday, finally arriving in Florida at 11:30 p.m. We drove through six states and encountered all sorts of memorable sights. But one incident stuck out. Two drivers behaving recklessly in traffic were weaving in and out of cars. Then, one of the drivers, whose car proudly displayed a fish sticker, took things to the next level when he started yelling obscenities out his window and flipped the bird in a fit of rage. But as disappointing as this was to watch unfold, we all know we have the propensity to act this way. And the true mark of our spiritual authenticity is how, in these moments, we: Steward words. Show compassion. Stand pure. James is saying that it is possible to "look" religiously perfect. You can have perfect church attendance, vast bible knowledge, pray elaborate prayers, and even give generously, but if your words are habitually unbridled, you have no compassion for the vulnerable, or you cannot stand pure in an impure world, your religion is worthless. This is because religious practices, no matter how perfectly practiced, are meaningless if your heart is not marked by authentic change. A marked heart, not a marked checklist, marks authentic religion. You see, a fish symbol on a car is just a symbol when it does not symbolize the heart of the driver. And James warns us not to let our lives resemble the same. What you display to the world—your faith—needs to be consistent with how you live. That means your words must be consistent. Your hearts must break for the vulnerable. And your life must testify to purity in a world stained by sin. Ask yourself these three questions today and make the necessary changes. How am I stewarding my words? How am I showing compassion? How am I standing pure? If you want, write down the change you need to make in your Scripture Journal or leave a comment below as a testimony to the change you are choosing to make. #AuthenticFaith, #James12627, #TrueReligion Ask This: How am I stewarding my words? How am I showing compassion? How am I standing pure? Do This: Write out the change you are going to make. Pray This: Father, transform my heart so that my words, actions, and life reflect true and pure faith in You. Help me to steward my words, show compassion, and remain pure in a world that often pulls me away from You. Amen. Play This: God, I Look To You.

You roll out of bed, glance in the mirror, and see yesterday's dinner stuck in your teeth. Instead of grabbing a toothbrush or toothpick, you think, I'll leave that there for a snack later, and you head to work and wonder why everyone's staring at you when you are talking. Ridiculous, right? This is the picture James paints today of someone who hears God's Word and doesn't live it out. Welcome to the Daily Devo. [Get ready for a chapter study on the Vince Miller Show] If you are new here, we are excited to have you. Get your James Scripture Journal now so you can take notes as we study this letter together. Our text today is James 1:23-25: For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. — James 1:23-25 James compares a forgetful hearer of God's Word to a man who looks at his reflection but quickly forgets his own appearance. It's not the mirror's fault, nor the man's inability to understand what he saw. The problem is in the follow-through—or lack of it. Hearing the Word without doing anything about it is spiritual negligence. But there's another kind of man—the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty and acts on it. This isn't a guy who merely glances at Scripture for a quick fix or a feel-good information. He studies it, lets it reshape his thinking, and then gets to work. His obedience is a response to the liberty Christ has already given him. Truth applied is life amplified. God's Word isn't passive. It is active. But we must let it activate us by applying it and living amplified. #FaithInAction #DoersOfTheWord #BlessedByObedience Ask This: What areas of your life don't fully reflect the Word you hear? How can you apply Scripture actively today? Are you a hearer who forgets or a doer who acts? What steps will you take to live the liberty Christ gives? Do This: God's Word isn't passive, so don't be passive—act. Pray This: Lord, help me to not only hear Your Word but to live it out in every part of my life. Give me the courage and discipline to act in obedience, reflecting Your truth daily. Amen. Play This: Act Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly.

Have you ever regretted saying something in the heat of the moment? It's like squeezing toothpaste from the tube—once you squeeze it, you can't put it back in. James knew this too well and offered us wisdom on how to avoid the pasty mess. Welcome to the Daily Devo. [Get ready for a chapter study on the Vince Miller Show] If you are new here, we are excited to have you. Get your James Scripture Journal now so you can take notes as we study this letter together. Our text today is James 1:19-21: Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. — James 1:19-21 James gives us a threefold admonition on hearing, speaking, and anger. He will develop these three ideas in the coming verses. At the end of the week, we will address how to integrate them in our video. He tells us that the human process of gathering and responding to information is flawed. Therefore, we treat people unrighteously, not like God does. However, the issue is not just the speed of our hearing, speaking, or responding; it also concerns the vulgarity and vileness of the information we seed in our hearts and minds. What we need is a new word, the implanted Word of God. The bottom line is that human anger, even our idea of righteous anger, does not produce God's righteousness. Here's your application: Pause, plant the Word, and produce God's righteousness. This is why I believe being in God's Word daily is so important. Let's be honest—we're constantly bombarded by things that stir up frustration. The news stokes our anger, careless drivers test our patience, and even our loved ones can push our buttons. But when we let God's Word sink into our hearts, it transforms us. His Word calms our anger, redirects our focus, and saves us from countless headaches. Once anger's out, you can't take it back—let God's Word soak in and stop the squeeze. So stop being so angry. Get in the Word. Let it soak and seep into your soul. #TamingAnger, #ImplantedWord, #RighteousLiving Ask This: What triggers your anger most often, and how can you respond with patience instead? How does daily time in God's Word shape your reactions? Are you quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger in your relationships? What steps can you take today to let God's Word transform your thoughts and actions? Do This: Don't squeeze the tube. Pray This: Lord, help me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. Implant Your Word in my heart today, transforming my thoughts and actions to reflect Your righteousness. Amen. Play This: Even When It Hurts.

It's easy to point fingers when things go wrong in our life: We think, "It's their fault," or sometimes we dare to think, "It's God's fault." But James cuts sharply through these excuses, showing us another way to look at our situations. Welcome to the Daily Devo. [Get ready for a chapter study on the Vince Miller Show] If you are new here, we are excited to have you. Get your James Scripture Journal now so you can take notes as we study this letter together. Our text today is James 1:13-18: Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.  — James 1:13-18 In this section of chapter one, James turns inward. He is no longer talking about external trials but internal temptations. The challenges that derive from our devious desires. And I think James' sexual-fishing metaphor is spot-on. We get lured and enticed by our own desires. We get hooked and then commit adulterous affairs in our hearts. Then, these adulterous expeditions result in sin that we birth. We are on the hook for them, and they kill us and others. God is not on the hook for temptation. We are. God is good, and every gift he gives is good. You can't blame the hook when you're the one chasing the bait. Today, James is challenging us to take responsibility for our temptations. Instead of pointing fingers at others or God, we need to own our desires, hook, line, and sinker. The correct response is not to blame God for our desires but to surrender our desires to Him. So, what desire has been hooking you lately? Don't skip past this question. Think about it. Identify it. Confess it. Share it [in the comments below]. Surrender it. Pray about it [like we talked about yesterday]. Then, take intentional steps to replace it with God's desires. Remember, the Father of Lights fills your life with good gifts—so ask him for a heart that desires his very best. #OwnYourChoices, #GodIsGood, #GuardYourHeart Ask This: What desires have been hooking you lately and leading you into temptation? How can you surrender your desires to God today? What good gifts has God already provided in your life? How can you replace tempting thoughts with God's truth and promises? Do This: Stop blaming God. Pray This: Father of Lights, thank You for every good and perfect gift You provide. Help me surrender my desires to You and pursue Your best for my life. Amen. Play This: Hooked On A Feeling.

Doubt—it's that little voice that whispers to us in our trials. It says, "But what if God doesn't come through?" We've all heard it. But today, James warns us that doubt and the whispers of doubt can wreak storm-like havoc on our faith. And we will discover the right response to doubt is surprising, simple, steady, and strong. Welcome to the Daily Devo. [Don't forget at the end of the week, we will do a review of the entire chapter on the Vince Miller Show] If you are new here, we are excited to have you. Get your James Scripture Journal now. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.  — James 1:5-12 In my life, trials have a way of turning my heart and mind toward a defensive mentality or a defeatist mentality. I am sure you are no different. When I encounter a trial, I either try to defend myself against the trial, using my own ingenuity to work my way around it or out of it. Or, if the trial goes on too long, I get this defeatist mentality where I want to give up. But this text says there is a far better answer to navigating our trials: It's to ask God [circle those words] for the wisdom we lack in our trials. I hate to say it, but this is the missing step that amplifies the drift of doubt. Too many believers live lives of secret self-exaltation. They spend too much time trying to work a way out of their trials or ruminating on the trials while they drift far into a sea of doubt. Instead, we should be humble, submissive, trust, and turn to God, who can provide wisdom for the trial. And if we do the latter, we are blessed and will receive the crown of life. When trials crash over you, resist the urge to paddle on your own ingenuity or sink into defeat. Instead, stop and ask God for wisdom—that's the step that anchors your faith and steadies you in the storm. Write it down, circle it, underline it: Ask God. Then trust that he will give it. Repeat it until it becomes a habit because your storm isn't the problem—it's how you face it. Your storm isn't the problem—it's how you face it. #FaithOverDoubt, #AskGod, #SteadfastUnderTrials Ask This: When faced with trials, do you rely on your own wisdom, or do you pause to ask God for guidance? How has doubt affected your faith during past challenges? What step can you take today to build the habit of asking God for wisdom? In what ways can you trust God more fully to provide wisdom during your current trial? Do This: Ask God. Right now! Pray This: Father, in my trials, help me to trust You completely and ask for the wisdom I need. Strengthen my faith so I can remain steadfast and receive the blessings You promise. Amen. Play This: Lord, I Need You.

When was the last time you were really excited about a spiritual trial in your life? Never? Well, wait till you hear what James has to say about that. Welcome to the Daily Devo. If you are new here, we study our way through the bible book-by-book, chapter-by-chapter, and day-by-day. I want you to show up here every day. Here is what you will get: daily devotionals through a chapter for 6 days and, on day 7, a study of the whole chapter. Grab your James Scripture Journal, take notes, and follow along. Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. — James 1:2-4 Highlight these key verses. They introduce the first of 12 factors James addresses to help us “Grow Up Spiritually”—trials. No one likes trials, especially the kind that hit you out of nowhere—a family sickness, job loss, or tragedy. No one celebrates those moments. But that's not what James means by “Count it all joy.” He's urging us to look beyond the trial to see its purpose. Trials refine us. They produce steadfastness and build a full, complete faith. Take a moment today to reflect on a current or past trial. Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” ask, “What is God teaching me?” Write it down. Too often, we rush through trials without recognizing how God is using them to grow us. The other day, my wife and I were hit with an unexpected expense. My gut response? Definitely not joy. But once I got past my irritation, I realized God was teaching me something practical—plan better for emergencies. Even I have to work at this, just like you. Complaining won't help when we worship a God who uses trials to refine us. Remember, trials aren't setbacks—they're setups for spiritual growth. Sometimes, you just need to stop long enough to see how. #SpiritualGrowth, #FaithThroughTrials, #CountItAllJoy Ask This: What trial are you facing today, and how might God be using it to grow your faith? How can shifting your focus from "why me" to "what's God teaching me" change your perspective on trials? What has a past trial taught you about steadfastness and trusting God's refining process? How does seeing trials as spiritual growth opportunities help you embrace them with joy? Do This: Ask, “What is God teaching me?” Pray This: Lord, help me to see trials not as burdens but as opportunities to grow in faith and steadfastness. Teach me to trust Your refining work in my life, even when it's hard to understand. Amen. Play This: Teach Me To Obey.

Send us a textEpisode 185 features author, Vince Miller, who addresses the question of What makes a man? head-on in his first book of the Forged: Godly Men series, providing a clear, compelling look at what it means to be a man of God. Through his own story and life experiences, Vince shares how God took the many shattered pieces of his broken life to shape and grow him for ministry to men. About VinceVince Miller is an author and speaker to men. He has authored 20 different books and is hosted on platforms like RightNow Media, Faithlife TV, and FaithRadio. One of his most widely read resource is the Men's Daily Devo, read by 100,000's. He is a 28-year ministry veteran and the founder of Resolute.  Connect with Vince here.About the Book Essential Elements: Forging Godly Men is a five-lesson Bible study for men, which delves beyond societal views to explore Jesus' life, understand authentic masculinity, emphasize repentance, and align with God's intent. Through personal stories and Scriptural insights, it showcases how God has shaped men throughout history. About Empowered Homes Who we are? The primary purpose of Empowered Homes is to connect church and home by equipping families, leaders and ministries to grow in the areas of marriage, parenting, personal growth. discipleship strategy, family ministry, and leadership development. We value the family as the first institution designed by God for spiritual formation, relationships, and reflecting His image. We seek to ensure that every element of church life supports and equips that essential role. What we do? Empowered Homes Ministry provides practical, gospel-based resources to connect church and home. The majority of our resources are offered online through our website empoweredhomes.org. We also partner with churches and ministries to provide conferences, equipping events & ministry coaching.Empowered Homes Podcast Show us some Love! Do you appreciate The Empowered Homes Podcast? Like, subscribe, comment, share. Every bit of your engagement helps us be open-handed in sharing resources to grow strong families, leaders and ministries. Thanks for your help in Empowering Homes for the gospel! FB : https://www.facebook.com/EmpoweredHomesResources Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweredhomesresources/ Youtube: ...

ANNOUNCEMENT: After Christmas, we will begin a 22-year journey through the Bible. The first book is The Letter of James. The new format will be 7 days in the chapter (Daily Devo) and then one longer form of teaching from that chapter (The Vince Miller Show). It will feel like seven days of close examination of Scripture, with one high-level teaching that is practical and applicable, tying the chapter together. Also, I want you to pray that God will use this in a special way so that people everywhere will know, grow, and go in their faith, living all-in for Him. Two men, two battles—one ends in tragedy and the other in victory. Which will you be? We are in 1 Samuel 31. This is the final chapter and the conclusion of Saul's life. Let's read verse one: Now the Philistines were fighting against Israel, and the men of Israel fled before the Philistines and fell slain on Mount Gilboa. — 1 Samuel 31:1 In the dramatic conclusion of 1 Samuel, two men—David and Saul—are vivid examples of two opposite men. Their stories unfold simultaneously but in stark opposition. On the southern front, David is in Ziklag, a city devastated by Amalekites. He strengthens himself in the Lord, rallies his men, and rescues captives, turning defeat into triumph. Meanwhile, to the north, Saul faces the Philistines in the Jezreel Valley. Isolated from God, riddled with fear, and desperate, Saul seeks guidance from a forbidden medium. His final act is tragic—taking his own life on Mount Gilboa as his army crumbles. Two men, two outcomes. David's end in Chapter 30 is marked by victory and generosity. After defeating the Amalekites, he shares the plunder with his men and the elders of Judah, fostering unity and gratitude. His reliance on God leads to restoration and blessing. Saul's end in Chapter 31 is dramatically different. His life ends in despair, a tragic culmination of years of rebellion, disobedience, and rejection of God's will. His defeat marks the collapse of his legacy. Both men faced battles, but their circumstances didn't dictate the outcomes. Their hearts did. David's heart was surrendered to God, leading him to fight with divine strength. Saul's heart had long drifted from God, leading to his tragic downfall. Thus we learn: Circumstances test us, but our hearts will define us. Life presents us all with battles every day. The question isn't if we'll face them but how we'll fight them—and with whom. Will you face them like David, battling with the Lord, finding victory and generosity even in adversity? Or will you face them like Saul, struggling in your strength, isolated, and ending in defeat? My suggestion is to live in Chapter 30, not Chapter 31. #HeartOfFaith, #BattleReady, #LiveVictoriously Ask This: How will you face your battles: with David's faith or Saul's fear? In what ways can you surrender your heart to God during challenges? Do This: Live in Chapter 30, not Chapter 31. Pray This: Father, grant me the strength to face my battles with unwavering faith and a heart fully surrendered to You. Help me choose victory and generosity, reflecting Your love in every circumstance. Amen. Play This: Jehovah.

ANNOUNCEMENT: After Christmas, we will begin a 22-year journey through the Bible. The first book is The Letter of James. The new format will be 7 days in the chapter (Daily Devo) and then one longer form of teaching from that chapter (The Vince Miller Show). It will feel like seven days of close examination of Scripture, with one high-level teaching that is practical and applicable, tying the chapter together. Also, I want you to pray that God will use this in a special way so that people everywhere will know, grow, and go in their faith, living all-in for Him. Are you hoarding a blessing or being generous with it? David and his men enjoy a massive victory against the Amalekites. There is a minor disagreement when they return, and then when they return to Ziklag, David does this in 1 Samuel 30:26-31. When David came to Ziklag, he sent part of the spoil to his friends, the elders of Judah, saying, “Here is a present for you from the spoil of the enemies of the Lord.” It was for those in Bethel, in Ramoth of the Negeb, in Jattir, in Aroer, in Siphmoth, in Eshtemoa, in Racal, in the cities of the Jerahmeelites, in the cities of the Kenites, in Hormah, in Bor-ashan, in Athach, in Hebron, for all the places where David and his men had roamed. — 1 Samuel 30:26-31 David had just experienced a sensational victory, reclaiming what the Amalekites had stolen. After such an intense battle, it would have been easy for David to bask in the glory and hoard the spoils. Instead, David does something that reveals something remarkable about his character and leadership. When he returned to Ziklag, David took a portion of the plunder and presented it to the elders and others who had supported him over many years. These weren't random gifts but deliberate acts of generosity toward those who had previously offered David and his men shelter, security, and safety. His message was clear: "Here is the Lord's provision." David's actions illustrate two vital principles of provision: Principle One | Recognize God's Provision David understood that the victory belonged to the Lord. By referring to the spoil as “from the enemies of the Lord,” he acknowledged that it wasn't merely his success but God's deliverance. When we achieve a victory or blessing, it's important to remember that every good thing comes from God (James 1:17). Principle Two | Be Generous With God's Provision David's generosity wasn't about repayment but about recognizing relationships. He remembered those who had been faithful during his wandering years and used his blessing to strengthen those relationships. Our generosity reflects a heart of gratitude and humility, reminding us that we are stewards, not owners, of God's blessings. We're often tempted to hoard our wins, whether financial, professional, or personal. But David's example challenges us to ask, “Who can I generously bless, when the time is right, with what God has given me?” You see, generosity isn't just about giving—it's about sharing God's glory and building his kingdom through his resources, that we have the honor of stewarding for a period of time. #Generosity #Stewardship #Gratitude Ask This: Who has supported you in your wilderness seasons? How can you extend generosity as a reflection of your gratitude to God and encouragement to others? Do This: Be generous. Pray This: Lord, thank You for the blessings and victories You provide. Help me to remember that everything I have is Yours. Teach me to be generous and to use what You've given me to strengthen and bless others for Your glory. Amen. Play This: Generous Giver.

ANNOUNCEMENT: After Christmas, we will begin a 22-year journey through the Bible. The first book is The Letter of James. The new format will be 7 days in the chapter (Daily Devo) and then one longer form of teaching from that chapter (The Vince Miller Show). It will feel like seven days of close examination of Scripture, with one high-level teaching that is practical and applicable, tying the chapter together. Also, I want you to pray that God will use this in a special way so that people everywhere will know, grow, and go in their faith, living all-in for Him. Is justice about fairness? David and his men enjoy a massive victory but meet up with the 200 soldiers they left behind on their return. Some worthless me who fought felt like the ones who were too tired did not deserve the spoils. Let's listen to what David says about that in 1 Samuel 30:23-25. But David said, “You shall not do so, my brothers, with what the Lord has given us. He has preserved us and given into our hand the band that came against us. Who would listen to you in this matter? For as his share is who goes down into the battle, so shall his share be who stays by the baggage. They shall share alike.” And he made it a statute and a rule for Israel from that day forward to this day. — 1 Samuel 30:23-25 Victory always feels sweet after a hard-fought battle. But sometimes, the sweet taste turns into bitter selfishness. David and his men had just celebrated an enormous defeat, reclaiming their loved ones and every possession. As they returned to the 200 men who had stayed behind to guard the supplies, an argument broke out. A small grouping of men who had fought wanted to deny the others who hadn't any share in the spoils, claiming they hadn't earned it. But David's response reveals a profound understanding of God's justice. David declares, “You shall not do so... with what the Lord has given us.” Davis will not let a few misguided men steal the joy of God's victory and justice. Instead, he shifts their focus back to God, reminding them that it was God's purpose, provision, and power that won the battle and that God alone returned what was taken. David understood that final justice belongs to God, which meant the blessings of victory are not something they could claim or selfishly divide based on human effort. Justice in human hands always leaves selfish fingerprints. Every one of us, at some point, thinks justice is about fairness as we define it. We believe it should be awarded to the worthy and withheld from the unworthy. But God's justice operates differently. His justice is governed by his will, sacrifice, redemption, and grace. God's justice never plays by our selfish rules. It's a good thing it doesn't because we are all sinners deserving of eternal punishment. But by God's grace, we are saved through faith in the justice extended in the sacrifice of Jesus, his son, and our Lord. However, we should not interpret David's ruling as a mere declaration of "human fairness." David was more concerned about discipling and teaching his men about the nature and character of God as a leader of God's people. He wanted to ensure God's gracious and generous justice would be a lasting principle for the warriors of Israel. You and I are often like David's men—quick to judge who deserves what based on our ideas of human effort and fairness. Our human grip on justice leaves selfish fingerprints on it. But when we let God handle justice, our perspective changes. And if we're honest, that's the only justice that matters because he is the only one who is righteous, just, and victorious. Remember David's response the next time you're tempted to cling to what you believe you've earned or the next time you decide someone else isn't worthy. The victories in your life aren't yours alone—they're gifts from God. His spoils are meant to be shared, not stockpiled. Step back today and ask yourself: Are you a reflection of God's justice? Do you extend the same grace you've received? Justice in human hands always leaves selfish fingerprints. #GodsJustice, #GraceInAction, #VictoryInChrist Ask This: How can you trust God's justice more instead of clinging to your sense of fairness? Who needs to experience God's grace through your generosity today? Do This: Be a reflection of God's justice. Pray This: Lord, thank You for showing me grace instead of giving me what I deserve. Help me reflect Your justice and share Your blessings freely. Amen. Play This: Justice.

ANNOUNCEMENT: After Christmas, we will begin a 22-year journey through the Bible. The first book is The Letter of James. The new format will be 7 days in the chapter (Daily Devo) and then one longer form of teaching from that chapter (The Vince Miller Show). It will feel like seven days of close examination of Scripture, with one high-level teaching that is practical and applicable, tying the chapter together. Also, I want you to pray that God will use this in a special way so that people everywhere will know, grow, and go in their faith, living all-in for Him. Are you a worthless guardian or a worthy giver? David and his men enjoy a massive victory, but they meet up with the 200 soldiers they left behind on their return. Those who were too tired to follow. Let's look at today's text from 1 Samuel 30:21-22 Then David came to the two hundred men who had been too exhausted to follow David, and who had been left at the brook Besor. And they went out to meet David and to meet the people who were with him. And when David came near to the people he greeted them. Then all the wicked and worthless fellows among the men who had gone with David said, “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except that each man may lead away his wife and children, and depart.” — 1 Samuel 30:21-22 The victory was complete; the enemy was defeated, families were restored, and the spoils were theirs. But a crack was exposed as David and his men returned. Some men, described as “wicked and worthless,” refused to share the spoils with the 200 who had stayed behind. Their reasoning? "If they didn't fight, they don't deserve a bite." Their statement highlights a severe lack of spiritual perspective, which results in an attitude of selfishness. A few "worthless" men saw the victory as their achievement rather than God's accomplishment. They failed to recognize that God's provision to find the fight, arrive at the perfect time for the fight, the strength to fight, and the spoils from the fight were all provisions from the Lord. Instead of having an attitude of gratitude toward God and others, they became guardians, drawing hard lines between who was "worthy" of the spoil and who was not. Thus, they showed themselves as "worthless." We are not so different. When God grants us success or blessings, how often do we claim them as our own? How often do we hold tightly to the spoils—our time, talents, resources, or victories—rather than sharing them generously? In our selfishness, we forget that every good thing comes from God (James 1:17). And when we cling to what is God's as if it were ours, we fail to reflect his generosity and become "wicked and worthless." Tomorrow, we will see how David responds to this. But for now, here is the charge: Be generous with what God has given you. Recognize that every victory, every blessing, and every resource is God's. Use it all to reflect God's goodness. Don't guard the spoils; share them freely, giving him worth. #GenerosityOfGod, #Stewardship, #BiblicalLeadership Ask This: How can you reflect God's generosity in sharing your time, talents, and blessings with others today? Are you holding tightly to something God has given, forgetting it's His provision? Do This: Be generous today. Pray This: Lord, help me to see every blessing as a gift from You and not my own achievement. Teach me to share generously, reflecting Your grace and goodness to others. Amen. Play This: Worthy of it All.

ANNOUNCEMENT: After Christmas, we will begin a 22-year journey through the Bible. The first book is The Letter of James. The new format will be 7 days in the chapter (Daily Devo) and then one longer form of teaching from that chapter (The Vince Miller Show). It will feel like seven days of close examination of Scripture, with one high-level teaching that is practical and applicable, tying the chapter together. Also, I want you to pray that God will use this in a special way so that people everywhere will know, grow, and go in their faith, living all-in for Him. Don't force open a door that God has locked shut. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. In this chapter, we look behind enemy lines at the Philistines as they line up for battle, and David just got shut out from joining the Philistines. Let's see how he responds in 1 Samuel 29:8-9: And David said to Achish, “But what have I done? What have you found in your servant from the day I entered your service until now, that I may not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?” And Achish answered David and said, “I know that you are as blameless in my sight as an angel of God. Nevertheless, the commanders of the Philistines have said, ‘He shall not go up with us to the battle.' — 1 Samuel 29:8-9 David is too cunning for his own good. Even his mortal enemy believes he is as blameless as an angel. The swagger, the scheming, and the strategy of this man were unmatched. He managed to stay loyal to Saul and Achish at the same time while surrounded by nothing but enemies. Now you know why he later got into trouble with Bathsheba. He was too cunning for his own good but not clever enough to pull one over on God. As I said yesterday, God had different plans for this battle. David could outstrategize everyone alive, but he wasn't about to outstrategize God. In moments like this, we need to recognize God's sovereignty at work instead of trying to force our own strategies. David's cunning may have kept him alive and in Achish's good graces, but it wasn't enough to override God's plan. Achish's hands were tied—not by his own authority but by the unseen hand of God, working through the Philistine commanders to keep David out of a battle he had no business fighting. Sometimes, God intervenes in ways we don't expect—or even understand. David might have felt ready to fight, but God knew the battle wasn't his to fight. If David had taken one more step, he would have forced a conflict that wasn't part of God's plan. Perhaps you've been there too—eager to step into a situation, convinced you're prepared, only to find the door slammed shut. When that happens, it can feel frustrating, but often it's God who has closed the door. Like David, you must trust that God's plans are better than your strategies. Even when you feel capable and confident in your abilities, remember that God sees what you cannot. He knows which battles will grow you and which ones could destroy you. So today, take a moment to reflect on the doors God has closed in your life. Instead of trying to force open a door He has locked shut, trust His sovereign protection. It's not rejection—it's redirection toward a better purpose. #TrustGod, #GodsPlan, #FaithOverStrategy Ask This: What doors in your life might God be closing for your protection or redirection? How can you trust God's plan over your strategies today? Do This: Reflect on one door God has closed and why. Pray This: Father, thank You for protecting me from battles I'm not meant to fight. Help me trust Your wisdom and follow Your direction. Amen. Play This: Every Closed Door.

ANNOUNCEMENT: After Christmas, we will begin a 22-year journey through the Bible. The first book is The Letter of James. The new format will be 7 days in the chapter (Daily Devo) and then one longer form of teaching from that chapter (The Vince Miller Show). It will feel like seven days of close examination of Scripture, with one high-level teaching that is practical and applicable, tying the chapter together. Also, I want you to pray that God will use this in a special way so that people everywhere will know, grow, and go in their faith, living all-in for Him. Does a present rejection feel like protection or only rejection? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. In this chapter, we look behind enemy lines at the Philistines as they line up for battle, and David just got shut out from joining the Philistines. Let's read 1 Samuel 29:6-7: Then Achish called David and said to him, “As the Lord lives, you have been honest, and to me it seems right that you should march out and in with me in the campaign. For I have found nothing wrong in you from the day of your coming to me to this day. Nevertheless, the lords do not approve of you. So go back now; and go peaceably, that you may not displease the lords of the Philistines.” — 1 Samuel 29:6-7 Achish is trying to save face here. First, it is clear that Achish doesn't have much clout with the other four Kings. Second, it is clear that Achish is also a little embarrassed because it was the "Commanders" and not the "Kings" who pushed back on David's presence. Third, Achish is also trying to be diplomatic in his approach to David by addressing his "Lord or Yahweh" and reassuring him that he has "found nothing wrong" in him. Sometimes rejection is God's protection. David was running a long-range covert plot against the Philistines. There is no doubt in my mind that David and his men were convinced that this would be the moment they would wipe out the Philistines forever. But God had other plans (as you will see in the coming chapter). Right now, God wants to remove David completely from this situation because the Philistines were his tool to remove Saul as King over his people. David doesn't know this but God does. Many times in my life, God has not done what I have wanted him to do. In plenty of these moments, I have thought that God is rejecting my request or even me. But in hindsight, I have learned that his rejection is often my protection. He has protected me from being in a career, on a team, with a person, or in a relationship where I did not need to be. So keep in mind that rejection is not always rejection. It might be God's protection. Ultimately, you might thank the God who was protecting you all along. #GodsProtection, #RejectionIsRedirection, #TrustHisPlan Ask This: Where have you experienced rejection, and how might God use it to protect or redirect you? How can trusting God's plan help you face rejection with confidence and peace? Do This: Praise God for his rejection and protection. Pray This: Lord, thank You for the times You've protected me through what felt like rejection. Help me trust Your greater plan, even when I don't understand. Amen. Play This: Protector.

Author of 31 books and a 29-year ministry veteran, Vince Miller has served in and advised the most notable ministry names. But it hasn't always been this way. Abandoned by his father at the age of two, Vince grew up in a challenging and anxiety-producing environment. He endured the strain of his mother's two failed marriages, as well as her poor choices and drug use. Fortunately, during Vince's formative teen years, his grandfather, a man of faith, stepped up to mentor Vince, and because of this, he devoted his life to mentoring others. Today, he is hosted on major video and radio platforms like RightNow Media, Faithlife TV, and Faith Radio. One of his most widely read resources is the Men's Daily Devo, read by 100,000 worldwide (beresolute.org/mdd). 

ANNOUNCEMENT: After Christmas, we will begin a 22-year journey through the Bible. The first book is The Letter of James. The new format will be 7 days in the chapter (Daily Devo) and then one longer form of teaching from that chapter (The Vince Miller Show). It will feel like seven days of close examination of Scripture, with one high-level teaching that is practical and applicable, tying the chapter together. Also, I want you to pray that God will use this in a special way so that people everywhere will know, grow, and go in their faith, living all-in for Him. Does your obedience make your allegiance obvious? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. In this chapter, we look behind enemy lines at the Philistines as they are lining up for battle. Remember, David still resides in Philistine territory; thus, Achish, a Philistine King, brings David to the battle staging area. Let's read 1 Samuel 29:4-5: "But the commanders of the Philistines were angry with him. And the commanders of the Philistines said to him, 'Send the man back, that he may return to the place to which you have assigned him. He shall not go down with us to battle, lest in the battle he become an adversary to us. For how could this fellow reconcile himself to his lord? Would it not be with the heads of the men here? Is not this David, of whom they sing to one another in dances, "Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands"?'” — 1 Samuel 29:4-5 This is more than a slightly embarrassing situation for Achish. He has brought David and his men to battle, but the other Commanders and Kings want nothing to do with David. They cannot imagine battling the Israelites before them with an Israelite “defector” taking up the rear. The Philistine commanders recognized the risk, even when Achish didn't. Even though David had duped one King, he had not duped the other four Kings. David's allegiance was too tied to his past loyalties. Even though he now lived temporarily among the Philistines, his past actions and previous allegiance echoed into the present. His reputation followed him and framed him. So how about you? Does your obedience make your allegiance obvious? Too often, believers live in a way that blurs their obedience and allegiance to Christ. Our lack of allegiance becomes the mark of who we are. Thus, we send mixed signals about our loyalty to the Lord. But David did the opposite. He was unmistakably known for his allegiance to God. What reputation precedes you? If someone at work, out with your friends, or at your kid's sporting event witnessed you and examined your life from the outside, would they see someone loyal to the Lord or struggle to discern where your allegiance lies? If you have any questions about this, it's time to declare your loyalty to the Lord today. Do so with small, consistent, allegiant actions. I promise you, these allegiant actions speak louder than you think and, over time, will define your identity and make your allegiance to the Lord obvious. Let's live loyal and make our loyalty to the Lord unmistakable. #LoyalToGod, #FaithInAction, #ObedienceMatters Ask This: What actions in your daily life clearly show your allegiance to God? Does your reputation reflect unwavering loyalty to Christ? Do This: Take a small, consistent, allegiant action. Pray This: Lord, help me to live in a way that makes my allegiance to You unmistakable. Strengthen my obedience so my life honors You. Amen. Play This: Obey.

Are you fighting a spiritual culture war with those at work? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. In this chapter, we will see the stage for the battle that will end King Saul's life. We are looking behind enemy lines. Let's read 1 Samuel 29:3: The commanders of the Philistines said, “What are these Hebrews doing here?” And Achish said to the commanders of the Philistines, “Is this not David, the servant of Saul, king of Israel, who has been with me now for days and years, and since he deserted to me I have found no fault in him to this day.” — 1 Samuel 29:3 Aphek was the staging area for the battle. All five Kings of the Philistines were gathered there, and it's interesting that the Commanders of the four other Kings questioned Achish's plan to include David and his men. The Commanders are right to question Achish's judgment because he has been duped. Severely duped. David has never compromised his allegiance to Israel or to Saul. Yet, David has made it look like he is fully allegiant to Achish. But he is not! His plan is so convincing that even Achish comes to David's defense, but David has very different plans for this battle. Our workplace can sometimes feel like Aphek—a staging ground for battles against biblical values and godly principles. As believers, we can feel like we are behind enemy lines, navigating a culture that doesn't always align with God's truth. Like David, we have to be strategic and steadfast in our allegiance to the Lord, even when it seems the world is pulling us in another direction. David never compromised his loyalty to Israel or to God's anointed king, Saul. Yet, his strategy made Achish believe he was fully on his side. This wasn't deception for personal gain but a deliberate and righteous tactic to protect his men and God's purposes. In the workplace, we, too, face pressures to compromise—whether it's ethical shortcuts, going along with a toxic culture, or remaining silent in the face of injustice. But God calls us to a higher standard, and we need a counter-strategy to stand firm. Here are three ways to develop a counter-strategy against workplace challenges: Anchor Your Identity in God: Like David, remember where your ultimate loyalty lies. You are first a servant of Christ (Colossians 3:23). When you work as unto the Lord, you can resist the pull to compromise your values. Act with Wisdom and Integrity: David was shrewd in his actions, navigating a complex situation with wisdom. In the same way, we must be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16), making decisions that honor God and reflect his character. Fight the Right Battles: Not every workplace challenge is worth engaging in, but when the stakes involve truth, integrity, or faith, we must take a stand. Equip yourself daily with prayer and God's Word to discern which battles God is calling you to fight. Even behind enemy lines, God is in control. Make your plans. Develop a spiritual strategy. Trust God to guide your steps. And then remember God may fight this battle for you, which is exactly what God is going to do for David. #FaithInTheWorkplace, #StandFirmInGod, #UnshakenLoyalty Ask This: Where have you felt pressure to compromise your faith, and how can you anchor your identity more firmly in Christ? What workplace battles might God be calling you to face with wisdom and integrity today? Do This: Anchor, act, and fight. Pray This: Lord, help me to remain steadfast in my faith, even when I feel surrounded by challenges. Guide my actions with wisdom and integrity, so I can honor You in every situation. Amen. Play This: Champion.

Are you preparing for a battle, or have you let your guard down? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. In this chapter, we are going to see the stage for the battle that will end King Saul's life. It is going to give us a look behind enemy lines. Let's begin with 1 Samuel 29:1-2: Now the Philistines had gathered all their forces at Aphek. And the Israelites were encamped by the spring that is in Jezreel. As the lords of the Philistines were passing on by hundreds and by thousands, and David and his men were passing on in the rear with Achish. — 1 Samuel 29:1-2 Aphek was the staging area of a battle described in 1 Samuel 4. The Philistines gathered here right before the Ark of the Lord was taken. But this time, we notice "all" the Philistines gathered. This would have included all five Lords, of which Achish was one. The Philistines were organizing, preparing, and plotting their next move. Their forces were united. Their strategy was clear. But here's the detail we can't miss: David and his men, though aligned with Achish for the moment, were strategically stationed in the rear—a precarious position for the Philistines but strategic for David. This scene reminds us of an essential spiritual truth: the enemy is always preparing for the next battle, often behind enemy lines. Just as the Philistines gathered their forces, our spiritual enemy is always on the move, scheming and searching for vulnerabilities. This is why we cannot afford to let our guard down. In Ephesians 6:11, Paul reminds us to "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil." The battle we face is not one of flesh and blood but a spiritual one, and spiritual preparation is key. If we become complacent, we risk being caught off guard, just like Saul in this moment. Are you preparing for the spiritual battle out there today, or have you let your guard down? Are you starting your day steadfast in prayer, rooted in the truth, and keenly aware? Or have you settled into a false sense of security, assuming the enemy has retreated when actually he is organizing, preparing, and plotting the next move? David was fully prepared for this moment, which is why he was strategically at the rear. Even so, David was about to learn that God had his own plan, but this did not mean David's plans were a waste of time. So again, are you ready for the battle today or at least to see the revelation of God's battle plan? I know this: the enemy is plotting to go to war with you behind enemy lines. #SpiritualBattle, #StayAlert, #ArmorOfGod Ask This: Are you actively preparing for spiritual battles through prayer and Scripture, or have you grown complacent in your daily walk? How can you stay vigilant against the enemy's schemes while trusting in God's battle plan for your life? Do This: Armor up! Pray This: Father, help me to stay alert and prepared for the battles I cannot see. Strengthen me with Your truth and guide me by Your plan. Amen. Play This: Bulletproof.

Have you ever fallen flat on your face? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. In this chapter, King Saul is at rock bottom. He's been abandoned by God, tormented by fear, and reduced to consulting a witch. His desperation is matched only by his hopelessness when Samuel's spirit tells him the worst: there's no escape. Tomorrow's battle will end in his death. Here is how he responds to the news in 1 Samuel 28:20-25: Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night. And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, “Behold, your servant has obeyed you. I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me. Now therefore, you also obey your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.” He refused and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, urged him, and he listened to their words. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed. Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it, and she put it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night. — 1 Samuel 28:20-25 Saul crumples under the weight of the news, lying face down on the ground, paralyzed by fear and weakened from fasting. But what happens next is unexpected. The very woman he turned to in disobedience—the Witch of En-Dor—steps in to care for him compassionately. She risks her life again by preparing a meal to sustain him. This is a strange scene. Saul, the chosen king of Israel, is reduced to eating a final meal prepared by a witch. It's a sad and sobering reminder of what happens when we live without total dependence on God. Saul's decisions led him to this moment. Step by step, he prioritized his pride over obedience, human approval over divine direction, and his desires over God's will. Staring death in the face should shift life into focus. When we stare death in the face, life suddenly becomes crystal clear. We realize how brief our time is and how much our choices matter. Every funeral I've officiated has been a sobering reminder of this truth. We're not thinking about our accomplishments, possessions, or accolades in those moments. Instead, we're confronted with questions: What will be said of me, and where will I spend eternity? Saul's story is tragic because he had so many chances to turn back to God, but he didn't. His pride, fear, and sin led him to a desperate, empty end. And here's the thing: Saul didn't have to finish life by falling on his face. Neither do you. If you're reading this today, it's not too late. You still have the opportunity to surrender your life to Jesus and let Him rewrite your story. The brevity of life isn't meant to paralyze us like it did Saul; it's meant to wake us up. Jesus Christ came to give you new life—an eternal one filled with hope, forgiveness, and purpose. He gave His life on the cross for your sins, and He rose from the grave to conquer death for you. But here's the key: you have to make a decision. You must trust Him, let go of your pride and sin, and follow Him wholeheartedly. Don't wait until it's too late, like Saul. If you feel God stirring in your heart today, I invite you to take that step. Pray this simple prayer: “Jesus, I need You. I believe You died for my sins and rose again to give me life. Forgive me for my sins and take control of my life. I choose to follow You today and every day. Amen.” If you prayed that prayer, you've just made the most important decision of your life. Let me know by leaving a comment below. #EternalPerspective, #ChooseJesus, #LifeAndLegacy Ask This: Are you living in a way that reflects dependence on God or reliance on yourself? What steps can you take today to prepare for eternity with Jesus? Do This: Don't fall on your face. Pray This: Lord, help me see the brevity of life and turn to You with all my heart. I surrender my pride and choose to follow You today. Amen. Play This: We Fall Down.

Is God not answering? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. King Saul is freaked out right now. God is not answering, and this is what he decides to do. 1 Samuel 28:8-9: So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.” The woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?” — 1 Samuel 28:8-9 Saul is working very hard to ignore God's silence! Saul's issue wasn't that God wouldn't answer; it was that God's silence was the answer. Saul had spent years hardening his heart through disobedience. His life was a string of compromises, and now, in desperation, he wants God to come through on his terms and timeline. But God's silence was God's answer to Saul's unrepentant heart. Instead of addressing the core issue—his sin—Saul doubles down, disguises himself, disobeys God again, and seeks out a medium. He knew it was wrong; after all, he had banned necromancers from the land! But Saul wanted what he wanted, even if the means of a medium meant disobeying God again. Isn't that how we can act sometimes? When we don't get the answer we want—or no answer at all—we panic. We rush ahead, trying to make things happen our way. But sometimes, the silence is God's way of pointing us to the core issue: our sin and disobedience. Often this is not the answer we want, but it is the one God wants. So, if you're in a season where God seems silent, ask yourself these four questions: Am I open to hearing His solution, or do I only want a quick solution? Am I seeking His will for my life or help for my immediate circumstances? Am I asking God to fix my situation or to refine my soul? Am I ready to accept His plan, or do I want Him to approve my plans? #GodsTiming, #TrustInTheSilence, #ObedienceMatters Ask This: How do I typically respond when God seems silent? Do I seek His will or rush to my own solutions? Is there any unaddressed sin or disobedience in my life that could hinder my connection with God? Do This: Listen carefully in the silence. Pray This: Lord, help me to trust Your silence and seek Your will instead of rushing ahead with my own plans. Reveal any sin in my life that keeps me from hearing You clearly. Amen. Play This: Trust In God.

Are you talking with the wrong people? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. King Saul is freaked out right now. He glared down at an inevitable war with his two great enemies, Achish and David. And in his despair, he will do exactly what he shouldn't. Let's read verses 6-7: And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.” — 1 Samuel 28:6-7 Are you talking with the wrong people? In Desperation, We Make Devastating Choices Saul's fear drove him to desperation, and in that desperation, he made a devastating choice. This decision not only disobeyed God's orders (Deuteronomy 18:10-12) but also disobeyed his own order and reflected his unwillingness to listen to God in his anxiety and impatience. We often do the same, don't we? When life presses in and we feel anxious, we can seek answers in all the wrong places. We might turn to: People: People who have opinions that are opposed to God. Friends: Friends who only tell us what we want to hear. Feelings: Your own feelings that lead you astray. Time To Evaluate So today, I want you to evaluate: Have you deafened your ears to God and turned to consulting the wrong people? Instead, try this: Talk with God in prayer about your issues. Dig into God's Word by reading Scripture. Seek counsel from God-fearing people. Just so you know, consulting mediums are not the right medium. #SeekGodFirst, #GodlyWisdom, #RightVoices Ask This: Who are you turning to for advice when you're anxious—God, His Word, or people who may lead you astray? How can you ensure you listen to God's voice rather than letting fear guide your decisions? Do This: Consult with God and his people. Pray This: Lord, help me to seek Your wisdom above all else and trust Your timing, even when I feel anxious or afraid. Guard my heart from turning to the wrong voices and guide me to listen to You alone. Amen. Play This: God Who Listens.

Are you in a mess? Maybe it is time to reach out for help. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. At the beginning of Chapter 28, we got a snapshot of what was going on with Achish (the Philistine King) and David, who were planning to go to war with Israel. But for much of the rest of the chapter, we are going to jump to King Saul, and we are going to see a spiritual downward spiral that is demonic. This has been the trajectory of his life and legacy, so let's see what happens first in verses 3-5: Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. — 1 Samuel 28:3-5 The Weight of Opposition Saul realizes that powerful and longstanding opposition is coming after him—the Philistines and David. David had been merciful many times, but Achish would not be. Considering both were acting in tandem, it was emotionally overwhelming for Saul. In addition, the Judge and Prophet who once provided Saul direction in these moments, Samuel, is gone, and he had ordered the slaughter of all the other priests. Therefore, Saul is about to be attacked, emotionally distraught, and lacking a voice of wisdom, and now he is looking for something, anything, to grab hold of in the mess he has made. If you have been in this situation, you know nothing is more lonely. Like Saul, we all face challenges that seem insurmountable, whether they're personal struggles, leadership crises, or spiritual battles. The Missing Components But those of you who have been reading Saul's story with me know that Saul made this mess. His spiritual rejection, disobedience, resistance, and denial of community support led him to this outcome. My advice is not to do what Saul did. Instead, GRAB onto these principles and avoid the mess altogether: Guidance: Keep your connection with God strong. Repent: Acknowledge and correct your mistakes. Adhere: Follow God's guidance faithfully. Brotherhood: Foster a supportive faith community. Time To Grab Hold? Maybe today, as you hear this, you feel overwhelmed by life's challenges. You've been trying to face the battles of life alone, and it's left you anxious, uncertain, and maybe even hopeless. Or perhaps you've drifted from God as Saul did, and you sense it's time to return to Him. Jesus came to meet you in the middle of your mess. He offers guidance when you are lost, grace when you've failed, and peace when you're afraid. If you've never given your life to Him, today is the day to grab hold of His truth and surrender to His leadership. Or, if you've been distant, this is your moment to return to the One who never left you. Here's How: Confess your mess, stop trying to be your own king and lord, and surrender to following the Only King and Lord, Jesus, from this day forward. If you're ready to make that decision—whether for the first time or to come back to Him—let me know by writing “Jesus Is My Lord” in the comments below. I want to celebrate and pray for you as you take this life-changing step. When you reach out for the Lord, He grabs hold of you—and He never lets go. Don't wait; reach out to him today. #ReachOutForHelp, #TrustInGod, #FaithOverFear Ask This: What challenges in your life feel overwhelming, and how can you invite God into those moments for guidance and peace? Have you been trying to face life's battles alone, and what step can you take today to reconnect with God? Do This: Grab a hold of Jesus. Pray This: Lord, I confess the mess I've made trying to do life on my own. Help me surrender to Your guidance and trust in Your unfailing love. Amen. Play This: Never Let Go.

Are you cornered by a deception? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. Today, we begin 1 Samuel 28. This chapter is interesting, to say the least. For the most part this paints a final picture of the downward progression of Saul. But before we get to that we see one more glimpse of David and Achish as they prepare to go to war with Israel together! Here are verses 1-2: In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, “Understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the army.” David said to Achish, “Very well, you shall know what your servant can do.” And Achish said to David, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.” — 1 Samuel 28:1-2 Here, we learn that David might be too clever and cunning. His deepfake is so convincing to the enemy king that he is convinced David should be chief of his secret service detail for life. David has overplayed his hand and now backed himself into his own corner, as he is compelled to wage war against his own people. This is the problem with deception. The storyline must be developed; otherwise, the initial deception falls apart. This means one deception must be built on another and another. If a construction is too perfect, like David, you risk overplaying your hand and cornering yourself. Later in this chapter, David will find a way out of this situation, but in the meantime, we are left wondering, and so is David. When you are in a compromising position, the best thing to do is to be honest and not practice to deceive. Otherwise, the situation will become more complicated, and the deceptive storyline will become more challenging to maintain. Is it time to stop your deception and come out from hiding? #IntegrityMatters, #TruthOverDeception, #FaithfulLoyalty Ask This: When have you relied on deception to avoid conflict, and what consequences followed? How does choosing honesty, even when risky, shape your character? Do This: Stop being deceptive. Pray This: Lord, help me walk in truth, even when it's hard or costly. Keep me from the traps of deception and make me trustworthy in all things. Amen. Play This: The Struggle.

Is another's misconception your deception? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. Here is the final verse in 1 Samuel 27: And Achish trusted David, thinking, “He has made himself an utter stench to his people Israel; therefore he shall always be my servant.” — 1 Samuel 27:12 Achish was convinced that David had turned his back on Israel, pledging allegiance to him for life. But David hadn't abandoned his people, faith, or God. But he was navigating a tight spot he got himself into. David's “deepfake” was a carefully crafted illusion that walked a fine line given the expanse of the deception. This moment reminds me that our decisions sometimes place us in situations where those around us misunderstand our position of faith. People will sometimes misjudge you, seeing your actions without understanding your loyalty to God. In these times, you must remember who you are and who you belong to. As you continue reading, you will see that David's loyalty to God never wavered, even in these tenuous circumstances. Remain faithful if you're in a tenuous situation. Unbelievers around you may perceive a different reality, but don't let that skew your reality or cause you ever to compromise your faith and integrity. Be loyal to God; when the time comes, be clear and uncompromised. Don't let others' misconceptions become your deception. #FaithfulLiving, #IntegrityUnderPressure, #StayTrue Ask This: How do you handle situations where others misjudge your actions or intentions due to your faith? In what ways can you remain faithful when surrounded by misunderstandings about your beliefs? Do This: Don't let a deepfake lead you to deception. Pray This: Lord, help me stay true to You, even when others don't understand my actions or intentions. Strengthen my resolve to honor You above all else. Amen. Play This: Truth Be Told.

What happens when skill becomes a snare? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. David is currently residing in Philistine territory under the shield of Achish, and he is battling enemies of Israel that Saul has left unaddressed. But listen to this interaction with David and Achish in 1 Samuel 27:10-11: When Achish asked, “Where have you made a raid today?” David would say, “Against the Negeb of Judah,” or, “Against the Negeb of the Jerahmeelites,” or, “Against the Negeb of the Kenites.” And David would leave neither man nor woman alive to bring news to Gath, thinking, “lest they should tell about us and say, ‘So David has done.'” Such was his custom all the while he lived in the country of the Philistines. — 1 Samuel 27:10-11 So David was battling enemies of Israel, but according to this text, he was telling Achish he was battling territories in Israel. This was an outright lie. But as you can see, Achish never found out about it because David was wiping everyone and everything out, so there was no paper trail. This is quite a cunning deception by David. It is hard to endorse what David chose to do in this situation. Yes, it was a tenuous situation. Yes, it was cunning. But David is also starting to slip up, and rather than trust in God with a sense of abandonment like he had before, he is now beginning to use his skill and strategy to save himself. And in my humble opinion, the deception and strategy used here remarkably resemble the situation with Uriah and Bathsheba. He uses deception to hide the pregnancy, deception to lure Uriah home, deception to persuade Uriah to sleep with his wife, and deception to put Uriah in a situation that leads to his death. David is trying to hide the paper trail. But in this case, he is trying to hide the paper trail of his sins from God, not Achish. As Sir Walter Scott once wrote: "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive" This is the problem with deception. If you practice it even one time, and it works, you will practice it again. Eventually, deception will become entangled with your skill, and you will try your hand at deceiving God, which will bring you to ruin. David's skill once served him well, but that skill became a snare. My advice? Don't follow his example. Don't put yourself in situations that tempt you to deceive. Instead, stay reliant on God. Let Him be your shield, and practice obedience—not deception—in every situation! #TrustGodNotDeception, #LessonsFromDavid, #ObedienceOverStrategy Ask This: Where might you be tempted to rely on your own skill instead of trusting God's guidance? How can you pursue transparency with God in challenging situations? Do This: Don't be deceptive, ever! Pray This: Lord, help me to trust in Your ways above my own skills or strategies. Keep my heart honest and my steps obedient to You. Amen. Play This: Clear the Stage.

Waiting doesn't mean wasting time. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. David is currently residing in Philistine territory and the enemy king Achish gave him and his army a city called Ziklag where they resided which was right on the border of Philistine and Israelite territory, and here is what happened in the 16 months they resided here: But for today, let's dive into 1 Samuel 27:8-9: Now David and his men went up and made raids against the Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites, for these were the inhabitants of the land from of old, as far as Shur, to the land of Egypt. And David would strike the land and would leave neither man nor woman alive, but would take away the sheep, the oxen, the donkeys, the camels, and the garments, and come back to Achish. — 1 Samuel 27:8-9 While David is in the "land between," we learn that he does not just sit idly. He is busy doing what he has always done — engaging his call and God's anointed. He is using his time and skill to fight the enemies of Israel. The Geshurites, the Girzites, and the Amalekites were all long-standing enemies of the nation of Isreal that God ordered Israel to devote to destruction, which Saul had not addressed (Deuteronomy 7:1-5; 20:16-18) And there is some violence and gore that might be disturbing here, but you will see tomorrow more detail on why this is. If you are in a "land between," don't sit around idly. Act in obedience. Take the time to refine your God-given skills and talents and do what you see others are not doing that needs to be done. In the doing, God shapes you and reveals to you what you'll do next. #InBetweenSeasons, #ActInObedience, #FaithInAction Ask This: How can you use your current season to refine your God-given skills and purpose? What tasks or battles around you need action that others have left undone? Do This: Don't be idle. Be faithful. Pray This: Lord, help me to stay active and obedient, even in seasons of waiting. Strengthen my hands to do the work you've called me to today. Amen. Play This: Give Me Faith.

Are you in the "land between"? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. We want you to live all in and know, grow, and go with Jesus every day. Check out the show that dropped yesterday on Spiritual Leadership In Your Family. This might be a helpful video if you have been trying to figure out how to do this. Also, we are just a few chapters away from finishing 1 Samuel. So, I want to prepare you for our next book. We are moving to the New Testament and will start the new year with the Book of James! So go to our website and get the Scripture Journal for this book. There is a link below the video or in the show notes. But for today, let's dive into 1 Samuel 27:5-7: Then David said to Achish, “If I have found favor in your eyes, let a place be given me in one of the country towns, that I may dwell there. For why should your servant dwell in the royal city with you?” So that day Achish gave him Ziklag. Therefore Ziklag has belonged to the kings of Judah to this day. And the number of the days that David lived in the country of the Philistines was a year and four months. — 1 Samuel 27:5-7 Achish allotted David a "land grant." In some ways, Achish believed that he was buying David's loyalty when, in reality, David was distancing himself from Achish. Ziklag was a border town between Philistine and Israelite territories. Allotted initially to the tribe of Judah (Joshua 15:31) and later to Simeon (Joshua 19:5), it was lost and came under Philistine control, where it remained until David received it. It was situated in the Negev territory, close enough to Israelite lands for David to maintain connections with his people, but still under Philistine rule, keeping him out of Saul's reach. This strategic positioning allowed David to gain resources and operate independently while avoiding complete alignment with either Israel or Philistia. It was the "land between." Are you living in the "land between"? If so, it's an uncomfortable, undefined space. David left the land of his people but had yet to step into his calling as king. For David, Ziklag was the land between. And sometimes, we find ourselves in similar places — in the middle of what was and what will be. Maybe you're between jobs, between relationships, or in a season of waiting for something God promised but has not yet delivered. In this "land between," God often works in hidden and unexpected ways. In Ziklag, God provided for David through unusual means — through Achish, the Philistine king, who, likely unknowingly, became a part of God's provision. It's a reminder that God can use anyone or anything to sustain us in our “land between.” The people we least expect, the circumstances that seem out of our control — God is weaving all these elements together to prepare us for something greater. But this "between" season can stretch our faith, especially when we don't know how long it will last. Like David, who lived in Ziklag for 16 months, we often want to know the timeline. But the “land between” doesn't come with timelines and deadlines. God uses these spaces to prepare our hearts, refine our character, and strengthen our trust in Him. It's a holding place but also a growing place. If you're in that space today, trust that God is at work. He knows where you are and what you need. And just as David eventually left Ziklag to step fully into his calling, God will lead you out of your “land between” in His perfect timing. So, lean into this season. Grow. Trust. And have faith that God is shaping you for what's next. I love you and pray that even today, God will provide you with resources, reasons, and resolutions to your "land between." #ZiklagSeason, #FaithInTheWaiting, #TrustGodsTiming Ask This: In what ways are you experiencing a “land between” season right now, and how is God calling you to trust Him in it? How might God use unexpected people or circumstances to sustain you during this season? Do This: Be faithful in the land between. Pray This: Lord, help me trust You in this season of waiting, even when I can't see the full picture. Strengthen my faith and prepare me for what's next. Amen. Play This: Make A Way.

Don't let secular ideologies erode your faith. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. We want you to live all in and know, grow, and go with Jesus every day. Check out the show that dropped yesterday on Spiritual Leadership In Your Family. This might be a helpful video if you have been trying to figure out how to do this. Also, we are just a few chapters away from finishing 1 Samuel. So, I want to prepare you for our next book. We are moving to the New Testament and will start the new year with the Book of James! So go to our website and get the Scripture Journal for this book. There is a link below the video or in the show notes. But for today, let's dive into 1 Samuel 27:3-4: And David lived with Achish at Gath, he and his men, every man with his household, and David with his two wives, Ahinoam of Jezreel, and Abigail of Carmel, Nabal's widow. And when it was told Saul that David had fled to Gath, he no longer sought him. — 1 Samuel 27:3-4 I mentioned this yesterday, but this could have easily been 2000-3000 people. It's an overwhelming invasion of people in the Philistine city of Gath, and there is no way this did not create social, economic, and religious disruption for either Achish or David. Although David sought temporary refuge in Gath to escape Saul's pursuit, he definitely faced new challenges when he exposed his people to the vanity of spiritually "uncircumcised" individuals. Living among the Philistines for sixteen months subjected David and his followers to ideologies and practices that were contrary to God's ways. In their quest for safety, the people became vulnerable to secular beliefs. We are engaged in an ideological battle in our time, one that is particularly evident in corporate workplaces, educational institutions, and across various forms of social and traditional media. Unfortunately, many believers are unaware of these threats, and in their passivity, they are being actively indoctrinated with beliefs that contradict the truth found in God's Word. What makes this situation even more concerning is that if believers do not regularly engage with God's Word, they may unknowingly accept these opposing ideas as truth, ultimately undermining their faith in God. This is the battle we fight today. Dial up your spiritual awareness today. Spend more time in God's Word. Test ideologies against God's truth. Stop being passive to secular ideas that don't make any sense. Talk with other believers and vet out the ideas that don't seem to align with God's Word. You are always being discipled. It is either by the secular or the spiritual. If you don't engage, you might look up one day to realize that you or maybe your family don't believe in God because you have been too passive for too long. For those of you who have seen this happen in your family and feel responsible for being too passive, I want you to know—it is never too late. Choose to stop being passive and get engaged in the battle. Believe the Father can draw them back. Be active in faith. Pray persistently. Engage in conversation. Be a godly example. Challenge any and all forms of passivity within your heart. Active faith conquers all past passivity. Father, we come to you to seek forgiveness for our passivity. We also ask that you draw our families and friends back to you and the truth in Jesus' name. Amen. #FaithInAction, #TrustGod, #RestoreFaith Ask This: How am I relying on my own strength instead of trusting God in my current challenges? In what ways can I actively engage and disciple my loved ones today? Do This: Stop being passive and engage. Pray This: Heavenly Father, help me to trust in You rather than my own solutions and to actively engage in discipling my loved ones. Strengthen my faith and guide my actions to reflect Your love and truth. Amen. Play This: Lion.

Have you ever met someone whose words appeared genuine but felt unsettling? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. Today, we. Here is what happens next in verses 22-25: And David answered and said, “Here is the spear, O king! Let one of the young men come over and take it. The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness, for the Lord gave you into my hand today, and I would not put out my hand against the Lord's anointed. Behold, as your life was precious this day in my sight, so may my life be precious in the sight of the Lord, and may he deliver me out of all tribulation.” Then Saul said to David, “Blessed be you, my son David! You will do many things and will succeed in them.” So David went his way, and Saul returned to his place. — 1 Samuel 26:22-25 There are people in this life who make proclamations and pledges that are less than promising. You have known these kind of people. Their motives seem inconsistent or appear to have some hidden underlying agenda. David experienced this firsthand with Saul—numerous times. Saul confesses his sin, professes this to all, calls David "his son,” and invites him to return. However, David knew Saul's heart better than even Saul did and saw right through his empty confession. Still, David's response was both gracious and wise. Instead of accepting Saul's invitation to return, he asked a young man to come and retrieve the king's spear. This was a profound statement about the nature of their relationship. David understood that genuine reconciliation between him and the king would require more than a show and spectacle; it would demand a change of heart and action. David's final words to Saul highlight a vital spiritual principle: “The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and his faithfulness.” This is the law of sowing and reaping. What we sow in our hearts is reaped in our relationships. David's refusal to engage with Saul was a verdict on the hidden seed sown in Saul's heart. Saul sowed unrighteousness in his heart, and therefore, he reaped it in his relationship with David (and many others). And David was not falling for his empty words and hallow promises. We should always be discerning in our relationships. Believers should practice forgiveness and grace, but we must also recognize when words do not align with actions so as not to subject ourselves to vengeful people. This week, take a moment to evaluate your relationships. If someone consistently speaks one way but acts another, consider how you can maintain healthy boundaries while still demonstrating Christ-like love. Either it's time to have a candid conversation or, like David, extend grace while guarding yourself from ongoing harm. #Discernment, #HealthyBoundaries, #FaithfulRelationships Ask This: How can you discern genuine intentions in your relationships while still extending grace and forgiveness? Are there relationships in your life where words don't match actions? How will you address them? Do This: Evaluate and proceed with caution. Pray This: Lord, help me discern the true intentions of those around me and give me the wisdom to set healthy boundaries. May I extend grace while protecting my heart from harm. Amen. Play This: Trust In God.