There is no neutral ground in leadership with God. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 16 . I've titled this chapter "God's Criteria for Choosing Leaders." Here's the context for this moment. Samuel has gone to Bethelem for what looks like a sacrifice of atonement, but it's a sacrifice of anointment. Here, he is going to anoint David, king of Israel. The town has prepared for the sacrifice, and Jesse has seven sons whom God has not chosen. We realize the y...
Aug 30, 2024•6 min
Are you desperate for an answer from God but not getting an answer? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 16 . I've titled this chapter "God's Criteria for Choosing Leaders." In yesterday's text, we discovered that Samuel's obedience, despite his fear and grief, revealed God's story and plan in Bethlehem. Today, we are going to see that process and David's anointing. Let's read verse 6-11: When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's an...
Aug 29, 2024•5 min
When you are obedient, you are participating in God's divine plan and story. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 16 . I've titled this chapter "God's Criteria for Choosing Leaders." In yesterday's text, we discovered how grief and fear can consume us, making it challenging to see God's plan. The principle we discovered is that in difficult times, our obedience is how God reveals his plan and provides relief. In today's text, we will see that Samuel obeys, ...
Aug 28, 2024•5 min
Does God really regret and repent? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. In our reading through 1 Samuel 15. Someone wrote in a question. Let's call this gentleman Mark DuVal. Here was his question: "In Chapter 15, God regrets anointing Saul as king. There are other places where God has similar regrets. How does God regret something he knows in advance will happen when he is omniscient?" Great question! If you have a question like this as we are reading the text, write it in, and as I ha...
Aug 27, 2024•5 min
Are there consuming emotions that prevent you from seeing God's plan? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 16 . I've titled this chapter "God's Criteria for Choosing Leaders." Today, we pick up right after Samuel had done two things: First, he told King Saul God had rejected him. Second, he hacked Agag to pieces because King Saul had not done it. Today, we pick up in Samuel 16 with verses 1-4, where Samuel is now back at his home: The Lord said to Samuel, “...
Aug 26, 2024•5 min
We know how you choose leaders, but do you know how God chooses leaders? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we start a new chapter, 1 Samuel 16 . I've titled this chapter "God's Criteria for Choosing Leaders." The key verse of Chapter 16 is verse 7. It reads: But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on th...
Aug 25, 2024•3 min
Do you grieve our national leaders? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 15 . I've titled this chapter "The Consequences of Disobedience." In yesterday's devotional, we saw how Saul's insecurity led him to disobedience by prioritizing the people's voice over God's, which resulted in his leadership being torn from him and given to the man we will read about in the next chapter. With this, we close off this chapter with this sad reality in verses 34-35: Then ...
Aug 24, 2024•3 min
Are you leading others toward following God's voice, or are they leading you? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 15. I've titled this chapter "The Consequences of Disobedience." In yesterday's devotional, we discussed how Saul's insecurity led him to disobedience, masking his fears with empty sacrifices. We explored the importance of confessing our insecurities to God before they drive us into sin. Today, we will read the consequences of his disobedience....
Aug 23, 2024•9 min
Are you sacrificing your insecurities to the Lord, or are you only bringing sins of insecurity to him? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 15. I've titled this chapter "The Consequences of Disobedience." Today, I am going to read a moment where Samuel is going to call King Saul out. Let's dive into 17-23: And Samuel said, “Though you are little in your own eyes, are you not the head of the tribes of Israel? The Lord anointed you king over Israel. And the L...
Aug 22, 2024•7 min
Don't be intentionally arrogant and ignorant. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 15 . I've titled this chapter "The Consequences of Disobedience." Today, I am going to read quite a bit of text. First, here's the context. King Saul is commanded to strike down the Amalekites, but he does not complete the task. He spares Agag, the leader of the Amalekites, and some of the best cattle. Here is what happens next in verses 10-12: The word of the Lord came to Sa...
Aug 21, 2024•8 min
Are you doing what God said but not following through all the way? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 15 . I've titled this chapter "The Consequences of Disobedience." So far in this chapter, Saul has been given the command of God through Samuel to wipe out the Amalekites for the long contention with the Israelites. Let's see how King Saul handles that in verses 4-9: So Saul summoned the people and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand men on foot...
Aug 20, 2024•6 min
Do you struggle with clear commands of God? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 15 . I've titled this chapter "The Consequences of Disobedience." Here is verse 1-3 of Chapter 15: And Samuel said to Saul, “The Lord sent me to anoint you king over his people Israel; now therefore listen to the words of the Lord. Thus says the Lord of hosts, ‘I have noted what Amalek did to Israel in opposing them on the way when they came up out of Egypt. Now go and strike A...
Aug 19, 2024•6 min
Are you striving for obedience or just saying you are? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 15 . I've titled this chapter "The Consequences of Disobedience." In Chapter 15, Samuel returns, but I must caution you: This is a chapter filled with disappointment. It concludes with God expressing regret over appointing Saul as king and Samuel vowing never to speak to King Saul again! In light of this, here is the key verse of this chapter where Samuel says to Kin...
Aug 18, 2024•3 min
Have you made a rash judgment lately? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 14 . I've titled this chapter "A Contrast Of Leadership Between Jonathan and Saul." In the latter part of Chapter 14, we are surveying Saul's leadership and comparing it with Jonathan's. There is this hangover from that bad vow of Saul, and because of the vow, Saul does not hear from God. Saul is now hunting down the problem within his camp, and the lot has fallen to Jonathan. Now we...
Aug 17, 2024•5 min
Do you wonder why God isn't speaking, or you cannot hear his voice? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 14. I've titled this chapter "A Contrast Of Leadership Between Jonathan and Saul." We are in the latter part of Chapter 14, surveying Saul's leadership. We are still feeling the hangover that results from that stupid vow Saul instituted, but in the end, Saul builds an altar to the Lord, and then here is what happens next in verses 36-38: Then Saul said, ...
Aug 16, 2024•6 min
Has legalistic leadership adversely affected you? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 14. I've titled this chapter "A Contrast Of Leadership Between Jonathan and Saul." In the first part of Chapter 14, we witness Jonathan, who acted in faith, and God did some incredible things through him. In the second part of Chapter 14, Saul engages in and flubs up a really great thing that God had been doing. Saul cuts off the priest, who is in the middle of his duties...
Aug 15, 2024•7 min
Are their policies and procedures oppressing you? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 14. I've titled this chapter "A Contrast Of Leadership Between Jonathan and Saul." This latter section of Chapter 14 is going to illustrate a sharp contrast between Jonathan and Saul, and a lot of this stems from the very next thing Saul does in verse 24: And the men of Israel had been hard pressed that day, so Saul had laid an oath on the people, saying, “Cursed be the m...
Aug 14, 2024•6 min
Are you climbing into a battle today? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 14 . I've titled this chapter "A Contrast Of Leadership Between Jonathan and Saul." At this point in the chapter, Jonathan and his armor-bearer have slipped away from the Israeli camp. They trekked over the Philistines and decided that they were the only ones who could take down the enemy. We left off last time with their preposterous plan to expose their position and see if the Lord...
Aug 13, 2024•8 min
Are you fighting a battle that requires bold faith? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 14. I've titled this chapter "A Contrast Of Leadership Between Jonathan and Saul." This is a long chapter, so I am not going to cite every verse, but I am going to pick out the significant texts and events in this chapter over the next week. The first part (1 Samuel 14:1-23) tells the story of Jonathan and his leadership through a challenging situation. Let's begin in v...
Aug 12, 2024•7 min
When the odds are stacked against you, will you still act in faith? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 14. I've titled this chapter "A Contrast Of Leadership Between Jonathan and Saul." This is a long chapter that could be divided into two parts. Part one is the story of Jonathan's leadership, and part two is the story of Saul's leadership. As you will see there is a great contrast between these two men. Remember, Saul and Jonathan are a father-son duo in...
Aug 11, 2024•4 min
Have you ever been in a situation where problems pile up, and you're not sure if you can handle one more? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 13. I've titled this chapter "Partial Obedience Is Complete Disobedience." In Chapter 13, the Philistines press against King Saul. Saul offers a burnt offering he shouldn't have, and Samuel pronounces an indictment against him. Meanwhile, the Philistines are 36,000 strong with advanced weaponry and Saul is a measly 6...
Aug 10, 2024•4 min
Have you been disobedient and find yourself outnumbered and outflanked? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 13 . I've titled this chapter "Partial Obedience Is Complete Disobedience." In Chapter 13, the Philistines test Saul. Saul offers a burnt offering he should not have. Samuel pronounces an indictment against Saul. And not the Philistines are getting ready to go to war with Israel. And Saul numbered the people who were present with him, about six hundr...
Aug 09, 2024•5 min
Are you making excuses for your actions as a leader? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 13 . I've titled this chapter "Partial Obedience Is Complete Disobedience." In Chapter 13, the Philistines test Saul. In disobedience, he does not wait for Samuel to offer spiritual direction by burnt offering and, therefore, does it himself. And here is the interchange between Saul and Samuel. Samuel said, “What have you done?” And Saul said, “When I saw that the peop...
Aug 08, 2024•4 min
Have you ever been embarrassed by an impatient and insecure action? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 13 . I've titled this chapter "Partial Obedience Is Complete Disobedience." In Chapter 13, the Philistines test Saul and the nation. Enemy combatants are close at hand, and the people are gathered at Gilgal, but the Philistines greatly outnumber them. Next, we read verses 8-11: He waited seven days, the time appointed by Samuel. But Samuel did not come t...
Aug 07, 2024•4 min
Are you feeling completely outnumbered and powerless? That could be good! Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 13 . I've titled this chapter "Partial Obedience Is Complete Disobedience." Chapter 13 is about two years after Saul's inauguration. Saul has 2000 men under his command. Jonathan, his son, has 1000 men under his command. They have split up and are trying to move out these garrisons of Philistine soldiers that have encamped around the region, put th...
Aug 06, 2024•4 min
Are your insecurities leading to deception? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 13. I've titled this chapter "Partial Obedience Is Complete Disobedience." Chapter 13 jumps forward in time about two years after Saul's inauguration. Saul and Jonathan, his son, who is probably in his 20s, are going to divide forces and see if they can deal with these garrisons of Philistine soldiers encamped around the region of Israel. They encamped around the region mostly ...
Aug 05, 2024•4 min
BUY THE 1 SAMUEL JOURNAL 99% obedience is always 100% disobedience. Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 13 . I've titled this chapter "Partial Obedience Is Complete Disobedience." Chapter 13 recounts a single event in the second year of Saul's forty-year reign as king ( Acts 13:21 ). There are four main characters in this chapter. First, Samuel ( 1 Sam. 13:8 ), the Judge and Prophet for all the people, still plays a significant role. Second, Saul ( 1 Sam. ...
Aug 04, 2024•5 min
What great thing has the Lord has done for you? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 12 . I've titled this chapter "God is Faithful When We Are Not." In the story, Samuel is giving his farewell address, and he closes off his great speech with these words in 1 Samuel 12:24-25 : Only fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart. For consider what great things he has done for you. But if you still do wickedly, you shall be swept away, both you an...
Aug 03, 2024•3 min
Are you ready to move beyond sin and into deliverance? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 12 . I've titled this chapter "God is Faithful When We Are Not." In the story, Samuel is giving his farewell address. He has just explained to the nation that their request for a king was evil and wicked. As a confirmation, he called on a storm, and it rained down on them. In shock, the people responded in fear. Here is what Samuel says next in 1 Samuel 12:20-23 : An...
Aug 02, 2024•5 min
Are you drifting in faith without even realizing it? Welcome to the Daily Devo. I am Vince Miller. This week, we are in 1 Samuel 12. I've titled this chapter "God is Faithful When We Are Not." In the story, Samuel is giving his farewell address to the people. He just explained to them that their request for a king was wicked, but he also explained that if they and their king (Saul) remain faithful, they will be blessed. Then Samuel emphasized the proof of this prophetic address by calling on a s...
Aug 01, 2024•4 min
