The Daily Devotional by Vince Miller

We’re told that if we work hard enough, chase success, and indulge in life’s pleasures, we’ll finally be happy. That’s the American Dream, right? But what if that dream is too small?

Solomon had his own version of the dream—call it the Israeli Dream. He built an empire, amassed legendary wealth, indulged in every pleasure, and gained unmatched wisdom. And when he finally had it all, he looked back and said: “It was all a smoke show.” If the wisest, wealthiest man in history found no lasting fulfillment in his dream, maybe we should rethink ours.

Welcome to The Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is Ecclesiastes 2:9-11.

So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun. — Ecclesiastes 2:9-11

Solomon chased every earthly prize. And for a moment, it felt good. He enjoyed his wealth, his wisdom, and his work. But then he had that aha moment—the realization that everything he had built, earned, and experienced was just smoke in his hands. He thought bigger than most, yet even his dream was too small.

Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? We grind, climb, accumulate, and consume—always thinking the next thing will finally bring peace. A better salary, a bigger house, a longer vacation, a newer toy. But as Mick Jagger famously sang, “I can’t get no satisfaction.” And neither can we.

But our problem isn’t that we dream too big—it’s that we dream too small. We chase temporary things when we are made for eternal things. When God calls us to a Kingdom Dream, we settle for the American Dream.

Don't settle. Dream bigger. Invest better. Live smarter. Live for eternity.

So today, ask yourself: Am I chasing things that fade? If so, divert your heart, mind, and soul to something that lasts and is permanently fulfilling. You weren’t made for the Temporary Dream—you were made for Eternity.

#KingdomDream, #EternalPerspective, #ChasingWind

1. What temporary things am I tempted to chase for fulfillment?
2. How can I redirect my desires toward things of eternal value?
3. What does Solomon’s realization teach me about my own pursuits?
4. How can I practically live out a Kingdom Dream instead of a Temporary Dream?

Evaluate what you’re chasing—does it have eternal value? If not, realign your heart with God’s Kingdom Dream today.

Lord, open my eyes to the things that truly matter. Help me chase after You and invest in what lasts forever. Amen.

Bigger Than I Thought.

Have you ever worked tirelessly for something, convinced it would bring fulfillment—only to realize, after all your effort, that it still wasn’t enough? Solomon knew that feeling well. He didn’t just stumble into wealth and pleasure; he worked for it. He bought, gathered, and acquired more than anyone before him. Yet, in the end, it left him just as empty.

Welcome to The Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is Ecclesiastes 2:7-8.

I bought male and female slaves, and had slaves who were born in my house. I had also great possessions of herds and flocks, more than any who had been before me in Jerusalem. I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man. — Ecclesiastes 2:7-8

This account is not just a list of Solomon's possessions—it’s a record of his relentless pursuit. Solomon bought slaves, had vast herds and flocks, gathered silver and gold, and got entertainers and concubines. Every verb tells the story of a man striving, building, collecting—believing that just a little more would finally bring contentment. But it never did.

And isn’t that how we live?

We hustle, we save, we upgrade, thinking the next thing will bring lasting satisfaction. We work hard to fill our lives with more, only to find that more isn’t enough. If wealth, status, and pleasure could satisfy, Solomon would have been the happiest man on earth. Instead, his achievements became his confession: No matter how much you get, it will never be enough without God.

The harder we work for what doesn’t last, the more we miss what truly matters. Solomon teaches us that even our best efforts at self-fulfillment will fail if they’re apart from God.

What are you working so hard for? Is it leading to lasting joy or temporary satisfaction? Instead of striving for things that will fade, why not strive just as hard for what lasts forever? Jesus said, “Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life” (John 6:27). The time and energy we spend chasing wealth and pleasure could be invested in knowing Christ, growing in faith, and storing up treasure in heaven. Work hard—but work for eternity.

#TrueFulfillment, #ChasingGodNotGold, #WorkForEternity

1. What have you been working hard for, and has it brought lasting fulfillment?
2. How does Solomon’s pursuit of wealth and pleasure compare to your own desires?
3. What does John 6:27 teach about what we should truly strive for?
4. How can you practically shift your focus from earthly gain to eternal treasure?

Shift your focus from striving for temporary success to investing in what lasts—your relationship with God and His eternal kingdom.

Lord, help me to recognize that no amount of wealth, success, or pleasure can satisfy my soul apart from You. Teach me to labor for what truly lasts and find my fulfillment in You alone. Amen.

One Day When We All Get To Heaven.

If you had unlimited resources, what would you build? A dream home? A business empire? Restore a car? Solomon had it all—yet when he finished, he looked around and asked, Was this worth it? His story forces us to ask: Are we building something temporary or something eternal?

Welcome to The Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is Ecclesiastes 2:4-6.

I made great works. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself. I made myself gardens and parks, and planted in them all kinds of fruit trees. I made myself pools from which to water the forest of growing trees.— Ecclesiastes 2:4-6

Solomon had the resources, the power, and the vision to create whatever he desired. He built houses, cultivated vineyards, designed lush gardens, and even engineered irrigation systems to sustain his creation. On the surface, it might have looked like a kingdom of great prosperity. But beneath it all, he was left questioning its real worth and value.

Solomon’s statement reveals that no matter how grand our projects or ambitions are if they are built only for ourselves, they will not satisfy us. Notice his phrase, "I made myself." You see, we can do this too. We can pour time, money, and effort into building a dream—whether it’s a career, a home, or a legacy—but if God is not at the center, the forefront, and first in everything, then all we build is meaningless. Solomon’s wealth couldn’t buy meaning, and his accomplishments couldn’t provide lasting joy.

So, what are you building? Are you investing in the temporary or the eternal? Jesus said, “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven” (Matthew 6:20). The only things that endure are those built for God’s glory. Remember: What you build won’t matter—who you build for does.

#EternalPerspective, #BiblicalWisdom, #FaithOverSuccess

1. What personal ambitions or goals are you pursuing most?
2. How do you ensure that God remains at the center of your efforts?
3. Have you ever achieved something significant only to feel unfulfilled?
4. What does storing up treasures in heaven look like in your daily life?

Evaluate what you are building in life—career, family, wealth—and ask: Is God truly at the center of it?

Lord, help me build my life on what truly matters—Your kingdom and Your purpose. Keep me from chasing empty pursuits and guide me to invest in the eternal. Amen.

Build My Life.

We’re wrapping up the book of James—what a journey it’s been! Grab the Ecclesiastes Journal now if you’re looking for your next study.

Waiting has become an almost foreign concept in a world that moves at breakneck speed. We live in a culture where everything is at our fingertips—instant downloads, quick responses, and fast food. The world is built on efficiency and speed. We don’t have time to wait, right? But what if waiting is exactly what we need?

Welcome to the Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is James 5:7-8.

Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. — James 5:7-8

In this text, James uses the imagery of a farmer to illustrate the kind of patience we should embody as we await the return of the Lord. The farmer, we’re told, waits for the "precious fruit" of the earth, patiently trusting in the process, knowing that the early and late rains are required for growth. The farmer cannot rush the seasons; he has to trust in the rhythms of nature, which, though slow, are steadfast.

What if we, as believers, adopted the farmer's mindset instead of trying to manufacture and hurry God's work in our lives? You know you do this. So do I. We want answers and results now, but the truth is that God controls heavenly elements that we don't control, and thus, he has his timing. Patience is key, not just in waiting for the return of the Lord, but in waiting for the growth and maturity that the Lord wants to produce in our lives.

So, we learn from James that patience isn't just about waiting but also establishing our faith in God's timing. We must be willing to wait with faith, knowing God works in the unseen, preparing us for something far more valuable than instant results.

Waiting is good for you. But waiting isn't passive; it is active in faith. It eagerly anticipates eventual results.

• Are you looking for a job? Waiting is good for you, but it's active faith—trusting God’s timing for the right opportunity.
• Need healing in a relationship? Waiting isn’t passive; it’s active faith, believing restoration takes time but is worth it.
• Want spiritual growth? Waiting is good for you, pressing into God’s word, anticipating growth in His perfect timing.
• Facing a personal challenge? Waiting is good for you; relying on God’s strength and knowing the struggle builds resilience.

If you are frustrated by waiting today, return to the farmer. Trust in God's perfect timing and sovereignty. Be patient and establish your heart in His promises, knowing that the fruit will come, even if it takes time.

#PatienceInFaith, #TrustGodsTiming, #WaitingWithPurpose

1. In what areas of your life are you struggling to wait on God?
2. How can you actively trust God’s timing in your current situation?
3. What can you do today to strengthen your patience in waiting?
4. How does the farmer’s patience challenge your understanding of spiritual growth?

Reflect on an area where you’re waiting for God's intervention. Choose to trust His timing rather than rush ahead.

Lord, help me embrace patience and trust that You are working behind the scenes. Strengthen my faith to wait actively, knowing that Your timing is always perfect. Amen.

While I Wait.

Ever feel like your prayers don’t matter? James reminds us that they do—big time. Whether you’re suffering, celebrating, or struggling, prayer unleashes God’s extraordinary power. Just think: if an ordinary man like Elijah could pray and the skies obeyed, imagine what God could do through your prayers.

Welcome to the Daily. We go through the bible verse-by-verse, chapter-by-chapter, every single day.

Our text today is James 5:13-18.

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. — James 5:13-18

In a quick study of this text, you will see:

• The suffering are called to pray.
• The cheerful are called to praise.
• The sick are called to seek leaders to pray for them.
• The sinful are called to confess and be prayed for to be healed.

And then you will also see pray or prayer is mentioned seven times:

1. "Let him pray." (v. 13)
2. "Let them pray over him." (v. 14)
3. "The prayer of faith will save the one who is sick." (v. 15)
4. "Pray for one another." (v. 16)
5. "The prayer of a righteous person has great power." (v. 16)
6. "He prayed fervently that it might not rain." (v. 17)
7. "Then he prayed again." (v. 18)

Seven times, James emphasizes it in these six verses, weaving it into every situation of life. Whether you're suffering, celebrating, sick, or struggling with sin, the response is consistent: prayer connects you to the One who holds the power to heal, restore, and provide.

But James isn’t simply urging prayer as a ritual; he’s highlighting its transformational power. Prayer aligns the human heart with God’s will. Notice how James references Elijah, reminding us that this prophet, though an extraordinary figure, was a man "with a nature like ours." His fervent prayers stopped and started rain! The key wasn’t Elijah's superhuman nature but his reliance on a supernatural God. Thus, we should see prayer not as a passive act but as a dynamic engagement with God's power.

The takeaway is simple but profound: pray like it matters. In suffering, let prayer be your first recourse, not your last resort. When joyful, let prayer overflow as praise, expressing your gratitude to God. If you're sick or struggling with sin, don’t go it alone—invite others into your situation. The act of confessing and praying together builds spiritual unity and fosters healing.

James reminds us that prayer isn’t limited by human weakness; it's magnified by faith. Like Elijah, you might feel ordinary, but your prayers can yield extraordinary results. So pray ordinary prayers and experience extraordinary power.

Take time to share your prayer in the comments below.

#PrayerPower, #James5Devotional, #FaithInAction

1. When was the last time you turned to prayer as your first response?
2. How does your view of prayer align with James' description of its power?
3. What can you do today to invite others to pray with you or for you?
4. In what ways can you pray with greater faith and boldness, like Elijah?

Pray intentionally today for one specific need, trusting God’s extraordinary power to work through your faith.

Father, thank You for the gift of prayer and the privilege to connect with Your power. Teach me to pray with faith and boldness, trusting You in every situation. Amen.

Don't Stop Praying.