In this week's Faith + State conversation, Vince Miller and Minnesota House Rep. Elliott Engen walk through Judges 14, the beginning of Samson's story — a man who lives by one destructive creed: "It is right in my eyes." From forbidden relationships to rage-fueled decisions, Samson becomes a mirror for the crisis in our culture today.

Elliott shares a shocking real-life story from Hamline University — including a crowd cheering the murder of a political figure — revealing how far we've drifted from basic morality. Vince connects the dots from Samson's implosion to the cultural chaos we're witnessing now, reminding us why truth, restraint, and God's authority matter more than ever.

If you've ever struggled with anger, impulse, moral drift, or the pressure to conform, this episode gives you clarity and hope. And if today is your day to choose Jesus — drop: "I choose Jesus" in the comments.

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today's shout-out goes to Tom Reid from Elma, NY. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God's Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one's for you.

Our text today is Judges 14:7-9

Then he went down and talked with the woman, and she was right in Samson's eyes. After some days he returned to take her. And he turned aside to see the carcass of the lion, and behold, there was a swarm of bees in the body of the lion, and honey. He scraped it out into his hands and went on, eating as he went. And he came to his father and mother and gave some to them, and they ate. But he did not tell them that he had scraped the honey from the carcass of the lion. — Judges 14:7-9

Samson returns to the place of his battle—the lion he killed. The carcass is still there, but now it holds something unexpected: honey. Sweetness from death. Provision from decay.

That's a strange image, but it mirrors how life feels. Struggles often leave us staring at carcasses—loss, regret, brokenness. We stand there asking, "Why did this happen? Can anything good come out of this mess?" In those moments, it feels pointless. Empty. Even cruel.

But here's what Samson's discovery whispers: what feels wasted may still hold hidden sweetness. God is able to bring nourishment from the very places you thought were only marked by loss.

Your struggle may feel like a dead end, but God can make it a doorway.

That diagnosis. That divorce. That failure. That season of grief. It might feel like nothing more than a carcass in your life. But don't miss this—God specializes in bringing blessing out of brokenness. Samson scraped honey from the carcass of a lion; Jesus brought life out of the grave. The greatest sweetness came from the greatest struggle—the cross.

So if you're staring at something that feels wasted, don't walk away too quickly. God may be preparing honey where you only see death.

ASK THIS:

1. Where in your life are you staring at a "carcass" and struggling to see hope?
2. How have you seen God bring sweetness out of hardship in the past?
3. What would change if you believed God was already working in your pain?
4. How does Jesus' victory at the cross give you hope in your present struggle?

• Identify one struggle you currently see as pointless.
• Ask God specifically to show you where He is working in it.
• Share one "sweetness from struggle" story with someone today to encourage them.
• Each time you feel bitterness this week, pray: "Lord, turn this into honey."

Father, I confess that sometimes my pain feels wasted. But I trust You can bring sweetness from struggle, just as You brought life from death at the cross. Amen.

"Graves Into Gardens."

When corruption becomes normal, truth becomes dangerous. In this episode of Faith + State, Vince and Elliott dig into the growing ethical crisis in American politics — from insider trading in Congress to corporate loopholes to the political machine that punishes anyone who dares to speak honestly.

We trace this all the way back to 1 Kings 22, where Micaiah told the truth to a corrupt system that only wanted "yes men." The same pattern shows up in modern government, corporate culture, and even our personal lives.

If you've ever wondered why calling out wrongdoing gets you attacked… this conversation is for you.

SUBSCRIBE to follow our journey through Faith, State, and everything in between.

Fraud in Minnesota isn't slowing down — it's exploding. Billions lost. Zero accountability. Elected officials looking the other way because the system benefits them.

In this raw and honest episode, Vince Miller (pastor) and Rep. Elliott Engen (politician) sit down to talk about the fraud crisis no one else seems willing to address. From Feeding Our Future to autism program scams to DEI-shielded corruption, this conversation pulls the curtain back on what's happening behind the scenes.

Vince connects today's corruption to the biblical story of Ahab, Jezebel, and Naboth from 1 Kings 21 — showing how injustice and fraud aren't new…but they always demand accountability.

Elliott shares inside political realities, on-the-ground stories, and the personal cost of exposing fraud. And together they ask the real question:

What can people of faith actually do?

This episode is bold, honest, and deeply needed.

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today's shout-out goes to Bill McKenna from Allentown, PA. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God's Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one's for you.

Our text today is Judges 14:5-6

Then Samson went down with his father and mother to Timnah, and they came to the vineyards of Timnah. And behold, a young lion came toward him roaring. Then the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him, and although he had nothing in his hand, he tore the lion in pieces as one tears a young goat. But he did not tell his father or his mother what he had done. — Judges 14:5-6

Picture the scene: Samson's on his way to Timnah, strolling through a vineyard, when suddenly a lion leaps out with a roar. A man barehanded against a lion? Not a fair fight. But here's the game-changer: "The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon him."

Samson's strength wasn't in his biceps. It wasn't in his willpower. It was the Spirit of God filling him, empowering him to do what no man could do alone.

Here's what you need to know today: you are weaker than you think, but God's Spirit is stronger than you imagine.

We face lions of our own—temptation, fear, depression, conflict at work, struggles in marriage. And most of us try to muscle through with grit, discipline, or positivity. But raw willpower always runs out. God never meant for you to fight alone.

What made Samson different wasn't his muscles—it was God's might. And that same Spirit now lives in every believer. It lives in you. You might feel weak. But weakness is the very place where God shows his might. Trust his power not your willpower.

ASK THIS:

1. Where are you trying to face life's lions in your own strength?
2. When was the last time you leaned on God's Spirit instead of willpower?
3. What might change if you truly believed the Spirit lives in you?
4. How do you need to invite the Spirit into your battles today?

• Identify one "lion" you're facing this week.
• Stop and pray specifically: "Holy Spirit, fill me for this battle."
• Read 2 Corinthians 12:9 and commit it to memory.
• Each morning this week, start your day by declaring, "I fight with the Spirit, not my strength."

Holy Spirit, I admit I'm weak on my own. Fill me with Your power today. Help me face the lions in my life with the strength that only comes from You. Amen.

"Same Power."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today's shout-out goes to Paul Davis from Stewartstown, PA. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God's Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one's for you.

Our text today is Judges 14:4

His father and mother did not know that it was from the Lord, for he was seeking an opportunity against the Philistines. At that time the Philistines ruled over Israel. — Judges 14:4

Samson just made a terrible choice—demanding a Philistine wife. To his parents, it looked like rebellion, a total collapse of God's plan. And honestly, they weren't wrong. But then the writer adds this line: "It was from the Lord."

Now, that doesn't mean God approved of Samson's sin. But it does mean Samson's failure didn't derail God's purpose. God was still moving the story forward.

And this is where so many of us stumble. We think, "I blew it. That affair. That addiction. That habit I can't kick. That thing I said I'd never do again—I did it. God's done with me." Men and women both carry this lie: that past sin or current struggle is the period at the end of their story.

But God writes commas where we write periods. He takes the mess and makes it part of His mission.

Your sin may disqualify you, but God's grace requalifies you. God never excuses sin. Sin always wounds. But sin doesn't get the final word—God does.

Think about it: if God can weave Samson's lust into His larger purpose, if He can turn Peter's denial into boldness, if He can transform Paul the persecutor into Paul the preacher—don't you think He can redeem your story too?

So stop living like you've been benched. Your are not benched. God wants you in the game. Confess. Repent. Then trust that God's hand is bigger than your failure.

ASK THIS:

1. Where do you feel like sin has put a period at the end of your story?
2. Do you believe God can weave even your failures into His plan?
3. How does Samson's story challenge your view of God's sovereignty?
4. What step of faith could you take today to live as if grace is bigger than sin?

• Write down one sin you think has disqualified you.
• Read 1 John 1:9 and thank God that forgiveness is real.
• Replace the lie, "God is done with me," with the truth, "God is still working in me."
• Share this truth with one person who feels stuck in shame.

Father, I often believe the lie that my sin is the end of my story. Remind me today that grace has the final word and that You are still working through me. Amen.

"Grace Greater Than Our Sin."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today's shout-out goes to Brad Cook from Florien, LA. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God's Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one's for you.

Our text today is Judges 14:1-3

"Samson went down to Timnah, and at Timnah he saw one of the daughters of the Philistines. Then he came up and told his father and mother, 'I saw one of the daughters of the Philistines at Timnah. Now get her for me as my wife.' But his father and mother said to him, 'Is there not a woman among the daughters of your relatives, or among all our people, that you must go to take a wife from the uncircumcised Philistines?' But Samson said to his father, 'Get her for me, for she is right in my eyes.'" — Judges 14:1-3

Samson is supposed to be Israel's deliverer. God had set him apart from birth. Yet his story begins with three little words: "I saw her." That's desire talking. Not prayer. Not obedience. Just raw appetite. His parents tried to speak wisdom, reminding him of God's call and boundaries. But Samson steamrolls their counsel: "She is right in my eyes."

Sound familiar?

Our culture preaches this same sermon every day: "If it feels right, do it. If it looks good, grab it." But following every impulse never leads to freedom—it leads to chains. Samson thought he was chasing love, but really, he was surrendering his future to lust.

What you chase will control you. If you chase money, it'll run your life. If you chase approval, you'll be enslaved to other people's opinions. If you chase lust, it'll eat away at your soul.

Every man and woman wrestles here. Maybe it's the late-night scroll, the car you can't afford, or the relationship you know isn't wise. The pull feels so strong. But here's the warning—unchecked desire will drive you further than you ever planned to go and cost you more than you ever wanted to pay.

Instead, surrender your desires to the One who made you. Don't ask, "What feels right to me?" Ask, "What is right in God's eyes?"

ASK THIS:

1. What desires tend to hijack your decision-making?
2. Whose counsel do you usually ignore when you're set on something?
3. Where are you tempted to say, "It's right in my eyes," even when God says otherwise?
4. What's one area where you need to stop chasing and start surrendering?

• Take a pause before making your next big decision.
• Ask: "Am I chasing this because it feels right in my eyes or because it's right in God's eyes?"
• Call one trusted friend and share one area where you feel your desires tugging.
• Ask them to pray for you this week.

Father, you know the desires that pull at me. Teach me to want what You want, not what feels right to me. Keep me from trading Your will for my cravings. Amen.

"Give Me Jesus + Closer."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today's shout-out goes to Mike Herndon from Lumberton, TX. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God's Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one's for you.

Our text today is Judges 13:24-25

And the woman bore a son and called his name Samson. And the young man grew, and the Lord blessed him. And the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him in Mahaneh-dan, between Zorah and Eshtaol.— Judges 13:24-25

Samson's birth was miraculous. His calling was unique. But notice how his story actually begins: quietly. A baby grows up. God blesses him. Nothing spectacular—until the text drops this line: "The Spirit of the Lord began to stir him."

It wasn't fireworks. It wasn't dramatic. Just stirrings. Subtle, almost hidden. A restless tug here. An unexplainable drive there. The Spirit was preparing him for what would come later.

And that's usually how God works in us, too. He doesn't always announce His plans with thunder. Often, He stirs first. A conviction that lingers. A burden that won't go away. A restlessness that keeps you awake at night. Those aren't random feelings. They're the Spirit's fingerprints.

The danger is brushing them aside, waiting only for the dramatic. But ignoring the Spirit's nudge means missing the very preparation for God's greater work. Samson's strength didn't just "happen" one day. It was preceded by stirring.

Pay attention to the small whispers. Don't dismiss the tugging in your spirit. That may be God preparing you for something bigger than you can see right now.

ASK THIS:

1. Where do I sense God stirring me today?
2. Have I been dismissing a conviction or burden as "nothing"?
3. What small step of obedience could I take to respond to His stirring?

Instead of waiting for a dramatic sign, pay attention to the quiet nudge. Write down one area where you sense God stirring and take a single step of obedience toward it.

Holy Spirit, don't let me ignore Your stirrings. Teach me to recognize Your whispers and trust Your preparation, even when it feels small. Amen.

"Oceans."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today's shout-out goes to Dave Hassall from Palmetto, FL. Your commitment through Project23 helps deliver God's Word daily with clarity and conviction. This one's for you.

Our text today is Judges 13:21-23

The angel of the Lord appeared no more to Manoah and to his wife. Then Manoah knew that he was the angel of the Lord. And Manoah said to his wife, "We shall surely die, for we have seen God." But his wife said to him, "If the Lord had meant to kill us, he would not have accepted a burnt offering and a grain offering at our hands, or shown us all these things, or now announced to us such things as these." — Judges 13:21-23

When the angel of the Lord vanished in the flame, Manoah panicked. "We're going to die—we've seen God!" That was his gut reaction: fear. But his wife had a different perspective. She saw the signs of God's grace—He accepted their offering, revealed His plan, and promised them a son. She reasoned, "If God meant to kill us, He wouldn't have done any of that."

Two responses. One moment. Fear looked at the problem. Faith looked at the promises.

This is our daily battle. Fear exaggerates. Faith steadies. Fear says, "This is the end." Faith says, "God isn't done yet." Fear locks onto circumstances. Faith holds onto God's character.

We all have Manoah moments—panic at the unknown. A bad diagnosis. A financial setback. A broken relationship. Fear screams louder than faith. But like Manoah's wife, we need to pause and reflect on what we know to be true. God has already shown us His grace. He's already proven His faithfulness. He's already made His promises. Fear doesn't fit the facts.

Don't let fear have the loudest voice in your life. Drown it out with faith in God's promises. Fear may shake you, but faith will steady you.

ASK THIS:

1. What fear is gripping me right now?
2. What promises of God directly answer that fear?
3. How can I rehearse God's past faithfulness when panic rises?

When fear shows up today, don't stay silent. Speak God's truth out loud. Write down one promise from Scripture and put it where you'll see it—your desk, dashboard, or phone lock screen. Let faith talk back to fear.

Lord, fear often feels louder than faith. Quiet my panic with Your promises. Remind me of what You've done and give me faith to trust what You will do. Amen.

"Promises."

You can't do ministry alone. Great leaders don't just lead—they build other leaders. In this lesson, you'll learn how to train a wingman—a brother who stands with you, grows with you, and eventually leads with you.

Jesus did it. Paul did it. Jonathan and David did it. Now it's your turn.

In this video you'll walk through: • How to identify F.A.T. men (faithful, available, teachable) • How to go deeper in brotherhood • How to equip a wingman using K.M.S. (knowledge, modeling, skills) • How to call out his God-given gifts • How to give him the mission and bring him with you • Why praying together locks hearts and strengthens courage • How to train him to multiply and raise up his own wingman

This is how men grow into leaders—side by side, shoulder to shoulder.

"Every man needs a brother, and every brother needs a mission." — Vince Miller 1 Samuel 18:3 • 2 Timothy 2:2