Daily Bible Refresh S3 Ep5

Host: Rev. Dr. Brad Miller

In this episode of To Be Encouraged, host Rev. Dr. Brad Miller guides listeners through Day 4 of the Advent season using the common lectionary. Focusing on a passage from Luke 11:29-32, Dr. Brad enriches our understanding of spiritual transformation, wisdom, and genuine faith. Here's a summary and three key takeaways from today’s episode.

Summary: Rev. Dr. Brad Miller delves into a profound interpretation of the scripture passage from Luke 11:29-32, emphasizing the difference between seeking sensational proof of faith and pursuing deeper spiritual transformation. He recounts an anecdote from his pastoral experience that exemplifies how true gospel values manifest in simple acts of kindness, contrasting them with elaborate displays of faith. The central message is to seek genuine spiritual growth driven by wisdom and radical receptivity, rather than mere intellectual curiosity or a quest for miraculous proofs.

Three Key Takeaways:

1. Beyond Performative Spirituality: Dr. Brad highlights the critique Jesus offers regarding the cultural tendency to seek out miraculous spectacles and extraordinary signs as proof of faith. True spiritual transformation, as noted in the passage, goes beyond performative acts and focuses on wisdom and internal change. The emphasis is on moving past surface-level demonstrations of faith and engaging in a more profound, transformative spiritual practice.
2. Radical Receptivity: The importance of being radically receptive is stressed through the examples of the Ninevites who repented upon Jonah’s preaching and the Queen of Sheba who sought Solomon’s wisdom. Authentic transformation requires not just passive listening but active, life-changing response. This act of radical receptivity means being open to new perspectives, willing to challenge existing beliefs, and embracing continuous personal growth.
3. Embracing Spiritual Action in Everyday Life: Dr. Brad shares a powerful story from his ministry: after an elaborate Christmas Eve service, the real essence of the gospel was seen in people helping push a car out of the snow. This real-life example illustrates that genuine faith is often found in simple acts of kindness and community support, rather than grandiose displays. The call to action for listeners is to seek out and engage in such transformative moments in daily life, emphasizing compassion and support for others.

Action Step: Dr. Brad encourages listeners to challenge their existing beliefs by seeking new perspectives. He suggests reading a book, listening to a podcast, or having a thoughtful conversation with someone whose life experience differs from one's own. Approach these opportunities with genuine curiosity and openness to change.

Don't miss Dr. Brad's recommended resource, "An Unlikely Advent" by Rachel Billups, for further Advent reflections. As always, his closing prayers and benedictions remind us of God's unwavering love and mercy, encouraging us to embrace transformation in our spiritual journey.

Listen to the full episode for an enriching exploration of what it means to truly live out your faith.The Voice of God Daily is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2022-2025).

Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.

He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is...

Episode Title: Daily Bible Refresh S3.Ep.04

Host: Rev. Dr. Brad Miller

In this insightful episode of the “Daily Bible Refresh" podcast, Rev. Dr. Brad Miller shares a powerful and transformative message based on the scripture from Revelation 22:12-16, interpreted through the Message Bible. In the spirit of Advent, listeners are invited to reflect deeply on concepts of radical inclusion, interconnectedness, and the transformative power of empathy. Here are three key takeaways from today’s episode:

1. Embracing Radical Inclusion and Transformative Hope: Rev. Dr. Brad Miller emphasizes the idea of "washing robes," not as a mere act of achieving moral purity, but as a metaphor for radical life transformation. This transformation is not about achieving perfection but about being open to change and growth. It's an invitation to engage in self-reflection and communal healing. Through personal anecdotes, such as mission trips to South America, Dr. Miller illustrates how vulnerability and shared humanity can lead to significant societal change. The message is clear: we are all interconnected, and embracing this realization can help us work towards justice and understanding.

2. Understanding Cosmic Inclusivity: The episode encourages listeners to see divine love as an expansive and inclusive force that transcends human-made boundaries of religion, nationality, and cultural identity. By referencing Jesus as the "root and branch of David" and the "bright morning star," Dr. Miller highlights the idea that God's divine presence is vast and interconnected. Listeners are invited to see the divinity in all of creation and to move beyond surface-level judgments, recognizing our shared humanity and the divine spark in every individual.

3. Practicing Radical Empathy: As a practical application for the week, Dr. Miller challenges listeners to engage in radical empathy. This involves choosing someone or a group of people who may be difficult to understand or who differ from oneself in significant ways—culturally, politically, or otherwise. The action step encourages active engagement through conversation, reading, or watching documentaries to understand their perspective better. By doing so, listeners are asked to reflect on how this practice expands their understanding of humanity and fosters compassion. Dr. Miller also recommends using resources like BibleGateway.com for further personal study and reflection.

Throughout this episode, Rev. Dr. Brad Miller’s prayer poignantly encapsulates the central theme: in a world often characterized by division, we are reminded of our profound interconnectedness and the boundless nature of divine love. Tune in to embrace a daily spiritual refresh, deepen your compassion, and actively work towards a more inclusive and empathetic world.

Don't miss tomorrow's episode of Daily Bible Refresh as we continue to explore and apply Biblical truths to our everyday lives. Remember, God's merciful love renews each morning.The Voice of God Daily is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2022-2025).

Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.

He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)

The Voice of God Daily is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and include…

A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary...

Episode Title: The 2nd Day of Advent - Understanding Divine Time

Host: Rev. Dr. Brad Miller

In today's episode of "Daily Bible Refresh," Rev. Dr. Brad Miller delves into the themes of time, divine patience, and active engagement as he reflects on the reading from 2nd Peter, chapter 3. As we observe the 2nd day of Advent, Dr. Miller provides us with valuable insights and actionable steps to deepen our understanding of scripture and live our faith actively.

Episode Highlights:

1. The Nature of Divine Time** Dr. Miller explores the passage from 2nd Peter, emphasizing the distinction between human time and divine time. He reflects on his personal experiences of watching his granddaughters grow and facing his own health challenges to illustrate the ever-changing perception of time. The scripture reminds us that "with God, one day is as good as a 1,000 years," urging us to expand our understanding of God's timeline. This reframing invites us to appreciate God's patience and the space given for our growth and transformation.

2. Patience as an Active Choice One of the critical takeaways from today’s reading is viewing patience not as a passive waiting period but as an active engagement in life. Dr. Miller stresses the importance of being eagerly expectant and living a holy life as we await the day of the Lord. This involves participating in our communities and fostering justice and righteousness, rather than waiting passively for divine intervention. Faith is portrayed as a verb that drives us to work towards creating a world that reflects God's love and justice.

3. Concrete Actions for Transformative Change Dr. Miller encourages listeners to identify concrete ways they can contribute to transformational change in their communities. Whether it's participating in a Christmas toy drive during the Advent season or advocating for human dignity in situations of inequality, each action can serve as a spark for change. By choosing one specific way to act, we embody the teachings of the scripture and actively contribute to the renewal and transformation of our world.

Resource Highlight: "Incarnation" by Adam Hamilton Dr. Miller recommends the book "Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Jesus" by Adam Hamilton. This resource offers enlightening insights into the meaning of God made human during the Advent and Christmas seasons.

Closing Prayer and Reflection The episode concludes with a heartfelt prayer, invoking God's guidance to view time as expansive and full of potential. Dr. Miller urges us to be patient yet persistent and to work tirelessly for justice and compassion, reminding us that every act of kindness contributes to the new world God envisions.

Join us tomorrow for another episode of "Daily Bible Refresh." Until then, walk with hope, intention, and an open heart ready for transformation.

Resource of the day is Adam Hamilton's book "Incarnation: Rediscovering the Significance of Jesus."