Staying Awake: Finding Meaning in the Present Moment | S3. Ep. 756

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller delivers another insightful installment of our daily Podcast, "Daily Bible Refresh." This episode, titled "Staying Awake: Finding Meaning in the Present Moment," continues our journey through the Christmas tide season. Dr. Brad Miller's compelling mission is to make the daily New Testament readings understandable, relatable, and applicable to our day-to-day lives by using the Message version of the Bible.

This episode focuses on the Gospel of Mark, chapter 13, verses 32-37. The central theme revolves around the uncertainty of future events and the significance of staying alert and present. Dr. Brad emphasizes Jesus's message that even he doesn't know the exact day or hour of future events, underscoring the humility we should embrace when facing the unknown. By weaving this biblical teaching with modern-day applications, Dr. Brad brings timeless wisdom to light in a relatable manner.

Here are three key takeaways from today's episode:

1. Embrace Humility and Uncertainty: Jesus acknowledges that even he doesn’t know the future’s exact timeline, which serves as a powerful reminder that uncertainty is a part of the human experience. In an age where information is readily available, Dr. Brad emphasizes the wisdom in embracing the unknown with humility and faith.
2. Shared Responsibility in Community: The parable of the servants being assigned tasks speaks volumes about our interconnected roles in creating positive change. We are called to be active participants in building a just and compassionate world. Dr. Brad highlights the importance of everyone’s unique gifts and responsibilities, advocating for a collaborative approach to community and societal growth.
3. The Power of Mindfulness: Keeping watch isn’t about anxiously waiting for a future event but about being fully present in the now. Dr. Brad encourages listeners to practice mindfulness as a spiritual discipline, staying alert to moments of injustice and opportunities for compassion in our daily lives.

Dr. Brad also introduces a practical action step for listeners: practicing intentional presence. He suggests setting aside a few moments each day to check in with yourself and assess how you are showing up for others and what needs in your community you might be uniquely positioned to address. This self-reflection aims to keep you grounded in the present moment, fostering a deeper connection with both your faith and your community.

Finally, Dr. Brad offers a heartfelt closing prayer asking for divine guidance in embracing the present moment, remaining mindful, and utilizing our gifts purposefully. He also highlights a resource for the Christmas season, “Unlikely Advent” by Rachel Billups, which delves into the extraordinary individuals surrounding the Christmas story.

Join us again tomorrow for another refreshing take on daily Bible readings. As always, remember that God's loyal love doesn’t run out, it’s freshly created every morning.

=============

The "Daily Bible Refresh" 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 (2025-2028).

He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.

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 "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...

• Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
• Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
• Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
• A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
• A prayer for your day.

A companion resource to the Voice of God Daily Podcast is the “ABC Bible Study Guide” available by clicking HERE.

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.

You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".

Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.

Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)