Episode 914
Embracing Vulnerability: The Key to Genuine Faith
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)
Delving into the profound dimensions of spirituality as articulated in Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians, this discourse invites listeners to transcend the superficial layers of faith that often dominate religious practice. The speaker, through a careful exposition of 1 Corinthians 2:1-13, elucidates the necessity of embracing vulnerability in our spiritual journeys. Paul’s candid acknowledgment of his own fears and inadequacies serves as a powerful reminder that true authenticity in faith is cultivated not through the projection of strength, but through the humble admission of uncertainty. This approach not only redefines the parameters of spiritual authority but also invites a more intimate engagement with the divine. The discussion further critiques the reliance on contemporary societal wisdom, asserting that God’s wisdom often exists in stark contrast to the ephemeral insights offered by modern experts. By challenging listeners to reconsider their sources of truth, the conversation emphasizes the importance of seeking deeper, more enduring spiritual truths that resonate beyond the surface. This episode ultimately encourages a reflective practice, prompting individuals to contemplate their own vulnerabilities and the transformative potential inherent in acknowledging them.
Takeaways:
- The exploration of vulnerability in faith reveals that true strength lies in acknowledging our fears and uncertainties, rather than masking them with bravado.
- Paul's message in First Corinthians emphasizes the importance of seeking wisdom that transcends superficial societal norms and institutional authorities.
- The depth of spiritual truth is not found in rigid dogma but through an intimate and personal engagement with the divine.
- We are encouraged to embrace questioning and uncertainty as vital components of spiritual growth, rather than viewing them as weaknesses.
- The Daily Bible Refresh podcast aims to provide listeners with actionable insights that foster deeper spiritual connections in their daily lives.
- By utilizing the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method, individuals can enhance their understanding of scripture and cultivate a more meaningful relationship with their faith.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
Transcript
Going Beyond Surface Spirituality A Study of First Corinthians 2:1 13 on the Daily Bible Refresh with Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller hello, my good friend Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller here with you with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Your daily reading of the New Testament.
Speaker A:That is understandable.
Speaker A:We use the message version Relatable.
Speaker A:We give you some points to ponder applicable.
Speaker A:We give you an action step.
Speaker A:We have a prayer.
Speaker A:We do all of that in under 10 minutes or so.
Speaker A:We are in the year C of a three year cycle from the Revised Common Lectionary.
Speaker A:This is the Pentecost season.
Speaker A:We want you to know this is all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com our website, which is the home of the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.
Speaker A:Let's get into our reading for the day from first Gr.
Speaker A:Corinthians 2:1 13 reading from the Message.
Speaker A:You'll remember, friends, that when I first came to you to let you in on God's sheer genius, I didn't try to impress you with polished speeches and the latest philosophy.
Speaker A:I deliberately kept it plain and simple.
Speaker A:First Jesus, who he is, then Jesus and what he did.
Speaker A:Jesus crucified.
Speaker A:I was unsure of how to go about all this and I felt totally inadequate.
Speaker A:I was scared to death if you want the truth of it.
Speaker A:And so nothing I said could have impressed you or anyone else.
Speaker A:But the message came through anyway.
Speaker A:God's spirit and God's power did it, which made it clear that your life of faith is a response to God's power, not to some fancy mental or emotional footwork by me or anyone else.
Speaker A:We of course have plenty of wisdom to pass on to you once you get your feet on firm spiritual ground.
Speaker A:But it's not popular wisdom, the fashionable wisdom of high priced experts that will be out of date in a year or so.
Speaker A:God's wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes.
Speaker A:You don't find it lying around on the surface.
Speaker A:It's not the latest message, but more like the oldest.
Speaker A:What God determined as the way to bring out the best in us long before we ever arrived on the scene.
Speaker A:The experts of our day haven't a clue about what his eternal plan is.
Speaker A:If they had, they wouldn't have killed the master of the God designed life on a cross.
Speaker A:That's why we have this scripture text.
Speaker A:No one's ever seen or heard anything like this, never so much as imagined anything quite like it, what God has arranged for those who love Him.
Speaker A:But you've seen and heard it.
Speaker A:Because God by His Spirit has brought it all out into the open before you.
Speaker A:The spirit, not content to flit around on the surface, dies into the depths of God and brings out what God planned all along.
Speaker A:Whoever knows what you're thinking and planning except you yourself.
Speaker A:The same with God, except that he not only knows what he's thinking and but he lets us in on it.
Speaker A:God offers a full report on the gifts of life and salvation that he is giving us why we don't have to rely on the world's guesses and opinions.
Speaker A:We didn't learn this by reading books or going to school.
Speaker A:We learned it from God who taught us person to person through Jesus.
Speaker A:And we're passing it on to you in the same firsthand well that ends the reading.
Speaker A:What a powerful reading it is.
Speaker A:It's a reflection here about we're reflecting here about Paul's first Letter to the Corinthians, which really challenges us to look beyond superficial wisdom and embrace a deeper, more authentic spirituality.
Speaker A:So let's get into some points to ponder.
Speaker A:The Power of Vulnerability Paul's admission of fear and inadequacy is revolutionary in a world obsessed with projecting strength and certainty, especially in the religious space, Paul demonstrates that authentic spirituality begins and embraces our vulnerability.
Speaker A:True power often emerges when we drop our mask and admit our uncertainties.
Speaker A:A second point is about countercultural wisdom.
Speaker A:The wisdom Paul speaks of stands in opposition to the high priced experts and and systems of power.
Speaker A:This reminds us that God's wisdom often contradicts societal norms and institutional authority.
Speaker A:Progressive faith means being willing to question traditional interpretations and challenge systems that claim exclusive access to truth.
Speaker A:The third point is about divine depth.
Speaker A:The Spirit delves into the depths of of God, suggesting that spiritual truth isn't found in rigid dogma or surface level religiosity, but in deep personal engagement with God the divine.
Speaker A:This intimate experiential expertuality is available to everyone and not just the religious authorities or scholars.
Speaker A:Let's talk about some action steps.
Speaker A:Take 10 minutes or so to write down your honest doubts, fears or questions about faith.
Speaker A:Don't try to resolve them, acknowledge them.
Speaker A:Remember that questioning and uncertainty are not signs of weak faith, but opportunities for deeper spiritual growth.
Speaker A:We'll come back with a prayer in a moment.
Speaker A:Just a reminder that we have a great resource just for you.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:It is a straightforward Bible study resource for you to use in your daily Bible study.
Speaker A:It will be helpful to you.
Speaker A:Let's head over to our website voiceofgod Daily dot com.
Speaker A:There's links there.
Speaker A:You go right to it.
Speaker A:It's free to you Daily Bible right here at the Daily Bible Refresh the website again.
Speaker A:Voiceofgoddaily.com let's pray.
Speaker A:Oh God, you are the source of wisdom and love, and we come to you with our uncertainties and fears, knowing that our vulnerability is not weakness but a doorway to deeper connection with Help us trust the wisdom that emerges not from textbook or authorities, but from the depths of our lived experience with you.
Speaker A:Give us courage to question, humility to admit what we don't know, and wisdom to recognize your presence in unexpected places and faces.
Speaker A:Thank you for meeting us exactly as we are.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Always a joy to be with you here on Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Here just about.
Speaker A:Well, here every day.
Speaker A: ion ears, a million people by: Speaker A:You can help by subscribing to the podcast@voiceofgoddaily.com and bring a friend to join me tomorrow.
Speaker A:I'll be here.
Speaker A:Until then, God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
