Episode 901
Exploring Divine Companionship: Insights from John 14:23-31
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.
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Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
The discussion unfolds with an exploration of profound themes encapsulated in John 14:23-31, where the essence of love, divine companionship, and the peace that surpasses understanding are meticulously examined. The speaker elucidates that love is not merely a passive sentiment but an active engagement that transforms our perception of reality. This notion is epitomized in the statement that a loveless world is a sightless world, thereby challenging the listeners to perceive love as a dynamic force that actively engages with the world around us. The discourse further delves into the radical concept of divine presence, suggesting that God does not reside in distant heavens but rather moves into our neighborhoods, offering a democratization of spiritual experience. This intimate portrayal of the divine invites individuals to recognize that sacred encounters are not confined to sacred spaces but are accessible in daily interactions, thereby enriching the fabric of everyday life. Lastly, the speaker introduces peace as a form of resistance, asserting that true peace is a robust gift in the face of adversity, offering strength against societal fears and instabilities. This multifaceted examination culminates in a call to action, encouraging listeners to practice ‘neighborhood spirituality’, thereby fostering a deeper connection with both the divine and their community.
Takeaways:
- The concept of love as an active engagement emphasizes that love transcends mere emotion and requires action.
- Jesus presents a radical understanding of divine presence, suggesting that God resides within our everyday experiences.
- Peace, as articulated by Jesus, is not simply a state of tranquility but an active resistance to fear and chaos.
- In times of upheaval, the peace that Jesus offers serves as a source of strength and resilience for believers.
- The podcast encourages listeners to engage in neighborhood spirituality by being present in their local community spaces.
- The ABC 123 Bible study method is highlighted as a valuable resource for personal Bible study and reflection.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
- Daily Bible Refresh
- ABC 123 Bible Study Guide
Transcript
Love, peace and presence.
Speaker A:A new understanding of divine companionship.
Speaker A: A Reflection on John: Speaker A:Brad Miller hello my good friend Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller here with Daily Bible Refresh your daily reading of the New Testament into your life.
Speaker A:We take the Revised Common Lectionary, the three year cycle of reading of selective readings for every single day.
Speaker A:We're in year C of a three year cycle and we read them and we read them in such a way that is understandable.
Speaker A:We use the message version relatable.
Speaker A:We give you some points to ponder and applicable.
Speaker A:We give you an action step to apply to your life.
Speaker A:We do all that with a prayer in under 10 minutes or so.
Speaker A:All brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com that's the home of our resource.
Speaker A:We have for you the ABC 123 Bible study method.
Speaker A:Let's get into our message.
Speaker A: reading for the day from John: Speaker A:If anyone loves me, he will carefully keep my word and my Father will love him.
Speaker A:We'll move right into the neighborhood.
Speaker A:Not loving me means not keeping my words.
Speaker A:The message you are hearing isn't mine.
Speaker A:It's the message of the Father who sent me.
Speaker A:I'm telling you these things while I'm still living with you.
Speaker A:The friend, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you.
Speaker A:He will remind you of all the things I have told you.
Speaker A:I'm leaving you well and whole.
Speaker A:That's my parting gift to you.
Speaker A:Peace.
Speaker A:I don't leave you the way you're being being left feeling abandoned or bereft.
Speaker A:So don't be upset, don't be distraught.
Speaker A:You've heard me tell you I'm going away and I'm coming back.
Speaker A:If you love me, you would be glad that I'm on my way to the Father.
Speaker A:Because the Father is the goal and the purpose of life.
Speaker A:I've told you this ahead of time, before it happens, so that when it does happen, the confirmation will deepen your belief in me and I'll not be talking with you so much, much more like this.
Speaker A:Because the chief of this godless world is about to attack.
Speaker A:But don't worry, he has nothing on me, no claim on me.
Speaker A:But so the world might know how thoroughly I love the Father, I am carrying out my Father's instructions right down to the last detail.
Speaker A:Get up.
Speaker A:Let's go.
Speaker A:It's time to Leave here.
Speaker A:Wow, what a powerful reflection here with Jesus.
Speaker A:Profound insights about love and presence and peace and times of change.
Speaker A:Let's talk about some points to ponder.
Speaker A:The first one is love as active engagement.
Speaker A:Jesus connects love directly with action and awareness, not just emotion.
Speaker A:When he says a loveless world is a sightless world, he's suggesting that love opens our eyes to reality in new ways.
Speaker A:This challenges us to move beyond seeing love as just a feeling and recognize it, and as a way of engaging with the world that transform how we perceive everything around us.
Speaker A:Second point is divine presence in the neighborhood.
Speaker A:The imagery of God, quote, moving right into the neighborhood presents a radical view of divine presence.
Speaker A:This isn't about some distant God, some distant deity, but about sacred presence in our everyday lives.
Speaker A:This democratizes spiritual experience.
Speaker A:We don't need special buildings or ceremonies to encounter the divine.
Speaker A:It's present in our ordinary spaces and daily interactions.
Speaker A:The third point is about peace as resistance.
Speaker A:Jesus offers peace not as passive tranquility, but as parting gifts in the face of upheaval.
Speaker A:When he says, quote, I don't leave you the way you're used to being left, he's introducing a new paradigm of peace that stands firm even in the face of systems that promote fear and abandonment.
Speaker A:This peace becomes an act of resistance against the, quote, chief of this godless world.
Speaker A:Here's your action step for the day.
Speaker A:I invite you to practice neighborhood spirituality.
Speaker A:That is, choose one regular location or community.
Speaker A:It might be a local park, it might be the downtown area of your community, or the coffee shop or grocery store, some street corner where people gather.
Speaker A:Spend a few minutes there, maybe 15 minutes, just being fully present with whatever is going on right there.
Speaker A:Now, notice things.
Speaker A:Notice the people.
Speaker A:Notice the interactions that take place.
Speaker A:The needs, the wants, the fears, the hopes, the dreams, the beauty.
Speaker A:Consider how God is there.
Speaker A:Consider how divine presence might be manifesting in that ordinary space.
Speaker A:You might even want to journal about it or record something about it, about the changes you perceive right there in.
Speaker A:In your community, in your neighborhood spirituality.
Speaker A:We'll have a closing prayer in just a minute.
Speaker A:I want to remind you that we do have a great resource for you that you really want to pick up.
Speaker A:If you like what we do here in our daily readings here in Daily Bible Refresh, then you need to do it on your own accord as well.
Speaker A:You need to read the Bible and study on your own.
Speaker A:So I know that you know that, but here's something to help you that's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Guide.
Speaker A:You pick it up at our website, voiceofgodaily.com there's several places to click on a link and you'll get it.
Speaker A:It's there to be helpful to you in your daily Bible study.
Speaker A:Voiceofgodaily.com let's pray.
Speaker A:Oh God, you're a loving presence.
Speaker A:Sometimes we get caught up searching for you in grand gestures and sacred spaces, forgetting that you've moved right into our neighborhood.
Speaker A:Help us to open our eyes to see love at work.
Speaker A:In our ordinary moments when we feel overwhelmed by change or uncertainty, remind us of the peace you've left with us, not as an escape, but as a source of strength and resistance.
Speaker A:Grant us the courage to love actively, to see clearly, and to trust deeply in your continued presence in our lives and communities.
Speaker A:Walk with us as we discover you each in unexpected places and faces.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Well friends, it's always good to be with you here on Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:We'll be with you again here tomorrow.
Speaker A:We usually drop our episodes before 6:00am Eastern Time.
Speaker A:I hope that you'll join us, subscribe to the podcast and invite friends in your network to do the same.
Speaker A: on years, a million people by: Speaker A:Until that time, I'll be here with you every day.
Speaker A:Remember that.
Speaker A:This is Dr.
Speaker A:Brad Miller with a reminder that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every sa.
