Episode 1082
How Do We Live from God’s Abundance, Not Scarcity? (John 3:31–36)
In this enlightening episode, we delve into the profound implications of John 3:31-36, as articulated from a progressive theological perspective. The speaker, Dr. Brad Miller, utilizes the Message version of the scripture to elucidate the distinct nature of Jesus as the one who transcends earthly limitations, offering insights into the nature of divine truth and abundance. He posits that the relationship between God the Father and Jesus is characterized by an extravagant love, which is unreservedly bestowed upon humanity. This understanding invites us to recognize that accepting the Son not only grants us access to divine life but also calls us to participate in the expansive generosity of God.
Throughout the discussion, three crucial points are presented for contemplation. The first emphasizes that the Spirit is not meted out in limited quantities, thus encouraging listeners to embrace a mindset of abundance rather than scarcity. This challenges prevailing attitudes that may inadvertently gatekeep access to spiritual gifts based on arbitrary criteria such as gender, race, or social status. The second point invites a rigorous examination of faith, underscoring that true faith is rooted in inquiry and reflection. Dr. Miller asserts that questioning and examining evidence is not only permissible but essential for the growth of love and justice. Finally, the third point focuses on the notion that participation in God’s gifts is paramount, urging listeners to recognize that spiritual life is not a possession but a shared journey characterized by active engagement in community and service.
The episode culminates in a collective prayer, invoking divine guidance as listeners are encouraged to embody the principles of generosity, compassion, and solidarity. Dr. Miller’s prayer serves as a poignant reminder of the transformative power of love and the call to action inherent in the Christian faith. By embodying these principles, we not only honor our faith but also contribute to a world that reflects the abundance and inclusivity of God’s love, ensuring that no one is left in darkness or isolation. This podcast serves as a profound invitation to deepen our understanding of scripture and its application in our lives, fostering a community rooted in mutual care and shared abundance.
Takeaways:
- The Daily Bible Refresh podcast emphasizes a progressive perspective on scripture, encouraging listeners to engage critically with biblical texts.
- The reading from the Gospel of John illustrates the distinction between earthly and heavenly messages, highlighting the importance of divine truth.
- Listeners are invited to participate in the abundant life offered through faith, which is characterized by generosity and shared power among all individuals.
- The podcast advocates for a faith that embraces doubt and inquiry, suggesting that questioning can lead to deeper love and justice in the community.
- A key takeaway is the call to action: to 'unration' generosity by sharing one's gifts with those in need, fostering a sense of communal support.
- The episode concludes with a prayer that reinforces the theme of abundance, urging listeners to be conduits of God's love and compassion in their daily lives.
Links referenced in this episode:
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)
Transcript
Hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.
Speaker A:In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.
Speaker A:The reading is understandable.
Speaker A:I use the Message version Relatable.
Speaker A:Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.
Speaker A:We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com which is the home of your free personal Bible Study Guide, the ABC1, 23 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.
Speaker A:Here's today's reading.
Speaker B:Reading from the gospel of John 3:31 36 from the Message the one who comes from above is head and shoulders over other messengers from God.
Speaker B:The earth born is earth bound and speaks earth language.
Speaker B:The heaven born is in a league of its own.
Speaker B:He sets out the evidence of what he saw and heard in heaven.
Speaker B:No one wants to deal with these facts, but anyone who examines this evidence will come to stake his life on this that God himself is the truth.
Speaker B:The one that God sent speaks God's words.
Speaker B:And don't think he rations out the Spirit in bits and pieces.
Speaker B:The Father loves the Son extravagantly.
Speaker B:He turned everything over to him so he could give it away.
Speaker B:A lavish distribution of gifts.
Speaker B:That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything.
Speaker B:Life complete and forever.
Speaker B:And that is why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn't see life.
Speaker B:All he experiences of God is darkness.
Speaker B:And an angry darkness at that.
Speaker B:Well friends, that ends this reading and I'm just glad we get to spend a couple minutes together here.
Speaker B:Go a little deeper here on John 3:31 36 here John paints a picture of Jesus as the one who speaks about God's own heart.
Speaker B:Not rationing the Spirit in bits and pieces is what it says, but pouring out a lavish distribution of gifts.
Speaker B:So the invitation is to trust this way of abundant life.
Speaker B:Life that's complete, not cramped with fear.
Speaker B:Let's go a little deeper on some teaching points now.
Speaker B:Three points to ponder I like to call it.
Speaker B:The first one is the Spirit is not scarce, so we don't have to be either.
Speaker B:Don't think God rations out the Spirit.
Speaker B:That's a direct hit on a scarcity Reflex we often have.
Speaker B:A progressive reading here Resists gatekeeping the spirit by any means by gender, orientation, race, class, education or platform.
Speaker B:If God lavishes gifts, our job is to recognize and make room for them.
Speaker B:Women preaching and leading LGBTQ siblings Fully affirmed black and brown leaders.
Speaker B:Leaders of all colors centered lay people empowered.
Speaker B:Abundance looks like shared power, not hoarded control.
Speaker B:Another point to ponder is this faith examines and then trusts.
Speaker B:The text says anyone who examines this evidence will come to stake their life on this.
Speaker B:That's permission to think, to question, test and leads to love and justice.
Speaker B:Progressive faith welcomes science, therapy and lived experience as conversation partners with scripture.
Speaker B:Doubt isn't disloyal.
Speaker B:It's often how love grows teeth.
Speaker B:We trust Jesus not by shutting our eyes, but by opening them and following the evidence towards liberation and mercy.
Speaker B:A third point to ponder.
Speaker B:Gets in on everything means participation, not possession.
Speaker B:Let me read that again.
Speaker B:Open quote Gets in on everything.
Speaker B:Means participation, not possession.
Speaker B:Life complete and forever as what the scripture says isn't a private trophy, it's shared participation in God's generosity.
Speaker B:Right now we join a distribution network of our time, our money, our skills and our votes which become channels of the Spirit's abundance.
Speaker B:If religion leaves our neighbors hungry, excluded or unheard, we've missed the point of Jesus.
Speaker B:Trust looks like concrete solidarity that reduces suffering.
Speaker B:In our scripture Today we are talking about.
Speaker B:This situation here of.
Speaker B:Of shared life together.
Speaker B:So let's take a look at one unpractice that we can do an action step.
Speaker B:One thing we can do is unration generosity.
Speaker B:Pick one gift that has God has placed on you.
Speaker B:A gift of listening or cooking or advocacy, rides to appointments, tech help with somebody, spare room maybe that you can loan out for a while, a spare hour of your time and put it in circulation for someone who needs it.
Speaker B:Another thing that we can do is name one place you can share power.
Speaker B:Invite a new voice to lead past the mic, co sign a marginalized colleague's idea or support and affirming policy in your church or workplace.
Speaker B:We'll come back and have a prayer here in just a minute, but I want you to know we have a resource for you called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.
Speaker B:We invite you to head over to our website voiceofgoddaily.com that's where you can get it.
Speaker B:Let's pray.
Speaker B:Oh God of lavish spirit, thank you for not measuring your love with a teaspoon.
Speaker B:When we clutch and count.
Speaker B:Teach us to open our hands when we doubt.
Speaker B:Guide our questions towards courage and compassion.
Speaker B:Let your gifts flow through us of time, tenderness, truth and tangible help so fewer neighbors feel alone.
Speaker B:Bless caregivers and patients, the tired and the trying, the ones walking hospital hallways and the ones walking on a wooded trail.
Speaker B:Meet us in our families and meet us in the laughter of children and make our communities places where no one rations belonging and where your abundance becomes visible in justice and in joy.
Speaker B:Amen.
Speaker A:My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.
Speaker A:The Daily Bible Refresh is completely listener supported.
Speaker A: ion ears, a million people by: Speaker A:I would be so grateful if you would go to voiceofgodddaily.com and share your gift of any amount.
Speaker A:Thanks much.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Read Refresh.
Speaker A:Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.
Speaker A:Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
