Episode 970
Living with Urgency and Love: A Reading from 1 Peter 4:7-11
The central theme of this podcast episode revolves around the imperative to live with urgency and love, as articulated in the epistle of 1 Peter 4:7-11. We explore the notion that our contemporary circumstances, marked by various crises, necessitate a profound commitment to intentional love and radical generosity. The discussion emphasizes the significance of mutual aid as a sacred practice, challenging the prevailing individualistic paradigms of charity by advocating for sustainable communities of care. Furthermore, we reflect on the idea that our diverse gifts should be perceived not as private possessions, but as communal resources that facilitate collective liberation. As we delve into these insights, we also provide actionable steps to foster mutual aid networks within our communities, thereby nurturing relationships that transcend mere transactional assistance.
Takeaways:
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of living with urgency and love during crises, reflecting on 1 Peter 4:7-11.
- It challenges listeners to embrace mutual aid as a sacred practice in community engagement and support.
- The discussion highlights the transformative potential of crisis, urging purposeful action rather than panic in urgent times.
- The episode advocates for viewing our diverse gifts not as personal possessions but rather as resources for communal liberation.
- Listeners are encouraged to initiate or join mutual aid networks, fostering sustainable community support rather than temporary charitable acts.
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
Living with urgency and love a reading from 1st Peter 4:7 11 on the.
Speaker B:Daily Bible refresh hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker B:This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.
Speaker B:In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised and Common Lectionary for this very day.
Speaker B:The reading is understandable.
Speaker B:I use the Message version Relatable.
Speaker B:Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.
Speaker B:We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.
Speaker B:It's all brought to you by voiceofgodddaily.com which is the home of your free personal Bible Study Guide, the ABC1, 23 Bible Study Method.
Speaker B: lionaires a million people by: Speaker B:You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.
Speaker B:Here's today's reading.
Speaker A:Reading from 1 Peter 4:7 11 from the Message Everything in the world is about to be wrapped up, so take nothing for granted.
Speaker A:Stay wide awake in prayer.
Speaker A:Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it.
Speaker A:Love makes up for practically anything.
Speaker A:Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless.
Speaker A:Cheerfully be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it.
Speaker A:If words, let it be God's words.
Speaker A:If help, let it be God's hearty help.
Speaker A:That way God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus and he'll get all the credit as the one Mighty in everything.
Speaker A:Encores to the End of time.
Speaker A:Oh yes, that completes the reading and from Peter.
Speaker A:Our passage from 1 Peter calls for us to live with intentional love and radical generosity even in times of crisis.
Speaker A:Here are some points to ponder.
Speaker A:Crisis as a catalyst is the first one.
Speaker A:When Peter writes everything is about to be wrapped up, he's addressing a community in crisis.
Speaker A:Today we face many crises.
Speaker A:Climate emergencies, social upheaval, political unrest, systematic injustice.
Speaker A:We too live in urgent times.
Speaker A:This urgency doesn't call for panic, but but for purposeful love driven action.
Speaker A:The second point to Potter is about mutual aid as sacred practice.
Speaker A:The biblical text emphasis on providing meals and shelter reflects early Christian mutual aid networks.
Speaker A:This challenges modern individualistic charity models, calling us instead to create sustainable communities of care where resources are shared freely and dignity is preserved for all.
Speaker A:One more point to ponder.
Speaker A:It's about collective gifts for collective liberation.
Speaker A:It says in the scripture, be generous with the different things God gave you that suggests that our diverse gifts aren't personal possessions, but community resources.
Speaker A:This challenges capitalistic notions of individual achievement and private ownership, calling us to see our talents and resources as tools for collective liberation.
Speaker A:Here's your action step.
Speaker A:Start or join a mutual aid network in community.
Speaker A:You know like a food bank or clothes closet, maybe organizing a community fridge, setting up a tool sharing system or creating a skill sharing network.
Speaker A:Focus on building sustainable relationships rather than one time charitable acts.
Speaker A:Remember, mutual aid isn't just about meeting immediate needs.
Speaker A:It's about creating alternative systems of community care.
Speaker A:We're gonna come back with a closing prayer here in just a second.
Speaker A:First of all, just to share with you that we have a resource for your at home daily Bible study practices.
Speaker A:It is called the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:Free to you when you go to our website voiceofgod daily.com let's pray.
Speaker A:Oh God.
Speaker A:You're a source of love and life and sometimes we feel apocalyptic.
Speaker A:Help us remember that crisis can birth transformation when we're tempted to hoard our resources out of fear.
Speaker A:Remind us that love makes up for practically anything.
Speaker A:Guide us in using our gifts not for personal gain, but for community flourishing.
Speaker A:Give us courage to build networks of care that challenge the systems that create scarcity.
Speaker A:Help us to stay awake in both the urgency of our times and the possibilities for radical change in the spirit of collective liberation.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker B:My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.
Speaker B:The Daily Bible Refresh is completely listener supported.
Speaker B: on years, a million people by: Speaker B:I would be so grateful if you would go to voiceofgodddaily.com and share your gift of any, any amount.
Speaker B:Thanks much.
Speaker B:My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker B:Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.
Speaker B:Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker B:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
