Episode 940
Nourishment for the Soul: A Profound Reflection on John 6:41-55
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 discourse presented in this episode encapsulates a profound exploration of spiritual nourishment as articulated in John 6:41-51. The speaker, Dr. Brad Miller, embarks on an enlightening journey, emphasizing the metaphorical significance of bread as a representation of life and sustenance. He articulates that Jesus, by declaring Himself as the 'bread of life', invites listeners to engage with a transformative understanding of spirituality that transcends mere physical sustenance. This reflection not only invites us to consider the profound implications of divine sustenance but also challenges our conventional perceptions of spiritual nourishment, urging us to expand our horizons beyond the familiar confines of human understanding. The discussion further delves into the idea of universal spiritual education, positing that divine wisdom is accessible to all, irrespective of traditional religious structures. Dr. Miller asserts that true learning and understanding come from a personal relationship with the divine, suggesting that every individual possesses the capacity to engage directly with God, thus democratizing spiritual knowledge.
Takeaways:
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of nourishment for the soul through reflective engagement with scripture.
- Listeners are encouraged to explore beyond their limited perspectives and recognize the transcendent nature of divine truth.
- The episode highlights that spiritual education is accessible to all, transcending traditional religious authorities.
- The metaphor of living bread illustrates the concept of spiritual sustenance that transforms our present reality.
- We are invited to practice sacred nourishment awareness by reflecting on what truly sustains our spirit.
- The podcast encourages intentional engagement with non-material sources of nourishment to enrich our lives.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
- voiceofgodddaily.com
Transcript
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 the reading from John 6:41 51 from the Message at this because he said, I am the bread that came down from heaven, the Jews started arguing over him.
Speaker A:Isn't this the son of Joseph?
Speaker A:Don't we know his Father?
Speaker A:Don't we know his mother?
Speaker A:How can he now say, I have come down out of heaven and expect anyone to believe him?
Speaker A:And Jesus said, don't bicker among yourselves over me.
Speaker A:You're not in charge here.
Speaker A:The Father who sent me is in charge.
Speaker A:He draws people to me.
Speaker A:That's the only way you'll ever come.
Speaker A:Only then do I do my work, putting people together so setting them on their feet, ready for the end.
Speaker A:This is what the prophets meant when they wrote.
Speaker A:And then they will all be personally taught by God.
Speaker A:Anyone who has spent any time at all listening to the Father, really listening and therefore learning comes to me to be taught personally, to see it with their own eyes, hear it with his own ears from me, since I have it firsthand from the Father.
Speaker A:No one has seen the Father except the one who has his being alongside the Father.
Speaker A:And you can see me.
Speaker A:I'm telling you the most solemn and sober truth now.
Speaker A:Whoever believes in me has real life, eternal life.
Speaker A:I am the bread of life.
Speaker A:Your ancestors ate the manna bread in the desert and died.
Speaker A:But now here is bread that truly comes down out of heaven.
Speaker A:Anyone eating this bread will not die.
Speaker A:Ever.
Speaker A:I am the bread, living bread who came down out of heaven.
Speaker A:Anyone who eats this bread will live and forever the bread that I present to the world so that it can eat and live Is myself the flesh and blood self?
Speaker A:Well, my friend, in today's reflection we just have this profound metaphor about bread and life and about spiritual sustenance and divine connection.
Speaker A:Let's get into some points to ponder.
Speaker A:The first is about beyond limited perspectives.
Speaker A:The crowd's fixation on Jesus familiar human origins mirrors our tendency to limit God's presence to our comfortable understanding.
Speaker A:Progressive faith invites us to move beyond binary thinking and and recognize that sacred truth often transcends our conventional categories.
Speaker A:Jesus's identity isn't confined to either human or divine.
Speaker A:It embraces a both.
Speaker A:And a second profound point is about universal spiritual education.
Speaker A:Jesus speaks of being, quote, personally taught by God.
Speaker A:This suggests that divine wisdom isn't exclusive to religious institutions or traditional or traditional authority figures.
Speaker A:This democratization of spiritual learning affirms that everyone has direct access to divine truth, regardless of their formal religious education or institutional affiliations.
Speaker A:The third point is about living sustenance.
Speaker A:The metaphor here of living bread speaks to spirituality that sustains real life.
Speaker A:Unlike the temporary manna of religious legalism or dogma, this living sustenance transforms our present reality.
Speaker A:It's not about future rewards or escape from this world, but about finding nourishment that enables us to fully engaged with life.
Speaker A:Now here's your action step.
Speaker A:Practice sacred nourishment awareness that is before each meal, pause to consider what truly feeds not only your body but your soul, what sustains your spirit.
Speaker A:Make A list of 3 non material sources of nourishment in your life.
Speaker A:It might be relationships or some creative outlet or reading the Bible or nature connection and intentionally engage in one of them.
Speaker A:Today we're going to pray here in just a minute.
Speaker A:Just always a reminder that we have a great resource for you to help you with your at home Bible study.
Speaker A:You just go over to our website voiceofgod daily.com that is where you're going to find it.
Speaker A:Yes.
Speaker A:Click on the link and get our resource the ABC123 Bible study method.
Speaker A:It will help you with your at home Bible study.
Speaker A:Let's pray.
Speaker A:Oh God, you are a source of life and love.
Speaker A:And when we try to put your mystery in a box, expand our vision beyond familiar boundaries.
Speaker A:When we speak spiritual nourishment, help us find it in unexpected places.
Speaker A:In our hunger for meaning and connection.
Speaker A:Remind us that you feed us through many channels.
Speaker A:Through relationships that challenge us to grow.
Speaker A:Through questions that deepen our understanding, through moments of wonder that fills our souls.
Speaker A:Thank you for sustaining us not just for some future heaven, but for a vibrant life today.
Speaker A: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: on years, 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 Refreshment.
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.
