Episode 981
What Does Spiritual Fitness Look Like in Progressive Christianity?
This episode elucidates the paramount importance of spiritual fitness as a daily practice, emphasizing the necessity of exercising one's faith consistently to foster growth and authenticity. I, Dr. Brad Miller, present a reading from 1 Timothy 4:6-16, which serves as a foundation for our exploration of the intersection between physical discipline and spiritual vitality. We delve into the concept that spiritual wellness requires not merely adherence to dogma but a commitment to daily engagement with God, akin to nurturing a loving relationship. Furthermore, we examine how authenticity in faith is cultivated through lived experience, transcending age and societal expectations, and how our actions must resonate with our teachings. I encourage listeners to reflect on their spiritual journey and maintain a journal to track their growth as we navigate this path together.
Dr. Brad Miller presents a profound exploration of spiritual fitness through an interpretation of scripture, specifically focusing on 1 Timothy 4:6-16. The discourse articulates the necessity of daily engagement in one's spiritual journey, likening it to the dedication required in personal relationships. By employing the Message version of the Bible, the discussion becomes accessible, allowing for a relatable understanding of spiritual discipline. The speaker emphasizes that spiritual fitness is not merely an obligation but a continuous practice that fosters growth, drawing parallels to physical exercise. He advocates for an approach that is both flexible and robust, urging listeners to embrace their spiritual endeavors with the same regularity and commitment as one would a physical regimen. Moreover, the episode underscores the importance of authenticity in spiritual practice, particularly in the context of age and experience. The speaker encourages individuals to recognize that wisdom is not confined to the elderly, but can be found across all age groups, thus promoting an inclusive understanding of spiritual mentorship. This theme culminates in a call to action, wherein listeners are invited to reflect upon their spiritual practices and engage in a method of accountability, thereby enriching their faith journey within a communal framework.
Takeaways:
- Spiritual fitness necessitates a daily commitment to nurturing one's relationship with God.
- Authenticity in faith can be cultivated through age and life experiences, transcending mere chronology.
- Teaching is most impactful when demonstrated through actions rather than mere words, fostering genuine learning.
- Engaging in service, compassion, and gratitude are vital components of a well-rounded spiritual practice.
- Maintaining a spiritual fitness journal can significantly enhance one's accountability and growth in faith.
- The integration of beliefs and actions is essential for meaningful engagement in progressive Christianity.
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.
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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 to 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:Subscribe here's today's reading the reading is from 1 Timothy 4:6 16 reading from the Message.
Speaker A:You've been raised on the message of the faith and have followed sound teaching.
Speaker A:Now pass on this counsel to the followers of Jesus here, there and you'll be a good servant of Jesus.
Speaker A:Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion.
Speaker A:Exercise daily in God.
Speaker A:No spiritual flabbiness here, please.
Speaker A:Workouts in the gymnasium are helpful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you both fit for today and forever.
Speaker A:You can count on this.
Speaker A:Take it to heart.
Speaker A:This is why we've thrown ourselves into this venture so totally.
Speaker A:We're banking on the living God, Savior of all men and women, especially believers.
Speaker A:Get the word out.
Speaker A:Teach on these things and don't let anyone put you down because you're young.
Speaker A:Teach believers with your life by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.
Speaker A:Stay at your post reading scripture, giving, counsel, teaching and that special gift of ministry you were given when the leaders of the church laid hands on you and prayed.
Speaker A:Keep that dusted off and in use.
Speaker A:Cultivate these things.
Speaker A:Immerse yourself in them.
Speaker A:The people will see you mature right before their eyes.
Speaker A:Keep a firm grasp both your character and your teaching.
Speaker A:Don't be diverted, just keep at it.
Speaker A:Both you and those who hear you will experience salvation.
Speaker A:Well, that's the end of the reading.
Speaker A:Let's get into some little bit a better understanding of spiritual fitness here.
Speaker A:Now that is finding some balance and faith in your life.
Speaker A:And My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'm really glad you're joining me today on our progressive look at Scripture.
Speaker A:And as we do so, I want to share with you something that happened with my granddaughters last recently we took a walk in a wooded area and I tried to tell them a dad joke, why don't trees like going to the gym?
Speaker A:Because they're afraid of their bark getting worse.
Speaker A:And they were kind of groaning, you know, as it is.
Speaker A:But they were delighted nonetheless.
Speaker A:I want to speak to you here today about exercise and spiritual growth.
Speaker A:And Today's passage from First Timothy 4, 6, 16 actually has something fascinating to say about that topic.
Speaker A:The message translation gives us a fresh perspective on some really practical wisdom about spiritual fitness and authentic living.
Speaker A:So let's explore some key points that I think are relevant for us today.
Speaker A:The first point is that spiritual fitness is a daily practice.
Speaker A:This passage talks about exercising daily with God.
Speaker A:And you know what?
Speaker A:That's really important.
Speaker A:That's why we do this daily Bible refresh.
Speaker A:This also resonates with me as someone who's been married for over 33 years and just like my relation with my wife, it requires daily attention and care.
Speaker A:Same thing our spiritual life requires daily attention and care.
Speaker A:It's about regular exercise.
Speaker A:It's not about rigid rules or religious performance, about staying spiritually fit, flexible and strong enough.
Speaker A:And we do that through consistent practice.
Speaker A:A second point to ponder is authenticity is greater as we age with age and experience.
Speaker A:There's this beautiful reminder in the text about not letting anyone put you down because you're young.
Speaker A:You know, I host a podcast about cancer, foreign cancer, impacted people, and I've learned that wisdom and impact aren't about age.
Speaker A:I've learned great things from aged people and from people in their 20s, 20 to 80 and beyond.
Speaker A:On both ends of the spectrum are people that we can learn from when they have an authentic voice and experience that matters.
Speaker A:A third point is about living out your teaching.
Speaker A:This passage emphasizes teaching through our lives through word and demeanor, love, faith and integrity.
Speaker A:This reminds me of raising our three kids.
Speaker A:They they learned far more from watching my wife and I and our lived a life than from really what we said or what we taught them.
Speaker A:They learn by seeing and what we did.
Speaker A:In progressive Christianity, this alignment between beliefs and actions is crucial, especially in working for justice and inclusion.
Speaker A:Here's your reaction Step I challenge you to create and what we might call a spiritual fitness journal.
Speaker A:Take a few minutes, five minutes or so to reflect on what ways you've exercised your faith through some action, serving others, praying, showing compassion to someone, standing up for justice, or practicing just a mindful attitude of gratitude.
Speaker A:And you might track this, write something down, make it a statistical type of thing.
Speaker A:Track your spiritual growth to keep yourself accountable.
Speaker A:We'll pray here in just a minute, but I always want to remind you that we have a resource for you.
Speaker A:It's called the Daily.
Speaker A:It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:You can pick it up at our website, voiceofgoddaily.com let's pray.
Speaker A:Divine Love we come to you as we are sometimes spiritually energetic and sometimes feeling a bit out of shape.
Speaker A:Help us find that daily rhythm of spiritual exercise that keeps us growing, loving and serving like good like a good workout partner.
Speaker A:Stay with us as we practice living our faith authentically.
Speaker A:Guide us to be people who don't just talk about love, but demonstrate it in tangible ways.
Speaker A:Thank you for being present in our journey, whether we're on the mountaintops or in the valleys.
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 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.
