Welcome to "Daily Bible Refresh" with Rev. Dr. Brad Miller. In this episode titled "Mary's Song and the Call to Justice," Rev. Dr. Brad Miller provides a profound and relatable reflection on the New Testament reading for the 4th Sunday of Advent from the Revised Common Lectionary, Year C.

Today's selected scripture is from Luke 1:46-55, also known as Mary's song or the Magnificat. Reading from The Message version of the Bible, Rev. Dr. Brad Miller delves into the significant themes encapsulated in Mary's emotional and powerful declaration.

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller begins with the inspirational words of Mary, a young, unmarried woman in a patriarchal society, who speaks about how God's love and mercy have transformed her life. This scripture is a luminary passage that shifts our understanding of divine dignity, economic justice, and the marginalized.

Here are key takeaways from this episode:

1. Divine Dignity for All People:

• Rev. Dr. Brad Miller points out that Mary’s song celebrates the divine dignity bestowed upon her and, by extension, upon all people. Despite her low social status, Mary's experience of being seen and valued by God underscores a powerful message: God’s recognition and love extend especially to those whom society often overlooks or devalues. This serves as a reminder of God’s real concern for marginalized people and communities facing discrimination.

1. Call for Economic and Social Justice:

• The Magnificat isn’t just poetic; it is revolutionary. Mary’s proclamation about filling the hungry with good things and sending the rich away empty is a clear cry for economic and social justice. Rev. Dr. Brad Miller emphasizes that Mary's words challenge us to confront the existing disparities between the wealthy and those in need, urging a fair and equal distribution of resources, epitomizing the transformative power of the gospel.

1. Active Participation in God’s Justice Work:

• The call to action is clear. Rev. Dr. Brad Miller encourages listeners to be active participants in God’s justice-making work. This week's action step involves identifying tangible ways to lift up the marginalized, whether by advocating for fair wages, supporting service organizations, or examining one’s own privilege to bring about change. Mary's song inspires us to move from comfortable faith towards actionable steps in justice and liberation.

Before closing with a heartfelt prayer, Rev. Dr. Brad Miller introduces a valuable resource for the Advent season: "On the Way to Bethlehem" by Rob Fuquay. This book provides insight into the historical and geographical significance of the Nativity narrative and is highly recommended for deeper contemplation during Advent.

In the concluding prayer, Rev. Dr. Brad Miller petitions for courage and vision to stand with those on the margins, emulating Mary's bold vision of justice and compassion.

Join Rev. Dr. Brad Miller tomorrow for another enlightening episode of Daily Bible Refresh. Until then, remember, God's loyal love is renewed every morning.

Resource Mentioned:

• "On the Way to Bethlehem" by Rob Fuquay

Thank you for tuning in to "Daily Bible Refresh" with Rev. Dr. Brad Miller.

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).

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...

Welcome to "Daily Bible Refresh," hosted by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller. Each day, Dr. Miller delves into the daily readings from the Common Lectionary, bringing us meaningful reflections that are both relatable and profound. Today, he kicks off with a passage from Luke 13:31-35, read from the Message version of the Bible.

In this episode, Dr. Miller paints a vivid picture of Jesus confronting the political powers of His day, encapsulated in His interaction with Herod. He illustrates how Jesus was warned about Herod's intentions to kill Him, yet responded with conviction and a prophetic declaration. This important biblical account provides a springboard for considering our own interactions with power and vulnerability.

Key Takeaways:

1. Speaking Truth to Power: Jesus’ bold response to Herod, referring to him as "that fox," represents a powerful act of speaking truth to power. Dr. Miller emphasizes that unjust systems and authorities should be challenged. This call to discipleship invites listeners to think critically about injustice in their own contexts and to take steps, however small, to confront it.
2. Redefining Power through Vulnerability: Dr. Miller discusses the metaphor of the hen gathering her chicks—a striking contrast to the militaristic power often associated with political entities. This imagery lends itself to a broader discussion on how true strength can manifest through acts of love and care, rather than through domination or force. This view challenges the "might makes right" mentality and invites listeners to consider a more compassionate approach to leadership and influence.
3. Compassionate Resistance: While advocating for justice, Dr. Miller underscores the importance of maintaining a compassionate heart. He encourages the audience to balance their acts of resistance with a Christ-like love. The difficult, yet rewarding task is to express opposition to harmful systems while still harboring love in our hearts.

Action Step: Dr. Miller encourages you to identify a "fox-like" system of power in your community—be it political, economic, or social—that causes harm, and take a definitive action against it. This could involve writing letters, joining advocacy groups, or supporting those who lead such efforts. Importantly, engage in this resistance with compassionate love, akin to the protective care Jesus exemplified.

To further enrich your Advent season, Dr. Miller recommends "Prepare the Way for the Lord" by best-selling author Adam Hamilton. This resource focuses on preparing to receive Christ during Advent, inspired by the teachings of John the Baptist.

Closing the episode with a prayer, Dr. Miller seeks courage, wisdom, and compassion for his listeners as they navigate their daily lives, continuously inspired by Jesus' teachings.

Join us again tomorrow for more daily reflections that aim to foster personal growth and spiritual enrichment. Until then, remember, God’s loyal love is ever-present, renewed each morning.

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).

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 Voice of God Daily 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

Show Notes: Daily Bible Refresh - S3. Ep.021

Episode Title: Exploring Sustainable Activism and Radical Contentment

Host: Rev. Dr. Brad Miller

In this enlightening episode of "To Be Encouraged," Rev. Dr. Brad Miller delves into the themes of radical contentment and sustainable activism by reflecting on Hebrews 10:32-39. Using the Message version of the Bible, Rev. Dr. Miller provides insightful and actionable points to help listeners apply the biblical teachings to their daily lives. Here are three key takeaways from the episode:

Rev. Dr. Brad Miller illuminates the concept of radical contentment as outlined in Hebrews 10. The passage reminds us of a community that maintained joy and peace even when faced with severe hardships, such as public abuse and the seizure of their possessions. They were able to smile and let go of their material goods because they understood that their true treasure was found elsewhere—in their spiritual and relational lives. This challenges our modern consumer culture, prompting us to evaluate what truly holds value in our lives—is it material wealth or the richness of our relationships and spiritual well-being?

The episode also focuses on sustainable activism, a concept Rev. Dr. Miller describes as steadfast persistence in working for justice and change despite facing adversities. He emphasizes the importance of staying aligned with God’s plan and being grounded spiritually and within a supportive community. This sustainable approach ensures that efforts towards change are not only impactful but also enduring, allowing activists to avoid burnout and continue their mission effectively.

Rev. Dr. Miller provides a practical action step for listeners to engage in their communities meaningfully. He encourages listeners to identify a community movement or cause that resonates with their values—be it addressing hunger, homelessness, or substance abuse issues—and take concrete steps to support it. This could be through financial donations, volunteering, educating oneself about the cause, or spreading awareness via social media. By actively participating in these causes, individuals can contribute to sustainable change and embody the biblical teachings of community support and activism.

In this episode, Rev. Dr. Miller also recommends "On the Way to Bethlehem" by Rob Fuquay as a valuable resource to enrich one’s understanding of the advent season. This book delves into the geographical and historical context of the Christmas narrative, offering deeper insights into the people and places that define this season.

Prayer Focus: Rev. Dr. Miller concludes the episode with a heartfelt prayer, asking for divine guidance in balancing urgent action with sustainable persistence, and for wisdom to discern what truly matters in life.

Join Rev. Dr. Brad Miller in this enriching episode of "To Be Encouraged" as he explores these timeless spiritual lessons and their practical applications. Tune in daily for more insightful reflections and actionable teachings based on the Revised Common Lectionary.The Voice of God Daily 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 (2022-2025).

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