Hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.

This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.

In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.

The reading is understandable.

I use the Message version relatable.

Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.

We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.

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Here's today's reading and we're reading today from the Gospel of Luke, chapter 6, verses 17 through 26 from the Message you're blessed.

Coming down off the mountain with them, he stood on a plain surrounded by disciples and was soon joined by a huge congregation from all over Judea and Jerusalem, even from the seaside towns of Tyre and Sidon.

They had come both to hear him and to be cured of their diseases.

Those disturbed by evil spirits were healed.

Everyone was trying to touch him.

So much energy surging from him, so many people healed.

Then he spoke.

You're blessed when you've lost it all.

God's kingdom is there for the finding.

You're blessed when you're ravenously hungry, then you're ready for the messianic meal.

You're blessed when the tears flow freely.

Joy comes in the morning.

Count yourself blessed every time someone cuts you down or throws you out.

Every time someone smears or blackens your name to discredit me.

What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and that that person is uncomfortable.

You can be glad when that happens.

Skip like a lamb if you like, for even though they don't like it, I do.

And all heaven applauds and I know that you are in good company.

My preachers and witnesses have always been treated like this.

Give away your life, but it's trouble ahead if you think you've made it.

What you have is all you ever get.

And it's trouble ahead if you're satisfied with yourself.

Your self will not satisfy you for long.

And it's trouble ahead if you think life's all fun and games.

There's suffering to be met and you're going to meet it.

There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them.

Popularity contests are not truth contests.

Look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors.

Your task is to be true, not popular.

That is the Reading I just want to say greetings to the good people who are listening in to our conversation here today.

I like to think of it as us having a conversation over a cup of coffee, around a table, at a coffee shop, or in perhaps in someone's kitchen.

I want to thank you for spending a few minutes with me today.

Our reading here is from Luke, chapter 6, 1726, and from the message is often called the sermon on the plane.

It's the one that starts with you're blessed and then flips the script into what is most from what most call success.

I'm Kevin Hughes, a man who's been married for over 34 years and raised three adult kids who have turned out great, and they're carving out their own beautiful pathways in life.

We've got two young granddaughters who think I'm funny because I tell dumb dad jokes and they'd be kind of groaners, if you will.

My wife and I love to travel, especially if there's woods or mountains, that type of thing.

Trails to go.

And yes, I'm all in for Indianapolis area sports, Indiana University football, the Colts, the Pacers, Indiana Fever.

And then I also host a podcast every week beyond this one, which is all for people who deal with cancer, cancer, impacted people.

It's called Cancer and Comedy.

And so when Jesus says you're blessed and when you've lost it all, when you're hungry and when the tears flow, I'm not coming to you from some high pulpit or something like that.

I'm with you and living real life.

I hear solidarity.

I hear a God who doesn't stand off from our pain.

Let's look at three points to ponder from today's from a progressive lens from today's scripture.

The first is that being is blessing is a solidarity, not a spiritual spin.

Blessed are you isn't congratulating hardship, it's God's proximity in it, in a world that equates blessing with comfort.

Luke's blessings are about God's showing up first to those on the margins, those hungry for food, for justice, a second chance.

This isn't suffer more to be holy.

It's you are seen.

You are not alone.

That's a call for the rest of us to organize our lives so that those who weep aren't Left alone to weep when my podcast community shares how cancer strips away pretenses, I see how honesty creates belonging and blessing.

Looks like a table where the hungry eat and the grieving are held Close A second point to ponder the woes spoke of here.

Warn us about insulated comfort.

It says here, quote trouble ahead if you think you have it made, if you're satisfied with yourself.

Close quote Jesus isn't dunking in joy or on solid on joy and stability.

He's warning us about smugness that numbs compassion.

Progressive faith reminds us that personal peace without public justice is the thin blessing.

If we only chase good vibes, games, travel, highlights without no noticing who's left out or who's hurting.

Well, we're missing the pulse of the kingdom.

The question isn't whether we enjoy life.

God delights in laughter.

I have a great time laughing with my grandchildren, for instance, as evidence.

But the question is whether our comfort is porous enough to let others in.

One more point to ponder.

Truth beats solidarity.

Popularity contests are not truth contests that last for me as a sports fan and kind of a dad joke teller, if you will.

Cheers are loud, but truth is steady.

Jesus says expect pushback when you stand close to the truth, especially the truth.

That includes the excluded, dignifies the poor, challenges harmful systems.

Faithfulness is not about winning the room.

It's about serving the person in front of you in real terms, advocating for justice, for health care, for resisting dehumanizing efforts and rhetoric, and practicing radical hospitality.

Joy doesn't come from applause.

It comes from alignment with love.

One action step to take this week.

Let's talk about practicing blessing redistribution, I.e.

identify some comfort in your life that you can share time, money, access, encouragement, relatability and give it away towards someone who's hungry or hurt.

It might be a food pantry.

It might be buying somebody a cup of coffee.

It might be a ride for somebody needing treatment.

It might be just a good word or a Facebook post, something like that.

Or a gift to a caregiver.

And pair that with a truth act.

One honest conversation email to a local leader or about a justice issue, or about our commitment to show up where inclusion is thin.

We'll come back with a prayer here in just a minute, but I did want you to know that we have a great resource for you called the ABC123 Bible study method and it's there for you for free at our website, voiceofgoddaily.com let's pray God of the Level Ground thank you for meeting us.

Where Real life happens on planes, not pedestals.

When we're hungry, hold us close and feed us.

When we're grieving, send morning light and people who stay through the night when when comfort makes us numb, wake us up gently but clearly.

Give us courage to choose truth over applause and compassion over convenience.

Bless our homes.

Bless the people we relate to, our trails we walk on and our tables we eat around so that our joy spills into someone else's life.

Teach us to laugh wide, love deep, and live generously.

Amen.

My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.

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Thanks much.

My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.

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Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.

His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.