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 lesson 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.

Reading from 1 Timothy 3:14 4:5 from the message I hope to visit you soon, but just in case I'm delayed, I'm writing this letter so you'll know how things ought to go in God's household.

This God Alive Church bastion of truth.

This Christian life is a great mystery far exceeding our understanding.

But some things are clear enough.

He appeared in a human body, was proved to be right by the invisible spirit, was seen by angels.

He was proclaimed among all kinds of peoples, believed in all over the world, taken up into heavenly glory.

Teach with your life.

The Spirit makes it clear that as time goes on, some are going to give up on faith and chase after demonic illusions put forth by professional liars.

The these liars have lied so well and for so long that they have lost their capacity for truth.

They will tell you not to get married.

They'll tell you not to eat this or that food.

Perfectly good food God created to be eaten heartily and with thanksgiving by believers who know better.

Everything God created is good and to be received with thanks.

Nothing is to be sneered at and thrown out.

God's word and our prayers make every item in creation holy.

That ends the reading.

Let's talk about living truth in a world of deception.

It's great to be with you today here in this daily Bible Refresh.

You know, I'm a person who spent over three decades, 33 years married to the same wonderful woman.

And that means I've learned a thing or two about truth and authenticity.

Speaking of truth, sometimes I like to throw in a bad dad joke and I got one for you today.

Why don't liars like eating clock soup?

Because it's too time consuming.

I know this is a groaner, but it's something that we can laugh at a bit.

But everyone knows what I'm talking about, about how we use our time in this passage from First Timothy.

It speaks about directly to our modern challenges with truth and authenticity and faith.

You know, I've hosted podcasts about people dealing with cancer, and I've learned that truth telling and genuine faith are absolutely crucial in healing and hope.

Let's look at a few points to ponder about this passage of Scripture.

The first is the mystery of embodied faith.

Passages talk about Jesus appearing in a human body.

This embodiment of the divine is revolutionary, and it reminds us.

It reminds me a little bit of hiking through a state park with my wife when we often experience the divine in this physical, wonderful world around us.

The message here is not about some distant, abstract God, but about a divine truth showing up in tangible human experiences like when I played with my granddaughters as something holy in these moments, a pure joy and presence.

The second is about a progressive understanding of truth.

You know, I'm an Indianapolis Colts fan and I've seen our team struggle quite a bit over the last few years.

And similarly, the passage of time suggests that our understanding of faith should evolve too.

While some might give up on faith, perhaps what they're really rejecting is an outdated or harmful interpretation.

The bastion of truth mentioned here isn't about a rigid dogma, but about a living, breathing community seeking authentic understanding.

Another point is about a radical acceptance and gratitude.

The text here challenges those who create unnecessary restrictions around food and marriage.

This reminds me of how modern progressive faith needs to challenge official boundaries that exclude people.

You know, I'm a basketball fan.

Whether it's a Pacers game or a Fever game, I see how spurts bring diverse people together for a common good or common goal.

Shouldn't our faith communities be the same?

Here's your action step.

Identify one belief or practice that you've inherited that might be creating unnecessary barriers between you and God or between other people in God, and challenge yourself to examine it critically and prayerfully.

Maybe it's about who's welcome at your table or what constitutes acceptable Christian behavior.

Remember, everything God created is good.

We have a prayer here in just a moment.

I just want to remind you that you can go over to our website, voiceofgoddaily.com and pick up a helpful resource.

It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Guideline.

I invite you to go there and pick that up.

Let's pray.

Oh loving God, help us embrace the mystery of faith.

Without trying to control it.

Give us.

Give us courage to question harmful traditions while holding onto the truth of your inclusive love.

Thank you for showing up in everyday moments and family dinners and laughter with friends and the struggles of those facing illness and in the joy of new discoveries.

Help us create spaces where everyone can experience your presence freely and guide us to be truth tellers who build bridges rather than walls.

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.