Daily Bible Refresh

In this episode of Daily Bible Refresh, Dr. Brad Miller reflects on James 2:8–13 through a progressive Christian lens, focusing on the call to love your neighbor as yourself. He explores how favoritism—giving certain people the “good seat” while overlooking others—undermines that principle, and how mercy can replace harsh judgment, including the judgment we direct at ourselves. The episode closes with a practical challenge: offer warmth and attention to someone who often gets overlooked.

Key takeaways

• Love your neighbor is the “royal rule.” The episode presents love as the thread connecting how we treat people and how we interpret Scripture.
• Favoritism harms the whole community. Giving special treatment to “important” people while dismissing others goes against the call to love everyone.
• The rules aren’t a buffet. James’s passage cautions against keeping only the parts of faith that suit us while ignoring the rest.
• Mercy is a better way to live than scorekeeping. The speaker describes mercy as a source of relief from self-blame and encourages extending that kindness to others. [04:16–06:19]
• Notice who gets your attention. Consider who receives a warm greeting, a quick reply, or a place of importance—and who tends to be brushed off.

Links referenced in this episode:

• voiceofgoddaily.com

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 "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.

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.

You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".

Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.

Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)

In this episode of Daily Bible Refresh, Dr. Brad Miller reflects on Matthew 22:34–46 from a progressive Christian perspective, reading from The Message. Jesus names love of God and love of neighbor as the two principles on which the law and prophets depend, then challenges listeners to stay curious through a question about the Messiah. Dr. Miller considers how love, self-compassion, and openness to honest questions can shape our faith and relationships, and offers a practical challenge: ask someone a genuine “Help me understand” question before responding.

Key takeaways

• Love is the foundation, not a ranking: Jesus presents love of God and neighbor as the “pegs” on which the rest of the law and prophets hang.
• Neighbor-love includes self-love: The command to love others as yourself treats your own worth and well-being as part of the measure.
• Curiosity matters in faith: Jesus’ question about how the Messiah can be both David’s son and David’s master leaves a riddle to consider rather than a tidy answer.
• Certainty can crowd out wonder: Dr. Miller reflects on the danger of becoming so sure that we stop asking questions.
• Ask, don’t catch someone out: The episode’s action step is to ask one person a sincere question, using the words “Help me understand.”
• Check your response against love: Before answering, consider whether your words reflect love of God and neighbor.
• The closing prayer asks for loving curiosity: It asks God to make people gentle with themselves and others, curious instead of cornered, and unafraid of questions.

Links referenced in this episode:

• voiceofgoddaily.com

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 "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.

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.

You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".

Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.

Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)

In this episode of Daily Bible Refresh, Dr. Brad Miller reflects on John 5:39–47, where Jesus challenges people who study Scripture yet miss the life and love it points toward. Using the image of looking at a trail map instead of noticing the forest, Dr. Miller describes Scripture as a signpost—not a destination, trophy, or weapon. He considers how seeking approval and ranking ourselves against others can keep us from receiving grace, drawing on his own experience after a cancer diagnosis. He closes with a practical invitation to sit with a short passage, ask where it is leading, and take one small step toward connection and love.

Key takeaways

• Scripture points toward life: Reading the Bible matters, but it is meant to lead us toward God and how we live—not replace that life.
• Look up from the “map”: As with a trail map, focusing only on the text can cause us to miss the people and world around us.
• Avoid using Scripture as a trophy or weapon: Treating the Bible as a way to prove we are right can distract from its invitation to love and follow where it points.
• Beware the approval game: Constantly jockeying for position or comparing ourselves with others can crowd out attention to God’s love.
• Grace is not earned by ranking: Dr. Miller emphasizes that grace has no leaderboard; it is something to receive, not win.
• Make room to receive love: He shares that worry about how others perceived him during his cancer diagnosis made it harder to accept the care available to him.
• The passage is an internal debate: Dr. Miller cautions that the scripture reflects a disagreement among Jewish teachers about their own scriptures, not a verdict on Jewish people.
• Try a small action: Read a few verses, sit with them, ask where they are pointing, then take one small step—such as calling someone or connecting with another person.

Links referenced in this episode:

• voiceofgoddaily.com

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 "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.

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.

You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".

Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.

Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)

In this episode of Daily Bible Refresh, Dr. Brad Miller reflects on Titus 2:11–15 and the message that God’s grace is public and available to everyone. He explores how being loved comes before the call to live well, reframes Jesus’ sacrifice as love that sets people free, and describes authority as service rather than domination. The episode closes with a practical invitation to reach out to someone who needs reassurance that they are still welcome and loved.

• Grace is for everyone: It isn’t secret, earned, or reserved for people who seem especially worthy.
• Illness and hardship don’t make someone undeserving of love: Dr. Miller pushes back on the idea that people’s suffering means they did something to deserve it.
• Goodness follows grace: The message is not “be good so God will love you,” but “you are loved, so now you can be good.”
• Goodness can be energetic and life-giving: The passage’s call to be “energetic in goodness” is presented as an active, joyful way of living.
• Sacrifice is framed as liberating love: Dr. Miller emphasizes love giving itself to set people free, rather than sacrifice as a payment demanded by God.
• Authority means serving others: Leadership should build people up; discipline is described as care, not simply control.
• Practice grace out loud: Reach out to someone who may feel excluded, guilty, or alone, and remind them they are still loved and welcome.

Links referenced in this episode:

• voiceofgoddaily.com

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 "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.

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.

You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".

Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.

Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)

In this episode of Daily Bible Refresh, Dr. Brad Miller reflects on Titus 1:5–16 and what it means to lead with integrity. He contrasts public credentials with the character revealed in our closest relationships, describing self-control as a “good grip” that is steady yet gentle. He also takes an honest look at the passage’s harsh language and stereotypes, encouraging listeners to discern by people’s actions and “fruit” rather than by labels or background. The episode closes with a practical challenge: ask someone who knows you well how you’re doing, and pray for steady hands, gentle hearts, and a way of seeing every neighbor as beloved.

Key takeaways

• A leader’s character matters more than their status, platform, or public reputation.
• Our closest relationships can reveal how we lead and treat others when no one else is watching.
• A “good grip” on yourself means being steady and responsible without becoming harsh or controlling.
• The episode acknowledges that the passage’s insults and ethnic stereotypes are difficult language and have been used to justify contempt.
• Dr. Miller suggests judging by actions and “fruit,” rather than by a person’s background, religion, or community.
• The passage’s contrast between warning leaders against bullying and using aggressive language invites careful, honest discernment.
• The suggested action is to ask someone who knows you well how you’re doing—including how you’re handling reality and your closest relationships.

Links referenced in this episode:

• voiceofgoddaily.com

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 "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.

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.

You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".

Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.

Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)

In this episode of Daily Bible Refresh, Dr. Brad Miller reflects on Matthew 17:22–27, where Jesus tells his disciples about his coming death and resurrection, then responds to questions about the temple tax. Through the scene of Peter finding a coin in a fish’s mouth, Dr. Miller considers how fear and grief often arrive alongside ordinary demands like bills and paperwork. He explores Jesus’ freedom as God’s child—and his choice to pay the tax anyway to avoid needless offense—as an example of generosity rooted in belonging rather than obligation. The episode invites listeners to notice unexpected help and let go of small grievances for the sake of peace.

Key takeaways

• Crisis and everyday responsibilities can overlap. Serious fear or grief doesn’t stop bills, paperwork, and other ordinary demands from showing up.
• Faith can meet us in the middle of the mess. Jesus neither dismisses the tax bill nor makes it the main event.
• Belonging brings freedom. Jesus frames himself and his followers as God’s children, not defined by the demands of an empire.
• Freedom can be expressed through generosity. Jesus pays the tax to avoid causing needless offense, rather than using his rights as a weapon.
• Help can arrive unexpectedly. The coin in the fish is a reminder to stay open to surprising forms of provision.
• Let go of a small grievance for the sake of peace. The action step is to release a “you owe me” moment and give or forgive with a free heart, not resentment.

Links referenced in this episode:

• voiceofgoddaily.com

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 "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.

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.

You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".

Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.

Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)

In this episode of Daily Bible Refresh, Dr. Brad Miller reflects on Revelation 18:21–24, where Babylon’s fall is marked by the disappearance of music, craft, work, light, and wedding laughter. He considers how systems built on extraction can silence the ordinary sounds of community, and how the repeated promise of “never again” challenges the belief that harmful empires last forever. The episode invites listeners to notice whose voices are going unheard, make time to listen without trying to fix things, and trust that God remembers those harmed or forgotten.

• The passage mourns the loss of ordinary life: Its list focuses on music, work, light, and celebration—not just armies or palaces.
• Extractive systems can hollow out communities: When people are treated as cargo or resources, the sounds of everyday life can disappear.
• God values ordinary life: Miller emphasizes that everyday sounds, such as grain being ground or a wedding celebration, matter to God.
• Harmful systems are not permanent: Babylon’s repeated “never again” points to the possibility that empires built on harm will end.
• The victims are remembered: The episode does not soften the passage’s closing image of the blood of the murdered and martyred; Miller stresses that those harmed are not forgotten by God.
• Listen to someone who is often overlooked: The suggested action is to spend about 15 minutes with someone whose voice is usually drowned out—listening without offering advice or trying to fix the situation.
• Not all silence is the same: Dr. Miller contrasts the silence of a community under harm with the life-filled quiet of a walk in nature.

Links referenced in this episode:

• voiceofgoddaily.com

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 "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.

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.

You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".

Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.

Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)

In this episode of Daily Bible Refresh, Dr. Brad Miller reads Revelation 18:11–20 from The Message and reflects on the collapse of a wealthy city whose merchants mourn lost profits more than the people harmed by its economy. Reading Revelation as a protest against systems built on exploitation, he considers how human beings can be reduced to commodities, what it means that God sees and judges the wrongs they suffer, and how we might look more thoughtfully at the people behind the things we buy. He offers a practical challenge to research one regularly purchased item and consider a small change, then closes with a prayer and a reminder that human connection matters more than possessions.

Key takeaways

• The merchants’ grief is for their lost business and luxury goods—not for the people exploited by the system.
• The list of cargo, which includes enslaved people alongside animals and objects, shows how profit can dehumanize people.
• Dr. Miller reads Revelation as a protest against exploitative systems, rather than simply as a prediction of future events.
• Heaven’s celebration is about the end of an unjust system and the recognition of the wrongs people suffered—not celebrating people’s suffering.
• The passage invites listeners to ask what systems they may be supporting and who might bear the hidden costs.
• The practical action step is to research the conditions behind one item you regularly buy and consider a small change, such as choosing a fair-trade option or supporting people in the supply chain.

Links referenced in this episode:

• voiceofgoddaily.com

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 "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.

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.

You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".

Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.

Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)

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 "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.

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.

You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".

Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.

Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)

In this episode of "Daily Bible Refresh," Dr Brad Miller explores Matthew 22:15-22 from The Message, drawing out lessons about loyalty, the images we bear, and practical faith. With stories from his own life, including his love of Indianapolis sports teams and experiences as a cancer survivor, Dr Brad Miller invites listeners to reflect on where their deepest loyalties lie and how to live their faith in tangible ways.

Dr Brad Miller opens with the confession of his passionate loyalty to Indianapolis sports teams, yet he quickly turns this relatable sentiment into a deeper discussion: our loyalties, even the most meaningful, have boundaries. Using the Pharisees’ clever trap for Jesus in Matthew 22, Dr Brad Miller describes how Jesus is presented with a “no-win” question about paying taxes to Caesar at 02:05. Instead of choosing sides, Jesus transcends the political division, teaching that faith can’t be reduced to a mere loyalty test or a tool for political slogans. In a world that pushes us to align with one side or another, Dr Brad Miller reminds us to reflect on what we are actually carrying and who we are serving (04:12).

Building on the story of the coin that bears Caesar’s image, Dr Brad Miller asks listeners to consider whose image they themselves bear (05:00). Drawing from Genesis, he affirms that every person carries the image of God—making all people sacred, regardless of status, background, or beliefs. He extends this insight to the marginalized: immigrants, the poor, even those facing devastating medical bills. Dr Brad Miller's own cancer journey underlines this point—as he sits with others in the hospital system, he witnesses people being reduced to numbers, but the Gospel insists on their divine worth (06:03).

Dr Brad Miller encourages listeners to make faith practical. He suggests carrying a coin or dollar and asking, “Whose image is on it?” Then, in everyday encounters—whether on a hiking trail or with strangers—he urges us to remember that every person reflects God’s image (06:25). He shares simple acts like greeting people on the trail as small ways to honor this truth. The episode closes with a challenge: move beyond political and economic divisions to affirm the dignity and sacredness of all people, and to live each day with kindness, generosity, and awareness of God’s presence in everyone.

Subscribe, share, and join Dr Brad Miller's mission to spread the audible Word of God to 2 million ears by 2028. Learn more at voiceofgoddaily.com.

In this episode of Daily Bible Refresh, Dr. Brad Miller reflects on Matthew 14:1–12, where Herod’s fear of losing face leads him to order John the Baptist’s execution. The story prompts a difficult but honest discussion about how protecting one’s image can undermine integrity, and how faith does not guarantee rescue from suffering. Drawing on his own experience with cancer, Dr. Miller emphasizes that people facing grief often need compassionate presence more than easy explanations. He points to John’s disciples—who cared for his body and told Jesus—as an example of carrying loss to someone who understands, and invites listeners to share a loss with Jesus and someone they trust.

Key takeaways

• Fear of losing face can lead to terrible choices. Herod prioritizes his reputation with his guests over John’s life
• Protecting an image can come at the cost of integrity. Dr. Miller asks listeners to consider where they may be holding onto a position or promise simply to avoid looking foolish.
• Faithful people still experience suffering. John’s story offers no miraculous rescue, and the episode does not gloss over that reality
• Presence can matter more than explanations. Dr. Miller reflects that support during hardship comes from people who stay with us, rather than relying on pithy answers about why suffering happens.
• Grief deserves care and expression. John’s disciples bury him with reverence and report what happened to Jesus—a way of bringing their grief to someone who understands.
• Action step: Name a loss you’re carrying, tell Jesus about it, and share it with someone you trust—without trying to explain or fix it first.

Links referenced in this episode:

• voiceofgoddaily.com

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 "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.

The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.

You can help Dr. Brad attain his goal of getting a bit of the bible into two million ears by subscribing to "Daily Bible Refresh" on Apple Podcasts, leaving a five-star rating, and writing a review. More importantly please share with your network of family and friends about the "Daily Bible Refresh".

Please make listening to the "Daily Bible Refresh" a part of your daily life.

Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)