The primary theme of today's episode revolves around the profound notion that spiritual growth is an ongoing journey rather than a final destination. We engage with a reading from 1 Peter 2:1-3, which emphasizes the necessity of nurturing one's spiritual life by letting go of harmful tendencies and cultivating a deeper craving for goodness. In our discourse, we elucidate the idea that true salvation is a process of maturation, inviting listeners to embrace a mindset of continual development akin to the gradual growth of a majestic tree. As we ponder the implications of our cravings, we recognize that what we consume—whether in thoughts or interactions—significantly influences our character and spiritual progression. We conclude with actionable steps for our audience to audit their spiritual appetites, fostering awareness as the catalyst for genuine growth.

Takeaways:

• The podcast emphasizes the notion that spiritual growth is a continuous journey rather than a final destination, inviting listeners to engage in ongoing transformation.
• Listeners are encouraged to examine their spiritual appetites, as the things they crave significantly influence their character and personal development.
• The discussion highlights the importance of nurturing a hunger for goodness and kindness, rather than succumbing to negativity and malice.
• The episode suggests undertaking a 24-hour audit of one's spiritual diet to assess what influences and content contribute to personal growth or detriment.
• The hosts promote the idea of being open and curious in faith, which fosters a more profound understanding of spirituality and personal development.
• The podcast concludes with a heartfelt prayer, reinforcing the commitment to seek what is genuinely beneficial and to cultivate a life of kindness and compassion.

Links referenced in this episode:

• voiceofgodddaily.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).

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.

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)

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.

It's all brought to you by voiceofgodddaily.com which is the home of your free personal Bible Study Guide, the ABC1, 23 Bible Study Method.

You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.

Here's today's reading.

Reading today from 1 Peter 2:1:3 from the Message so clean house.

Make a clean sweep of malice and pretense, envy and hurtful talk.

You've had a taste of God now, like infants at the breast, drink deep of God's pure kindness.

Then you'll grow up mature and whole in God.

Well, a really kind of a short and sweet and layered and powerful passage of Scripture for our reading for the day.

So let's unpack it.

Let's get into a couple points to ponder.

First point to ponder is growth is the goal, not the arrival.

Notice what Peter doesn't say.

He doesn't say, now that you're saved, you're done, pick up your certificate at.

The door and be on your way.

No, he says, grow in your salvation.

Salvation here is a journey, a becoming and not a transaction that gets stamped and filed away.

And I love that because it kind of reframes the whole spiritual life.

We're not trying to earn a gold star from God.

We're being invited to grow slowly, gently, like a child.

Now my wife and I, among the many things we like to do is hike at wooded parks.

Especially when we go traveling.

We travel out west quite a bit.

And one thing you notice in like an old forest area is that you can't rush it.

You just can't rush the growth of a 200 year old tree.

Trees don't get tall overnight.

They start as seedlings and saplings and grow from there.

They grow through the seasons, weather, harsh, beautiful, everything in between.

Your spiritual life is allowed to grow and to look like that as well.

A progressive reading of this passage invites us to let go of the idea that faith is about having all the right answers all the time.

Instead, it's about staying hungry, staying curious, and staying open to keep on growing.

Point to ponder Number two what we crave shapes who we become.

Peter lists some pretty ugly stuff in his teaching.

Malice, deceit, hypocrisy, slander.

And if we're honest, we don't usually plan to become those things.

They sneak in through other ways in our life.

What we consume, what we scroll, who we listen to, what grievances we keep feeding.

And Peter's invitation is basically change your appetite.

Crave something better.

Crave goodness.

Crave the kind of love that shows up for your neighbor, whether they vote like you or not.

Crave a spirituality that makes you kinder, not more certain.

Kind of think about this.

And also in the framework of my weekly cancer related podcast, people facing hard situations, hard decisions, hard circumstances, and many times folks going through that crave hope and humor, presence.

Real things.

Not the latest hot take.

Not hypocrisy.

The good stuff.

And Peter says now that you have tasted that the Lord is good, think he's saying once you've had the real thing, junk food won't do anymore.

It just doesn't satisfy.

Here's your action step.

Do a 24 hour appetite audit.

Just notice what you're feeding your soul, whatever.

Podcast, social media, anything that goes in conversations, the thoughts that you rehearse on repeat and ask yourself a question.

Is what I'm consuming growing me or shrinking me?

You don't have to overhaul your whole life overnight, but just think about one thing.

You consume it.

Just notice it.

Awareness is where growth begins.

We'll come back and have a prayer here in just a minute, but I want you to know that we have a daily Bible study resource for you called the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.

Free to you when you go over.

To our website voiceofgoddaily.com let's pray.

Oh God, help me to crave what's truly good today.

Clear out what's making me small.

Grow me into something kinder, gentler and more alive.

Amen my friend.

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

The Daily Bible Refresh is completely listener supported.

I would be so grateful if you would go to voiceofgodddaily.com and share your gift of any amount.

Thanks much.

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

Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.

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

His merciful love hasn't dried up.

It's created new every morning.