This episode elucidates the profound significance of Jesus's decision to traverse paths less traveled, particularly his journey through Samaria, a region typically avoided by others. The salient point revolves around the notion that faith should not be reduced to a mere competition or a scoreboard, as exemplified by the actions of the Pharisees. Instead, we are invited to consider how Jesus engaged with those marginalized and overlooked, demonstrating that authentic encounters arise from vulnerability and raw humanity. Furthermore, we reflect on the reality that some of the most transformative moments occur when we are at our most depleted, affirming that one need not be entirely composed to fulfill a higher purpose. As we contemplate these themes, we are encouraged to confront our tendencies to sidestep uncomfortable interactions and, instead, to embrace the opportunities for genuine connection that await us.

Takeaways:

1. In this episode, we emphasize the importance of moving beyond competition in faith, as exemplified by Jesus' decision to avoid the scoreboard mentality prevalent among the Pharisees.
2. We discuss how Jesus' choice to engage with those whom society overlooks serves as a profound lesson for us in contemporary contexts.
3. The narrative illustrates that Jesus' most impactful moments often arose from vulnerability and exhaustion, challenging the notion that we must always be at our best to serve others effectively.
4. We encourage listeners to take action by intentionally engaging with individuals or groups they typically avoid, fostering genuine connections that transcend societal barriers.
5. The reading highlights the significance of being present and authentic in our interactions, reminiscent of Jesus’ encounter at the well, where he simply showed up as a human.
6. We reaffirm our mission to spread the word of God and invite our audience to support this initiative through subscriptions and sharing.

Links referenced in this episode:

1. 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).

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...

1. Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
2. Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
3. Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
4. A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
5. 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.

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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 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.

It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.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 the Gospel of John 4:1:6 from the Message A Woman at the well Jesus realized that the Pharisees

were keeping count of the baptisms that

he and John performed.

Although his disciples, not Jesus, did the actual baptizing, they had posted the score that Jesus was ahead, turning him and John into rivals in the eyes of the people.

So Jesus left the Judean countryside and

went back to Galilee.

To get there, he had to pass through Samaria.

He came into Sychar, a Samaritan village

that bordered the field Jacob had given his son Joseph.

Joseph's well was still there.

Jesus, worn out by the trip, sat

down at the well.

It was noon.

Then is the reading a rather short reading, which is a precursor to the story of the woman at the well.

And so let's get into this passage here with some understanding of going deeper.

What is this, the significance of this precursor, this setup, to the woman at the well story?

So a couple of points to ponder.

First, one is this Jesus walked away from the scoreboard and toward the people everyone else avoided.

The Pharisees had turned faith into a competition.

Who's baptizing more?

Who is winning?

Jesus wanted no part of that.

I think this matters so much for us today because we live in a world that scores everything.

Attendance numbers influence metrics.

Church has not been immune to this.

Of course, we measure success by how many seats are filled up, by how big the building is, how viral the sermon went.

But Jesus looked at that whole system and said, I'm going to Samaria instead.

I'm moving on.

In other words, to keep spreading the good news.

He walked away from the people where from the from the place where the people were keeping score and walked toward the place where people have been written off.

Now, I'm a big fan of sports.

Colts, Pacers, Indiana Fever, Indiana University, sports in the community where I live in Annapolis, Indiana.

And I love to say scoreboard, and especially in the games that our teams win.

But in this case, the understanding is faith isn't a game to keep score on.

And the moment we start treating it

like a scoreboard, we don't win.

Jesus didn't come for winners and losers.

He came to show up, especially in the places where nobody else expected him to be.

In a second point to ponder, Jesus shows up tired, thirsty, fully human.

And that's kind of the whole point.

I love that John doesn't really clean this up at all.

He doesn't say Jesus arrived in radiant glory.

He says Jesus was worn out, he sat down.

It was the hottest part of the day.

He was depleted.

And it's from this place of exhaustion and need that one of the most transformative conversations and the entire gospel is about to happen.

I think we've been taught that we have to have it all together before God can use us, that we need to be rested, prepared, polished, prayed up.

But Jesus did some of his most important work while running on empty.

You know, I do a weekly podcast about people impacted by cancer, and I can tell you that some of those sacred conversations that take place have happened with people who don't have much left in their physical health.

No energy for performance, no strength for pretense.

Just being raw, honest and totally human.

And that's exactly what happens here.

They've in a situation where they have nothing else to give but to be truly human.

Love that.

Here's your action step for this week.

Jesus deliberately chose a road everyone else avoided.

And this week I'd like for you to take one step towards a person, a group, a conversation that you normally might avoid or go around.

Maybe there's someone in your life from a different background or different nationality, language, group, belief system.

A different side of whatever is comfortable for you may make you feel uncomfortable.

And instead of taking a long way around or avoiding it, go through it.

Be an interaction, exchange with people.

Not to try to fix things or convert others, just be present, just to be in conversation.

Sit down at the well, as it were.

Show up human.

That's where real encounters take place.

So before we pray, I just want to share that we do have another resource for you love for you to pick up.

It's called the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.

Free to you when you go to our website Voice of God Daily let's

pray

God, we confess that a lot of times we're like scoreboards.

We like knowing who's ahead, where we rank.

And sometimes we've turned our faith into a competition and who's more faithful, more correct, more righteous.

Just forgive us of that, please.

Thank you for a Jesus who walked away from numbers and toward people, the people that everyone else was avoiding.

Thank you that he showed up tired and thirsty and completely human.

Because it means we don't have to pretend that we have it all together, ourselves.

And for anyone listening today who's worn out physically, emotionally, spiritually, we do meet them, God, right where they're at.

Right where they are not at the finish line, but at the well where they need to be renewed and refreshed.

And for all of us, give us courage this week to stop going around and stop going and start going through.

Show us the Samaria roads we've been avoiding and walk with us when we finally take them.

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.