Episode 1222
What Does Real Peace Actually Look Like — and How Do You Find It?" (John 14:27-31)
On today’s episode of Daily Bible Refresh, Dr. Brad Miller reads John 14:27–31 from The Message and explores what it means to receive Jesus’ peace and to live a life motivated by love rather than fear or obligation. From a progressive Christian perspective, he unpacks the rich Hebrew idea of shalom as wholeness, not just the absence of conflict, and speaks directly to those who have felt abandoned by churches, relationships, work, or health crises. Dr. Brad contrasts transactional views of the cross with an understanding of Jesus’ path as a transparent, costly act of love, and then invites listeners to take a concrete action step: to “get up and go” show up in one specific place or relationship this week, even if it costs something. He closes with a prayer for God’s peace that holds, love that moves, and the Spirit that stays, and reminds listeners of the Voice of God Daily mission and the free ABC, 123 Bible Study Method resource.
Key Takeaways
Jesus’ peace is deeper than comfort or calm.
The “peace” Jesus offers is not just relief from stress or conflict, but the shalom of being made whole—where justice, mercy, and unconditional love come together.
Shalom means wholeness and belonging.
Biblical peace is about everything being “knit together” as it was meant to be, including community without exclusion and love without conditions.
Jesus names our experience of abandonment.
When Jesus says he doesn’t leave us the way we’re used to being left, he acknowledges our real experiences of being left out by churches, jobs, relationships, or illness—and offers a peace that stays and holds instead of walking away.
Love is costly, not transactional.
Dr. Brad reframes Jesus’ journey to the cross as an act of costly, intentional love, not merely satisfying divine anger. Real love “shows up” and often costs time, energy, money, or comfort.
We’re invited to “get up and go” in love.
Listeners are challenged to identify one concrete place or person where they can show up this week—making a call, visiting someone sick or scared, or being fully present with a loved one.
Faith is lived, not just felt.
Love doesn’t just stay in the realm of feelings; it moves into action, mirroring Jesus’ obedience to the Father “right down to the last detail.”
Resources and mission.
Links referenced in this episode:
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.
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