FAI Central

As we discussed last week, it is the gentleness of Jesus that makes us great—but sometimes the hand that shepherds us so gently also prunes us with severity. "Suffering produces endurance; endurance produces character, and character produces hope." If it is "for discipline we must endure," and by this we know we are legitimate sons, how do we cling to the goodness of God in the midst of severity? How do we intercede—firmly against sin, but in faithful solidarity with Jesus' eternal purposes? It matters for Jerusalem. It matters for your family. And it matters for you.

DURATION: 32 minutes

RESOURCES:
- "All Things New," John Eldredge (book)
- "When a Jew Rules the World," Joel Richardson (book; free in the FAI App)
- "You Won't Relent," Misty Edwards (song)
- "Psalm 46," Shane & Shane
- "All That's Inside," Jon Thurlow

Follow 'The Better Beautiful' playlist on Spotify, where we keep all the songs we recommend here in one playlist! Sing along and let these truths marinate deep into your soul.

"A day is coming" when Jerusalem will behold the Son of Man and weep for Him like one mourns a firstborn Son. This gorgeous, long-awaited moment will be marked with very human grief—and relief. Like messy weeping relief, and the City of the Great King will sing: "Blessed is He! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!"

But her song is not the first; in fact, it's His:
"The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty One who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness;
He will quiet you with His love;
He will exult over you with loud singing."

David gives us a glimpse into this song of triumph in ultimate deliverance—before Absalom, before Bathsheba, before the crown. Back when a young man was plucked from Bethlehem, received profound promises, tasted promotion, and then entered years of testing, sifting, and incredible stress. It fatigued him, and he stopped trusting Jesus for a season.

What did Jesus do, and how did it reveal His delight?

Listen to Part 5 of 'The Better Belief' in this week's episode of our miniseries walking through 'Confronting Unbelief.' Get the book for free in the FAI App ("READ" –> "APP BOOKS") or on Amazon Kindle/Paperback.

DURATION: 25 minutes

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Search Spotify for 'The Better Beautiful' playlist, where we're collecting all the songs we recommend in these episodes. Sing along and let these truths sink deep.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:
- "After God's Own Heart," Mike Bickle (Book)

The danger of feeling forgotten is its weed of unbelief that grows into accusations and arrogance like:

"God doesn't love me."

"I hate offering Him anything."

"I'll just do the bare minimum."

"Anything goes. God loves me just the way and I am and everything I like to do."

"I should hoard all my resources."

"What's the point of obeying God when it costs me? Nothing matters."

Any of these sound familiar? But He is more attentive than a mother is to her newborn child, and He is with us until the end of the age—and He will return for us. We are not orphans abandoned by negligent care.

Take courage in the eyes of your good Father who see everything in secret, rewards openly, and will write the sincere movements of a tender heart in a book of remembrance for all eternity. He does not forget. He remembers.

DURATION: 33 minutes

RESOURCES:
- "Too Good," Jess Ray
- "Refiner," Maverick City Music

Sometimes the best news is the most offensive, and forgiveness is certainly no exception. Redemption is expensive, but nothing else will get us to the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. How can we embrace this deep truth for ourselves ("forgive us our trangressions") and live free enough to want it for our enemies ("as we forgive our transgressors")? But we must: if we do not forgive, we are not forgiven.

Join Stephanie as we continue our mini-series through 'Confronting Unbelief' and stare at the literal crux of it all: the forgiveness of Jesus, who is "both just and Justifier of the one who has faith in Him."

BONUS: Hear an exclusive sneak peek at a new song not yet released to the public—only on this week's 'The Better Beautiful.'

DURATION: 31 minutes (+ the song)

Season 1.5 of 'The Better Beautiful' continues with a meditation on chapter two of 'Confronting Unbelief,' that Jesus fights for Jerusalem. Find out how His advocacy for Jerusalem secures His advocacy for us, and what's significant about the part of Isaiah 61 Jesus *didn't* read aloud in Luke four.

"Jealousy is a Husband's fury—therefore He will not spare when He takes revenge."

Listen to 'The Better Belief: Part Two (He Fights for Her)' now in the FAI App

DURATION: 33 minutes

RESOURCES:
- "Fight for Me," GAWVI, Lecrae
- "Runaway," Jess Ray
- "Union & Communion," Hudson Taylor
- "Confronting Unbelief," Stephanie Quick

(Both titles available FREE in the FAI App: READ –> APP BOOKS)

#becauseJesus

Podcast sobre o Oriente Médio, cristianismo e política internacional com Paulo Costa e Igor Sabino.

In a very 'typical 2020' move, the Jeff & Steph show has been forced to postpone our Season 2 plans. Find out why and join us for Season 1.5 as we explore the seven attributes as Jesus discussed in Stephanie's book 'Confronting Unbelief.' Jerusalem is the stage He set to reveal His character in this age, and we have much to take confidence in from His pages of profound revelation.

DURATION: 31 minutes

DOWNLOAD 'THE ANSWER FOR EVERY QUESTION': jessraymusic.com

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Podcast sobre o Oriente Médio, cristianismo e política internacional com Paulo Costa e Igor Sabino.