Summary

In this week’s conversation, CJ Cousins is joined by Richard McNeil, Rechanka Doristil and Shaun Brooks. They review the highlights of week eight, which focused on the book of Leviticus and the beginning of the book of Numbers. The conversation then transitions to the first journal entry, which explores God's character of love. CJ and the other guests share their insights on how God's love is revealed in various aspects of the readings. The second journal entry is discussed, which focuses on the picture of Jesus and the assurance of salvation. The hosts and guests reflect on the sacrifices and offerings in the Old Testament that prefigure Jesus' sacrifice and how it provides assurance of forgiveness and restoration. The conversation explores various themes related to sacrifices, Jesus' sacrifice, grace, turning the other cheek, Jesus' perfection, God's character, resistance, nonviolence, God's supremacy, the power of Jesus' blood, God's grace and perfection, knowing God through His laws, the Jubilee and restoration, and oppression. The main takeaway is that Jesus' sacrifice and the principles taught in Leviticus point to the redemptive work of Christ and the importance of living out our lives in response to His grace and forgiveness. They also discuss the themes of oppression, justice, and celebration in the context of the gospel. They emphasize that the Bible is a book of love and that God desires equality and justice for all. They also highlight the importance of remembering God's love and celebrating His goodness. The reflection on the work of the Holy Spirit in radiating God's love and the need for believers to emulate God's character of grace and mercy is overwhelming. They encourage listeners to be activists for the oppressed and to create a culture of celebration in the church. The conversation concludes with a reminder of God's promises of peace and freedom from fear.

Takeaways

The Bible is the epic unfolding story of the love of God, ultimately and most vividly revealed in Jesus Messiah, him crucified and risen for our salvation and the establishment of his kingdom.

God's character of love is seen in his call for us to love our neighbors as ourselves and in his preservation and forgiveness of those who come near to him.

Jesus fulfills the sacrifices and offerings of the Old Testament, providing assurance of forgiveness and restoration.

God's love is other-centered, focused on loving us and calling us to love one another. The gospel is a message of love and liberation from oppression.

God desires equality, justice, and celebration in His people.

Remembering God's love and celebrating His goodness are essential for a vibrant faith.

Believers are called to be activists for the oppressed and to emulate God's character of grace and mercy.

Show Notes

Summary

This episode of Enter the Story focuses on the conclusion of the book of Exodus and the introduction to the book of Leviticus. The host provides tips for reading Leviticus and encourages listeners to keep the big picture in mind while studying the details. The significance of the sacrifices and offerings is explained, emphasizing their connection to Jesus and his redemptive work. Additional resources are recommended to enhance understanding. The episode concludes with reflections on God's character of love, the assurance of salvation through Jesus, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit in leading others on the journey of faith.

Takeaways

Keep the big picture in mind while reading the book of Leviticus.

The sacrifices and offerings in Leviticus point to Jesus and his redemptive work.

Utilize additional resources to enhance understanding of the Bible.

Reflect on God's character of love, find assurance of salvation through Jesus, and seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in leading others.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

00:57 Conclusion of the Book of Exodus

03:21 Introduction to the Book of Leviticus

04:59 Tips for Reading the Book of Leviticus

07:59 Utilizing Additional Resources

10:13 Journal Entry 1: Reflection of God's Character of Love

14:51 Journal Entry 2: The Assurance of Salvation through Jesus

17:04 Journal Entry 3: The Holy Spirit's Guidance

20:28 Journal Entry 4: Memorizing and Meditating on Scripture

22:13 Closing

Show Notes

Summary

CJ continues the conversation with the Book of Exodus and the establishment of the sanctuary. It highlights the importance of understanding God's character of love and the significance of the cross in salvation. CJ also provides tips for reading and studying the Bible, including the use of the Life in Christ Daily Devotional Journal. The chapters cover various themes such as God's desire to dwell among His people, the symbolism of the sanctuary, and the transitional laws in the Old Testament. CJ also encourages readers to meditate on Scripture and seek the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Takeaways

The Book of Exodus reveals God's character of love and His desire to dwell among His people.

The sanctuary and its services point forward to the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

Transitional laws in the Old Testament reflect God's movement towards justice and righteousness.

Readers are encouraged to meditate on Scripture, use resources like the Life in Christ Daily Devotional Journal, and seek the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:58 Yahweh Reintroduces Himself to Israel

02:27 Moses' Fearlessness in God's Presence

03:25 God's Character of Love

04:05 God's Desire to Dwell Among His People

05:32 The Importance of the Sanctuary

06:58 The Outer Court and the Altar of Burnt Offering

07:56 The Laver and the Holy Place

08:56 The Most Holy Place and the Ark of the Covenant

10:25 Justice and Mercy in the Most Holy Place

11:54 Transitional Laws and God's Ideal of Justice

13:47 Moving Towards God's Ideal of Righteousness

14:39 Tips for Reading and Studying the Bible

19:33 Using the Life in Christ Daily Devotional Journal

20:30 Journal Entry 1: God's Character of Love

25:38 Journal Entry 2: The Cross and Salvation

28:44 Journal Entry 3: The Holy Spirit's Promptings

31:41 Journal Entry 4: Memorizing Scripture

33:37 Closing

Show Notes

Summary

In this week’s conversation, CJ Cousins and Glenda Charles-Josep discuss the book of Exodus and its themes of God's faithfulness, awareness of our struggles, and the assurance of salvation. They explore the concept of freedom and how it relates to our relationship with God. They also highlight the pictures of Jesus in Exodus and the importance of continued belief and grace. Finally, they discuss God's call to share the good news and encourage listeners to step out in faith. 

As CJ and Glenda ruminate more on this week’s reading, they discover the empowerment and eloquence that God provides when speaking on His behalf. They explore how God uses the insufficient and flawed to accomplish His plans. They also emphasize the sufficiency of God's grace and the importance of relying on Him. The conversation highlights the transformative power of being fully captivated by God and the relevance of His word in the present day. They discuss how God makes Himself known in the midst of chaos and offers His blessings. The conversation concludes with an invitation to engage with the story of Exodus and share personal experiences with friends, loved-ones and the Enter The Story community via social media.

Takeaways

God is faithful and communicates with us in our struggles.

God reveals Himself through His actions and desires a relationship with us.

Freedom and assurance of salvation are found in Jesus Christ.

Continued belief and reliance on God's grace are essential in our faith journey.

We are called to share the good news of God's love and salvation. God empowers and provides eloquence to those who speak on His behalf.

God uses the insufficient and flawed to accomplish His plans.

God's grace is sufficient and He shows up when preaching.

Being fully captivated by God leads to a transformative experience.

God's word still speaks and is relevant in the present day.

God makes Himself known in the midst of chaos and offers His blessings.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:08 Overview Of The Week's Reading

02:58 God's Faithfulness and Communication

03:32 Question 1: God's Character of Love

08:58 God Revealing Himself

11:58 Freedom and Assurance of Salvation

13:24 Question 2: Picture of Jesus or Him Crucified

28:39 Question 3: What the Holy Spirit Said or Asked

28:58 God's Call to Share the Good News

30:49 God Uses the Insufficient

32:06 God's Grace is Sufficient

33:07 God Shows Up When Preaching

34:10 Fully Captivated by God

35:09 God's Presence in Preaching

35:38 CJ Reads From Journal

36:24 God's Word Still Speaks Today

38:40 Question 4: Verse to Meditate On

44:26 Wrap Up

44:40 Continuing in the Book of Exodus

46:07 Engaging with the Story and Sharing Experiences

Summary

CJ Cousins shares the backstory of the Enter the Story Challenge and the Life in Christ Daily Devotional Journal. He explains how the journaling aspect of his relationship with Jesus led to the development of the journal. CJ also discusses the different Bible reading plans available and how they can be intimidating for some people. He introduces the Enter the Story Challenge, which is based on the Unfolding Story Chronological Bible Reading Plan. CJ emphasizes the importance of experiencing Jesus deeply and inviting others to join the journey. He concludes by encouraging listeners to meditate on a verse and experience the joy of life in Christ.

Takeaways

Journaling can be a simple and powerful way to deepen your relationship with Jesus.

There are different Bible reading plans available to suit different preferences and levels of commitment.

The Enter the Story Challenge is a way to engage with scripture and have meaningful conversations with others.

Meditating on a verse can help recenter your mind and heart on God throughout the day.

Chapters

00:00 The Backstory of Enter the Story Challenge

04:00 The Life in Christ Daily Devotional Journal

05:03 Reading Plans

05:56 Chronological Reading Plan

08:08 The purpose of the Enter the Story Challenge

09:33 The Enter The Story Challenge Podcast

11:05 Week 4 Overview

17:09 Question 1: God's Character of Love

20:07 Question 2: Picture of Jesus or Him Crucified

25:41 Question 3: What the Holy Spirit Said or Asked

31:24 Question 4: Verse to Meditate On

35:19 Experiencing the Joy of Life in Christ

Show Notes Summary

CJ Cousins shares the backstory of the Enter the Story Challenge and the Life in Christ Daily Devotional Journal. He explains how the journaling aspect of his relationship with Jesus led to the development of the journal. CJ also discusses the different Bible reading plans available and how they can be intimidating for some people. He introduces the Enter the Story Challenge, which is based on the Unfolding Story Chronological Bible Reading Plan. CJ emphasizes the importance of experiencing Jesus deeply and inviting others to join the journey. He concludes by encouraging listeners to meditate on a verse and experience the joy of life in Christ.

Takeaways

1. Journaling can be a simple and powerful way to deepen your relationship with Jesus.

2. There are different Bible reading plans available to suit different preferences and levels of

commitment.

3. The Enter the Story Challenge is a way to engage with scripture and have meaningful

conversations with others.

4. Meditating on a verse can help recenter your mind and heart on God throughout the day.

Chapters

00:00 The Backstory of Enter the Story Challenge 04:00 The Life in Christ Daily Devotional Journal 05:03 Reading Plans

05:56 Chronological Reading Plan

08:08 The purpose of the Enter the Story Challenge 09:33 The Enter The Story Challenge Podcast 11:05 Week 4 Overview

17:09 Question 1: God's Character of Love

20:07 Question 2: Picture of Jesus or Him Crucified 25:41 Question 3: What the Holy Spirit Said or Asked 31:24 Question 4: Verse to Meditate On

35:19 Experiencing the Joy of Life in Christ

Welcome to Week Three of the Enter The Story Challenge! Listen as CJ Cousins discusses the Story with his friends Lindsey Esterline and Richard McNeil in this week’s podcast episode. Experience Jesus through the daily Bible readings, meditating on them and then journaling in light of the Gospel. Then discuss what you journaled in a weekly group. Check it out: https://livingforhim.tv/enterthestory1/2023/12/15/week-1-6cr99

Take a one year journey with us through the unfolding Story of Scripture, which daily reveals Jesus. Listen as CJ Cousins discusses the Story with his friends Lindsey Esterline and Donna Marks in this week’s podcast episode. Read the Story along with him daily in The Unfolding Story Bible reading plan and journal your thoughts through the framework of the Gospel. Then get together with your friends weekly in an online or in person group to discuss your journal entries. These weekly episodes are essentially small group conversations designed to model for you how to have this same conversation in your own group! Enter the Story and discover how His story intersects with yours! Check it out: https://livingforhim.tv/enterthestory1/2023/12/15/week-2

Take a one year journey with us through the unfolding Story of Scripture, which daily reveals Jesus. Listen as CJ Cousins discusses the Story with his friends Lindsey Esterline, Aubrey Toup, and Richard McNeil in this weekly podcast. Read the Story along with him daily in The Unfolding Story Bible reading plan and journal your thoughts through the framework of the Gospel. Then get together with your friends weekly in an online or in person group to discuss your journal entries. Enter the Story and discover how His story intersects with yours! Check it out: https://livingforhim.tv/enterthestory1/2023/12/15/week-1

This one year daily devotional journal invites you to experience Jesus by reading, meditating and journaling through Scripture in a way that's simple, yet totally life transforming! Enter the story, personally and in a small group, that daily leads you to Jesus. https://livingforhim.tv/lifeinchrist