Good things happen when we give. Sharing our finances can be a delicate subject to talk about, but the Apostle Paul wanted the Philippian Church to know the reality of his and their situations. When Paul first met them, he did not ask for financial support, but they were generous with him. Like the Philippians, though not rich, we can still give out of poverty. When we do, the recipients of our giving are blessed, God is blessed, and we are blessed. Not only are needs met, we have the promise of God to meet our own needs. Have you learned to both give and receive?

Is your goal to attain to full Christlikeness? It was for the Apostle Paul. When he describes his pursuit, we see a profile of a Christian determined to win the prize of a deeper intimacy with Christ.  Like Paul, we must be dissatisfied with our present condition, devoted to a single goal of pursuing Christ, directed in our advance towards Him, determined to persist, and disciplined in mind and body. Listen and see if you fit this profile and learn how you can.

How should we view the nation of Israel today in light of their past rebelliousness, present disobedience, and future salvation? Do they deserve the full unmitigated support of Christians? Charlie talks to Arnold about this and other subjects like the importance of dispensationalism when discussing Israel, understanding anti-Semitism, and the significance of the recent war with Hamas. Dr. Fructenbaum has a calm and measured response to these issues. We would do well to heed his words. He is founder and director of Ariel Ministries, which reaches out to Jews with the gospel of grace. See https://www.Ariel.org

When you hear Dr. Fruchtenbaum tell of his journey from Poland to Siberia, to Poland, to Germany, to the United States, you will see that it was truly an epic geographical shift that led him to a greater spiritual shift from Judaism to Christianity. This did not please his Hasidic parents so they kicked him out of the house. But God put Arnold on a path to a Bible education and eventually the founding of Ariel Ministries which shares the gospel and issues of Messianic importance with Jewish people. You can find out more about Dr. Fructenbaum and Ariel Ministries at https://www.Ariel.org.

There is a very common accusation against those who hold to free grace. If we are saved solely by grace through faith in Christ, why can't we as Christians live however we want? You'll often hear it said that this sort of salvation isn't genuine or that it's "fire" insurance. So, the real question is this; Is there such a thing as absolute freedom to do whatever you want to do, or is there something that governs our liberty?  Charlie addresses this very common accusation in Galatians 5:13-15. 

For further reading, see Gracenotes #35 Does Free Grace Teach License and Gracenotes #84 The Christian and the Law

In October when Charlie was in the Baltimore area, he talked with Pastor Thomas Schaller on his "The Grace Hour Show" podcast. They talked about the freedom found in Galatians and it's teaching about grace. This is a re-broadcast of that Grace Hour Show. Pastor Schaller oversees a local church, Maryland Bible College, and over 600 churches worldwide. He heads Greater Grace World Outreach which is committed to the gospel of God's free grace. You can find out more about GGWO at http://www.ggwo.org.

Many churches are dead or dying. They have a lot of activities and busyness, but are spiritually bankrupt. Even churches with great reputations and programs can be spiritually empty and not know it. The church at Sardis is an example of a church with a reputation but they were dead on the inside, useless in God's service. Still there were a few faithful that Jesus encourages the church to build upon. The reward for overcomers of not having one's name removed from the Book of Life is misunderstood by some. We will explore its meaning. We can learn how to stay alive, vibrant, and useful to the Lord.

We see a lot about Israel in the news today. That tiny nation is surrounded by huge enemies who are determined to exterminate them, but their Iron Dome is protecting them. Or is it more than that? Will Israel be victorious? What does the Bible show us about how God has dealt with the Jewish people in the past, what is He doing in the present, and does Israel have a future? Is there anything believers can learn from how God deals with Israel? God preserves Israel and God will preserve His people today. Hint: Grace makes the difference. After an overview of Israel's past, present, and future, Charlie shows analogies between their experience and the believer's experience. A key passage is Romans 8:35-39 which says no one and nothing can separate the believer in Christ from His love.

Charlie says this was a difficult message for him to share at the Free Grace Alliance International Conference because he has never shared this much detail about his own story. God created us in His image so that freedom is in our spiritual DNA. But freedom is never free and we must stand firm and even fight to keep it. The book of Galatians shows how the enemy of freedom is legalism in its various forms. Charlie anchors his message in Galatians 5:1-4 and explains what it means to fall from grace. Charlie's story includes the struggle for freedom his ancestors had to endure, including slavery, and his own liberation into the assurance of salvation and a clear conscience. We have to stand firm in the grace that God gave to set us free and use our freedom to love and serve God and others. #FreeGraceAlliance

You would think that growing up as a pastor's daughter would guarantee an understanding of grace, especially if her father preached a clear gospel of grace. But it took a few years and the story of the Woman at the Well in John 4 to deepen Samantha's grasp on the extent of God's grace. This wife and mother of six has an interesting story to tell. Part of that story is about her winning Mrs. Massachusetts 2020. She is building a ministry to women on the foundation of her father's ministry and her "crowning" achievement. You can learn more about Samantha McLaughlin Meideros's Women Prayer Warriors group and other resources at www.GBible.org.