The Foundation Hangout

About the Podcast 

In this episode of The Foundation Hangout, Pastor Brian and Savannah discuss whether Jesus ever claimed to be God. They explore various biblical passages, focusing on Jesus's words and actions, and analyze the reactions of those around him to understand the implications of his claims. The discussion aims to provide a biblical perspective on Jesus's divine nature.

Key Takeaways

• (04:04) Jesus's Claim in John 8:58: Jesus states, "Before Abraham was, I am," directly echoing God's words to Moses at the burning bush ("I am that I am"). This statement, particularly the use of "I am," was understood by the Pharisees as a claim to divinity, leading them to pick up stones to stone him, a reaction indicative of considering his words blasphemous.
• (06:02) The Significance of "I Am": The phrase "I am" is directly linked to God's self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:14. By using this phrase, Jesus was asserting his eternal existence and divine nature, implying he was the creator and the eternal one, not merely a man who existed after Abraham.
• (09:07) Forgiveness of Sins as Divine Power: In Mark 2:1-11, Jesus tells a paralytic, "Your sins are forgiven." The scribes in their hearts question this, stating only God can forgive sins. Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, then heals the man, demonstrating that the Son of Man has the power on earth to forgive sins, thus equating himself with God.
• (13:26) Omniscience and Divine Authority: Jesus demonstrates omniscience by perceiving the scribes' inner thoughts and reasoning. This ability to know the heart is attributed solely to God in scripture. By knowing their thoughts and then performing a physical miracle, Jesus validated his divine authority to forgive sins.
• (15:11) Jesus's Response to the High Priest: When asked by the high priest if he is the Christ, the Son of the Blessed, Jesus responds, "I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven." This statement, referencing Psalm 110:1 and Daniel 7:13, was understood as a direct claim to divinity and messianic authority, which the high priest declared as blasphemy.
• (17:30) The Trinity and Divine Roles: The passage touches upon the concept of the Trinity, explaining it as one God in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The scripture "The Lord said to my Lord" is interpreted as God the Father speaking to God the Son, highlighting their distinct roles but shared divine nature.
• (22:50) Acceptance of Worship: In Matthew 14:33, after Jesus walks on water, the disciples worship him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." Jesus accepts this worship without rejection. This is contrasted with angels who refuse worship, emphasizing that Jesus, by accepting worship, demonstrated his divine status, as only God is worthy of worship.
• (26:15) The Jews' Accusation of Blasphemy: In John 10:31-33, the Jews attempt to stone Jesus again. When Jesus asks for which good work they are stoning him, they reply, "For a good work we do not stone you, but for blasphemy, and because you, being a man, make yourself God." This explicitly states their understanding that Jesus was claiming to be God.
• (20:36) Jesus's Crucifixion as a Result of His Claims: The primary reason for Jesus's crucifixion, from the perspective of the Jewish leaders, was his claim to be God. They considered this blasphemy, a capital offense under their law, indicating that his claims were understood as divine and not merely human.
• (31:49) Jesus's Identity: Man and God: The podcast concludes that while Jesus was fully man, he was also fully God in the flesh. His actions, words, and the reactions he provoked all point to his divine nature, and his death was a consequence of his rightful claim to be God, ultimately serving as a perfect sacrifice for humanity's sins.

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About the Podcast 

This episode of The Foundation Hangout, hosted by Pastor Brian and featuring Skip, concludes a three-part series focusing on why believers look for loopholes or gray areas in Scripture. The discussion centers on the heart's intent when trying to justify personal actions against biblical principles. They explore how focusing on these debates distracts believers from the main point of Scripture and listening to the Holy Spirit.

Key Takeaways 

• (03:02) Focus on Heart's Intent: The primary focus of seeking loopholes or gray areas in Scripture is often driven by a desire to justify something already present in one's life. Jesus emphasized the intent of the heart, stating that what is in the heart dictates what comes out of the mouth, suggesting that a heart prioritizing the world will seek scriptural loopholes.
• (04:47) Context and Scriptural Intent: Context is crucial when interpreting Scripture, especially when dealing with laws that were ceremonial or specific to a certain time period. While these sections offer learning opportunities, they are not always directly applicable to current culture; ignoring context leads to misinterpretation and justification of sin.
• (10:07) Scripture Reveals God's Character: Reading Scripture from cover to cover reveals God's character, a primary attribute of which is principle. Trying to justify actions based on scriptural gray areas or silence ignores the overarching principle founded in the rest of Scripture regarding God's will for one's life.
• (11:40) The Deceitful Heart: Jeremiah 17:9 states that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, meaning only God truly knows it. Believers must focus their minds on God because their own hearts can lead them to make wrong decisions, often driven by emotion rather than truth.
• (16:10) Grace is Not License for Sin: The question of whether believers should continue in sin so that grace may abound must be answered with a definite 'Certainly not,' as stated in Romans 6:1. While grappling with sin is inevitable due to the surrounding world, the heart's desire should be to abstain from it.
• (16:50) Gray Areas and Personal Battles: Areas of Scripture that appear gray are often intended to apply specifically to individual circumstances and personal battles. The justification process for these gray areas reveals what a person needs to be 'dying of' daily; trying to fit God into one's current lifestyle, rather than fitting the lifestyle into God's intent, is a form of idolatry.
• (28:54) Building Up the Brethren: When dealing with lifestyle issues where Scripture is not explicit or has gray areas, a key principle is considering how one's actions build up or potentially cause stumbling for other believers. A Christian's lifestyle provides an example, and if it offers justification for sin to others, it violates the principle of building up the brethren.
• (34:29) The Purpose of Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 emphasizes that all Scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, equipping the man of God for every good work. People often avoid digging deeper because Scripture is sharp, pointing out flaws, and the sinful nature resists having its wrongdoings brought to attention.
• (53:15) Humility in Understanding: To overcome misusing Scripture, Christians must trust the Lord with all their heart and lean not on their own understanding, as Proverbs 3:5 advises. Developing humility involves accepting that one's current understanding is only a fractional glimpse and being comfortable with being called out by God through His word.
• (51:56) Effort in the Relationship: What a person will be judged on is the effort they put into the relationship with Christ, not just relying on someone else's teaching or understanding. Just as a student is graded on their own test answers, believers must strive to dig deeper into the word, as this effort reveals more of God's character.

About the Podcast 

In this episode of The Foundation Hangout, Pastor Brian and Skip Cherryholmes continue their discussion on the misuse and misunderstanding of Scripture, focusing on the issue of cherry-picking verses. They explore how both believers and non-believers can take scriptures out of context to justify their actions or condemn others, and emphasize the importance of understanding the original text and cultural context to properly interpret the Bible.

Key Takeaways 

• (01:20) Cherry-picking scripture: Cherry-picking scripture involves selectively using verses to support a particular viewpoint while ignoring the broader context and meaning of the passage. This can lead to misinterpretations and the distortion of God's message. It is important to consider the original intent and audience of the scripture to avoid misapplication.
• (04:13) Understanding scripture in context: Understanding scripture requires considering the historical, cultural, and linguistic context in which it was written. This includes examining the original language, the intended audience, and the overall message of the passage. Taking verses out of context can lead to misinterpretations and the distortion of God's message.
• (07:19) Accountability in interpreting scripture: When interpreting scripture, it's crucial to maintain accountability and avoid using it to manipulate or control others. This involves recognizing one's own biases and limitations, and being open to correction and alternative perspectives. It also means applying scripture consistently and fairly, rather than selectively using it to justify one's own actions or condemn others.
• (13:53) The importance of original text: Studying the original text of scripture can provide deeper insights into the intended meaning and nuances of the message. The original text was written to be very specific and literal. It can reveal the specific and intentional wording used by the authors, which can be lost in translation.
• (20:17) Misinterpretation of prayer: The concept of asking in Jesus' name is often misinterpreted to mean that God will grant any request made with that phrase. However, the Bible indicates that there are criteria for answered prayer, including glorifying God, bearing fruit, and experiencing fullness of joy. Prayer should be rooted in a relationship with God, not just a means to get what we want.
• (30:19) Temptation and God's provision: The saying "God won't give you more than you can handle" is a misinterpretation of 1 Corinthians 10:13, which actually states that God will provide a way of escape from temptation. This means that when faced with trials and tribulations, believers should rely on Christ for strength and guidance, rather than trying to overcome them on their own. Temptation itself is not a sin, but succumbing to it is.

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About the Podcast 

In this episode of The Foundation Hangout, Pastor Brian and special guest Skip Cherryholmes discuss the misuse and misunderstanding of scripture. They explore how both the lost and the saved can misinterpret scripture and miss its intended purpose in life. They emphasize the importance of humility and proper context when interpreting the Bible.

Key Takeaways

• (00:04:55) Misusing Scripture as an Excuse: Many Christians use the literal writing of scripture as an excuse to see what they can get away with, assuming that if something isn't explicitly forbidden, it's permissible. This approach contradicts the intent of the heart emphasized in the Sermon on the Mount. New believers, especially those without strong Christian upbringing, may struggle with surrendering certain habits or desires, seeking to excuse them if not directly addressed in scripture.
• (00:08:00) Judging Others and Hypocrisy: The passage "judge not, lest you be judged" is often misused to discourage any form of judgment. However, the scripture actually warns against hypocritical judgment, where one is quick to condemn others for flaws they themselves possess. It calls for self-reflection and addressing one's own shortcomings before pointing out the faults of others, ensuring a fair and consistent standard of judgment.
• (00:11:14) Humility in Approaching Scripture: Approaching scripture with humility is crucial for proper understanding and application. Without humility, one is likely to misinterpret or miss the true meaning of the text. Being open to correction and willing to be called out allows for growth in righteousness and alignment with God's will, rather than seeking superiority over others.
• (00:15:19) Personal Comfort vs. Growth: Society's emphasis on personal comfort makes it challenging to help individuals grow in Christ. Maintaining a relationship with Christ can be uncomfortable, especially in the beginning stages, as it requires confronting and changing undesirable behaviors and beliefs. Embracing discomfort through scripture and a walk with Christ is essential for spiritual growth, though it's not a popular sentiment in today's culture.
• (00:20:14) Satan's Tactics and Misinterpretation: When discipling someone, be aware that the adversary will try to present counter opinions to scripture, which may seem more appealing to those new in faith. Satan may use misinterpretations of scripture to convince people that it's not trustworthy. For example, the Bible describes things that happened, like slavery, but that doesn't mean the Bible prescribes the behavior.
• (00:25:57) God's Character and Revelation: Reading the Bible from cover to cover reveals God's character, not just isolated incidents. God doesn't approve of everything that is written in the Bible. The events that are written are due to the sin in the world. Wisdom is referenced as a woman in the book of Proverbs, which shows that the Bible is not misogynistic.

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About the Podcast 

In this episode of The Foundation Hangout, Pastor Brian and Savannah discuss the topic of forgiveness, specifically focusing on how to forgive those who do not ask for forgiveness or do not think they have done anything wrong. They explore biblical perspectives and personal experiences to provide guidance on extending forgiveness and showing the love of Christ.

Key Takeaways 

• (00:00) Forgiveness without Repentance: Jesus teaches that we should be willing to forgive an innumerable amount of times, reflecting God's unlimited forgiveness towards us. While it's important to forgive, it may also be necessary to create distance from those who continually wrong us to protect ourselves. The act of forgiving someone who doesn't seek it is about showing the love of Christ and entrusting the situation to God.
• (05:54) Mercy and Forgiveness: The Bible emphasizes the importance of showing mercy to others, as those who show no mercy will not obtain it when they need it. Forgiveness should come from a genuine place in the heart, mirroring the forgiveness we receive from God. Forgiving others, even when they don't repent, demonstrates the love of Christ and allows God to work in the situation.
• (09:47) Love and Forgiveness: Forgiveness is a product of loving someone, even if you don't like what they did. It's about prioritizing your relationship with God over the hurt caused by others. By forgiving, you give the situation to God and allow Him to work in both your life and the life of the person who wronged you.
• (11:51) Personal Walk with Christ: The ability to forgive and move on is a part of one's personal walk and relationship with Christ. Pride and selfishness can hinder forgiveness, while humility allows us to see the situation from God's perspective. Forgiveness is not about condoning the wrong but about releasing the bitterness and allowing God to work.
• (12:43) Examples of Forgiveness: Jesus pleaded for the forgiveness of those who crucified Him, and Stephen asked God to forgive those who stoned him, demonstrating forgiveness even when the wrongdoers did not seek it. These examples show the importance of showing love and forgiveness, even to those who may be ignorant of their sin.
• (20:12) Practical Steps to Forgiveness: To forgive someone who hasn't asked for it, lean on God, pray for understanding, and ask for help to forgive. Recognize that holding onto bitterness affects your relationship with God and others. Surrender control to the Lord and trust that He will work in the situation.
• (31:58) Love Your Enemies: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. This is an act of forgiveness. By loving and forgiving our enemies, we show them the love of Christ and give them over to the Holy Spirit, allowing God to work in their lives.
• (33:56) Be Merciful: Be merciful, just as your Father in heaven is merciful. Extending forgiveness and grace shows our relationship with Christ. By forgiving those who don't ask for it, we glorify God and grow closer to Him. It's about God, not about us.
• (35:07) Die to Self: Forgiving those who don't ask for forgiveness is a way to die to ourselves and our fleshly desires. Holding onto bitterness is a fleshly desire that is not of the Spirit of God. By forgiving, we break down barriers between ourselves and God and allow Him to work in our lives.
• (38:40) Ultimate Goal: Reconciliation: While seeking reconciliation is important, we should still forgive even when the other person doesn't repent. By forgiving, we show them the love of Christ and leave the rest up to God. Give the hardship to God, as He knows best and will take care of it.

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In this episode of The Foundation Hangout, Pastor Brian and Savannah discuss how to overcome drowning out God's voice with self-righteousness. They use the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector from Luke 18:9-14 to illustrate the dangers of pride and self-sufficiency. They emphasize the importance of humility, focusing on Christ, and staying grounded in scripture to maintain a right relationship with God.

Key Takeaways

• (00:58) Pride Prevents Hearing God: Pride is identified as the primary obstacle to hearing God's voice, leading to self-righteousness. Even Christians can fall into the trap of taking credit for things that are ultimately God's work. Self-sufficiency, thinking we have everything figured out, causes us to rely on our own efforts instead of God's mercy.
• (06:51) Works Do Not Equal Righteousness: The Pharisee's boasting about fasting and tithing highlights the misconception that works make us righteous. Righteousness comes from Jesus Christ, not from our own efforts. Jesus came to show that while the law reveals God's character, it cannot be perfectly obeyed, and righteousness is a gift from God through faith.
• (13:59) Humility and Focus on God: Overcoming self-righteousness requires humility and shifting the focus from ourselves to God. Like the tax collector, we should acknowledge our sinfulness and rely on God's mercy. Jesus said that apart from Him, we can do nothing, so maintaining humility involves recognizing our dependence on God.
• (16:51) Staying Grounded in Scripture: Studying scripture is essential for hearing God's voice and maintaining humility. While reading the Bible is important, it should be done with spiritual discernment and a focus on retaining and applying the information. Overstudying without retention or failing to implement the teachings in daily life can be counterproductive.
• (22:05) Prayer and Listening: Prayer and listening are crucial for hearing God's voice. While God can speak audibly, He typically speaks through scripture, aligning our thoughts with His word. Seeking accountability from others can also help us stay focused on God and avoid self-righteousness.
• (27:48) Love and Humility: Love for others, exemplified by Jesus' sacrifice, helps us maintain humility. Jesus gave up everything for us, and remembering this should inspire us to be humble and recognize that everything we are able to do is because of Him. We should ask God to be merciful to us, acknowledging that we don't deserve His grace.
• (32:02) Final Thoughts: Dependence on Christ: Final thoughts emphasize that we are all sinners in need of a Savior and should love our neighbors. Remembering that apart from Christ, we can do nothing helps us lean on God for everything and hear His voice more clearly. The Holy Spirit compels us to do things that align with the word of God.

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In this episode of The Foundation Hangout, Pastor Brian discusses how Christians can grow closer to God in their daily lives, especially at the beginning of the year. He emphasizes the importance of abiding in Christ, spending time in prayer and studying the Bible. He encourages listeners to reflect on their relationship with God and make a commitment to prioritize Him in their lives.

 Key Takeaways

• (00:38) Abiding in Christ: Growing closer to God involves abiding in Christ, which means having an intimate relationship with Him. This includes spending time with Him daily through prayer, studying the Word, and praising Him. Colossians 3 advises setting our minds on heavenly things, focusing on Christ to draw strength and produce fruit, which is evidence of our connection to the vine.
• (06:05) Producing Fruit Through Christ: Producing fruit as Christians is only possible through Christ, who is the vine. God prunes us through trials and tribulations to help our faith grow and draw us closer to Him. This process allows us to produce more fruit, demonstrating the evidence of our relationship with Christ, who provides the necessary nutrients for growth.
• (09:33) Importance of Gratitude: It's important to regularly thank God for His blessings, such as waking up each morning, the ability to walk, and the gift of sight and hearing. Praising Him and crying out to Him in personal time, not just during church services, is essential for developing intimacy with God and deepening our relationship with Him.
• (15:34) Applying God's Word: After praying for God to reveal Himself through scripture, it's crucial to apply what He reveals to our lives. Without application, our prayers are in vain. We must be willing to put into action what God is telling us to produce fruit that glorifies Him and demonstrates our growing relationship with Christ.
• (16:42) Dependence on Christ: Without Christ, we can do nothing; He is the sustainer of life, enabling us to function and accomplish anything. We must remember that He provides everything we need, like water and nutrients, and brings the increase. The fruit we produce should glorify God and reveal Christ, showing our growth and sanctification.
• (20:14) Self-Reflection and Growth: We should ask God to search our hearts, know our anxieties, and reveal any wickedness within us, guiding us in the way everlasting. Identifying areas where we fall short and committing to improvement through Christ is essential. Even small improvements demonstrate growth in the Lord, sustained by the vine.

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In this podcast episode, Pastor Brian and Savannah discuss the Sword of the Spirit as part of the Armor of God, emphasizing its dual role as both an offensive and defensive weapon against temptation and the wiles of the devil. They explore how Jesus used the Word of God to overcome temptation and how believers can apply scripture in their lives to defend against spiritual attacks and live righteously. The hosts stress the importance of having a personal relationship with Jesus and studying the Bible to effectively use the Sword of the Spirit.

Key Takeaways

• (02:45) The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, can be used both offensively and defensively to combat the devil's fiery darts, enabling believers to cut away temptations and defend themselves against spiritual attacks. Just as a Roman sword has a blade on both sides, the Word of God cuts in either direction, ultimately reaching the heart and transforming lives.
• (05:54) Jesus overcame temptation by quoting scripture and correcting the devil's misinterpretations, demonstrating the importance of knowing the Word of God in context and not twisting it to fit personal desires. The devil often attempts to distort scripture, a tactic seen as early as Genesis with Eve, so believers must be vigilant in understanding and applying scripture correctly.
• (13:59) Memorizing and hiding God's Word in the heart is crucial for resisting temptation, as demonstrated in Psalm 119:11, and exemplified by Jesus in Matthew 4. This practice equips believers to recall scripture during spiritual battles, allowing the Holy Spirit to bring the right verses to mind for defense and offense.
• (18:08) Having a relationship with Jesus is essential for desiring to hide God's Word in one's heart and knowing how to apply it, as it's through this relationship that believers gain the ability to overcome temptation and put on the full Armor of God. This relationship is not about religious obligation but about personal connection and growth, which enables believers to rely on God's strength during times of distraction and temptation.
• (28:08) Putting on the Armor of God requires action, not just prayer, and involves applying the principles of righteousness, truth, peace, faith, salvation, and the Word of God in daily life. Believers must be equipped for battle, understanding the risks involved in spiritual warfare and committing to use the armor to defend against the devil's attacks and carry the gospel to others.
• (25:29) Second Timothy 3:16-17 emphasizes that all scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, equipping believers for every good work. This means that the Bible is beneficial for knowing true doctrine, defending against false teachings, living rightly, and being thoroughly equipped for all that God calls us to do.

About the Podcast 

In this episode of The Foundation Hangout, Pastor Brian and Savannah discuss the helmet of salvation from Ephesians 6:17, emphasizing its importance in protecting our minds from the devil's attacks. They explore practical ways to put on the helmet of salvation daily, focusing on renewing our minds, rejecting doubts, maintaining an eternal perspective, remembering the victory we have in Christ, and finding our hope in Him.

Key Takeaways 

• (02:45) The devil constantly tries to infiltrate our minds, not just with thoughts of evil actions, but also with doubts and feelings of inadequacy. It is important to actively put on the helmet of salvation by trusting in it completely, just as a Roman soldier had to put on their helmet to protect their head, the most vulnerable part of their body.
• (06:13) Renewing our minds daily is essential, especially when facing challenging situations. This involves placing our minds back on Christ and striving to make the right decisions, showing the love of Christ even in disagreements. Logic and reasoning, as understood in the context of God's knowledge, play a role in renewing our minds and aligning our thoughts with God's perspective.
• (08:41) Rejecting doubts that arise from circumstances is crucial, as human beings are sensory creatures who tend to disregard what they cannot fathom with their five senses. It is impossible to have faith and doubt simultaneously, and God rewards our faith by helping us firmly place the helmet of salvation, enabling us to believe in what appears impossible.
• (14:18) Maintaining an eternal perspective is vital when life crashes around us, and remembering that our salvation is the most precious gift we have received can help us weather life's storms. By choosing to live by the motto, "If it doesn't have eternal significance, it's not important," we can focus on what truly matters and find strength in our faith.
• (19:09) Remembering that victory is already accomplished through Christ is essential, as we are considered dead to sin but alive to God. This eliminates many opportunities for Satan to entrap us, as choosing sin is no longer an option for new creatures in Christ. By recognizing ourselves as new creations, we effectively cut off many avenues of failure and embrace the victory we have already won.
• (25:21) Finding all our hope in Jesus is paramount, as our helmet is most effective when we treasure what it represents. Our salvation should not share importance with earthly things, and when pleasing the Lord is our supreme delight, we eliminate many of Satan's lures and render his evil suggestions powerless. We should surrender our whole hearts and lives to Him, demonstrating our love and gratitude for His sacrifice.

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In this episode of The Foundation Hangout, Pastor Brian and Savannah discuss the Shield of Faith, drawing from Ephesians 6:16. They explore how faith acts as a defense against doubt, pride, and temptation, which they describe as the "flaming arrows of the evil one". They emphasize that faith comes from hearing the word of God and trusting in Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways

• (03:11) The shield of faith is a defensive weapon against doubt, pride, and temptation, which are described as the flaming arrows of the evil one. These arrows are anything that distances people from God and His will, and taking up the shield of faith is essential for protection.
• (04:01) The Roman shield, which is the kind of shield that Paul is referencing, was about six feet tall and covered the entire body. Roman soldiers would interlock their shields to form a tortoise-like shell, providing comprehensive protection from incoming attacks, including flaming arrows.
• (06:32) Faith is defined as confidence in what is hoped for and assurance about what is not seen, as stated in Hebrews 11:1. It is not faith in oneself or circumstances, but faith in God and His promises. This faith comes from hearing and understanding the word of God.
• (08:02) Temptation arises when people believe what it offers is better than what God has promised. Satan, as the master of deceit, can make things appear appealing, even seemingly from God, necessitating discernment through prayer and reliance on one's relationship with Jesus.
• (09:42) Remembering that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus helps build faith and overcome the shame that Satan tries to bring after sinning. God is faithful and doesn't change, and Christians are free from condemnation through Jesus.
• (11:03) God is sovereign and righteous, and even difficult events pass through His sovereign hand. While it's not always possible to understand why God allows certain things to happen, He often uses evil for His glory, turning negative situations into something beautiful and meaningful.
• (14:27) Ephesians 1:3-14 describes the blessings of being chosen by God, adopted as sons, and sealed with the Holy Spirit. These verses offer hope and faith in the Lord's promises and the inheritance that is received through Jesus Christ.
• (17:03) It is important to read the Bible and know God's word, as faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Turning to scripture and praying to God increases faith and helps combat the flaming arrows of the devil.
• (20:03) Technology, despite its negative aspects, has made the Bible more accessible, fulfilling God's plan to use evil for His glory. The Bible remains the number one best-selling book of all time, and reading it, even starting from Genesis, can reveal unexpected insights and increase faith.
• (22:02) God doesn't need people, but He wants them and loves them, choosing them before the creation of the world. Taking up the shield of faith involves recognizing one's identity as someone saved by Jesus and adopted into God's family, with an incorruptible inheritance.
• (24:32) Salvation is through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, not through works, and it requires repenting of sin and placing trust in Him alone. When accused by Satan, faith chooses to believe that Jesus has redeemed us and that there is no more condemnation.
• (28:18) The things Satan attempts to use to discourage people can become tools in the hands of God. Recognizing God's work in turning negative situations into something that glorifies Him increases faith and helps people remember to rely on Him in times of trial.




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