In this episode, John and Mark discuss how the Exchanged Life is both a positional and conditional truth. They both align together. Our position is we are righteous and in Christ. This is a positional and spiritual truth. Our condition is our daily life, these are distinct but interrelated. In the Book of Ephesians chapters 1-3 describe our position and then chapters 4-6 to our condition. Knowing your position in Christ gives you the power to be obedient. Mark speaks of praying specifically to God and making the proper withdrawals. Dr. John describes the difference between "Relationship and Fellowship." Our relationship with Christ is secure but our fellowship can fluctuate. For example, we can quench the Holy Spirit but not lose our position. The guys discuss how many attempt to secure their relationship with God through fellowship but there is no checklist to be right with God. Dr. John encouraged the listeners to memorize Ephesians 2:10, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

For the .pdf, "Who Am I," please email us at hello@gracefellowshipinternational.com

Links

"The Worthy Walk" by Dr. John Woodward: https://grace-fellowship-international.myshopify.com/products/the-worthy-walk

"Bone of His Bone" by FJ Huegel: https://www.amazon.com/Bone-His-Beyond-Imitation-Christ/dp/0875086896/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2ALBGM1L9YYWM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.X0pw4NUbvP9lMrMESIEdetsiEBi6uadWz1gY35ulHj56RwJVrQ81jYuKK_vqhuQ5yEFktYTgqJGZchXXbbKXYn01YiCco0YziaGoON5e8qXwEis6wBmnJhdRNRdcrUCKc2WEY7hqnCwEyxyL7Ce8gCecXmuLt0AZ4Sb9i88_DDUhLs8YUm63bZ4SncYjNIDP4WlCtSKqQAO5qhiWkC0wQTset2AenFs-Dk98AUFd8pg.EkXE5ZQFZlEhyoovt2mIHcd7HOTFuyqwMfxNjewJmGs&dib_tag=se&keywords=bone+of+his+bone+by+fj+huegel&qid=1716907869&sprefix=bone+of+his+bone%2Caps%2C82&sr=8-1

Mark's Sermon on Philippians 2:12-13: https://gfiworld.sermon.net/main/main/22268245

GFI Seminar on August 3rd: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/event/finding-peace-2/

GFI Workshop: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/event/exchanged-life-counseling-workshop-5/

Have you ever had a mountain top experience and the bottom seems to fall out? When these "downers" occur we seem to wonder if the victory we had was real and lasting. We wonder, "What am I missing?" You are not abnormal and these moments do not mean you didn't "get it." The first step of a downer is subtle. In this episode, Dr. John and Mark discuss the steps and dangers of a downer and how to get back up! John discusses how a downer isn't the same as Bipolar and how victory is a person, not a program. The guys discuss how the blood of Jesus covers what we do and the cross covers what we are. Even amid a downer, we are still in Christ. The Victor is in us! No matter what, we must maintain hope and set our minds to the fact that He will fulfill His purpose in and through us.

Books

Life in Christ Notebook: https://grace-fellowship-international.myshopify.com/products/life-in-christ-a-personalized-discipleship-notebook

In this episode, Dr. John and Mark interview Cherri, a Guide Counselor and Life Coach with GFI. Cherri shares how her great-grandfather started "Whosoever Gospel Mission" in Philadelphia in 1892. In 1897, he started the Colony of Mercy, which is one of the oldest Christian addiction ministries in America and the world. In 1924, he launched America"s Keswick in New Jersey. Cherri's family has been involved in the ministry but she shares how she had a distorted identity. She felt like she had not done enough or was not good enough for God to love her. She states her life was all about do, do, do, and she struggled to see how God could accept her. She says, "I thought God was on the throne with His arms crossed just shaking His head at me." Cherri describes the difference between guilt and shame. Cherri has 5 kids and 2 of them struggled with addiction. This led her to start "Love Them to Life" in 2013. Cherri has authored 2 books. The first, "Beside Still Waters" was birthed from the need for curriculum. "Set Free" is a deeper work designed for education and hope. Cherri ends hoping all who listen will accept their acceptance. When you do, she says, the shackles begin to fall off. "It is Jesus living in me, through me, and as me!"

If you or someone you know, struggles with addiction, please reach out to GFI or contact one of the ministries listed below. https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/

Links:

America's Keswick, Colony of Mercy, and Barbara's Place: https://americaskeswick.org/

Whosoever Gospel Mission: http://www.whosoevergospel.org/wp/

Love Them to Life: https://lovethemtolife.com/

Books

Beside Still Waters: https://grace-fellowship-international.myshopify.com/products/beside-still-waters-discovering-peace-in-the-midst-of-your-child-s-addiction

Set Free: https://grace-fellowship-international.myshopify.com/products/set-free

GFI

Counseling: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/counseling/

Coaching: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/coaching/

To learn more about guide certification: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/counseling-certification/

In this episode, John and Mark unpack the opening lines of the podcast intro. We discuss what is eternal life, what it means that we are born in the line of Adam, and what it means that we are new creations in Christ. To illustrate, we discuss a diagram called the "Line Diagram." Here are links to download the GFI App, which contains the diagram:

App Store link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6446342103Here is Google Play Store link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.subsplashconsulting.s_S8HP79

Being "in Christ" is the key. Because Christ is our Lord and Savior, He offers to us His life as our life. Who you were in Adam, was canceled on the cross. Episodes 6-9 are good reminders to relisten to what we mean when we say that you are crucified with Christ, buried with Him, and resurrected. In Christ, we have a new past, a promising future, and a powerful present. Your past no longer identifies you and if we identify with our hangups, then we live in defeat. In Christ, we share His victory. Dr. Solomon states, "We must become in experience, who we already are in position." Episode 16 will review the difference between surrender and passivity. Our responsibility is divine cooperation, not self-effort. Do not miss Dr. John's pun at the end of the podcast!

Books

Exchanged Lives by Dr. Best: https://grace-fellowship-international.myshopify.com/products/exchanged-lives

Links

GFI Counseling: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/counseling/

GFI Coaching: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/coaching/

If you are interested in learning more about the new GFI Church Partnership, please email Mark@gracefellowshipinternational.com

www.GraceFellowshipInternational.com

In this episode, John and Mark interview Laura. She was raised in a Christian home and was born again at the age of 23. Laura was a teacher but had to leave her profession after 4 years because of anxiety. She struggled with suicidal thoughts, and she has been hospitalized in a mental health facility 8 times since 2018. Last year, Laura decided to write a help-self book to figure out how to heal herself. She finished Dr. Solomon's book, "Handbook to Happiness" on Christmas Eve 2023 and decided she could never fix herself. Instead, she learned, she has died to herself and now lives in Christ! She states, "I'm not the sum of my problems or what's been done to me." We hope you enjoy her story of victory and transformation.

In 2019, 301 million people struggled with anxiety worldwide, 58 million being kids and teenagers. We live in troubled times and in this episode, Mark and John discuss the difference between normal anxiety and anxiety disorders. In the Bible, both Jacob (Genesis 32) and Esther (Esther 4) battled anxiety. Mark and John dive into Philippians 4:6 and answer questions regarding the cause and effects of anxiety. Anxiety doesn't define nor disqualify you. Our hope is not in the absence of our troubles but in Christ who is in us. If we worry about tomorrow, then we will not enjoy today. Mark and John discuss waiting, and how God uses these times of "wait" to grow our faith. Holy Spirit gives peace for the place but in the wait, we must have faith!

Verses in the podcast: 1 Peter 5:7

Matthew 6:31-34

Psalm 34:18; 56:3

2 Corinthians 4:6

Joshua 1:9

2 Timothy 1:7

1 John 4:18

Isaiah 43:1

Psalm 94:19, "In the multitudes of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul."

The ministry mentioned by Dr. John is "Complete in Christ." You can learn more at www.completeinChrist.com

Over 6.8 million people suffer from depression. However, only 1/3rd of people get help to find peace and victory. In an article from 2010, over 11 billion dollars was spent on anti-depressant medications. In this episode, John and Mark discuss the causes of depression and misconceptions regarding depression. We need to understand the causes of rejection as well as see God's remedy is biblical and effective. "Hope means the most when it comes stumbling out of the dark places." Christ, the cross, and grace are powerful to save and help heal the soul's depression. John and Mark discuss how spiritual warfare can play a part in depression. Warning...suicide is discussed toward the end of the podcast. Mark gives a warning before the discussion begins. Biblical examples of depression are discussed and hope is given to all who may suffer. You are not alone and you are not too far gone!

To obtain a copy of John's article on depression, email hello@gracefellowshipinternational.com

Resources:

https://elcmatters.org

https://revitalizingpastors.org

Aaron Kim YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/@aaronkim1074

Books:

Handbook to Happiness by Dr. Solomon: https://grace-fellowship-international.myshopify.com/products/handbook-to-happiness-a-biblical-guide-to-victorious-living

Discipling the Desperate by Dr. Solomon: https://grace-fellowship-international.myshopify.com/products/discipling-the-desperate-the-spirits-ministry-to-hurting-believers

Suicide: An Illicit Lover by John Stevens: https://grace-fellowship-international.myshopify.com/products/suicide-an-illicit-lover-1

Victory in Jesus by E.V. Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Victory-Jesus-Running-Meant-Special/dp/0802431348/ref=sr_1_1?crid=243KT3L21VO36&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.yxiCpKl9t8s_QLpCmG1ARyeFlw57RF-ZTmkpaJzQw4VxYNnRO8iWnnFldHYwtE6N.iCXBPYUG5zJpKoJCMHkZmugKhbdkcn8w0DH7aehso0U&dib_tag=se&keywords=victory+in+jesus+ev+hill&qid=1709675050&sprefix=victory+in+jesus+ev+hill%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-1

There can be a difference between what we know and what we trust. God is good but do we trust God's heart even if we do not understand His hand? In this episode, Dr. John and Mark answer, "Why does a God of love allow suffering?" Knowing Christ as Life helps us to take doctrine to experience and theology to a testimony. The guys speak to 4 words: 1. Know the truth. The old man, who you were in Adam before salvation, was crucified. This truth is not a hope but an already accomplished fact. 2. Reckon on the truth. The word, "reckon," is an accounting term that means to add up the facts and to count something to be personally true. It is a step of faith. Reckon 6:11 is the first commandment in the Boof of Romans. As believers, we are appropriate Christ as life. The question is, "Have we trusted what we say we know?" Watchman Nee said, "I cannot do something if it has already happened." 3. Yield to the truth. We are commanded to present/offer ourselves to Christ for Him to live in and through me. Jesus himself modeled this when he said, "I can of Myself do nothing (John 5:30)." The power of surrender is Holy Spirit in us. God wants your body to be His instrument. Christ in you can do everything greater, better, bigger, and more powerful! 4. Walk in the truth. Walking is an idiom for practical Christian living. We walk, not in our strength, but through Holy Spirit's power, we participate with Christ. The focus of our walk is Christ in you!

Books mentioned:

"The Gospel to Saints" by John R. Van Gelderen

www.revivalfocus.org

"The Normal Christian Life" by Watchman Nee

https://www.amazon.com/Normal-Christian-Life-Watchman-Nee/dp/0842347100/ref=sr_1_2?crid=26YCSYIKK2M74&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.13W_-UfXlodeVRdpcWGgM1DVncU8kSpRMYatJjRPUJgq1YA2RpQO1e0FUN11XFjFG-bRhhGlOrSyqVQ8rCjOo01EjtOK9LSj2PuVkmHUA43f4eoyTLfBqcNWqm1ID1ukmIFn0cXKWJAsoFboEMOm4GVNjI8rYqOuMBTnJ4fe0m5Un9Ys1o-GoRbj6LqWu9cy21yAmTStwVD16_leYW1l5pW0Vh0ICF-vKcmGGlLetk_joroZj7VBcveVt90JZCUdKsHmd0eyVgwuvz2EMRf4cGmYvTCHiLuYFehBZV3esmc.DRxEw86rNq0eE6ciIWWDaScIHFGkPsJCzA47B6N29Z0&dib_tag=se&keywords=watchman+nee&qid=1708549451&sprefix=watchman+nee%2Caps%2C207&sr=8-2