FAI Central

Gabe reads the weekly review of events in the Middle East for the week of June 26-July 2.

THE BETTER BEAUTIFUL // We close out chapter 3 of Galatians exploring the implications of equality in Jesus, and the possible pitfalls of the "one new man" formed in His offering. Listen to "Unity, Diversity, and Distinction (Gal. 3:28-29)" of THE BETTER FREEDOM with Jeff & Steph now, right here in the FAI App.

Gabe reads the weekly review of events in the Middle East for the week of June 19-25.

Or, "The One Where Jeff Became a Grandpa." In Episode 22 of THE BETTER FREEDOM, we meditate on Galatians 3:27: "For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ." In this regard, there is no other way but to be fully immersed—but what happens if we, like the Crusaders of old, withhold something above the water line? What in your life do you try to protect and preserve? But Jesus...

As the economic and social crisis in Iran continues to mount, the Wire asked Joel Richardson and leaders in the Iranian underground churches for their perspectives.

We're in the meat of Galatians 3, with substantial themes to chew on: law, faith, grace, promise, slavery, sonship, and the means of reckoning against the righteousness of God. It's not for the faint of heart—but it'll lead you to the One who is "meek and lowly" inviting you to abide in Him all your days. Grab a coffee and your Bible, and maybe bookmark Romans so you can move back and forth betwee...

Gabe reads the latest FAI Wire report detailing the various ways in which the Iranian regime is on the brink of war abroad and revolution at home.

"What is covenant?" For as heady and meaty as the issues in this passage can be, ultimately the faith comes down to a very simple issue: children believing the promise of their trustworthy Father. Join Jeff & Steph for episode 20 of THE BETTER FREEDOM, which also happens to be the 100th episode of THE BETTER BEAUTIFUL. Thank you for spending the last two years staring at the beauty of Jesus with u...

Gabe reads the latest edition of the FAI Wire Mideast Week in Review.

The most offensive elements of the Good News are the best ones. The most precious truths are the ones we most resist, most despise. Galatians 3:14 is among these; join Jeff and Steph for a meditation on the Cross as we wade into the doctrinal depths of Paul's letter to the Galatian churches.

Gabe reads the latest edition of the FAI Wire Mideast Week in Review.

Our second of two conversations with Dana Candler (IHOPKC) gets real about what to do when you don't love Jesus like you used to. If you cross the finish line without love, did you really run the race to begin with? What do you do when you test the worth of Jesus, and the worth of Jesus turns around and tests you back? Listen to "Finishing with First Love," our final conversation with Dana Candler...

Gabe reads the latest edition of the FAI Wire Mideast Week in Review.

In this special two-part edition of THE BETTER BEAUTIFUL, Jeff and Steph sit down with Dana Candler (IHOPKC) to discuss her latest book, 'First Love: Keeping Passion for Jesus in a World Growing Cold.' If ever there was a manifesto for our heart behind "The Better Beautiful," it's Dana's new book. These conversations provoked us, challenged us, encouraged us, and brought us into worshipful wonder...

In this episode, Gabe talks to Marco about the growth of hostilities in the West Bank, and the greater strategic threat across the border from Israel in Lebanon. Marco discusses IAI's initiatives to adopt the Israeli Border Patrol unit stationed at Machpelah Cave in Hebron, West Bank, and to assist the Northern Galilee community of Kiryat Shmona with renovating bomb shelters in advance of a coming...

Gabe reads the latest edition of the FAI Wire Mideast Week in Review.

We spend this week in the five verses between Galatians 3:10-14, and it's important to hear Paul's tone in this segment. What of the curses? Why is the cross a theological checkmate? Jeff & Steph discuss these questions and more in this week's episode of THE BETTER FREEDOM, our journey through the letter to the churches of Galatia. Find yourself in these eternal truths, relevant to disciples in th...

Gabe interviews Farhad, a member of the Yezidi people and resident of the Mount Sinjar region in Northwestern Iraq. Farhad explains the background of the Yezidi conflict with ISIS, Turkey, and Iraq, and provides a first-hand perspective regarding the recent Iraqi military offensive against Yezidi militias and their Kurdish allies around Sinjar.

In episode 17 of THE BETTER FREEDOM, Jeff & Steph discuss Galatians 3:8-9 and the international intention woven into God's covenant with Abraham (and by extension, Isaac and Jacob) from the very beginning. If this "Good News" was truly meant to reach the nations from its earliest expressions, what do we do with it on, say, a Tuesday afternoon? Listen to "Jesus' International Inheritance (Gal. 3:8-...

Paul cites "works" to describe marks of Jewish identity. James cites "works" as actions evident for faith. Paul says you're saved by grace through faith and "not by works," lest any man should boast. James says you must have works to back up your faith, or you're the walking dead. Both men build their positions on the same text: "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." H...

In this episode, Jeff & Steph pull the car over somewhere around Galatians 3:5 to stretch our legs, check the map, and look at the road ahead. Paul develops a robust theology of justification, adoption, sonship, inheritance, freedom—as well as the less attractive alternatives—in just a couple of chapters in Galatians, and we're about to take a deep dive to wade through them all. And we're feeling...

Jeff & Steph interview Daniel Lancaster, author of the commentary 'The Holy Epistle to the Galatians: Sermons on a Messianic Jewish Approach,' and Director of Education at First Fruits of Zion. Daniel helps us wade through some of the larger questions presented by the Galatian letter, and approach Paul's words within their broader context both culturally and theologically. Find more of Daniel's re...

In this episode, Gabe interviews Lt. Col. Marco Moreno (IDF, Res) about the ongoing spate of terror attacks and counterterror operations in Israel. Marco gives an update on upcoming FAI/IAI initiatives in the Jewish State.

What *wouldn't* Jesus do? Jeff and Steph ask this pertinent question as we discuss Galatians 3:1-5. How do the questions surrounding Law & Spirit, Jew & Gentile, faith & freedom bear upon us? How does staring at "Christ and Him crucified" safeguard us from the seduction of bewitching words and Gospel perversions? Listen to Part 13 of THE BETTER FREEDOM, "What *Wouldn't Jesus Do? (Gal. 3:1-5)" now