There are two questions many believers ask. 1. Does God fully accept me? 2. If so, upon what basis does He do so? In this podcast, Mark and John discuss the fact that you are fully accepted in Christ forever. We are not working for acceptance. We live and work from the finished fact that we are already accepted in the Beloved (Eph. 1:6). As John states, understanding your acceptance affects how you see yourself and your relationships. God welcomes us; we are not on probation. You do not need to prove your worth. You're accepted, not disappointing. Ask yourself, where am I still trying to earn what God has already given me? Do I live like I'm accepted or like I'm auditioning?

Links

Show Notes: https://gracenotebook.com/acceptance/

Glimpses of Grace Newsletter: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/constant-contact-form/

Rejection Syndrome by Dr. Solomon: https://grace-fellowship-international.myshopify.com/products/the-rejection-syndrome-and-the-way-to-acceptance

Ins and Out of Rejection by Dr. Solomon: https://grace-fellowship-international.myshopify.com/products/the-ins-and-out-of-rejection

Jack Taylor on Acceptance: https://gfiworld.sermon.net/main/main/21026649

Marriage Builder by Larry Crabb: https://www.amazon.com/Marriage-Builder-Creating-Oneness-Transform/dp/0310336872/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1SYQUN4KMVN7B&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.dCxvCEOWnjgTducQxNQ4urYkHKjqAuDYl57-tpqZEe6oSsKoD97Ooj7LXvlHow7bTqLEFevOGTl5DFDGAVJCyPwvJ3rqJnRDdkimTuqf_VMXeL8VNPQS_Ibjgt-TgNKGCjgIV8zouKJKsS6YTi8AdiYOHIWNKvPQYIwp5TpIYPdsHDjPuOawCYNCQLM_tNDO.Vt8p9UQMC35aq3u6AtrE9TI82HMSj_sPmKn0FJ5ZLuw&dib_tag=se&keywords=larry+crabb+marriage+builder&qid=1772125324&sprefix=larry+crabb%2Caps%2C213&sr=8-1

Families Where Grace is in Place by Jeff VanVonderen: https://www.amazon.com/Families-Where-Grace-Place-Manipulation/dp/0764207938/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2NVIEVKH63ZMI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.X1P79iCx6fO7WYQkl9a0_Ii-X0bQK8RANmiOYZUVvJnoeE147nz6yrIh1JtRIpy83nn7XwFCz7-L48bXG-lqL5iVn6s0R0tHP5klRWKVt7c.K7yokxz9bG8rbrICTBj8lk1Mw74UuMx-yRHXA23pjPA&dib_tag=se&keywords=families+where+grace+is+in+place+by+jeff+vanvonderen&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1772125360&sprefix=families+where+grac%2Caps%2C198&sr=8-1

In this episode, Mark and John discuss Biblical meditation and mindfulness. This isn't the emptying of the mind but a constant reminder of Christ in me. The goal is not to notice thoughts, but to surrender them. In the podcast, Mark and John discuss meditating on the character of God, His Names, and His promises! Meditation is not an Eastern religious activity, but a biblical word. If you have a question you would like answered on the podcast, please email hello@gracefellowshipinternational.com

Links

GFI Events: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/events/

My Prayer Helps: https://myprayerhelps.com

Praying the Names of God: https://myprayerhelps.com/biblical-summaries/names-of-god/

A. W. Tozer Book: https://www.amazon.com/Knowledge-Holy-Attributes-Meaning-Christian/dp/0060684127/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3HS9SHHNJXZVU&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.mNd_maRmtxJru7VbIOlyWKyDVi9lmi97EKuAj9hoxNfAJcKdTED0-HkktwRlW90H3BC0i9X467O9OY3GhJIoJzppx4qV4eiKiEGJN0ldMBfFzOrdiwdfo_9vsnd0V_4ax1X3ibPyXuE9J1MCnr3v-n6QxOGT71haqLAxYPYzZ8YtFVZJuEkMA1GUZr_-Lx1aHb-hienxnLPcctxZkgZuzIf4nkbPb956uZstC66M704.VE25ouu8G0loNC1kdNptwrhzbNLXs-ZPz4yMc3wYHZQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=tozer+knowledge+of+the+holy&qid=1770927236&sprefix=tozer+%2Caps%2C191&sr=8-1

J.B. Phillips Book: https://www.amazon.com/Your-God-Too-Small-Believers/dp/0743255097/ref=sr_1_1?crid=4R71DHE2N2KT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6-Sxgu8Ixyak7oAwp4gE4NgF3FuKCBPQUeknFsV9Mak2D4UOn7T2V2kWlsBNhEVXBgehCgoFfaCm69jJ48lrNC2q942B36rkwmFy-yQrUqlnE3mF2gaW-fdCAo7kR2vOxklvqQ-Vpb6XOpEXfTCzLGyRSJHxDucToGOTdLa-pJ0mVAcXu-m3Dyy8uMZc5T05yYtiH_iD0xPM32sMgSNuuA2YZq24qiDbgAE8g1klq5I.Ljw9EdmMYnj1nsg5uwtDNPbzCBpQ694DbTYp_Q9dmsI&dib_tag=se&keywords=your+god+is+too+small+jb+phillips&qid=1770927268&sprefix=your+god%2Caps%2C220&sr=8-1

In this episode, Mark and Dr. John discuss neuroplasticity and the importance of renewing the mind both spiritually and physically. The guys discuss teachings from Dr. Caroline Leaf and Dr. Daniel Amen. As Dr. Amen states, "You are not stuck with the brain you have." Mark and John discuss this topic from a physical, psychological, and spiritual perspective. We discuss brain health and the importance of hope.

Links:

Dr. Leaf- https://drleaf.com

Dr. Amen- https://www.amenclinics.com

In this episode, Dr. John and Mark interview Chris Hodges, the founder of Abiding Above Ministries in Memphis, TN. Chris shares his testimony and how the Exchanged Life changed his life and still shapes his ministry today.

Links:

Stephen Alford Ministry: https://www.olford.org

Source of Light Ministry: https://slmin.org

Adrian Rodgers Sermons: https://www.lwf.org

Abiding Above Ministry: https://abidingabove.org

Lee Turner Grace Discipleship Course: https://grace-fellowship-international.myshopify.com/products/the-grace-discipleship-course

Lee Turner Advanced Grace Discipleship Course: https://grace-fellowship-international.myshopify.com/products/the-advanced-grace-discipleship-course

In life, we use a GPS to help navigate, but what do we use to navigate life? In this episode, Mark and John discuss the need for knowledge and wisdom. We live in a world where many people get their knowledge from YouTube. However, with 20 million videos uploaded daily and over 30,000 hours of daily videos, information changes quickly. By the time you finish a video, that video may be outdated! So where do we go for knowledge? First, we go to the Word of God. Where do we find wisdom? We must be filled with the Holy Spirit!

If you would like to give a year-end gift to GFI, please use this link: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/about-gfi/donate/55-giving-campaign/

Show Notes: https://gracenotebook.com/spiritual-navigation-how-to-discern-gods-will/

In this episode, Mark and Dr. John discuss the topic of insomnia. 40 million people suffer from insomnia each year. 25% of people have had insufficient sleep for 15 out of the last 30 days! The guys discuss the effects of poor sleep as well as nighttime routines to help people go to sleep. Some of these include blue light, reducing stress before bed, proper environments, gratitude, forgiveness, and the avoidance of heavy meals before bed. Mark and John also discuss how the Lord uses sleepless nights, and they take some examples from Scripture.

LINKS

55k Year End Giving Link- https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/about-gfi/donate/55-giving-campaign/

Facebook Link- https://www.facebook.com/GraceFellowshipInternational/

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/gracefellowshipinternational/

Sleep Hygiene- https://elcmatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/sleep-hygiene.pdf

Blessed Sleeplessness- https://www.biblicalcounselingcoalition.org/2025/05/16/blessed-sleeplessness/

Watch the Pineapple Story- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfxBl-qaItg&t=15s

Natural Health Article- https://myhdiet.com/blogs/healthnews/here-is-why-sleep-is-your-health-s-ultimate-superpower?

Insomnia Symptoms and Causes- https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/insomnia-symptoms-and-causes


Sleepless Night in Scripture- https://gracenotebook.com/diligent-to-rest/

Soaking Affirmations- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N3vxfDTSw8

Music- www.BeStillMusic.com

Book: Surrendered Sleep- https://www.amazon.com/Surrendered-Sleep-Biblical-Perspective-2011-09-15/dp/B01F81VZO0/ref=sr_1_2?crid=3AQNT3GIQ6VND&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.iDain7tGlzepjaPiL5ehVf8l1uVqa_ogKD2v1fnRMzpcjfNXovDfsMDjDIH4xVWpCtsOpq41-EEWQA5ZP8NesVNsD6Nc44TkF4o2j5vVjXRC0iaGrdClpW3NNTcD2dCE-b8jY3EhyqFiruHEKVDW-w.ruFq7xIw3mlPwJq55VPF-hIEW6FgVexjow5X3oTV4aA&dib_tag=se&keywords=surrendered+sleep&qid=1765398968&sprefix=surrendered+sleep%2Caps%2C159&sr=8-2

In this podcast, Liz, our office manager, joins us as we begin the episode, sharing holiday traditions. The first part of the episode is fun. At minute 23:30, John, Mark, and Liz discuss causes of holiday stress and how to have JOY during the holidays. The stresses discussed include the pressure to meet expectations, family dynamics, financial burdens, overwhelming schedules, loneliness, and grief.

Links

55k In 55 Days For 55 Years: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/about-gfi/donate/55-giving-campaign/

In this episode, Mark and Dr. John discuss the difficult topic of suicide. Those speaking of suicide should be taken seriously. They need hope and support. Part 1of this podcast speaks directly to the person struggling with suicidal ideology. Suicide is a liar saying that life is better without you. Life is not better without you, and those left are devastated, not better off. You are loved by God and others, so please do not believe the lies. The answer is not trying harder but surrendering your life to Jesus.

Part 2 of the podcast helps listeners know how to help. We discuss how to talk about suicide and the importance of active listening. Mark and John discuss suicide intervention, biblical anchors of hope, and key important truths to know and communicate.

To conclude, Mark discusses the difference between identity, purpose, and assignment. These are all different and should never be combined. Our identity is given to us by God. Our purpose is what we do, and is also given to us by God. Our assignment is what we do in this world. Our assignments change, but our identity and purpose remain!

Links

55k Year-End Giving: https://gracefellowshipinternational.com/about-gfi/donate/55-giving-campaign/

U-Turn Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgxtbeW4DaY

John Stevens' book on Suicide: https://grace-fellowship-international.myshopify.com/collections/other-authors?page=2