Living IN Jesus Podcast

In this season finale episode, Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina explore how one letter from the Apostle Paul has changed countless lives, sparked historic reformations, and continues to shape our personal faith journeys today. They discuss the power of understanding our co-crucifixion with Christ, the freedom in knowing there is no condemnation for believers, and the ripple effect of Romans throughout history—from Augustine’s dramatic turning point to Martin Luther’s Reformation insights. Whether you’re well-versed in Romans or just dipping your toes into its deep truths, join Ross and Ben as they highlight the timeless influence of this remarkable epistle—and encourage you to live transformed in the light of God’s love. Key Verses: Romans 8:1 – "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Romans 12:2 – "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Quotes: "The truths in Romans are not just information; they are transformation. When we truly believe them, they change our entire outlook on life." “We never know how God is going to take what we do or what we say and use it to encourage somebody who will encourage somebody, who will encourage somebody.” “We can’t ever hear the truth enough. Even if we know it and we’ve heard it a million times, that millionth and first time is just as impactful.” Key Points: Outline: Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Participating Staff: Ben Brezina Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina --- Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study. In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.

In this episode, Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina explore what it means to overcome evil with good. They unpack Romans 12:19-21—challenging listeners to leave revenge to God and instead respond to hurt with kindness and radical love. The conversation touches on the pitfalls of seeking personal justice, the transformative power of depending on the Holy Spirit, and practical ways to bless those who wrong us, even in our most vulnerable moments. If you've ever wrestled with how to handle hurt, offense, or injustice, this conversation will challenge and encourage you. Discover how choosing to depend on Christ and walking in His love can transform your life—and the lives of those around you. Key Verses: Romans 12:19-21: "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’ To the contrary, ‘if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Quotes: “We are the worst person to judge a situation when we’re the ones hurt.” “The people who hurt us can’t heal us—only God can.” “Jesus didn’t just avoid revenge—He actively blessed those who hated Him.” Key Points: Outline: Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold Emotion by TonyDrummer (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Participating Staff: Ben Brezina Scripture Read by: Ben Brezina Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina --- Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study. In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.

In this episode, Ross O’Hair and Jamie Pharis Pyles explore Romans 12:14-18, revealing how believers are empowered through the Holy Spirit to bless rather than curse, rejoice and weep with others, and live in harmony. They discuss how old patterns of retaliation stem from the flesh, but under the New Covenant, believers have a new spirit and renewed mind to respond with genuine love—even toward those who cause harm. Through personal stories and scriptural insights, they demonstrate that what was once impossible under the law becomes both freeing and joyful through Christ’s life in us. Key Verses: Romans 12:14-18: "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." Quotes: "In Christ, you can afford to be wrong, and you can afford to be wronged." "It's not on our love and forgiveness that the world will change, but on His through us." "God doesn’t promise great circumstances, but He does promise His presence, His love, and a peace that surpasses understanding." Key Points: Outline: Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold Cinematic Strings by Cleanmindsounds (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Scripture Read by: Ben Brezina Participating Staff: Jamie Pharis Pyles Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina --- Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study. In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.

What does authentic love look like in a world full of transactional relationships? In this episode, Ross O'Hair and Mark Fields explore Romans 12:9-13, a passage that vividly describes how believers are called to live out genuine, selfless love within the body of Christ. Together, they discuss the characteristics of healthy relationships, including authenticity, humility, perseverance, and serving others with joy and purpose. Through practical examples and personal stories, Ross and Mark unpack key principles like letting love be genuine, abhorring what is evil, and showing preference to one another in humility. They also highlight how living out these truths reflects our identity in Christ and fosters trust, safety, and unity within communities. Tune in to be encouraged and equipped to cultivate meaningful, God-honoring relationships. Key Verses: Romans 12:9-13: “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality." Quotes: "Healthy relationships begin with acting for each other's best benefit with authenticity and genuineness." "When we know who we are in Christ, we can genuinely love others without striving—it flows naturally from our identity in Him." "Building relationships requires humility and sacrifice, valuing others above ourselves, and reflecting God's unconditional love." Key Points: Outline: Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold Emotional Piano and Strings by MusicalSmile (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Participating Staff: Mark Fields Scripture Read By: Ben Brezina Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina

In this episode, Ross O’Hair and Tom Price explore the richness of Romans 12:3-8, discussing how believers are called to embrace unity in the body of Christ while celebrating diversity in spiritual gifts. They tackle the dangers of comparison, the importance of finding identity in Christ, and how understanding God’s grace leads to a healthier community. Through personal stories and relatable analogies, this conversation unpacks how humility and sound judgment allow us to serve authentically and joyfully as members of God’s family. Key Verses: Romans 12:3-8: "For by the grace given to me, I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. But to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body, we have many members, and the members do not have all the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: if prophecy in proportion to our faith; if service in our serving; the one who teaches in his teaching; the one who exhorts in his exhortation; the one who contributes in generosity; the one who leads with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy with cheerfulness." Quotes: "The most humble thing you can do is to believe what God says about you." "True humility isn’t thinking less of ourselves; it’s about embracing who God says we are and living out of the grace gifts he’s placed in us." "When we stop comparing ourselves to others and start celebrating the diversity within the body of Christ, we experience the fullness of God’s design for his church." Key Points: Outline: Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold The Wedding Trailer by Toshman (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Participating Staff: Beau Brezina Scripture Read by: Ben Brezina Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina

In this episode, Ross O’Hair and Beau Brezina explore the profound concepts of transformation and sacrifice as presented in Romans 12:1-2. What does it mean to be a living sacrifice? How can we embrace transformation through the renewal of our minds? Listen in as Ross and Beau unravel how our everyday acts of kindness, forgiveness, and service are not burdens but joyful responses to God’s incredible love and mercy. This conversation will inspire us to renew our minds, embrace Christ’s work in us, and live out the sacrificial love that impacts our relationships with God and others. Key Verses: Romans 12:1-2 (ESV): "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." Quotes: “Offering ourselves as a “living sacrifice” is not a heavy burden—it’s a delight birthed out of the love that God has poured into our hearts.” “Transformation begins with renewing your mind; it’s about letting the Holy Spirit reshape your beliefs to align with God’s truth.” “Sacrifice isn’t about losing something; it’s about giving yourself fully to the joy of loving God and others.” Key Points: Outline: Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold Emotion by Tonydrumer (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Participating Staff: Beau Brezina Scripture Reading by: Ben Brezina Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina --- Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study. In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.

In this episode, Ross O’Hair and Mark Fields unpack the rich truths of Romans 8:31-39. They discuss how God’s love and provision empower us to navigate life’s challenges with confidence and hope. From the assurance that God is for us to the eternal security of His love, this conversation will inspire and encourage you to live boldly, knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God. Listen now to discover how God’s provision and presence are woven into every moment of our lives. Key Verses: Romans 8:31-39: “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? … No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Quotes: “God is not just with us—He is for us. That changes everything about how we face life’s challenges.” “What if God doesn’t want to change your circumstances but wants to change you through them?” “No person, no event, no sin can separate a believer from God’s love. That truth transforms how we approach every difficulty.” Key Points: Outline: Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold Inspiring by Peacock Music (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Participating Staff: Mark Fields Scripture Reading: Ben Brezina, Corrie O’Hair Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina --- Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study. In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.

In this episode, Ross O’Hair and Mark Fields closely examine Romans 8:28-30, discussing how God’s goodness and sovereignty bring hope even during life’s most challenging circumstances. They unpack the truths of this famous passage, exploring how God works all things for good for those who love Him. Using personal stories, biblical examples, and down-to-earth insights, they show how trials can transform us into the image of Christ, deepening our dependence on Him and renewing our perspective on hardship. If you’ve ever felt stuck in pain or wondered where God is, this conversation will encourage and empower you to trust that He is always working, always present, and always good. Key Verses: Romans 8:28-30 - "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified." Quotes: “Sometimes the good from our circumstances may not be evident until much later, but God is weaving all things together with His wisdom and timing.” “God’s purpose is not just to fix our pain but to conform us to the image of His Son, aligning our thoughts, attitudes, and actions with His life in us.” Key Points: Outline: Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Participating Staff: Mark Fields Scripture Reading by: Corrie O'Hair Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina --- Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study. In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.

In this episode, hosts Ross O’Hair and Mark Fields tackle the tough questions of suffering, hardship, and where God is in the midst of our pain. Romans 8:18-27 highlights how all creation—humanity included—is groaning with hope, longing for God's promised restoration and glory. Mark shares a powerful personal story about facing serious illness, while Ross recounts a traumatic family crisis, both demonstrating that we’re not alone in our struggles. They show how the Holy Spirit intercedes for us when words fail, helping us persevere with genuine hope and assurance. Whether you’re currently in the thick of difficulty, or know someone who is, this episode will encourage you, strengthen your faith, and remind you that real hope makes a tangible difference—even in life’s darkest moments. Key Verses: Romans 8:18-27: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Quotes: “Hope is the confidence in the existence of a truth we cannot yet see, casting our endurance forward into the promises of God.” “The Spirit groans with us in our weakness, interceding on our behalf when we cannot find the words, proving we are never alone.” Key Points: Outline: Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold Emotional Piano by GentleJammers (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Scripture Read by: Corrie O’Hair Participating Staff: Mark Fields Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina --- Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study. In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.

In this episode, join host Ross O'Hair and guest Mark Fields as they delve into Romans 8:15-17, revealing how embracing your true identity shifts your motivation from fear to love. Through engaging stories and biblical insights, you'll discover how to overcome fear, understand your spiritual inheritance, and start walking confidently as a Child of God. This episode offers practical wisdom and encouragement to help you live out your faith with renewed intimacy and purpose. Whether you're seeking to deepen your relationship with God or find peace amidst life's challenges, this conversation will inspire and equip you to fully embrace your place in His family. Key Verses: Romans 8:15-17: “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Quotes: “Fear might be an immediate motivator, but it is not genuine or from the heart. We respond to God out of love as we trust His heart.” “When we say, ‘Abba, Father,’ we’re calling out to a God who smiles and says, ‘You’re my child, and I love you.’” “Our identity as children of God isn’t just about heaven; it’s about living in His presence now, with love, joy, and peace.” Key Points: Outline: Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Scripture Read by: Corrie O’Hair Participating Staff: Mark Fields Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina --- Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study. In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.

In this episode, Ross O’Hair and Mark Fields unpack the powerful truths of Romans 8:5-14 to show how the Holy Spirit transforms our lives from the inside out. Learn how to walk in the Spirit, resist the pull of the flesh, and cultivate a mindset of life and peace that transcends life’s challenges. With practical insights, personal stories, and uplifting encouragement, this episode will empower you to trust the Spirit’s guidance, experience true inner calm, and live out your faith more fully. If you’ve ever wondered how to align your thoughts and actions with God’s Spirit, this episode is a must-listen! Key Verses: Romans 8:5-11: “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you. So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” Quotes: “Once you receive God's provision of salvation, God's Spirit comes to dwell in you in His fullness and completeness.” “Our outlook on life, our attitude towards circumstances is now one of hope, joy, rest—it's life-giving.” “The Holy Spirit is actively transforming us into believing, thinking, and acting more like Christ in every moment.” Key Points: Outline: Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold Peaceful Documentary by LexMusic (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Scripture Read by: Corrie O’Hair Participating Staff: Mark Fields Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina --- Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study. In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.

In this episode, host Ross O'Hair and guest Mark Fields delve into Romans 8:1-4 to explore how believers can experience true freedom from feelings of condemnation, isolation, and powerlessness. They discuss the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in overcoming sin and temptation, offering practical insights on how to live moment by moment under the Spirit's guidance. Listen today to gain a deeper understanding of how to apply biblical truths to break free from cycles of guilt and shame, and to live confidently in the assurance of God's unwavering love and presence. Key Verses: Romans 8:1-4: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” Quotes: “There is therefore now no condemnation—right now, in this moment, God is not condemning me, and there’s nothing in my life He would condemn me for.” “One of Satan's favorite strategies is to create in our minds a distance between us and God.” “We experience freedom as we trust that God is right there with us, empowering us to trust Him and enjoy His life.” Key Points: Outline: Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold Dreaming Calming Relaxation by OlexandrIgnatov (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Participating Staff: Mark Fields Scripture Reading: Corrie O’Hair Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina

Discover how embracing gratitude can transform your life in this special Thanksgiving episode of the Living IN Jesus podcast. Hosts Ross O'Hair and Ben Brezina delve into the profound impact of thankfulness on our relationship with God, our community, and our personal well-being. They share biblical insights, personal experiences, and practical tips on how to cultivate a heart of gratitude—even amidst hardship. By listening, you'll gain a deeper understanding of why giving thanks is essential, how it can lead to inner peace and joy, and how it strengthens the bonds with those around you. This episode is an invitation to experience the transformative power of thankfulness and to make it a daily practice that enriches every aspect of your life. Key Verses: Psalm 28:7 – “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Colossians 3:15 – “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Quotes: Key Points: Outline: Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Participating Staff: Ben Brezina Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina --- Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study. In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.

In this episode, we dive deep into Romans 7:14-25 to explore the struggle between self-effort and relying on God's power. If you've ever felt trapped in a cycle of trying harder yet still falling short, this conversation is for you. Host Ross O'Hair and guest Tom Price discuss how even as believers, we will give into fleshly temptations when we rely on our own strength. They share personal insights and practical wisdom on embracing our true identity in Christ, which empowers us to overcome challenges not by our might but through the Holy Spirit. By listening, you'll discover how to shift from self-reliance to God-reliance, unlock the freedom found in trusting God's presence within you, and experience genuine transformation in your walk with God. Key Verses: Romans 7:14-25: "For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Quotes: “God has shown me that true strength and success come from His Spirit working through me, not from my own self-effort to follow principles.” “When we understand that our deepest desire is to walk in holiness because of our new identity in Christ, we can stop focusing on sin and start relying on God’s power within us.” Key Points: Outline: Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold Dramatic by FlowersMusic (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Participating Staff: Tom Price Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina --- Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study. In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.

In this episode, Ross O’Hair and Tom Price dive into Romans 7:7-13 to explore one of the more challenging aspects of faith: the tension between God’s perfect law and our human inability to follow it. Through relatable stories and insightful analogies, Ross and Tom unpack why our best self-efforts inevitably fall short of God’s standard, and why that realization is actually a profound blessing. Listeners will gain a fresh perspective on the purpose of the law—as a mirror that reveals our need for grace—and discover the freedom that comes when we rely on the indwelling Holy Spirit instead of striving on our own. If you've ever felt burdened by trying to be "good enough," this episode will offer you relief, clarity, and a renewed understanding of how God’s grace empowers us to live righteously. Key Verses: Romans 7:7-13: "What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, 'You shall not covet.' But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good." Quotes: “The law is holy and perfect, but self-effort can never fulfill it. Instead, it often brings out our sin nature.” “The law is like a mirror: it reveals where we fall short but has no power to make us righteous.” “Grace always focuses on righteousness, while the law keeps our focus on sin and self-effort.” Key Points: Outline: Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold Emotional Piano and Strings by GentleJammers (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Participating Staff: Tom Price Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina --- Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study. In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.

In this episode, Ross O'Hair and Tom Price unpack Romans 7:1-6, offering a powerful and practical understanding of the freedom Christians have in Christ. They explain how striving to meet the law's impossible standards will lead us to frustration and failure while embracing grace allows us to grow in righteousness and live in the freedom God intends. Through a rich analogy comparing marriage to life under the law, they show how Christ's death releases us from the law and enables us to bear fruit for God. Listen today to gain valuable insights into overcoming the pressures of performance-based acceptance and find encouragement to live confidently in God's grace. Key Verses: Romans 7:1-6: “Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress. Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.” Quotes: “Grace is a safe place for us to practice our gift of righteousness that was gifted to us through Christ.” “The law demands absolute perfection but does nothing to help us achieve that perfection.” “We've been released from performance-based acceptance and are now joined to God in intimate relationship.” Key Points: Outline: Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold Cinematic Strings by Cleanmindsounds (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Participating Staff: Tom Price Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina --- Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study. In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.

In this episode, Ross O'Hair and Jamie Pharis Pyles guide us through a exploration of Romans 6:14-23, revealing how to break free from the cycle of sin and live under the power of God's grace. The conversation offers practical insights into how believers can shift from living under obligation to living with joyful obedience from the heart. By listening, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how grace transforms your daily life, empowering you to make choices that lead to righteousness, peace, and abundant life in Christ. This episode will encourage you to trust God with your day-to-day struggles, embrace your new identity, and walk in true freedom. Key Verses: Romans 6:14-23: “For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Quotes: "It’s really hard when you have to, but it’s really easy when you want to." "When you truly understand what God’s done to you and how trustworthy He is, then you’ll start to see change in your day-to-day life." Key Points: Outline: Introduction (00:00:06) Scripture Reading (00:01:12) Habitual Sin and Occasional Sin (00:03:26) What It Means to Present Ourselves as Slaves to Righteousness(00:04:26) Obedience from the Heart (00:08:43) Contrast of Sin Versus Righteousness (00:05:03) How Sin Affects Relationships (00:05:25) Choosing to Live from Grace (00:09:44) The Practical Walk of Believing (00:15:14) Final Takeaway from Romans 6 (00:17:42) Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold Nordic Cellos by Orchestralis (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Participating Staff: Jamie Pharis Pyles Scriptures Read By: Corrie O'Hair Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina --- Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study. In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.

Have you ever wondered why you still struggle with sin, even though you’ve been made new in Christ? In this powerful episode, Ross O'Hair and Jamie Pyles explore Romans 6:8-14, uncovering life-changing truths about what it means to live as a new creation. They discuss how believers are no longer slaves to sin, but instead, are under "new management" — controlled by the Holy Spirit. Through practical insights, Jamie explains how to break free from old habits and temptations by knowing our true identity, considering ourselves dead to sin, and presenting ourselves to God. Whether you’re struggling with long-standing habits or simply want a fresh understanding of God’s transformative power, this episode provides hope and actionable steps for real change. Tune in and discover how God’s truth can set you free! Key Verses: Romans 5:6-11: “For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only this, but we also exult in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation..” Quotes: “When we believe God, we are believing in reality. It’s not just positive mantras, it’s the truth that transforms us.” “Practice doesn’t just make perfect; it makes permanent. So, whatever you are practicing, that’s what you will automatically live out.” Key Points: Outline: Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold Nordic Cellos by Orchestralis (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Participating Staff: Jamie Pharis Pyles Scriptures Read By: Corrie O'Hair Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina --- Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study. In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.

In this encouraging episode, Ross O'Hair and Jamie Pharis Pyles talk about Romans 6:6-7 and what it means to be truly free from sin. They share how, because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, we don’t have to be controlled by our old sinful habits anymore. Through helpful examples and personal stories, this episode shows how we can live in freedom every day. If you’re looking for hope and a fresh perspective on your walk with God, this episode will lift you up and remind you of the freedom Jesus gives! Key Verses: Romans 6:6-7: “We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin.” Quotes: “You're no longer controlled by the power of sin. You are dead to it.” “The more we believe the truth about being freed from sin, the more freedom we experience.” Key Points: Outline: Introduction (00:05) Scripture Reading (01:01) "Knowing" our crucifixion with Christ (02:05) How Belief Impacts Behavior (03:51) Roller Coaster Analogy (05:18) The Old Self and Sin Nature (06:03) Science of Forming New Behavior Patterns (08:15) Personal Example of Finding Freedom (10:10) Practical Advice for Walking in Freedom (12:16) Major takeaway (13:34) Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold Emotional Movie Trailer by AirFamily (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Participating Staff: Jamie Pharis Pyles Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina --- Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study. In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.

In this episode, Ross O’Hair and Jamie Pharis Pyles dive into Romans 6:1-5 to uncover how being united with Christ in His death and resurrection transforms our daily lives. If you are struggling with sin or feeling like your past defines you, this episode will encourage and equip you to understand that, in and through Christ, sin's power no longer binds you—you’ve been made completely new! Learn how to walk in this freedom, rely on God's grace, and experience true victory as you live out your new identity. Key Verses: Romans 6:1-5 : "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his." Quotes: “Sin brings death, but now we have the power of Christ within us. Why would we want to go back to that?” Key Points: Outline: Theme Music: Here Forever by Adigold Emotional Cinematic Trailer by AirFamily (all rights and licensing from Envato elements) Hosted by: Ross O'Hair Participating Staff: Jamie Pharis Pyles Edited by: Ross O’Hair and Ben Brezina --- Have a question or comment about this podcast? We want to hear from you. Email us at podcast@cftministry.org Interested in more? Get the Living IN Jesus study. In need of individual counseling? Visit our website to schedule an online or in-person appointment.