IM Podcasts

From Conversion to Communion: Stuck on Milk

Discovering the “Why” Many Remain Stuck and Never Reach the Meat of the GospelThe Resurrection Series 2026Loneliness has a way of freezing spiritual growth. Detached, isolated believers often cling to their conversion story as if it were the whole Gospel, not realizing it was only the doorway. Scripture affirms that salvation is a beginning, not a destination. Yet when a person has no meaningful Body Life—no shared burdens, no mutual encouragement, no discipleship, no strangers to love—they tend to circle endlessly around the moment they “came to Christ,” unable to step into the life Christ came to give.Those who remain on the milk of the Gospel often find themselves circling endlessly around their conversion story, not because the moment was unimportant, but because they never grow into the life that moment was meant to produce. Scripture warns that believers who refuse to move from milk to meat become “dull of hearing” (Hebrews 5:11–14), unable to discern, unable to serve, and unable to mature. When a person stays isolated or spiritually detached, their testimony becomes a safe refuge rather than a launching point. Instead of stepping into the self‑giving life of Christ—loving the Body, bearing burdens, serving strangers—they remain stuck rehearsing the past while never entering the present work of the Spirit. In this way, spiritual infancy becomes a kind of sowing in circles: lots of emotion, little transformation, and no harvest of love poured out for others.1. The Conversion Moment Was Never the Finish LineYeshua’s call was never, “Tell the story of how you met Me.” His call was, “Follow Me.” Paul describes conversion as spiritual infancy:“I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it.” (1 Corinthians 3:2, ESV)Milk is good. Milk is necessary. But milk is not maturity, it’s infancy.When believers remain isolated—emotionally, relationally, or spiritually—they often cling to the one spiritual moment they understand: their beginning. Without the sharpening of community, the stretching of service, or the discomfort of loving strangers, they never grow into the “full stature of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13).2. Isolation Breeds Spiritual StagnationThe early church was built on shared life, not private faith. Acts 2 shows believers breaking bread, praying, giving, serving, and meeting needs daily.But when a believer is lonely or detached, the Christian life becomes internalized and self-referential. They rehearse their testimony because it is the only spiritual event they have experienced in years.Without Body Life, there is no iron to sharpen iron.Without a mission, there is no stretching of faith. Without strangers to love, there is no cross to carry. The Gospel becomes a memory instead of a movement. 3. The Meat of the Gospel Is Always Self‑Giving LoveThe New Testament consistently pushes believers beyond themselves:· “Present your bodies as a living sacrifice.” (Romans 12:1)· “Through love serve one another.” (Galatians 5:13)· “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers.” (Hebrews 13:2)· “Bear one another’s burdens.” (Galatians 6:2)The “meat” of the Gospel is not information—it is indwelling power in action.It is Christ’s life expressed through His people.A believer who never gives their life away will never taste the depth of the Gospel. A believer who never steps into community will never experience the fullness of Christ. A believer who never loves strangers will never know the joy of the Kingdom.4. Testimony Without Transformation Becomes a TrapWhen someone is lonely, their conversion story becomes a safe place. It is familiar. It is controllable. It requires nothing new. In the end, they become unteachable. They sour like milk if left undrunk - grumpy old folk. But Scripture warns that remembering the past without walking in the present can become spiritual paralysis:“You ought to be teachers by now, but you still need milk.” (Hebrews 5:12)A testimony is meant to be a launching pad, not a living room couch.5. The Remedy: Rejoining the Life of the Body and the Mission of ChristThe cure for stagnation is not more introspection—it is participation. Body Life pulls believers out of themselves. Serving others breaks the power of isolation. Loving strangers awakens the heart to the compassion of Christ.Bearing burdens matures the soul. Giving one’s life away is the very essence of discipleship.Yeshua did not say, “Remember when you first believed.” He said, “Take up your cross and follow Me.”6. The Urgency of the HourWe are living in days when the world is growing colder, more detached, more self-focused. The Body of Messiah cannot afford believers who remain spiritual infants. The Kingdom advances through those who pour themselves out, not those who retreat into nostalgia.The world needs believers who move beyond their conversion story into the cruciform life of Christ—a life given away, a life shared, a life poured out, a life that touches the lonely, the broken, and the stranger on the street.The meat of the Gospel is not comfort—it is cruciform. It invites rejection, not applause; persecution, not popularity. To advance into it is to step into the sufferings of Christ, not as a concept, but as a lived reality. The world will not celebrate those who give their lives away, who love the unlovable, who serve the forgotten, who speak truth when lies are easier. But this is the path of maturity. This is the road of the cross. If you remain on the milk, you may be liked—but you will not be transformed. This is what we theologians call the “Social Gospel.”If you step into the meat, you will be misunderstood—but you will reveal the life of Yeshua in a world starving for it. So rise up. Leave behind the safety of your testimony and walk into the fire of obedience. The sufferings of Christ are not to be admired—they are to be shared.Eschatological Studies | The End Times Chronicles is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drstephenphinney.substack.com/subscribe

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Resurrection 2026

Mar 2900:04:38Tap to summarize

FORWARD "THE RESURRECTION"IOM America, in partnership with Mel Gibson Productions, has released our 2024-26 resurrection short film, which has received 20K views. Our passion in Christ is for our viewers/readers to advance the real message of our Savior's Resurrection Day. After watching, please forward the media to family, friends, and strangers - the “share” link is at the bottom of this post. We thank you for helping!RESURRECTION EQUALS HIS INDWELLINGIt is estimated that less than 1% of humanity has NOT heard of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Knowing of His resurrection does little for the power contained within His sacrifice on the Roman Cross. * Yeshua’s resurrection is the central event in indwelling Christian theology—the cornerstone of new life—is the death, burial, and resurrection of Yeshua/Jesus Christ. These profound life-changing moments, recorded in the New Testament, hold immense significance for believers worldwide. However, few understand the authentic “why” behind Yeshua’s resurrection and its impact on daily living.Satan has made this memorial celebration about Easter Bunnies, eggs, roasted stuck pigs, fancy dresses, and a host of other meaningless idol imagery. God’s enemy has worked relentlessly for generations to delude the authentic message of His resurrection - to provide indwelling LIFE for all who receive the Holy Spirit of promise. I despise Easter more than words can express. The Paganism that Satan has woven into this day is beyond abominable to the Lord. I liken it to dressing Yeshua in an Easter bunny costume on His most Holy day of remembrance. It sickens me. I find nothing cute about the sacrifice our Husband, Savior, and Son of God made and paid to provide indwelling salvation to all those in want. The Death of Yeshua the ChristHere are the Triune elements of the context of the “why.”* Yeshua, the Son of God, was mandated by His Father to come to Earth as the promised Messiah, live a perfect life, be hated, tortured, and die for the sins of humanity.* His teachings were despised and renounced by the religious norms - past, present, and future. While His death was predicted in the Old Testament, even His own people betrayed and killed Him by placing Him on the Cross - all but one of His disciples betrayed Him in the end. * However, during the three and a half years of His ministry, opposition grew, and Jewish and Gentile religious leaders conspired against Him. Being threatened by His words and life, refusing to be fronted with their sins, Yeshua was executed in the most deplorable method known in His day - crucifixion.The Seven Deplorable Elements of Crucifixion* Arrested and Tortured: On the day before the Jew’s Sabbath, their day of rest, Yeshua was arrested, tortured, tried, and sentenced to death. Yeshua was subjected to a flogging with a nine-tailed whip, each strap tipped with metal and bone fragments. The executioner lashed the whip into Yeshua’s back, buttocks, and legs, causing excruciating pain - even after the victim passed out. * He Was Stripped of Dignity: He was crucified on a hill called Golgotha (Calvary) alongside two criminals. Upon reaching the destination of Calvary, Yeshua was stripped of His garments - made naked before the world. Roman crucifixion aimed for maximum humiliation and degradation. The condemned were left naked, devoid of any dignity or modesty.* The Nailing to the Cross: Contrary to artistic depictions, Yeshua was not given a loincloth. Roman crucifixion was intentionally gruesome and humiliating. Nails were driven through His hands and feet, securing Him to the wooden cross. The pain would have been unimaginable as nerves and bones were pierced, while blood would slowly drain from His body. * Suffocation and Agony: Hanging on the cross, Yeshua struggled to breathe. The weight of His body pulled down on the nails, causing immense pressure on His chest. To inhale, He had to push up against the nails, scraping His raw back against the rough wood, while nerve pain would increase. Every breath was a torment, every movement an ordeal of slow death.* The Sky Darkened: At the ninth hour, Yeshua cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Since Yeshua was required to become sin, His Father forsook Him, leaving Him isolated and alone until the moment of resurrection.* The Mockery and Abuse: Soldiers and observers mocked Yeshua, placing a crown of thorns on His head and pounding it into his skull. They spat upon Him, struck Him repeatedly, and taunted Him. The pain from the thorns and the blows intensified His suffering. The Jewish and Gentile crowd jeered, oblivious to the Divine and Holy sacrifice the God of the universe and beyond is making on behalf of their sins. * The Agonizing Hours: Yeshua hung on the cross for hours. His body weakened, blood loss was severe, and dehydration was unbearable. The sun beat down mercilessly, exacerbating His torment. Yet, in His agony, He uttered words that would shake the earth below Him - “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,” a love that would soon resonate through the ages. Yeshua’s death fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies that Isaiah and others referenced (Isaiah 53:5). His sacrifice provided redemption and reconciliation - opening a doorway to full restoration with God to those in want. The horrid day of the Cross would remain active for generations to come. As the Jewish law required a sacrificial flawless lamb, Jesus, Yesuah, became that LAMB and paid that price. The curtain in the temple tore from top to bottom, symbolizing direct access to God from the day of Yesuha’s death forward (Matthew 27:51).The Burial of Yeshua the Christ became one of the most infamous stories of world history. Joseph of Arimathea, a secret disciple, requested Yeshua’s body for burial. Nicodemus, another Pharisee, assisted in the process.They wrapped Yeshua’s body in linen and placed it in a new tomb hewn from a rock cliff. A large stone sealed the entrance, guarded by Roman soldiers. However, this did not stop the greatest miracle of the ages - the resurrection of Yeshua the Christ. Yeshua’s burial fulfilled the Scriptures (Isaiah 53:9). His resting place became a symbol of redemptive power—a seed of life birthing from the domain of darkness into the Kingdom of Light.The Resurrection of Yeshua the Christ shocked the world. On the third day, the day after the Jewish day of rest, the first day of the week for Jews to return to their labors, the women went to the tomb to anoint Yeshua’s body to camouflage the stench of death. To their astonishment, they found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Yesuah was nowhere to be found. As the women stood in disbelief, angels appeared, proclaiming, “He is not here; He has risen!” (Matthew 28:6).* Yeshua had conquered death, emerging from the grave. The resurrection validated Yeshua’s claims of Divinity, new Life, and redemption forevermore. Yesuah defeated sin, death, and Satan. He now can offer indwelling eternal life to all who believe (John 11:25).The death, burial, and resurrection of Yeshua the Christ are core doctrines of authentic indwelling Christianity. They represent God’s love, grace, and victory over darkness. BUT KNOW THIS: it is the Resurrection of Jesus that provides the pathway to indwelling salvation by the means of accepting the Holy Spirit, the Life of Christ, into the believer’s mortal being. As uninformed and ignorant believers continue to celebrate Easter as an exaggerated pagan Christian holiday—the Holy facts remain in play, the glorious triumph of life over death—knowing that through Christ, we too can experience resurrection and eternal fellowship with our Creator and Husband by receiving His Spirit within our mortal souls. This is why our ministry calls it Indwelling Salvation. At this point, you should understand why I abhor the Easter Bunny. In regard to the paganism that accompanies “Easter,” I say, Satan, get behind me!Review what authentic indwelling salvation looks like. Read the sample salvation prayer if you are under conviction BY the Holy Spirit to receive salvation. HEREThe End Times Chronicles hosts the IM Video Podcast, a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drstephenphinney.substack.com/subscribe

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#7 MY AMERICAN STORY | Fading Identity

Mar 1500:09:32Tap to summarize

America’s identity crisis did not begin in the halls of Congress or the chambers of the Supreme Court. It began in the human heart—the same place every identity crisis begins. When a people forget who they are, they inevitably forget what they were called to be. And just as individuals lose their way when they drift from their identity in Christ, nations lose their way when they drift from the truths that once defined them. The fading American identity is not merely a cultural problem; it is a spiritual one.Son, you bleed red, white, & blue!I grew up with an unshakable certainty that I was an American—not as a slogan, but as a birthright woven into the fabric of my home. My father’s service, his uniform, and the quiet reverence with which he saluted the flag shaped my earliest understanding of identity. I knew from childhood that the freedoms I enjoyed were purchased by the sacrifices of men like him, and that the flag he fought to protect was more than cloth and color; it was a symbol of honor, duty, and the covenant of a nation under God. Defending that flag felt less like a choice and more like an inheritance. It was clear to me that if my father had carried its weight on the battlefield, then I must carry its meaning in my life.Just yesterday, as I stepped out of my office, I noticed the American flag hanging beside my door had begun to fade. The colors—once bold and commanding—were now softening into something tired, something neglected. A jolt of urgency ran through me, almost a panic, and I immediately asked my Executive Assistant to order a new one without delay. Why such intensity over a piece of fabric? Because I was raised to believe that a fading flag left unattended is more than wear and tear; it is a quiet confession of failed attention, a lapse in the respect owed to our nation. In my upbringing, the condition of the flag reflected the condition of the heart that claimed to honor it. And I refuse to let mine grow dull.I’m a flag guy through and through. For years, every Fourth of July, I rode my Harley in the local parade draped in multiple American flags, the wind snapping them to life as if they were part of the machine itself. One of my grandchildren would sit on the back, tossing candy to the children lining the streets, their laughter trailing behind us like a second parade. Was it fun? Absolutely. But the real joy—the part that settled deep in my chest—was watching crowds of people rise to their feet, hands over their hearts, saluting the flag as I drove by. In those moments, I wasn’t just riding a motorcycle; I was carrying a symbol that still held sacred meaning for the people who saw it.The Historical Roots of American IdentityThe earliest American settlers understood identity not as a self‑constructed project but as a God‑given calling. They saw themselves as a covenant people, accountable to the God of Scripture. Their identity was shaped by a biblical worldview that affirmed human dignity, moral responsibility, and the necessity of virtue for sustaining liberty. America’s founding documents—imperfect as their authors were—reflect this conviction: that freedom is not the product of human brilliance but the fruit of divine design.To be an American once meant to live under the weight of that calling. It meant acknowledging that liberty is preserved only when the people themselves are governed by the God of Creation. This was not nationalism; it was humility. It was the recognition that no nation can endure without anchoring itself to the transcendent truth, Yeshua Himself.Shared Values That Once Unified the NationFor generations, Americans—regardless of denomination, ethnicity, or economic standing—shared a common biblical vocabulary. Words like duty, honor, sacrifice, and virtue were not relics of a bygone era; they were the glue that held the national & church fabric together. Even those who did not profess faith in Yeshua often lived within the moral framework shaped by His teachings.This shared Biblical foundation created a shared national identity, which was mirrored in the Church. We were a people who believed in:• The dignity of the God-created individual• The sanctity of life with a sound conscience• The necessity of personal responsibility to the country & God• The blessing of ordered & established liberty• The importance of truth being the person of YeshuaThese values did not erase our differences; they transcended them. They gave us a common story to inhabit.The Rise of Fragmented Self‑IdentitiesToday, identity has been severed from truth - Biblical Yeshua. Instead of being rooted in Christ or in shared national principles, identity has become a self‑invented, self‑asserted, and often self‑contradicting construct. The modern American is encouraged to define themselves by their wounds, desires, opinions, grievances, or group affiliations. Identity politics has replaced national unity with tribal fragmentation.When identity becomes fluid, truth/Yeshua becomes optional. When truth becomes optional, unity becomes impossible. And when unity collapses, a nation becomes a collection of competing mini‑nations, mini-gods—each demanding recognition, each insisting on its own version of reality. Resulting in a nation known for being a slaughtering house. This is the predictable outcome of a culture that has rejected its spiritual foundation. When people no longer know who they are in Christ, they will grasp for any identity that promises meaning, even if it ultimately enslaves them.National Symbols and Stories Have Been ReinterpretedA nation’s symbols are the shorthand of its story. The flag, the anthem, the founding documents—these once represented shared ideals. But in a culture unmoored from truth, symbols become battlegrounds. The same flag that once unified now divides. The same history that once inspired now offends. The same founding principles that once guided us are now dismissed as outdated or oppressive.This reinterpretation is not accidental. When a people want to redefine their identity, they must first rewrite their story. They must rewrite history. And when they rewrite the nation’s history, they inevitably reinterpret their symbols. The result is a nation that no longer remembers who it is, because it no longer remembers who it was.The Consequences of Losing a Shared StoryWhen a nation loses its shared story, it loses its cohesion. Without a common story, there is no common purpose. Without a common purpose, there is no common identity. And without a common identity, there is no nation—only a geographic boundary containing competing ideologies. And when that happens, people start burning the American flag. The consequences are visible everywhere, even in our churches:• Polarization replaces national or Biblical unity• Suspicion replaces trust• Emotion replaces reason• Power replaces principle• Chaos replaces orderA nation cannot survive long in such a condition. Identity is not a luxury; it is the foundation of national endurance. And when that identity fades, the nation fades with it.What “American” Meant in My UpbringingWhen I was a boy, being an American meant something simple yet profound. It meant honoring those who sacrificed for our freedom. It meant respecting authority, telling the truth, and working hard. It meant believing that our nation—though imperfect—was a gift worth stewarding. I remember painting American flags as a child, not because someone told me to, but because something in me longed to restore the honor my father had carried in his military service. Even then, I sensed that America was more than a place; it was my American story.But as I grew older, I watched that identity erode. The symbols I once painted with honor became objects of controversy. The values I was taught became subjects of debate. The unity I experienced became fractured by competing identities. And yet, through it all, one truth remained: my identity in Christ is unshakeable, and it is from that identity that I understand what it means to be an American who honors all established authority.To be an American today, in its truest sense, is to remember the spiritual foundation that once defined us. It is to live as a citizen of heaven while stewarding the freedoms of this nation with humility and courage. It is to recognize that national identity can fade, but identity in Christ cannot. And it is to call this nation back—not to nostalgia, but to truth - YESHUA!What we do is costly. While we provide 98% of our content free of charge, we could use your donation to help us keep it free. My American Story is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drstephenphinney.substack.com/subscribe

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Hebrew Covenant Marriage - Hebrew Culture

Jan 26, 2011Tap to summarize

This power-paked message unfolds the original Hebrew design of God's view of marriage. By making use of the original Hebrew language, culture and identitly, Steve proviedes a snap-shot view of God's original view and purpose of marriage. (29 min) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit drstephenphinney.substack.com/subscribe

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From Conversion to Communion: Stuck on Milk

Resurrection 2026

#7 MY AMERICAN STORY | Fading Identity

Hebrew Covenant Marriage - Hebrew Culture

IM Podcasts

All episodes

From Conversion to Communion: Stuck on Milk

Resurrection 2026

#7 MY AMERICAN STORY | Fading Identity

Hebrew Covenant Marriage - Hebrew Culture