JesusSmartX

A good dose of American Christianity has settled for blessing without the cross, comfort without death, resurrection without crucifixion. But apostolic Christ-following operates on a radically different principle: life comes through death.In this episode, we're exploring what it means to build on the firm foundation of Christ in a world where everyone around you is building on sand. We're talking about pulling down the blueprint God designed for your life over your work, your family, the places your feet touch, and why the cross must precede the life of the resurrection in every area where you want Kingdom breakthrough.This is the daily dynamic of dying to ego, perceived rights, and the small kingdoms we build for ourselves so the life of Jesus can be released through us. It's about living an ascended life where you operate from above rather than scramble from below.If you're tired of half-life Christianity and ready to live out your full potential in Christ, this episode may challenge what you thought following Jesus meant.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Enhanced show notes: JesusSmart.com/367👉 Support the podcast (use the Smart Edit BMAC page): buymeacoffee.com/SmartEdit👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Sign up at JesusSmart.com/smartedit.----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Take Up Your Cross: Apostolic Living in a Sand-Built WorldIntroduction: The Question Before UsHey there, my friend. Welcome to the podcast. This is Brian Del Turco. Here's a question for us: What does it actually mean to follow Jesus in a way that brings heaven's culture into the now, into our everyday life? Not just spiritual theory, but actual Kingdom breakthrough — practically in our work, our family, the places that our feet touch, the things that our hands reach out to and touch. The world is waiting to see a witness of Jesus' Kingdom in a practical way.I'm suggesting that most American Christianity has drifted toward personal life enhancement, comfort, blessing without the cross. But apostolic Christ-following — let's use that word as an adjective, apostolic — apostolic Christ-following, the kind Jesus modeled in His very life and that He calls us into, operates on a radically different principle: Life comes through death.Today we're exploring what it means to build on the firm foundation of Christ Himself, to live out the blueprint that God designed for our life, and why the cross must precede the resurrection in every area where we want to see Kingdom breakthrough.This is actually a recording of an episode, a short episode — it's very tight — that I did a number of years ago actually, and I'm just introing it right now. I did this episode out in the woods. I had a portable digital recorder. I was out with the trees and the sunshine coming through the leaves. So the sound is good — slightly different than a normal recording sound, but it's good, high-quality audio. It was done outside. I think I probably had a piece of paper with some bullet-point notes on it. I must have.This is episode 367. I think we're calling this "The Cross Dynamic: Apostolic Living in a Sand-Built World." Again, I'm Brian Del Turco, and this is the Jesus Smart X podcast.Before we dive in, if you want these Kingdom realities sharpened and applied to the noise of our cultural moment every week, please subscribe to the Smart Edit newsletter at jesussmart.com/smartedit. It's free, it's direct, cuts through the noise, cuts through the fog. I'd love to have you on the list.All right, let's talk about what it means to actually follow an apostolic Jesus.Apostolic Living: Building on the Firm FoundationYeah, in the middle of the trees, the sun breaking through the leaves. And I love the versatility of this kind of recorder to be able to do that.I really believe that the Holy Spirit is restoring and breathing upon apostolic — apostolic as an adjective — breathing upon believers and wanting to restore apostolic Christ-following. Now, what do I mean?Apostolic living under Christ is concerned with building as a master craftsman and pulling down the design from above over your life, over the lives of those you run with, your families, over what you're connected to in your work, what you put your hands to, over companies of believers — the church, the ecclesia. The design is foundational.If you read the Apostle Paul in the New Testament, he would say things like, "I've laid a foundation, and that foundation is Christ." You see, apostolic Christ-following is not me-centered. It's not anthropocentric. It's not man-centered. It's Christocentric. It's Christ as the foundation.And

Most Christians believe Jesus is waiting in heaven to become King. But what if He's been reigning all along? Brian Del Turco unveils Psalm 110—the most quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament—and reveals why the early church treated it as the master key to understanding Christ's present authority. Discover why Jesus reigning now isn't future hope but current reality, how the apostles saw Christ as King even under Roman persecution, and why "rule in the midst of your enemies" describes our world today. This is a tectonic shift in how you pray, view your calling, and participate in Christ's reign through prayer-born activity. The King isn't waiting. He's already on the throne. Read the full article at jesussmart.com/psalm110.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Enhanced show notes: JesusSmart.com/366👉 Support the podcast (use the Smart Edit BMAC page): buymeacoffee.com/SmartEdit👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Sign up at JesusSmart.com/smartedit.

In extreme times, the Body of Christ can't afford to be passive and polite. Drawing from the latest Smart Edit newsletter, Brian Del Turco explores holy provocation—the biblical call to sharpen one another toward love and good deeds. Discover why speaking truth in love isn't optional, how Millennials and Gen Z are driving a Bible reading resurgence, the power of Micah 7:8's declaration over chaos ("When I fall, I will arise"), and the Japanese principle of Kaizen applied to spiritual growth. This isn't about being comfortable—it's about being sharpened, not softened, to meet this moment. Subscribe to the Smart Edit newsletter at jesussmart.com/smartedit for weekly kingdom insights.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Enhanced show notes: JesusSmart.com/365👉 Support the podcast (use the Smart Edit BMAC page): buymeacoffee.com/SmartEdit👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Sign up at JesusSmart.com/smartedit.----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Sharpened, Not Softened: Meeting This MomentWelcome to the podcast. This is Brian Del Turco, Jesus Smart X, episode 365, and we have something a little different today. I'm pulling from the latest Smart Edit newsletter—a few elements that I produce.And if you're not subscribed yet, I really hope you will be. The Smart Edit exists to spark our development in Christ. It's not just content and ideas to consider, but truth and reality to live in. It's free, it's weekly, five minutes to grow, and you can subscribe at jesussmart.com/smartedit.Before we get to that, I want to mention something remarkable. According to Edison Research's Share of Ear Study, we have hit a historic tipping point. Americans now spend more of their spoken-word listening time with podcasts than with traditional talk radio. Podcasts are at roughly 40% of spoken-word audio time, and it edges out AM/FM talk radio at 39%. That's an inflection point.To give you a point of reference, back in 2015, AM/FM talk radio held 75% of spoken-word listening versus podcasting at only 10%. But by quarter four 2025, it flipped for the first time—39% radio, 40% podcasts. We're living in a podcasting revolution. I'm grateful you're part of it here with Jesus Smart X.If you missed last week's episode, episode 364, "Grease the Groove: Spiritual Strength Training for Extreme Times," go back and catch that. We explored how micro spiritual workouts throughout your day can build resilient, responsive faith and a strong spirit. I'm seeking to employ this protocol in my own days. There's edges that need attention in my life, and I've got to stop thinking that I need huge blocks of time to address this in prayer. This concept of greasing the groove, which comes from athletics, can be applied to anything.Holy Provocation: Sharpened for This TimeAs I mentioned, this episode is a little different. We're pulling from the newsletter, featuring some elements there. Here's the first element: Holy Provocation—Sharpened for This Time.The body of Christ was never really meant to be passive nor polite. Now, kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. There's no doubt about that. But you can be kind, discerning, resolute, and impactful at the same time.There's a couple verses in the New Testament which specifically address this—Hebrews 10:24-25. The kingdom calls us to provoke one another toward love and good deeds that we're meant to walk in. And this New Testament word for "provoke" carries the sense of stirring up, urging somebody on, exciting somebody toward action.Now, here's the question for me, for you: Are we open to being a kingdom provocateur? Or are we just going to ride the pews, be passive, be kind and polite, and not in a godly way agitate for change and transformation which meets this hour?It's not intentional offense, though I'm going to be honest—some may be offended because when they're challenged, what it is is a holy push toward leveling up. Did you happen to see the intensity of the gold medal hockey game, men's hockey game in the Olympics? The United States defeated Canada in overtime. You can be assured that those teammates do not coddle one another to experience that level of winning. They sharpen each other. Excellence was demanded because the winning mission required it.And there are edges in your life, in my life, that we need to win on, that we need to reconcile and bring for the kingdom. Maybe it's getting out of debt so we can be freed up with space and time to help facilitate our kingdom contribution. It could be anything though. Proverbs 27:17 says, "Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another." There's a proverb which s

Extreme times demand spiritual strength training. Discover how elite athletes "grease the groove"—training their central nervous system through frequent sub-maximal exercises—and how this same principle can be applied to training your spirit. Brian Del Turco reveals how micro spiritual workouts build resilient, responsive faith.Learn the power of prayer bursts throughout your day, why gratitude becomes magnetic when practiced consistently, and how small acts of obedience compound into kingdom impact. This isn't about exhausting yourself—it's about training your spirit through short, frequent practices that optimize spiritual efficiency and maximize power.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Enhanced show notes: JesusSmart.com/364👉 Support the podcast (use the Smart Edit BMAC page): buymeacoffee.com/SmartEdit👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Sign up at JesusSmart.com/smartedit.----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Grease the Groove: Training Your Spirit for Extreme TimesI don't think anybody is going to disagree with me that we live in extreme times right now. Do you sense that? I think most people sense that. Extreme times that demand real strength and impact.The same principle that elite athletes use to build efficient power—we can really learn something about how we can train our spirit to meet this hour. Welcome to Jesus Smart X, the podcast. I'm Brian Del Turco. Thanks for connecting with me today.I think you're going to enjoy this and be inspired by it, and I think it's something that's timely for us. Before we dive in, don't miss the Smart Edit newsletter. I'd really love to have you on the list—elevate your faith, how to live smart, making an impact in our personal world. We're all questing on these edges. It's free, it's weekly, five minutes to grow. You can simply subscribe at jesussmart.com/smartedit.If you missed our last episode with Terry Hoggard on building a pathway to your preferred future, even as you relate in covenant relationship with God, go back and catch that powerful set of ideas and content.Jesus Dynamics: Psalm 110 and the Reigning KingBefore we get into this quick episode today, let's dive into today's Jesus Dynamic. I actually have a rather long article that's in the oven baking, and this Jesus Dynamic is taken from that article. It's unlike many things I've written. I think it's going to be unusual and unique. It's a lens through which we can view our experience with Christ in our times.Most Christians picture Jesus in heaven doing primarily one thing right now—interceding for us. We know the New Testament Scriptures tell us that, and we appreciate and value that. And we imagine Him patiently waiting for the day when the Father says, "Go get Your bride," and He takes up His role as a king on the earth during the millennium and then the new heavens and new earth to follow.What if this understanding is incomplete? I don't want to say it's fundamentally wrong, but incomplete.There is one Psalm that shatters comfortable categories—Psalm 110. It's the most quoted Psalm in the New Testament, and the early church treated it as the Master Key that unlocked what happened for Jesus after the resurrection, meaning His ascension, His session in terms of His enthronement as king, and His current role.I'll read just the first verse of the seven verses in Psalm 110: "The Lord said to my Lord, sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies Your footstool."Now this isn't symbolic language. This is what we could call throne language, governmental language. Peter actually quotes this Psalm in Acts chapter 2 on the day of Pentecost, after the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the newly born church. He quotes this Psalm to explain what just happened. He doesn't say that Jesus will sit there someday. He says that Jesus is sitting there now, and that's why everything has changed. He's ascended, He's been enthroned. He's waiting for all things to be put under His feet, and He has now poured out His Holy Spirit.Paul uses this language: "He must reign until He has put all enemies under His feet"—alluding to Psalm 110 in 1 Corinthians 15.Now here's what's startling. Not only the most oft-quoted Psalm in the New Testament, but the most often quoted Old Testament passage, period. So this should speak to us. We should be paying attention to this.Psalm 110 describes a king who rules while His enemies still exist and are even actively resisting. You see, the Father says in Psalm 110, "Rule in the midst of Your enemies." That sounds, does it not, exactly like the world that we're living in? Christ reigns, but opposition remai

Stop drifting and discover your covenant pathway to a preferred future. Veteran missionary Terry Hoggard reveals a transformative three-movement practice: foundation, strategic insight, and covenant with God. This isn't goal-setting—it's positioning yourself in the center of what God is doing. This calibration time gives God opportunity to download fresh vision for your next season.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Support the podcast (use the Smart Edit BMAC page): buymeacoffee.com/SmartEdit👉 Enhanced show notes: JesusSmart.com/363👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Sign up at JesusSmart.com.----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Your Covenant Pathway to a Preferred Future with Terry HoggardBrian: Welcome to the podcast today, friends. I have a great family member and friend and a co-laborer. We work together on some projects, some kingdom projects. Terry Hoggard is with us, and we are discussing something today. We're at the outset of the new year. I think these dynamics could be applied anytime. I don't think we have to do a reboot just in January, right, Terry?Terry: It's a great moment to capture in my heart, so I love it. I'm cleaning up everything I know to do with the old year going out, and I want to be there hands wide open saying, "Here I am, Lord. I've got some things to talk to You about, and I'm sure You have some things to say to me."Brian: Amen. Yes, absolutely. And sometimes people will listen to an episode like six months later. I put out something recently encouraging people to think about 90-day years—the winter season, the spring season, summer, fall. You can continually start afresh, start anew. But definitely at the beginning of our year is a great time. People are of this mindset, aren't they, in January? It's just a natural tendency, it seems.Meet Terry HoggardTerry Hoggard has served for 30 years as a missionary leader across Europe with the Assemblies of God. He's provided pastoral leadership in Rome, Brussels, Copenhagen, and Malmö, Sweden. He has also equipped international teams and built cross-cultural networks around the world, including Asia, throughout his ministry. And Terry and his wife Ruthanne, my cousin on my dad's side, continue to invest in leaders globally. Thank you for being here. And what else could you say about the Lord's workings in your life currently?Terry: Well, at this moment I'm still highly engaged with the network of churches, so I still have intimate connection to the four churches that you mentioned. But in early 2004, I think, we built out what we called FEIC—Fellowship of European International Churches. It's an incredible network still going strong.And then in 2011 we met for a summit. Every year we'd gather, and in 2011 we were praying on our way to say goodbye. A friend of mine, his name is Al Perna, was praying, and he just felt like the Lord was saying, "Now's the time to extend the tent. We've been here together for almost a decade, but there's all these other churches and the movement of the nations and the diaspora." Three times God spoke to us. We have to do something.Well, at this moment, our leader of the Assemblies of God World Missions was brand new. His name was Greg Mundus. I said, "Greg, you know we have FEIC. How would you feel about us bringing all the regions—Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, Northern Asia—and begin to create a network that would allow each one of these regions to be intimately connected internally, but by expansion they have the whole world?" And Greg said, "That's a good idea."Brian: So that came out of prayer both in your own life and in partnership with others. Pattern recognition—what the Lord is continuously saying and doing. How important is it for all of us to be people of prayer, to be connected with others in prayer, to live our best calling before God?Terry: Absolutely. In fact, all those things—it's all about the capacity of the community. These guys were lined up behind me or around me, and I didn't even know that this was something that anyone was percolating. I think God spoke sovereignly in that moment. And from that initiative, God birthed something that was just so amazing.Brian: Percolating. I like that. Percolating in the Holy Spirit. I had a friend who said, "Kingdom currency runs on kingdom connections." That's vital, isn't it, for all of us to have quality, authenticity, kingdom connectivity so that the Holy Spirit can run on that?Terry: Absolutely.Three Words: Clarity, Closure, CatalyticBrian: This is a time, Terry. I was actually thinking this morning about three words that begin wi

You can't see what's coming over the horizon, but your faith can reach it now. Brian Del Turco explores four steps to cultivate over-the-horizon belief: worship and pray over the horizon (prayer as predicting the future), visualize and prophesy what's coming, fix your belief set points with sanctified desire, and act as if—filling your water pots before the wine arrives. Discover why desire means "of the heavens". Like Abraham crossing into unseen territory, you're called to exploit horizons.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Support the podcast (use the Smart Edit BMAC page): buymeacoffee.com/SmartEdit👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Sign up at JesusSmart.com.----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: Over-the-Horizon Questing: Faith for What's NextListener: The Jesus Smart podcast, to me, intelligently offers its listeners interesting discussions on important topics.Brian: In this episode, it's all about cultivating our over-the-horizon belief, faith, and action.There's a real sense in which our horizons are placed on a curve, and we look at a horizon just like Christopher Columbus sailing to new territory across the terra firma. So we too—we walk by faith, we sail by faith and not by sight.I want to share with you for just a few moments how we can worship and pray over the horizon. Number two, how we can visualize in faith and prophesy over the horizon. Number three, we can fix our belief set points over that curvature in our life. We can't see it yet, it's not manifested yet, but our mind is already there. We're already touching it with prayer. We're already touching it with proclamation. And number four, let's make it complete. Let's be more complete in our faith and begin to act as if—begin to take action with what's coming over the horizon.This is Brian Del Turco. Thanks for connecting with me today on Jesus Smart, the podcast.What Is a Horizon?A horizon is simply a place where the sky and the earth meet, right? Whether we're looking at land or water. Lord Byron is regarded as one of the greatest English poets. He was also a politician. Here's his statement: "Between two worlds, life hovers like a star, twixt (or between) night and morn, upon the horizon's verge."When we come to Jesus, when we are transformed by Jesus and begin to walk with Jesus, we truly become people of the horizon.I believe Abraham was first called a Hebrew in Genesis 14. The word Hebrew, scholars believe, could be derived from a Hebrew word meaning to traverse or to pass over, to cross over, referring to Abraham, who was sent by God and crossed over into the promised land. Abraham is set forth in the Scriptures as a prototype of the faith person for us. And Paul says in Galatians that we are the seed of Abraham in Christ. There's a Hebrew in the truest sense—a person who leaves one territory and crosses over into a new place.Just like Abram left Ur of the Chaldeans, he traveled along the Euphrates River northwest to Haran in northern Mesopotamia, that Fertile Crescent region in the Middle East, and later in Genesis 12 was called down to Canaan into the promised land—a total, I believe, of about a 1,500-mile journey.In Hebrews 11 it says that by faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place—listen to this—which he was to receive for an inheritance. And he went out not knowing where he was going, for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.Now, my friend, what do you feel God may be asking you to cross over into as you quest after the horizons that He is setting before you? You will need over-the-horizon belief and applied faith.→ Discover the four complete steps for over-the-horizon living at jesussmart.comLiving for the Ultimate HorizonLet me read a Scripture to you from 2 Peter, chapter 3: "We are looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God. According to His promise, we are looking for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells."My goodness. We are people of the horizon. That is the ultimate horizon—the coming of the day of God, the Lord's return, which will initiate the restoration of all things that Jesus spoke of. And there's some sense in which we hasten that day of God. Now we're going to have to explore that sometime.And we're looking for the new heavens and the new earth. But all along the way there are many horizons in light of this macro horizon which is coming. And the Bible says that we now taste the powers of the age to come. And we begin to live now, my friend, a lifestyle of restoration in the now, foreshadowing the time of restoration of

What if you could see that struggling relationship, that stalled project, that personal challenge in an entirely different light—God's light? The same creative pattern God used in Genesis—speaking light over chaos—is available to recreate your situation right now. Discover six practical steps to release God's light over the areas where you need transformation. This is about supernatural vision that opens doors to new seasons. When God's light hits your chaos, creation begins.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Support the podcast (use the Smart Edit BMAC page): buymeacoffee.com/SmartEdit👉 Enhanced show notes: JesusSmart.com/361👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Sign up at JesusSmart.com.----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: What Happens When God's Light Hits Your SituationComing up, how you see things—really how we see everything—can actually transform things, opening the door to new seasons. Welcome, friend. I'm Brian Del Turco.I believe that Jesus Christ knows how our lives work best and that He is passionate about developing us as His followers, as intimate friends and co-agents in His kingdom. If you want to go further with King Jesus and His enterprise, this is the podcast for you. I'm glad you're here.Jesus Dynamics: Ask, Seek, and KnockWe have a newish feature in the episode called Jesus Dynamics. Let's get right to it. I was driving somewhere recently, just about a week ago, and I felt like the Lord dropped this in my heart—Jesus' statement about asking, seeking, and knocking in the Sermon on the Mount. You can read about this in Matthew, I think it's chapter seven, probably in the Gospel of Luke as well.In the Greek language, the tense is a little bit different. Greek has, I believe, six tenses, whereas English has only three. In this tense, as it was written, it means to ask and keep on asking, seek and keep on seeking, knock and keep on knocking, and the door will be opened.Here's what I felt. It all starts with conversation with the Father. Ask, talk with Him, get His input. Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Don't lean on your own insight, but in all of your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make your pathways smooth. Ask, even request in prayer.Then begin to seek, begin to probe, begin to explore, begin to step out, begin to lean forward, lean into scenarios and horizons and opportunities, and even lean into challenges to overcome them, my friend. And then knock. Do you know that knocking is an expression of faith? Just as asking is, knocking on doors, checking out opportunities, seeing what opens up—and then it creates a narrow pathway on the other side of that door that leads you into a new space, a new level, some new territory that the Lord has for you.Remember, it's about perseverance. Ask and keep on asking. Same with seeking and knocking. And don't just stop with prayer. Begin to seek, begin to quest. Actually begin to put some feet to your prayers and go out. Start knocking, start building things, start creating, start innovating, start pressing into opportunities and challenges.The Power of Seeing in a New LightWell, I'm excited about this topic today. Father, we ask for new light, fresh, extraordinary light from You to break out of our heart. May we see with the eyes of our understanding, the eyes of our heart. We believe, Father, that You can bring transformation and change to things by how we see them supernaturally and not just naturally. Thank You, Father. We commit our time to You, in Jesus' name.Someone may say something like this: "I was having problems in a relationship, but things turned for the better when I saw her in a new light. When I saw him in a new light. Now I'm filled with hope." We can apply that to anything. "I was disparaging the situation I was in. I was looking down upon it. I was really thinking negatively about it. But when I began to see it in better light, a new light, it began to turn. It began to be transformed."You see, seeing things in a new light can create new possibilities.Stephen Covey, in his wildly popular book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, said that the way we see the problem is the problem. Does this resonate with you? It does with me. If we can just get the light of God on that issue, whatever it is, we will see it in an extraordinary light. Then you can call out the gold and even trigger, be catalytic to bring transformation.Seeing Is InterpretingSeeing things in a new light—I'm talking about an extraordinary light, not just natural light. I'm talking about insight. Seeing things in a new light is transformational. In a real sens

Forget the sanitized nativity—Christmas is a beachhead, an invasion, a sentence of doom upon the dragon. Brian Del Turco unveils Christmas through Revelation 12 and G.K. Chesterton's vision of the cave as an "outlaw's den"—a fortress in enemy territory where the King returned to shake kingdoms from below. This isn't about warm feelings and Michael Bublé—it's about understanding that the incarnation set in motion an advancing process that continues through us today. Discover four practical ways to live in "365 Advent". Pull out the eggnog if you fancy, but remember this: the dragon rages, but you reign in Christ.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Support the podcast (use the Smart Edit BMAC page): buymeacoffee.com/SmartEdit👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Sign up at JesusSmart.com.----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPT: The Outlaw Christ-Child: Why Christmas is Still a RevolutionHey, dragon, you've been resisting, you've been fighting, you've been raging, but we have a message for you. Ho, ho, ho, from King Jesus.Well, I have my little Christmas tree with twinkling lights that my daughter so kindly set me up with right here by my podcasting equipment. I'm ready to go. This is the first in a miniseries on Christmas. Welcome to Jesus Smart, the podcast. Brian Del Turco here. Thanks for connecting with me today.The Central Miracle of ChristianityC.S. Lewis, in his book Miracles, writes that the central miracle asserted by Christians is the incarnation. That's sort of a theological word which simply means God became flesh. Jesus came into the earth in the form of a human being. Lewis writes that they say that God became man. Of course, this is true. Every other miracle prepares for the incarnation or exhibits the reality of the incarnation or results from this, the incarnation.In the Christian story, Lewis writes, God descends to re-ascend. Now listen to this, because you and I are swept up in this. In Christ, He comes down, down from the heights of absolute being into time and space, down into humanity. But He goes down to come up again and bring the ruined world up with Him. Isn't that powerful?Paul put it this way in his letter to the Philippians: "I press toward the mark of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."Beyond the Hallmark ChristmasNow, I live with a lot of ladies—one wife and many daughters. We have four daughters, two still at home. So I know a lot about Hallmark. I have memorized the script-writing templates of Hallmark movies. I can predict the outcome of a Hallmark movie.I don't mind. I enjoy sitting with my wife on a couch during the holiday season while they have a Hallmark movie on, and maybe we're eating a little something. And quite often, I might have, if I can just be honest with you, earbuds in. And I'm listening to maybe a podcast or something like that, kind of multitasking, glancing up at the Hallmark movie once in a while, but then getting some good solid content as well. This is how I—these are my coping mechanisms. This is how I make it with four daughters.So I don't mind doing that. But I'm always after a deeper, more militant message concerning Christmas. And I know that this may challenge some people. Maybe not. Maybe you're listening, and this doesn't challenge you. I hope not.The Christmas Story from Heaven's PerspectiveLet's consider the Christmas story as told from heaven's perspective in the book of Revelation. You know, we sing "Away in a Manger" and "Silent Night, Holy Night," and we think about the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. We put the Charlie Brown special on. We put the music on. If I hear another song by Michael Bublé, I don't know what I'm going to do. But all of these things are around.But deep down, I'm understanding that Christmas is invasion. And this is how I like to try to keep Christmas well.Consider from the book of Revelation, chapter 12: "The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth so that he might devour her child the moment it was born. She gave birth to a son, a male child who will rule the nations with an iron scepter." Yes, take that, Michael Bublé."And there was war in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and his angels fought back, but he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring, those who obey God's commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus."What is this account of the woman and the dragon and the birthing of the Christ child? I was having coffee with a fellow compatriot yesterday, and

We're coining a new Christmas greeting: "Have yourself a very 'chaordic' Christmas!" Chaordic—where chaos meets order. With decades planting churches in Rome and Brussels and serving with Convoy of Hope, Terry Hoggard helps us see Christmas as the ultimate disruptive innovation—an ongoing dance between heaven and earth. Discover why crisis is often the catalyst for much-desired transformation. This isn't your typical feel-good Christmas message. It's a call to intentional disruption and wholehearted seeking. Because when you're all in, God rolls out a pathway you never imagined possible.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Support the podcast (use the Smart Edit BMAC page): buymeacoffee.com/SmartEdit👉 Enhanced show notes: JesusSmart.com/359👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Sign up at JesusSmart.com.----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPTHave Yourself a Very Chaordic Christmas: When Chaos Meets Order with Terry HoggardBrian: Hey there, friend. Merry Christmas. I'm glad you're with us. Thanks for connecting today. I'm Brian Del Turco, and you are connected with Jesus Smart, the podcast. Jesus knows how this life works best.This is such an inspiring conversation, number 211—now being recast as episode 359. Here's the title—I'm confident you have not heard a Christmas greeting like this before: "Have Yourself a Very Chaordic Christmas" with Terry Hoggard. This, my friend, is a new wrinkle on keeping Christmas well.Meet Terry HoggardTerry Hoggard is our special guest. He's a veteran missionary who has led international churches in Rome and Brussels. He's a leader of international leaders, a life coach, and he's an executive leader in Convoy of Hope, an international relief organization.Here's an idea: why not gift this episode with a friend or two, and then they can gift it to others? I think you'll see that this is a gift worth re-gifting. But you get to keep the value when you gift a podcast episode.Terry really encourages us that it is going to take a wholehearted mindset and heart set—the strength of our desire, the fortitude of our will. We have to have an all-in approach to engage this Christmas dance between heaven and earth.The True Joy of ChristmasHere's the true joy of Christmas: when we understand that heaven and earth merge in us through the indwelling Christ, all bets are off. Unlimited potential can be released. You see, it's more than remembering Jesus as a baby in a manger. Christmas is a breakthrough merging of heaven and earth, and this changes everything.The incarnation means that heaven and earth are reconnected again in a new way. A seamlessness between heaven and earth has been re-established. Think of it—it is the grounds on which we can now pray, "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."What can this mean for you? What can it mean for me? God wants to be reconnected with us. Reconciliation is a huge meta theme in the kingdom of God—putting things back together again. And a huge part of what Jesus is after is the reunification of heaven and earth.From Barely Enough to Abundantly MoreBrian: Welcome, friend, to the podcast today. I'm really excited to bring to you Terry Hoggard. Terry, welcome to the podcast today. I appreciate you carving out some time.Terry: My joy to be with you, Brian. Thanks for the invite.Brian: Give us maybe just a sentence about a springboard theme for today's episode.Terry: A sentence of theme would be this: it's Advent, and I always have some sort of Advent Christmas theme. This year I'm thinking in this way—celebrating the Christ who changes our "barely enough" into "abundantly more."Brian: I personally need this. Tell us about your work over the years. You started out as a missionary with the Assemblies of God in Rome. Why don't you just bring us briefly up through the present?Terry: Well, you're completely correct. 1984, Ruthanne and I, my wife, we answered the call to be missionaries, specifically felt called to Rome at that time. So we planted an international church in Rome, which was for our organization the second international church to be established in Europe. I stayed there 10 years. I then went to Brussels to pastor what was the first international church established for the Assemblies of God globally.I spent 25 years living in Brussels—10 pastoring that church. Then I spent another 10 working in Sweden and Copenhagen, working with churches who wanted to reach their communities by encouraging diversity and inclusion with immigrants. After that, I stayed based in Europe for five years working with Convoy of Hope, overseeing the international p

What if the secret to breakthrough isn't just prayer or hard work—but a powerful combination of both with God's zeal backing your obedience? In this walk cast episode, Brian Del Turco unveils a kingdom framework: creative prayer plus strategic planning plus spirit-filled execution equals fruitfulness and fulfillment. Discover how to discern God's agenda (not just convince Him of yours), why prayer without planning is presumption, and how to tap into the zeal of the Lord that fuels ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things. This three-step framework will help you align with how God designed things to work.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Support the podcast (use the Smart Edit BMAC page): buymeacoffee.com/SmartEdit👉 Enhanced show notes: JesusSmart.com/framework👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Sign up at JesusSmart.com.----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPT - A Kingdom Framework - Prayer + Planning + Spirit-Fueled ExecutionHey there, friends. Welcome to Jesus Smart X, the podcast. This is Brian Del Turco. Thanks for being with us today. You make all the difference. Thank you for listening and thank you for sharing content with others if you find it valuable and think it would inspire and help someone you know.Introducing the Walk CastWe're doing something different today, calling it a "walk cast." I'm outside, as you can probably hear. You'll probably hear vehicles and people, perhaps, but this is what I'm calling a walk cast. I've been getting into walking in recent months—about the past half year, a lot. Many days I'm doing, thankfully by the grace of God, something like 10 to 12,000 steps a day.This recent wellness quest over the past half year was triggered by a bout with shingles, from which I'm still dealing with nerve pain in my lower back. But God is faithful. I hear sometimes it can last as long as a year. I hope that's not the case with me, but I have enjoyed walking, doing some resistance training, and changing my diet and losing a lot of weight. So I'm excited about that.Why Walking Enhances Creative ThinkingWalking is something that really enhances our creative thinking. Research proves this—movement, just moving your body like with walking, can really break mental patterns and open new perspectives. Did you know that Jesus did a lot of his conversation and teaching with his disciples as they walked? This was a rabbinic tradition. The rabbi would walk with his disciples, and they would converse and talk—questions and answers and illustrations—really something of a teaching method. There is something of an ancient practice called "walk and talk," part of a wisdom tradition.We've kind of missed that today. We think we have to be sitting on our derrieres in a classroom or remaining sedentary. But walking and learning has a long history, and it clears the head, engages the body, and helps to free your voice up. So yes, a walk cast. We may do this from time to time, weather permitting. We'll see how things go.A Kingdom Formula for SuccessA secret formula, a kingdom template that I think can help us in a lot of areas. Here it is, sort of like kingdom calculus or algebra. You ready for this?Prayer plus planning plus spirit-filled execution equals accomplishment and success.I heard John Eldredge say that there's a way that things work, and this applies to the kingdom as well. I recently fixed my stove, and there is a virtue in being able to not have to outsource everything but fix a stove yourself. We had buttons on a Samsung stove that were not working, and now with YouTube and ChatGPT, I found out that there was a ribbon cable in there that becomes oxidized. You can simply unplug it, use an eraser on a pencil, clean it up, plug it back in—boom, all the buttons work. But there's a way that things work.Stoves are designed to work in a certain way. They need to be maintained. There's a way to fix things. And in the kingdom, there is a way that things work. I think that this formula—prayer plus planning plus spirit-filled execution equals success—shows us that God wants to help us. We can lay this template, if you will, this pattern over most anything, I think: ventures, tough conversations we need to have with people, parenting, career dynamics, ministry initiatives.James 1:17 says that every good and perfect gift comes down from above from the Father of Lights. There's no variation or shadow of turning with Him. He's consistent with all of His sons and daughters. Every good and perfect gift comes down from above. But it doesn't mean that we can't pray and plan and use spirit-filled execution with these go

Brian Del Turco converses with Keith Payne to explore how lessons from his earthly father shaped his understanding of God’s Father heart. From a tough, charismatic union leader to a redeemed man of faith, Keith reflects on the wisdom, protection, and love he received and how it points to the perfect love of our heavenly Father. Together, they discuss fatherhood, redemption, and the multi-generational impact of God’s favor and guidance. This conversation is full of practical lessons, inspiring stories, and a reminder that God can redeem any situation.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Support the podcast (use the Smart Edit BMAC page): buymeacoffee.com/SmartEdit👉 Enhanced show notes: JesusSmart.com/357👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Unsubscribe anytime. Sign up at JesusSmart.com.----------KEITH PAYNEGet your copy of 'Stuff I Got from Dad' on Amazon or Barnes & NobleFacebook -- Keith PayneCarmia’s Window Charitable Fund websiteCarmia's Window Facebook page----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPT - Stuff I Got from Dad with Keith PayneSee complete and enhanced show notes at jesussmart.com/357Welcome to Jesus Smart X, episode 357. This is Brian Del Turco, and today we're stepping into a conversation that hits home for every single one of us because all of us have a father story. The gospel music bed you're hearing is from the Payne Family Group, a gospel group that Keith was part of along with his brothers.I saw Keith Payne on Facebook talking about his new upcoming release, Stuff I Got From Dad, exploring how he relates his experiences with his earthly father to things about our heavenly Father—things he learned that transformed his understanding of God's fatherhood. He's on the podcast today talking about his new book by that title. It's a great conversation with an inspiring person, and I think you're going to enjoy it and benefit from it.Understanding Fatherhood: Perfect and ImperfectMaybe you had an amazing dad, or maybe your father was present but imperfect. Perhaps your experience with your earthly father was painful or even absent. No matter what your story looks like, your Father in heaven is not a reflection of your earthly dad. He is the perfection your earthly dad was only meant to point to, and God still can use it and show you some things. Please lean in.God is in the business of redeeming fatherhood. He knows how to re-father us. The conversion experience in Christ is about re-fathering—Jesus introduces us now to God as Father to heal us and to teach us who He really is. This can unlock some healing and breakthrough in your understanding of the Father heart of God.If you're new to the podcast, subscribe so that you can stay connected with future episodes. If you want to receive a weekly shot of Kingdom clarity and encouragement, you can sign up for the free Smart Edit newsletter. Just go to jesussmart.com right at the top of the homepage and you'll see the form there. You can unsubscribe at any time.If you'd like to support this podcast and the mission behind it, you can now do that through Buy Me a Coffee. It's a simple way to fuel the work—completely optional but deeply appreciated. Look for the Smart Edit Buy Me a Coffee link in the show notes page.A Quick Kingdom Thought: DustedBefore we get the train rolling, I'd like to share something from a recent newsletter. We have a section called Thinking Above and Beyond. God says in Isaiah 55:9, "My thoughts are higher than your thoughts." So we need to reason with Him, think after Him.Here's a quick hit thought: Dusted. In street language, to be dusted means defeated, wiped out. In Genesis 3, the serpent—Satan through the serpent—was sentenced to the dust. It was really a prophetic humiliation. God said, "On your belly you will go, and dust you will eat all the days of your life."Jesus later said that we would trample on all the power of the enemy. The enemy's realm is dust level. Don't forget that our authority in Christ is above that. We can stay and live out of that place of being seated with Christ in the heavenly places in Ephesians 2:6 and enforce the verdict that's been issued. Remember that because of Christ, his place is now under your feet, eating the dust.All right, let's lean into this conversation. I believe it's going to speak to your mind and spirit in a powerful way.Meeting Keith Payne: A First Podcast InterviewBrian: I'm excited today to have Keith Payne on the podcast. Some of you know Keith, and some of you will be introduced to him today. We're talking about a very primal topic, a seminal topic—the topic of your father and also the fathe

Spiritual attacks and temptation are inevitable—but domination isn’t. Walking in the light, staying aligned with Christ, and cleansing our hearts gives the enemy nothing to grab onto. We uncover practical steps to remove footholds of sin and operate in Christ's authority in everyday life.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Support the podcast (use the Smart Edit BMAC page): buymeacoffee.com/SmartEdit👉 Enhanced show notes: JesusSmart.com/356👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Unsubscribe anytime. Sign up at JesusSmart.com.----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPT - The Authority of Being Clean: Living Beyond the Enemy's ReachI want to start with a personal moment. There were many seasons in my life when I realized that the enemy of our soul—Satan, the devil, the adversary—had too much access into my life. He had ways and avenues to influence my thoughts, shape my emotions, and steer my decisions toward compromising choices that could have consequences.I could see patterns, subtle patterns of compromise and sin in my life, and I could feel the weight of the foothold. I could feel the weight of the ground that I had given away. I wasn't falling into egregious sins or earth-shaking major mistakes, but small stuff.And I could sense that I was being positioned for the potential of further compromise. Sin will take you farther than you want to go and faster. The Holy Spirit, prodding and bringing conviction, was a wake-up call.A Jesus Tactic for Spiritual VictoryThat's what I want to explore with you today—a real Jesus tactic for how to walk in the light and remove footholds from the enemy so that we can live and operate in the authority and success that God has given us.Spiritual attacks and temptation are inevitable. As John Eldredge says, when you're born again—even when you're born the first time—you're born into a war.And when you're born again, you're redeemed and saved, placed on a trajectory where you can become Christlike and victorious and share in the inheritance of Christ. You're still in a war, and maybe in a more heightened sense at that point.Here's the good news: when we're talking about sin and compromise and temptation, domination—you being dominated, me being dominated by that—is not inevitable. It's inevitable that we will encounter it, but I'm talking about being dominated and controlled by it.Jesus Had Nothing for the Enemy to GrabJesus knew, I think it was the evening before His crucifixion in John 14, the enemy was coming. And here's what He said: "The ruler of this world is coming and he has nothing in me." There is no ground in me, Jesus was saying.If we follow this Jesus tactic, we can really cut off the enemy's opportunity. Like Jesus, if we can say, "He has nothing in me." If Jesus could live with zero access for the enemy to penetrate His life and dominate and control Him, we can follow that same principle. The enemy only has as much access as we give him when we are in Christ.Walking in the LightThere's an important passage in 1 John 1:5-9. If we can get this right or start getting it right, there is so much downstream stuff we could cut off from the enemy, so much time we could save, so many benefits."God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with Him and yet we're walking in the darkness, we're lying and not practicing the truth. But if we walk in the light as He Himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin."Walking in the light means that we bring hidden attitudes and compromises and sins out into the open. We confess them before the Lord primarily. There may be times where, as it says at the end of James, we confess our faults and sins to one another, and healing comes in that way. We're allowing God's light to do a reset in our inner person.It's not about perfection. When Jesus said, "You need to be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect," the New Testament word for perfection is complete or mature or whole. It's not a perfection complex—totally sinless. What it is, though, is about progressive alignment, moment by moment, with the Lord.Where Spiritual Warfare Really BeginsReal spiritual warfare starts on the inside. It's not outside of us. True, there are dynamics external to us which are manifestations of spiritual warfare, but it starts on the inside, in the realm of our thoughts, our emotions, and the choices that we make.Things like anger, bitterness, lust, unforgiveness—all of these things will give the enemy territory in our hearts. And our heart shapes our personal world. P

What if you could see the New Testament not just as history, but as a living story that’s still unfolding? In Part 2 of this conversation, Brian Del Turco continues with Frank Viola, bestselling author of The Untold Story of the New Testament Church. Building on Part 1, this episode dives even deeper into the context, relationships, and divine drama behind the letters of the apostles. You’ll gain a clearer view of how the early church moved with Christ—and how your own life fits into that same advancing Kingdom narrative today.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Enhanced show notes: JesusSmart.com/355👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Unsubscribe anytime. Sign up at JesusSmart.com.----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPTHey there, my friend. Welcome to the podcast. This is Jesus Smart X. We're glad you're here. I'm Brian Del Turco. You're one of about 618 unique listeners in the last 28 days. Really glad you're tuning in.This is episode 355. In episode 353, we kicked off a dynamic conversation with Frank Viola, prolific author and Christian leader, about his book The Untold Story of the New Testament Church. It’s a fresh lens on the early church—the book of Acts and the letters that followed, Romans, Galatians, Ephesians, and so on. If you missed part one, I recommend listening to it first, though part two flows nicely on its own.Also, in episode 350, we explored Life in the Groove: Improvising with the Holy Spirit, looking at jazz and the parallels with walking in the Spirit. Today, in part two with Frank, we go even deeper. You’ll hear insights that could reframe how you read the New Testament, giving you context, storyline, and practical understanding for kingdom living today.Before we dive in, I want to mention the Smart Edit newsletter. Go to jesussmart.com, sign up at the top of the homepage. It’s free, weekly, takes five minutes to read, and will help elevate your faith and influence your sphere.Understanding the Untold StoryWithout the story—the narrative of how it all fits together—we’re open to misapplying and misinterpreting Scripture. Specifically, the early church story is often misunderstood. We tend to read our own century into the New Testament, projecting our practices back onto the primitive church, which is a major mistake across denominations.Some things stand out when the story is put together:The Christian life was lived very differently than most Christians today practice.The way assemblies (the Greek word ecclesiae) were planted and functioned was completely different than today’s churches.The way ministers and church planters were trained in the first century was radically different.People might say they were “archaic,” but if you look at how Jesus trained the 12, there are timeless principles superior to modern ministerial training.Hands-On Leadership DevelopmentCould you give an example of that leadership development?It was hands-on. The disciples lived with Jesus for three years—they observed Him interacting with His Father, saw Him handle problems, watched Him lead. Then He gave them assignments and missions. Paul did the same with his team—training eight men (plus a ninth) in Ephesus for three years, in exactly the same hands-on way.The book doesn’t make prescriptive applications. I don’t tell readers, “Do it this way.” I simply transport you into the first-century story, written in the present tense, and let you draw your own applications.The Untold Story: Why It MattersSo the story is untold—it is what it is, right?Yes. It’s “untold” because no one has presented Acts together with the epistles as one seamless narrative, filling in historical details. My presentation combines Luke’s account with the letters of Paul, creating a complete picture.Applying the Story TodaySo it’s seminal, almost like DNA—something readers need to contextualize in their lives, praying for guidance on how to apply it, without the book being prescriptive.Exactly. It’s not a history book. People may think it is, but the goal is to unlock the New Testament letters with context, helping readers understand them in a fresh way. Most Christians miss much of the letters’ meaning because they don’t know the narrative behind them.Key TakeawaysI look forward to reading more. One major insight—what would you want me to take away?Think of the book as spiritual windshield wipers. The letters are in the book itself—you don’t need to stop and read them separately. You get the background story first, then read the letter, and it opens like a clear mountain stream.Broad ImpactEven just one believer reading it can impact their sphere of

What if walking with God is about moving in rhythm with the Holy Spirit — like a jazz musician improvising in the moment? We explore what it means to live in a Heaven and Earth Jazz Jam session. Listening, responding, and co-creating with God. Drawing on Scripture, spiritual insight, and the creative lessons of jazz, we explore how to sharpen spiritual intuition and flow in unexpected moments in every area of life and work.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Unsubscribe anytime. Sign up at JesusSmart.com.----------EPISOSDE TRANSCRIPT -- Life in the Groove — Improvising with the Holy Spirit (EP 354)In this episode of Jesus Smart X Podcast, Brian Del Turco explores the idea of moving in rhythm with the Holy Spirit — like a jazz musician improvising in the moment. Drawing on Scripture, spiritual insight, and the creative lessons of jazz, we explore how to sharpen spiritual intuition, respond in unexpected moments, and co-create with God in every area of life and work.Between Episodes: Continuing the Conversation with Frank ViolaBefore diving in, Brian mentions the ongoing two-part series with Frank Viola. Episode 353, The New Testament Like You've Never Seen It, explores reading the New Testament as a single, unfolding narrative, discovering the heartbeat of the early church, and seeing how our personal life story fits into Jesus’ larger story.Don’t forget to check out the Smart Edit newsletter at jesussmart.com.Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly, each Thursday. 5 minutes to grow. Unsubscribe anytime. Sign up at JesusSmart.com.Jazz and the Brain: A Spiritual ParallelListening to jazz activates nearly every part of the brain, enhancing focus, emotional depth, flexibility, and anticipation. Jazz requires us to listen actively, adapt to shifting harmonies, and respond creatively.This is an excellent metaphor for walking with the Holy Spirit. Our relationship with God isn’t meant to be rigid or scripted. Scripture is our key signature — steady, unchanging, and true — while the Spirit invites us to improvise within that framework.As Galatians 5:25 reminds us, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”Walking with the Spirit is not marching in lockstep; it’s keeping time in a living rhythm, a cadence flowing from the Father through the Holy Spirit.The Improvisational Life: Flowing with the SpiritJazz and the Spirit share a key principle: tension and release, anticipation, and responsiveness. Life with the Holy Spirit requires mental and spiritual flexibility — a readiness to pivot, adapt, and respond in a Christlike way.As Dallas Willard taught, true discipleship is Christ in you, living through your life circumstances. This requires alertness, creativity, and continual renewal — exactly what Romans 12:2 calls the “renewing of your mind.”Classical music offers structure, discipline, and symmetry, while jazz develops intuition, sensitivity, and improvisation. Life in the Spirit demands both: grounded truth and openness to surprise, ready to follow God’s lead in the moment.The Heaven and Earth Jazz Jam SessionA powerful image: the Heaven and Earth jazz jam session. Just as musicians listen, respond, and create together, we are invited to move in harmony with God and with a community of believers.This Micro Ecclesia — a small, tight-knit group — becomes a spiritual “studio” where prayer, worship, and collaboration sharpen our ability to listen to God and to one another. The Holy Spirit orchestrates, guiding the flow, rhythm, and improvisation of our lives.Practical Ways to Improvise Spirit-Led LifeFive practical ways to cultivate this jazz-like flow with God:Quiet Your Heart – Set aside time for stillness. Remove agendas and lists, leaving space for the Spirit to move.Flow in Prayer – Begin praying, allowing the Holy Spirit to shift your words and thoughts. Let your prayers take unexpected directions.Journal the “Royal Riffs” – Capture insights, nudges, or impressions from the Spirit. There is authority in recording what God reveals.Partner with Others – Some revelations unlock only in community. Pray, worship, and move with other Spirit-led believers.Take Spirit-Prompted Risks – Step out in faith when the Spirit calls you to speak, start, stop, or act. Trust His guidance, even in improvisation.Each step strengthens your spiritual ear, teaching you to respond to God’s cues and to participate in the divine rhythm of life.The Kingdom Symphony in ActionWalking with the Spirit is not about performance. It’s about partnership. The Holy Spirit leads, and we

What if you could read the New Testament as a single, unfolding story—seeing the books in their real-life context and discovering the heartbeat of the early church? Brian Del Turco talks with Frank Viola, bestselling author of The Untold Story of the New Testament Church. You’ll see how the New Testament connects to your own storyline in Christ, as His Kingdom continues to advance today. This fresh perspective will help you unlock Scripture and your place in God’s epic narrative. Part 1 of 2.----------See the full episode transcript below.👉 Enhanced show notes: JesusSmart.com/353👉 Explore more episodes: JesusSmart.com/podcastIf this episode gave you a fresh perspective on Kingdom Living, share it with someone who needs encouragement.Be sure to follow the podcast—each episode is designed to help you think more clearly and pursue the kind of life only Jesus makes possible.Stay current via The Smart Edit newsletter—Elevate your faith. Live smart. Make an impact. Free. Weekly. 5 minutes to grow. Unsubscribe anytime. Sign up at JesusSmart.com.----------EPISODE TRANSCRIPTBrian: Welcome to the podcast! Today, I’m thrilled to have Frank Viola with us to discuss his new project—a book every follower of Jesus will want to explore. Frank, how are you today?Frank Viola: I’m doing well, Brian. I always enjoy being on your show, and I’m excited to talk about the book.The Untold Story of the New Testament ChurchBrian: I have my copy right here, and I’ve been using it… literally curling it for reps! Listeners, this is a hefty book—over 600 pages—but it’s surprisingly accessible.Frank Viola: That’s right. Despite its size, many readers find it easy to read. The goal was never just a history lesson—it’s to unlock the New Testament, especially the epistles, in a fresh way.Brian: So, what inspired you to take on this massive project?Frank Viola: It goes back to when I became a believer at 16. I stumbled upon a small book that linked the Book of Acts with Paul’s letters. That exposure shaped everything. Over time, I studied New Testament chronology, influenced heavily by F.F. Bruce, and by 1998, I began constructing a full chronological account of the New Testament, filling in historical and cultural details.Solving a Common Problem for ChristiansFrank Viola: The problem many Christians face is not fully understanding the New Testament. The books aren’t arranged chronologically, and Luke’s account in Acts is highly condensed.Add the 16th-century chapter and verse divisions, and it’s easy to misinterpret. My book reconstructs the story from Pentecost to Patmos, blending Acts with the epistles to provide context that has been missing for centuries.Brian: That’s incredible. It’s vital for Christians to see the full storyline of the kingdom, from the early church to today.Frank Viola: Exactly. And this approach has been endorsed by 20 preeminent New Testament scholars. It’s the first book to combine the entire narrative chronologically with full citations, based on up-to-date scholarship.Challenges and ApproachBrian: Scholars will disagree on some chronological details. Can you give an example?Frank Viola: Sure. The dating of James’ epistle is debated. Some scholars place it before Galatians, others after. Either way, it doesn’t affect the overall narrative, which is what matters.Brian: So, it’s about scoping and sequencing—seeing the narrative as a whole.Frank Viola: Yes. The book organizes the 27 New Testament books, focusing on Acts to Revelation, and even includes Jesus’ story and eternity past, giving readers the full picture of God’s kingdom from beginning to end.Making Study of the New Testament AccessibleBrian: Were there points where writing the book became particularly challenging?Frank Viola: Definitely. Balancing scholarly accuracy with reader accessibility was tough. I wanted complex historical and cultural information to be understandable for every Christian reader.Sourcing was also a major effort—over 2,400 footnotes, distilling insights from over 1,000 books. The goal was to create a compelling narrative that brings the New Testament to life.Brian: It sounds like it transforms the reading experience.Frank Viola: It does. Understanding the full story of the New Testament changed my life. When readers see the letters in context, they experience the New Testament in a way most have never imagined.Understanding the Full NarrativeBrian: I love your analogy with LEGO.Frank Viola: Yes! Reading the New Testament in its current order is like trying to build a dinosaur with only 400 of 600 LEGO pieces. Acts gives you the main body, but the epistles complete the picture. Only by combining them chronologically can you truly see the full story.Brian: That really illustrates why understanding chronology and context is essential for faithful interpretation.Frank Viola: Exactly. This book gives Christians the key to reading the New Testament as a connected, coherent narrative. It’s transformative for personal study, ministry, and