Week 43
Your Weekly Round-up Sunday!
Welcome to your Week 43 Round-up Sunday—your comprehensive guide to this week's spiritual nourishment and biblical teaching! As we journey through another week of faith-building content, we're excited to bring you a carefully curated selection of teachings, devotionals, and practical wisdom designed to strengthen your walk with Christ.
This week's opening article, "Soul Life vs. Spirit Life: Understanding the Distinction in Christian Living," sets the foundation by exploring the crucial difference between merely knowing Scripture intellectually and truly operating in the Spirit's power—a distinction that fundamentally transforms how we experience our Christian faith.
Throughout the week, you'll discover rich content across all our platforms:
- Monday brings "Something to Think About" with "The Path to Confusion"—examining how intellectual Christianity divorced from obedience has led many astray from the simplicity found in Christ.
- Tuesday's "Messages from the Outpost" teaching on "Fallen Man" reveals our broken nature and desperate need for salvation, magnifying God's magnificent grace.
- Wednesday's "Write This Down" feature explores "Choices & Consequences"—how every decision shapes our destiny, witness, and eternity.
- Thursday presents "The Fallen Church"—a sobering examination of spiritual decline with a powerful message of hope and restoration.
- Friday's Back to Basics teaching on "The Unseen Battle: Recognising Spiritual Attacks" equips you to identify and respond to spiritual warfare with biblical authority.
Our YouTube channel continues to flourish with engaging playlists including Morning devotionals, Something to Think About, Messages from the Outpost, Write This Down, and our core Back to Basics: Christian Living series—all designed to accompany you throughout your day.
We're also celebrating exciting growth across our interconnected content strategy, seamlessly connecting social media, YouTube, and our blog website to ensure you never miss valuable biblical teaching wherever you discover us.
This week concludes with a challenging article, "Are You Really Part of the Church?"—exploring the profound truth that genuine church membership is determined not by human records, but by the presence of God's Holy Spirit dwelling within you.
Whether you're seeking daily inspiration, in-depth biblical teaching, or practical wisdom for Christian living, this week's content offers something to strengthen every aspect of your faith journey. Let's dive in together and discover what God has in store for us this week!
Building Your Faith on Biblical Foundations! Discover core Christian principles and deepen your relationship with Christ through biblical teaching and practical application…
Soul Life vs. Spirit Life: Understanding the Distinction in Christian Living!
In many churches today, there exists a subtle yet significant distinction between those who merely read Bible passages and those who truly operate in the Spirit. This difference represents the contrast between soul life and spirit life—a distinction that fundamentally affects how we experience and express our Christian faith.
The apostle Paul addressed this very issue when he wrote, "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (Romans 8:6 KJV). Here, Paul distinguishes between living according to the flesh (soul life) and living according to the Spirit. Soul life operates through human intellect, emotions, and willpower, whilst spirit life functions through divine enablement and spiritual discernment.
Many believers engage with Scripture purely on an intellectual level, treating the Bible as merely a book to be studied rather than as the living Word of God. Jesus warned the religious leaders of His day, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life" (John 5:39-40 KJV). They knew Scripture intellectually but failed to encounter the living Christ through the Spirit.
Paul further explains this distinction: "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV). The "natural man" represents soul life—human reasoning attempting to grasp spiritual truths without the Spirit's illumination.
True spirit life manifests when believers move beyond mere Bible knowledge to experiencing God's transforming power. Paul testified, "And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God" (1 Corinthians 2:4-5 KJV).
The difference becomes evident in church gatherings. Soul life produces religious activity—eloquent speeches, emotional responses, and impressive biblical knowledge—all generated by human effort. Spirit life, however, produces genuine transformation, prophetic insight, and supernatural manifestation of God's presence.
Jesus declared, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life" (John 6:63 KJV). Reading Scripture without the Spirit's quickening power yields nothing of eternal value.
Paul's prayer for believers was "That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man" (Ephesians 3:16 KJV). This strengthening occurs not through human study alone but through the Spirit's work in our innermost being.
The challenge for modern believers is to move from soul life—characterised by religious performance and intellectual assent—to spirit life, where the Holy Spirit operates freely through surrendered vessels. As Paul exhorts, "Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16 KJV).
Churches must encourage believers to seek not just biblical knowledge but spiritual vitality—moving from reading about God to encountering Him through the Spirit's power…
"Something to think about" is a phrase that indicates there is a topic or idea presented that the reader should consider and contemplate, for further reflection or discussion. Published weekly on a Monday…
Monday 20/10/25
The Path to Confusion!
When Knowledge Eclipses Obedience…
The Deception of False Knowledge
In a world dominated by theological debates, many believers have strayed from the heart of their faith. "The Path to Confusion" explores how intellectual Christianity—marked by endless arguments and knowledge divorced from obedience—has led the modern church away from the simplicity that is in Christ. Paul's warning about being "corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" rings truer than ever, as believers accumulate vast biblical knowledge whilst neglecting to put it into practice.
Join us as we explore how to maintain the proper balance between knowledge and application, between understanding and obedience, and discover the beautiful simplicity found in Christ where obedience trumps knowledge, humility conquers pride, and love covers a multitude of sins…
Messages from the Outpost: Join us at our home church (186, Greenacres, Wetheral, Carlisle CA4 8LU, UK) every Tuesday & Thursday at 7:30 pm.
Tuesday 21/10/25
Fallen Man!
Understanding Our Broken Nature!
The Impact of the Fall on Our Daily Lives
The doctrine of fallen man reveals humanity's broken condition and desperate need for salvation. God created mankind perfect for fellowship with Him, but one act of disobedience in Eden brought sin into the world, passing to all humanity through Adam.
We inherit a sinful nature corrupting everything—our understanding is darkened, our will enslaved, and our desires twisted from God. We are spiritually dead, unable to save ourselves. Yet this reveals God's magnificent grace. Even after the fall, God promised a Redeemer.
That promise is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the last Adam. Where Adam brought sin and death, Christ brings righteousness and life through His perfect obedience, sacrificial death, and triumphant resurrection. By faith in Him, we receive forgiveness and His perfect righteousness. Understanding our fallenness magnifies God's grace—only by grasping how lost we were can we comprehend the wonder of our redemption in Christ…
"Write this down" is a phrase used to draw attention to essential information that needs to be recorded or remembered. Published weekly on a Wednesday…
Wednesday 22/10/25
Choices & Consequences!
Where every decision shapes our destiny, our witness, and our eternity…
The Power of Choices in Shaping Our Christian Journey
Every day, we face countless choices—some seemingly small, others life-changing. Yet as Christians, each decision carries weight, shaping not only our own lives but our witness to the world. In "Choices & Consequences," we explore the profound truth that our daily decisions matter deeply to God and impact eternity. From the Garden of Eden to the modern church, Scripture reveals that we are beings created with the gift and responsibility of choice. Whether we're navigating social media, serving in our local fellowship, or responding to temptation, each choice sows seeds that will inevitably produce a harvest—either of spiritual life or corruption. This teaching examines how believers can make godly choices by seeking divine wisdom, testing decisions against Scripture, considering their impact on others, and seeking godly counsel. Yet it also offers hope for when we fail, reminding us that God's grace through Christ provides forgiveness and restoration when we repent. As we stand accountable before Christ's judgement seat, may our lives reflect faithful choices made in light of eternity. Join us as we discover how to choose life daily, walking in obedience to Christ and unity with His church, ultimately hearing those blessed words: "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."
Messages from the Outpost: Join us at our home church (186, Greenacres, Wetheral, Carlisle CA4 8LU, UK) every Tuesday & Thursday at 7:30 pm.
Thursday 23/10/25
The Fallen Church!
The Fallen Church! A Spiritual Warning!
Signs of a Fallen Church
In an age where the church faces unprecedented challenges, understanding the signs of spiritual decline has never been more crucial. This teaching examines the sobering reality of the fallen church - congregations that have drifted from their biblical foundations and compromised their divine mandate. From the subtle erosion of sound doctrine to the seductive embrace of cultural accommodation, churches today face dangers that threaten their very identity as the body of Christ. We explore how the pursuit of entertainment has replaced genuine worship, how the prosperity gospel has distorted the true message of the cross, and how the neglect of church discipline has allowed sin to flourish unchecked. Yet amidst these warnings, there remains a powerful message of hope. God's promise of restoration stands firm for those willing to humble themselves, repent, and return to His unchanging Word. This is not merely a critique but a call to action - an urgent invitation for believers to remain faithful in an age of compromise, to stand firm on biblical truth regardless of the cost, and to be counted among the remnant who refuse to bow to the spirit of this age. Whether you're a church leader concerned about your congregation's direction or an individual believer seeking to discern truth in confusing times, this teaching offers biblical wisdom and practical insight for navigating the spiritual landscape of our day…
Back to Basics is a weekly Christian living teaching blog that focuses on teaching the principles of Christian living from a fundamental perspective. Published weekly on a Friday…
Friday 24/10/25
The Unseen Battle: Recognizing Spiritual Attacks!
Awakening to the unseen battle that shapes our faith journey…
The Hidden War: Why Every Christian Must Recognise Spiritual Attacks!
In the midst of our daily lives, an invisible battle rages—one that most believers rarely recognise until they find themselves struggling against unseen forces. "The Unseen Battle: Recognizing Spiritual Attacks" explores the reality that our struggles often extend beyond mere circumstances into the spiritual realm. As Scripture reveals, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers in heavenly places. This teaching illuminates how spiritual attacks intensify precisely when we're drawing closer to God or stepping into our divine calling, much like Jesus faced intensified temptation after His baptism and before His public ministry.
Through biblical examples and practical wisdom, this message equips believers to identify the enemy's subtle tactics—deception disguised as truth, discouragement following victory, division within community, and distraction from what truly matters. You'll discover how to recognise your personal vulnerabilities, from unhealed wounds to spiritual weariness, and learn the warning signs that indicate you're under spiritual assault. Most importantly, this teaching provides a biblical framework for responding with authority, reminding us that whilst the battle is real, we fight from a position of victory already secured through Christ. Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world—and understanding this truth transforms how we navigate the unseen battles of daily Christian living…
YouTube: Engaging Content Line-up on 'Back to Basics: Christian Living' YouTube Channel. Published weekly from Monday to Friday...
This Week: 20 - 24 October 2025
Welcome to this week's exciting line-up on our "Back to Basics: Christian Living" YouTube channel! We've carefully curated content designed to strengthen your faith, provide daily spiritual nourishment, and accompany you on your walk with Christ. From devotional moments to in-depth teachings, we're committed to bringing you resources that both inspire and equip…
Here's what you can look forward to this week:
Morning!
Welcome to "Morning," our unique YouTube playlist at Back to Basics: Christian Living. This daily spiritual wake-up call draws inspiration from England's Lake District's morning light.
"Morning" inspires you to walk in the Spirit and remember that faith comes from believing. Join us in making each day an opportunity to live for Him and fulfil His purpose. We look forward to seeing you each morning. God bless...
Something to Think About?
Our "Something to Think About" playlist offers brief, thought-provoking reflections on Christian living. Each video presents meaningful topics designed for contemplation and spiritual growth, encouraging viewers to examine their faith more deeply. Whether you're seeking inspiration or wrestling with questions, these concise messages provide valuable insights to carry with you throughout your day and spark meaningful discussions with fellow believers….
messages from the Outpost!
Discover the truth of God's Word. We're addressing the erosion of Biblical teachings in today's world and inviting everyone to join us on this journey. Our mission is to uphold the true teachings of Jesus, challenging misleading interpretations, and promoting accountability…
Write this Down…
Our Write This Down playlist features essential Christian teachings and biblical insights you'll want to remember. Each video highlights key principles for your faith journey that are worth noting down for future reference and spiritual growth….
Back to Basics: Christian Living
…Laying the foundation for a Christian life…
Back to Basics: Christian Living guides viewers through core principles of faith. Each video explores essential topics like prayer, scripture and community, offering practical advice and spiritual insights. Whether you're new to faith or deepening your understanding, this series provides key teachings for a life rooted in Christian values…
Our YouTube content features these playlist series:
Back to Basics: Christian living Q&A - A question-and-answer format addressing viewers' faith-related inquiries.
Let's Read the Word Together - A series dedicated to Scripture study and its practical application to daily life.
What’s on my Heart? - A playlist featuring brief spiritual insights where I share God's wisdom on specific topics with practical applications for your Christian Walk.
Under the Tree - Building a solid foundation for a Christian life -Reflecting Christ, Overcoming Challenges, and Standing Strong in Faith offering insightful discussions on several topics related to Christian living & spiritual growth.
Back to Basics: for KIDS! - Content specifically designed for children and families - Animated short-form content coming soon!
Blazing Apostles &Saturday Conversations Podcasts…
Ignite Your Faith: Explore Our Podcasts
Discover our podcasts "Blazing Apostles" and "Saturday Conversations" with hosts Dave and Elaine. Through engaging discussions, stories and practical teachings, we explore foundational Christian principles that refresh your faith.
Watch on YouTube to connect visually with our teachings. Whether you're new to faith or well-established, these podcasts offer practical biblical applications to deepen your spiritual life.
Subscribe to our channel and tune in to strengthen your faith today! Perfect for listening whilst commuting, relaxing or seeking daily inspiration...
Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don't miss any of these uplifting videos!
Note: Remember, these schedules are subject to change, but we're committed to bringing you content that enriches your spiritual journey….
NEWS! Updates and announcements about Back to Basics: Christian living, including content changes, newsletters, website updates, and valuable information for our audience…
📢 Exciting Growth in Our YouTube Channel!
New Playlist Additions Flourishing After First Week
We're thrilled to announce that our newly expanded YouTube playlist offerings have seen tremendous engagement throughout their first week! The strategic development of our content playlists has created a vibrant ecosystem that connects viewers across multiple platforms.
An Interconnected Content Strategy
Our approach to content delivery has been carefully designed to ensure you never miss any of the valuable teachings and resources we produce. Here's how it works:
1. Social Media Discovery - We share engaging previews and highlights on Facebook, X (Twitter), Threads, TikTok and Instagram, introducing you to our latest content.
2. YouTube Engagement - These social posts direct you to our YouTube channel, where you can watch full teachings, devotionals, and discussions across our various playlists.
3. Website Deep Dive - Each YouTube video then points you to our blog website at back-to-basics-christian-living.ghost.io, where you can read in-depth articles, explore related content, and access additional resources that complement what you've just watched.
4. Full Circle Connection - Our website promotes all our YouTube playlists and social channels, creating a comprehensive network of spiritual resources.
Why This Matters
This interconnected approach ensures that whether you discover us on Instagram, watch us on YouTube, or read our blog, you're always just one click away from the full breadth of biblical teaching and encouragement we offer. No matter where you start your journey with us, you'll have access to everything we produce.
The positive response to our expanded playlist structure demonstrates that this integrated strategy is working. Viewers are moving seamlessly between platforms, engaging more deeply with content, and building a more complete understanding of the biblical principles we teach.
Join the Connected Community
We invite you to experience this interconnected approach for yourself. Follow us on your favourite social platform, subscribe to our YouTube channel, and bookmark our website. Together, these resources form a complete ecosystem designed to support your spiritual growth and keep you connected to fresh, relevant biblical teaching.
Thank you for being part of this growing community as we work together to build our faith on solid biblical foundations!
Back to Basics: Christian Living - Your Faith Journey. We're excited to share insights and practical guidance to help strengthen your faith journey in 2025…
Are You Really Part of the Church?
Examining the essential mark of true church membership through the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence…
The question of church membership is far more profound than simply having your name on a register or attending services regularly. True membership in the body of Christ is determined not by human records, but by the presence of God's Holy Spirit dwelling within you. This fundamental truth distinguishes between those who are genuinely part of Christ's church and those who merely appear to be.
The Spirit: The Mark of True Membership
The Apostle Paul makes this distinction crystal clear: "Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his" (Romans 8:9 KJV). This verse establishes an uncompromising standard—without the Holy Spirit, one simply cannot be considered part of Christ's body. It's not about religious activity or outward appearance, but about the inward reality of spiritual regeneration.
Jesus Himself taught this principle when speaking to Nicodemus: "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God" (John 3:5 KJV). This new birth by the Spirit is the essential qualification for kingdom citizenship and church membership.
The Church: A Spiritual Body
Scripture describes the church as the body of Christ, with each member connected through the Spirit. "For by one Spirit are we all baptised into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit" (1 Corinthians 12:13 KJV). This spiritual baptism is what incorporates believers into Christ's body—not water baptism alone, not church attendance, not good works, but the Spirit's work.
Paul further emphasises this in his letter to the Ephesians: "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13 KJV). The Holy Spirit serves as God's seal upon genuine believers, authenticating their membership in His family.
Evidence of the Spirit's Presence
How can we know if the Spirit dwells within us? The Bible provides clear indicators. "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God" (Romans 8:16 KJV). There's an internal testimony, a divine assurance that comes from the Spirit's presence.
Additionally, the Spirit produces observable fruit in believers' lives: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance" (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV). These character qualities serve as evidence of genuine spiritual life.
A Sobering Warning
Jesus warned that many will claim association with Him without truly belonging to Him: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21 KJV). Religious profession without spiritual possession is worthless.
The church is not a social club with membership based on human criteria. It is the living body of Christ, composed exclusively of those indwelt by the Holy Spirit. If you lack the Spirit, you are not part of Christ's church, regardless of your religious activities or affiliations. Conversely, if the Spirit dwells within you, you are unquestionably part of God's eternal family.
The critical question isn't whether your name appears on a church roll, but whether the Holy Spirit resides within your heart. "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves" (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). This self-examination is not about fostering doubt, but about ensuring we possess genuine saving faith evidenced by the Spirit's presence…
With Christ's love,
Dave & Elaine
