Dial In with Jonny Ardavanis

Have you been serving, staying doctrinally sound, and doing all the “right” Christian things—but feel your love for Jesus growing cold? In Revelation 2, Jesus praises the church in Ephesus for their diligence, discernment, and perseverance, but then gives a sobering rebuke: “You have left your first love.”
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In this episode, we unpack what it means to leave your first love (not in sequence, but in prominence) and why a cold, apathetic heart is spiritually dangerous—even if your life looks strong on the surface. Using the Challenger space shuttle tragedy as an illustration of a “missing critical piece,” we look at Christ’s clear prescription for spiritual apathy:
Remember where you’ve fallen (preach the gospel to yourself)
Repent (this is a heart issue, not just burnout)
Return to “the deeds you did at first”

We also discuss what those “first deeds” can look like: renewed hunger for God’s Word, fervent prayer, love for God’s people, evangelistic zeal, and honest confession—not just going through the motions.
If you’ve been asking:
“Why don’t I love Jesus like I used to?”
“How do I overcome spiritual dryness?”
“What does Revelation 2 teach the church today?” …this conversation is for you.

Scripture: Revelation 2:1–7

In this episode, we walk through Luke 18:9–14—the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector—and answer one of the most important questions in human history: How can a sinner be made right with God?
This episode is brought to you by our ministry partner Accountable2You. Join thousands living in freedom with nothing to hide, and visit https://accountable2you.com/dialin. Use our unique code DIALIN to get 25% off your first year of an Accountable2You Personal or Family Plan
This passage completely reshaped the way I understood the gospel of grace, because it exposes the danger of self-righteousness, especially for people who grew up in church and know all the “right answers.” It’s possible to look religious, speak the language, and still be resting your confidence in what you’ve done—or haven’t done—rather than Christ alone.
We cover:
The context of Luke 17–18 and the question: “How do I enter the kingdom of God?”
Why God’s holiness makes the gospel necessary
What a Pharisee would have looked like in Jesus’ day (religious elite, moral rigor, spiritual discipline)
Why a tax collector was viewed as the worst kind of sinner in Jewish society
The difference between pride masked as humility vs true repentance
The tax collector’s plea for mercy and how it points to propitiation (wrath satisfied by a substitute)
Why Jesus says the tax collector went home justified—and the Pharisee didn’t
The core of salvation: merit vs mercy, self-justification vs free gift, works vs graceIf you’ve ever wondered whether you’ve subtly drifted into a “good person” version of Christianity, this conversation will challenge you to re-center your hope on Jesus’ blood and righteousness—not your performance.

Passage: Luke 18:9–14
Topics: justification, repentance, grace, self-righteousness, holiness of God, gospel clarity, Pharisees, tax collectors, propitiation, Christian testimony

Over 1.6 billion Google results for "how to find peace" – yet anxiety continues to plague our generation. In this episode, we explore Isaiah 26:3-4 and discover why true peace isn't found through self-help books or better circumstances, but through a steadfast mind fixed on God.
This episode is brought to you by our ministry partner Accountable2You. To join thousands living in Freedom with nothing to hide visit https://accountable2you.com/dialin.
**Use our unique code: DIALIN to get 25% off your first year of an Accountable2You Personal or Family Plan**
KEY TOPICS COVERED:
The difference between happiness and biblical peace
Why God's peace is "shalom shalom" (perfect peace)
How meditation on God's character transforms anxiety
The battle for the mind in the Christian life
Practical steps to experience lasting peace

MAIN SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 26:3-4 "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD himself, is the Rock eternal."
Whether you're facing trials, anxiety, loss, or uncertainty, this conversation reveals how peace isn't something we pursue – it's something we receive when we fix our eyes on God's unchanging character.
To read more on anxiety and what the bible says, read Jonny Ardavanis’ book, Consider the Lilies: Finding Perfect Peace in the Character of God” - https://a.co/d/hYKfnw6

Start 2026 with a life-changing Bible reading plan.
In this video, Jonny Ardavanis will break down two proven Bible reading plans that transformed my walk with God—and can help you stay consistent in Scripture.
📖 What you’ll learn:
• Why daily Bible reading matters
• Robert Murray McShane Plan (4 chapters/day, 15–20 min)
• Grant Horner Plan (10 chapters/day, 30–35 min)
• Best Bible translations (NASB 1995, ESV, LSB)
• Practical tips for building a lasting habit
⏱ Timestamps:
0:00 Why Read the Bible
3:03 Benefits of a Reading Plan
5:03 McShane Plan
7:47 Grant Horner Plan
11:29 Best Translations
12:20 Final Challenge
Why use a Bible reading plan?
• Builds discipline and consistency
• Eliminates decision fatigue
• Helps you read all of Scripture
• Transforms your life through God’s Word
📩 Free Resource: Get the Dial-In devotional delivered 3x/week at DialInMinistries.org
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💬 Comment below: Which Bible reading plan are you using in 2025?
📖 Psalm 119:105 — “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
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Discover how the entire Old Testament points to Jesus Christ in this deep dive into biblical prophecy and the grand narrative of Scripture. From Genesis 3:15 to the prophets, learn how every story anticipates the coming King.
KEY TOPICS COVERED:
The Road to Emmaus encounter (Luke 24) and why it matters
Genesis 3:15 - The first Messianic prophecy
Tracing the "seed" promise through Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Judah
Why First and Second Kings matter in the biblical narrative
How Matthew 1's genealogy connects 42 generations to Jesus
Understanding the Bible as one cohesive story, not isolated books

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Luke 24:13-27 | Genesis 3:15 | Genesis 12, 15, 26, 35, 49 | 2 Samuel 7 | Zechariah 9:9 | Matthew 1
Whether you're struggling through your Bible reading plan or wanting to understand how the Old and New Testaments connect, this episode will transform how you read Scripture. Learn to see Christ in all of Scripture and understand the dramatic storyline from creation to redemption.