Before Anything Else: You Are Beloved

Many believers know that God loves them, yet few have learned to live from the deep truth of being Beloved. Our host, Donald E Coleman, begins a new series that he believes the Holy Spirit has placed before us with tenderness and purpose.

This series is titled ' Beloved: Becoming Who You Already Are.

 In this first episode, our host Donald E Coleman invites you into a sacred reorientation of identity—one rooted not in performance, success, maturity, or spiritual progress, but in the eternal love of God expressed through Christ.

Drawing from Matthew 3:17 and the insight of Henri Nouwen in Spiritual Direction, we explore how Jesus began His ministry only after hearing the Father speak:
“You are my Beloved; with You I am well pleased.” Before Jesus did anything, He was named. Identity came before action. Belovedness came before calling.

 This episode will help you:

·       Recognize where you may be trying to earn what God has already given

·       Understand the difference between the False Self and the True Self in Christ

·       See how Jesus lived every moment from the foundation of belovedness

·       Begin to rest, breathe, and live from your identity as God’s beloved 

This is not simply a teaching—it is an invitation into Metanoia, a transformation of how you see God, yourself, and your daily life.

If you’ve ever felt pressure to prove yourself, to be enough, or to earn God’s approval—this episode is your reminder of the love that has always been yours.

Come and hear the voice that has been speaking over you since the beginning:

“You are My Beloved.”

This podcast is a production of The Center for Biblical Coaching and Leadership. If this episode has been useful or inspiring to you in any way, please share it with someone else. Lastly, please follow the show and write a review.

If you want to go deeper on this journey, visit www.tcbcl.org to learn how we’re walking this path together through biblical coaching, spiritual formation, and the ROOTED Global Movement.

Transcript

Beloved: Becoming Who You Already Are

Episode Title: Before Anything Else: You Are Beloved
Podcast: Daily Living for Christ with Donald E. Coleman
Release Date: November 15, 2025

Episode Summary

In this opening message of the Beloved series, we explore the foundational truth that shapes the entire spiritual life: We are Beloved before we do anything. Before ministry, before growth, before healing, before purpose—God’s love comes first. Donald guides us through the moment Jesus receives His identity in Matthew 3:17 and how this identity becomes the anchor for everything that follows.

Drawing from Henri Nouwen’s Spiritual Direction (Chapter 3), we reflect on how belovedness is not earned, proven, or achieved. It is given. The journey of the Christian life is learning to live from what is already true.

Key Scripture

“You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”
— Matthew 3:17 (NIV)

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are.”
— 1 John 3:1 (NIV)

Core Teaching Points

• Identity precedes purpose. Jesus is named Beloved before He performs any ministry.
• The enemy attacks identity first (Matthew 4:1–11: “If you are the Son…”).
• We do not become Beloved—we awaken to the belovedness already given.
• The False Self says, “I am what I do.”
  The True Self in Christ says, “I live from who God says I am.”
• The spiritual life is grounded not in effort, but in receiving.

How Jesus Models This Truth

• Jesus receives the identity as Beloved at His baptism (Matthew 3:17).
• Jesus resists temptation not by proving, but by resting in what the Father already said (Matthew 4:1–11).
• Jesus begins ministry from belovedness, not toward it.

Reflection Questions

1. Where have I been trying to earn God’s love or approval?
2. What would it mean to accept that I am already Beloved?
3. Where is the Holy Spirit inviting me to rest instead of striving?

Spiritual Practice for the Week

A simple breath prayer:

Inhale: I am Beloved.
Exhale: I do not need to earn it.

Repeat slowly for 1–3 minutes each day.

Closing Invitation

Next episode, we continue the journey with:

Episode 2 — Chosen: Held in God’s Heart

We will explore what it means not only to be loved by God, but wanted by God.

Connect & Share

If this episode encouraged you:

• Share it with someone who needs to remember they are Beloved.
• Leave a review or rating to support the message.
• Visit tcbcl.org to learn more about the ROOTED journey of transformation.