Podcast Summary: Christ With Coffee On Ice
Episode: “God Honors What Is Done in Secret”
Host: Ally Yost
Date: October 31, 2025
Overview
In this heartfelt and candid solo episode, Ally Yost explores the biblical truth that God honors obedience, faithfulness, and acts of devotion that are done in secret, away from the world’s eyes. She reflects on the tension between our culture’s obsession with visibility—especially in the age of social media—and the value God places on what is unseen. Through Scripture, personal reflection, and practical examples, Ally encourages listeners to pursue authentic intimacy with Jesus that is rooted in private, hidden moments. The tone is vulnerable, warm, and deeply encouraging.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Opening Thoughts and Prayer (00:00–02:30)
- Ally opens with her signature greeting and shares a lighthearted moment, imagining listeners echoing her intro in their cars.
- She prays, thanking God for daily breakthroughs, His faithfulness in both valleys and mountaintops, the protective blood of Jesus, and pleads for God’s presence and glory in the episode.
“You are such a faithful God. And I thank you that in the times we are in the valleys, you are with us… but also with the valley means that there is another mountaintop.” — Ally (01:14)
- She expresses gratitude and excitement for diving into a conversation about obedience, especially the hidden kind.
2. The Value of Hidden Obedience (02:31–07:12)
- Ally wants to focus on “the obedience that it takes with Jesus that nobody sees” and how God truly honors the hidden.
- She shares a quote from Julian Adams:
“When no one else claps, heaven still sees you… In a world obsessed with visibility, God honors the hidden. That kind of faith builds roots and not platforms. And roots are what sustain revival... You’re not forgotten in the waiting, you’re being formed in it. Keep sowing. The fruit always comes.” — quoted by Ally (03:10)
- Reflects on the tension between sharing faith publicly (especially online) and keeping a private walk with God.
- Emphasizes that the most meaningful parts of her relationship with Jesus are not visible to followers or the public.
“A majority of our relationship and the things that we do for God and with God should be personal and it shouldn’t always be on display." — Ally (04:28)
3. Scripture and Kingdom Perspective (07:13–10:00)
- Discusses Matthew 6:6: “Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”
“God sees everything. And so the small, unseen acts of faithfulness… are noticed by Him, even if no one else acknowledges them.” — Ally (07:35)
- Highlights the ease with which social media can distort our motives for sharing what God is doing in our lives.
- Stresses that outward acts are less valuable to God than sincerity and devotion done for Him alone.
4. Intimacy and Sincerity: The Secret Place (10:01–13:00)
- Connects hidden obedience to true intimacy with Jesus, noting how a performative faith is not the kind Jesus desires.
"A relationship with Him is most real when it’s not about impressing others. The secret place is where intimacy with Jesus deepens, and He honors that quiet faithfulness." — Ally (10:44)
- Reflects on the sobering words of Jesus: “Depart from me, I never knew you,” explaining that a lack of intimacy—not public declarations—is what truly separates people from God.
“We were never friends. You never actually got into the secret place with me. You never allowed me into your heart.” — Ally, on what Jesus might say (11:44)
- Encourages listeners to cultivate a relationship with God that is real, vulnerable, and not based on external appearance.
5. Eternal Treasures vs. Temporary Rewards (14:29–16:30)
- Affirms that what’s done quietly, fueled by love for Christ, carries eternal weight, while outward reward is fleeting.
"A simple, unseen act of kindness fueled by love for Christ carries eternal weight." — Ally (14:40)
- Reminds that hidden seasons of spiritual growth shape what’s revealed publicly, and that authentic transformation happens in secret with Jesus.
“What’s hidden shapes what’s revealed… It’s the hidden times with Jesus that actually shapes what we look like, what’s revealed.” — Ally (16:07)
6. Transformation Comes from Wanting Jesus Above All Else (16:31–21:22)
- Ally testifies to her own spiritual growth, noting how her private pursuit of Jesus changed her far more than her public ministry or podcasting.
- Encourages listeners that the desire for Jesus, above all else, leads to the most profound inward and outward transformation.
"If you just look at Jesus and all you want is Jesus, the next thing you know, you’re going to turn around, you’re going to be a completely different person." — Ally (20:22)
- Admits she didn’t always know what needed to change, but by focusing on Him, God revealed, refined, and matured her in unexpected ways.
7. The Challenge of Mixed Motives & Hope for Growth (21:23–24:44)
- Acknowledges the struggle in caring more about people’s opinions or external achievements than about God.
- Offers hope: recognizing the problem and wanting change is a sign of a soft, not hardened, heart.
“If it makes you sick and you’re like, no, I know that this has to change in my life and you’re frustrated by that, I want you to know that you will be healed in Jesus’ name.” — Ally (22:32)
- Reassures listeners that God is pleased with their desire for change and their soft-heartedness, and He’s actively at work in them.
8. Practical Examples of Hidden Devotion (24:45–32:25)
Ally provides vivid, actionable ways to practice hidden faithfulness:
- Praying for others (even strangers) without recognition
“This could be as simple as praying for somebody who will never know that you prayed for them.” (24:49)
- Bringing struggles and vulnerabilities to God before others
"We can't put other people and their wisdom above what God could say." (27:35)
- Interceding instead of giving into distraction or laziness
“Our flesh is so weak. It’s honestly annoying... But as soon as I get into it, it’s crazy the way that the Spirit just starts flowing.” (29:45)
- Choosing honesty even when you could ‘get away’ with a lie
“I care about what He thinks, and… even though I could probably get away with it, I can’t really get away with it with Him, and I want to please Him.” (30:22)
- Forgiving quietly, releasing grudges even when not acknowledged
"...God sees that heart change, even when people can’t witness it." (32:22)
- Serving in unnoticed ways (e.g., setting up at church, anonymous encouragement, generosity without thanks)
“Jesus said when we give in secret, the Father sees and rewards it.” (Matthew 6:3-4, referenced at 32:44)
- Private surrender: laying down dreams, fears, desires before God alone
“These hidden exchanges become treasures of intimacy between you and Him.” (33:12)
9. Main Takeaway & Encouragement (33:13–34:07)
- The “hidden place” is where our spiritual roots grow deep; others will see the fruit, but Jesus now sees the root.
"The hidden place is where your roots grow deep in Christ. Others might only see the fruit later, but Jesus sees and honors the unseen root now." — Ally (33:35)
- Closes with an exhortation to “show someone how cool Jesus is today” through Christlike actions, publicly or privately.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On what motivates hidden obedience:
“If these people weren’t around, would I still be just as satisfied and happy to do it?” — Ally (07:55)
- On eternal vs. fleeting rewards:
“The praise of man is so fleeting… but the things that we do for God in obedience, whether it’s in the public eye or it's in secret, that's eternal.” — Ally (16:00)
- On hope for those struggling with people-pleasing:
“Recognizing that you don’t want to care more about others’ opinions than God’s: that’s a soft heart, and God’s working in you.” — Ally (22:40)
- On private honesty:
“I care about what He thinks… I want to please Him and I want to make Him proud.” — Ally (30:24)
- On the Father’s delight in secret faithfulness:
“He sees the heart, the prayers, the sacrifices, the obedience that nobody else sees. And He values them deeply, sometimes even more than visible acts of faith.” — Ally (23:50)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 00:00–02:30 — Intro, humor, and opening prayer
- 03:10–05:40 — Julian Adams quote and meditation on hidden obedience
- 07:13–08:32 — Matthew 6:6, God’s reward for the unseen
- 10:01–11:44 — The secret place and realness with Jesus
- 14:29–16:30 — Treasures in heaven; eternal impact of the hidden
- 24:45–32:25 — Practical examples of secret faithfulness
- 33:13–34:07 — Main takeaway and words of encouragement
Tone and Language
Ally is transparent, vulnerable, and wise, blending warmth and humor (e.g., “That is so funny. I’m obsessed with you guys.” at 00:41) with deep spiritual insight. Her language is accessible and relatable while grounded in biblical truth.
Final Encouragement
Ally concludes by urging listeners to embody Jesus in their daily lives, whether seen or unseen, and reminds them how deeply God values and rewards what is done for Him in secret.“The Lord is so proud of you guys. I’m so proud of y’all.” (33:48)
For those who missed the episode:
This conversation is a gentle but powerful call to pursue a sincere, private relationship with Jesus, finding joy and reward in what only God sees, rather than the fleeting affirmation of people.