Podcast Summary: Christ With Coffee On Ice

Host: Ally Yost
Episode: My friends and family don’t know Jesus
Release Date: September 6, 2024

Overview

In this heartfelt and vulnerable episode, host Ally Yost grapples with a common Christian struggle: loving Jesus passionately while walking alongside friends and family who don’t know, or don’t follow, Christ. With her signature warmth and candid style, Ally explores the challenges, hopes, and responsibilities of living faithfully when those closest to you aren’t on the same spiritual path. The episode weaves together scripture, relatable anecdotes, practical wisdom, and ends with a collective prayer, offering listeners both comfort and a roadmap for loving others well.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Universal Pain of Walking With Jesus Alone

• 00:50–07:20
  Ally acknowledges that nearly every Christian, herself included, has at least one person in their life—often a close friend or family member—who does not share their faith. She reflects on the difficulty of explaining one’s intimate, personal experience of God to those who haven’t felt it themselves.
• “It’s hard to explain to people the intimacy and the reality of who God is when you’ve personally experienced it, but you can’t give them physical proof.” (04:36)

2. The Wind Analogy and the Reality of God

• 07:21–09:50
  She draws an analogy likening belief in God to belief in the wind: both are unseen but their effects are obvious. For many, resistance to faith comes not from lack of evidence but reluctance to pursue or open their heart to God.
• “We can’t physically see the wind, but we can feel it and see the effects... That’s very much like how the Lord is.” (05:16)

3. The Importance of Being ‘Equally Yoked’

• 09:51–16:35
  Ally delves into the biblical principle of being “equally yoked,” usually taught in the context of marriage, but she extends its importance to all close relationships. She emphasizes that when foundations differ, tension and disunity naturally result.
• “It’s wisdom to make sure the people closest to you are equally yoked... Otherwise there’s tension, disruption, anxiousness, pain.” (11:50)
• Explains the literal meaning of a yoke and its spiritual application for alignment in values and priorities.

4. Can People Become Equally Yoked? The Limits of Our Influence

• 16:36–22:10
  She reflects honestly on her own journey, acknowledging that only God can truly change a heart. While our efforts and encouragement can plant seeds, we must resist the temptation to “take matters into our own hands.”
• “People have to choose Jesus on their own... The heart change didn’t happen until I said, okay, God, I actually want to take you seriously.” (18:51)
• “If you step in, you’re getting in my way.”—Ally shares what she feels God has told her about not forcing the process. (20:13)

5. Discerning When to Speak and When to Step Back

• 22:11–27:40
  Ally shares moments of wanting to “do more” to help others find faith but cautions about acting from a place of control rather than Spirit-led discernment.
• Encourages listeners to always bring their interactions with non-believers to God first: “Are you actually telling me to do this, or is it just me?” (23:41)

6. The Unseen Power of Prayer and Persistent Faith

• 27:41–35:00
  A highlight of the episode is Ally’s emotional testimony about how other people’s prayers contributed to her own journey towards faith. She emphasizes not only the necessity—but the tangible power—of persistent, faith-filled prayer for others.
• “I’m living proof that prayer works.” (29:28)
• “Our prayers can’t be empty. We have to believe. We have to say, ‘God, I know you’re capable of doing this…’” (31:34)
• She references biblical stories (Luke 5:17, Job, and the centurion in Matthew 8) highlighting acts of faith for others.

7. Remembering God’s Love and Favor

• 35:01–40:00
  Ally reminds listeners that God’s love is unimaginably deep and that sometimes, because of our relationship and favor with Him, God will move in the lives of those we love.
• “He’s obsessed with you… He was satisfied after creating you.” (36:21)
• “Because of your faith and the favor you have with the Lord, He’s going to say, ‘OK, I will honor you because I love you and you are faithful to me.’” (37:02)

8. Prayer as the Most Productive Action

• 40:01–46:50
  She challenges the human tendency to “do” rather than “pray” and asserts that the most productive, powerful thing a believer can do for a loved one is to bring them continually before God.
• “Truly, praying is actually the most productive thing we can do… We have direct access to our Heavenly Father.” (41:50)
• “All things asked in prayer, the Lord will deliver.” (43:16, referencing Matthew 7:7 and Mark 11:24)

9. Practicing Persistent Prayer Together

• 46:51–52:00
  Ally leads a sincere group prayer for listeners’ friends and family who don’t know Jesus, urging believers to pray with faith and commitment, and to stand in the authority granted by Christ.
• “He’s gonna do it. He’s gonna do it because of your faith. And don’t stop praying.” (51:35)
• “Let’s pray together. Where two or more are gathered, the Lord is there.” (46:51)

10. The Nature of Miracles

• 52:01–56:20
  Ally defines miracles as extraordinary events that only God can perform and celebrates the everyday miracles God does in transforming lives, including her own.
• “A miracle is something that can only be done by God… He loves doing miracles because that's His job.” (55:04)
• Celebrates God as an “on-time God” who delights in doing the impossible.

Notable Quotes & Timestamp Highlights

• “It’s like we can’t physically see the wind…but we can see the effects… That’s very much like how the Lord is.”
  — Ally Yost, 05:16

• “It’s wisdom to make sure the people closest to you are equally yoked… Otherwise there’s tension, disruption, anxiousness, pain.”
  — Ally, 11:50

• “People have to choose Jesus on their own. The heart change didn’t happen until I said, 'Okay, God, I actually want to take you seriously.'”
  — Ally, 18:51

• “I'm living proof that prayer works.”
  — Ally, 29:28

• “Our prayers can’t be empty. We have to believe… God, I know you’re capable of doing this, Abba.”
  — Ally, 31:34

• “He’s obsessed with you… He was satisfied after creating you.”
  — Ally, 36:21

• “Truly, praying is actually the most productive thing we can do because we’re asking our Father.”
  — Ally, 41:50

• “He’s gonna do it because of your faith. And don’t stop praying.”
  — Ally, 51:35

• "A miracle… can only be done by God. That's God's job."
  — Ally, 55:04

Memorable Moments & Authentic Vulnerability

• Ally’s emotional moment realizing that people—strangers and family—were faithfully praying for her salvation before she even believed. (29:28)
• The group prayer segment (46:51–52:00): Listeners are encouraged to name their loved ones and pray aloud in faith.
• Ally’s encouragement to trust God’s timing, even when discouraged:
  • “I don’t have an answer for why… but I know for a fact that the Lord cares and He’s going to do it.” (49:16)
• Joyful celebration of God as miracle-worker and “on-time God,” including a brief impromptu singing. (53:20)

Call to Action

• “Let’s show somebody how cool Jesus is today. Let’s walk like Him, talk like Him, be just like Him.” (56:50)
• Practice persistent prayer, faith, and loving presence—believing transformation is ultimately God’s work.

Summary Table of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Topic/Scripture Highlight | Notable Quote/Content | |-------------|-----------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:50–07:20 | Universal struggle | “It’s hard to explain… when you’ve personally experienced it…” | | 07:21–09:50 | Wind analogy | “We can’t physically see the wind, but we can feel it…” | | 09:51–16:35 | Equally yoked | “It’s wisdom to make sure… equally yoked…” | | 16:36–22:10 | Changing hearts | “People have to choose Jesus on their own.” | | 27:41–35:00 | Power of prayer | “I’m living proof that prayer works.” | | 40:01–46:50 | Prayer as productive action | “Praying is actually the most productive thing…” | | 46:51–52:00 | Group prayer | “Let’s pray together… He’s gonna do it because of your faith.” | | 52:01–56:20 | Miracles defined | “A miracle… can only be done by God.” |

Closing Thoughts

Ally closes with encouragement to “be and believe”—the two simple instructions for every Christian—and invites listeners to tangibly reflect Christ’s love daily. The episode is a blend of honest struggle, practical teaching, and hope rooted in Christ’s power to save, delivered in an encouraging and relatable tone:
“He never gives up on us and He loves us… Be and believe. That’s it.” (56:58)

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

This episode is a reassuring companion and motivational guide for anyone struggling to love, pray for, and wait on God for the salvation of loved ones. Expect encouragement, biblical wisdom, and a real-time invitation to join in faith and prayer for those closest to your heart.