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Hello, everybody. Welcome to another episode of Christ with Coffee and Ice. I am your host, Ali Yost. It is a joy and honor to be here. I'm just giggling because I'm really filled with joy today, y', all, and I'm so grateful for you. Listen, when I left to record for the studio today, you guys, I was told a lie by the gps, saying, hey, it's going to take you this amount of time. I was like, okay, yeah, that sounds about right. It took 40 minutes longer. So my coffee is a little bit watered down now, but that's okay. There's grace, but it's just funny. I feel like my coffee gets less and less appetizing to even look at. I show you guys, I'm like, it's like, girl, that is watered down. Or like, the last couple of weeks with my protein. Girl, that. Listen, it's all right. We're not even here for that. We're not even here for that. We're here for Jesus. So we have our Christ. We have our Christ. We do have our coffee on barely any ice. And, yeah, I'm just stoked to be here with you guys. How are you? How's everyone doing? I will also acknowledge this is just really exciting. I actually feel like maybe somebody could relate to this. I feel like when I was first. First journeying, bringing my faith to the Internet and, like, kind of combining two of my worlds of, like, work, but then also my literal obsession and love for Jesus and bringing it together, and the thing that I think was kind of hard for me in the beginning and may still be challenging at times is not allowing the numbers and the results and the views and all those things or the following count. Like, not let those things dictate what Jesus is telling me to do. I feel like in the beginning, I had a very strict. Like, none of this matters matters. I'm not going to acknowledge it when we hit milestones. Like, I'm not going to acknowledge these things because that's not what matters. And it's like, yes, but no. Like, I don't know. I felt the Lord actually encouraging me to be like, okay, what I'm telling you is that it should not be your number one, but it can still be something to celebrate, you know, like, as long as I'm not idolizing it and I'm not doing it for those things. But that doesn't mean that it's wrong to still acknowledge them, be excited for them. Because ultimately, like, when we reach milestones in our careers, it doesn't always have to Be like a following count for me. I just did. Internet is my job, so that is how it looks for me. It could look differently for you, but when we hit these milestones and these successes and like, these kind of, like, markers in our lives, I don't think that it's wrong for us to celebrate them and, like, be excited about them. And so I bring that up because I'm about to say that we surpass 100,000 subscribers on YouTube, which is so cool. I got a little plaque in the mail from YouTube and it says, Christ with coffee on ice. Congratulations. Ding. I'll put a little picture here. There it is, guys. That's just cool. And so we're gonna celebrate it. Not because it's the reason that we do it, but it is fruit and, like, a physical representation of what God is doing with this podcast. You know, like, if I was still sitting here with, like, a hundred subscribers after doing it for about two years, you know, we can say, oh, it doesn't matter. But it's like, okay, so it's just cool that the Lord has really shown up on this podcast. I take no glory or credit for that. It is honestly the spirit of God that has even led me to make this podcast and honestly brings me to the studio every day. Like, it's God who pushes me and is like, we're going to do this, girl. I'm like, okay, God. So anyway, I'm just really grateful you guys are those people. I'm excited to see where else the podcast goes, just, you know, in our journey of being a fam and hanging out and. And talking about Jesus and learning about Jesus together. Yeah, this podcast has just meant so much to me because I feel like you guys have also always given me a grace to still navigate and figure things out in my faith too. Like, none of us are coming here being like, we know everything. And I've actually been able to learn a lot from you guys, too. So this community has just been so sweet and special to me. And, yeah, I just wanted to honor y' all and honor the milestone that we just hit. It's so exciting. Yeah. So anyway, I don't really know what we're going to talk about today. No, I do have an idea of what we're going to talk about today. Today I would love to do a similar style episode that we've done in the past where you guys bring up certain topics. I did a pol poll on my Instagram, and I was like, what are some things that you guys would love to hear about? And so maybe we'll touch on some things. Oh, I would love to do this, guys. Can I. Can I have space to just share something that I feel like God is walking me through actively right now in this moment. I don't know if I have the answers, but I would love to, like, see you guys interacting and conversing about this. And if you have felt the Lord walk you through this before, please share a testimony in the comment section if you're on YouTube or any other platform, because I would love to read it. The thing that I feel God is actively walking me through right now is the difference between extending grace to someone and compromising. I feel like the Lord is actually revealing to me that extending grace to somebody doesn't mean that I'm necessarily compromising my own personal convictions or, you know, the things that I felt like, you know, God has actually really solidified in my walk with the Lord. Like, not being so quick to. Being like, I'm gonna set my boundaries, otherwise, I'm compromising. And that doesn't mean that that's the truth. Actually, like, we are supposed to extend grace to people. So anyway, that's, like, literally all I have. I don't know if that even that much speaks to someone, but I feel like God is saying compromise is not the same as extending grace. Like, you don't have to compromise, but you can still extend grace and understanding to a person and also invite change. Like, that doesn't mean that you're necessarily compromising any of your beliefs, but extending grace and being like, okay, but there is opportunity and space for this person to grow. Do you know what I'm saying? Yeah. So anyway, that's something that the Lord is walking me through also. I've been in denial that I don't put walls up when I'm scared of getting hurt. I've been like, no, I'm not. No, I'm not. I'm fearless, and I trust in the Lord with all my heart. I would never put walls up. And then God is like. He's, like, blinking at me. He's like. And I've realized that, oh, sometimes I do. Sometimes I do put walls up because I'm scared. And it's funny because fear can be so, like, buried in. You don't even see it there. You don't even know that that's actually the root. Until the Holy Spirit has to be the one to, like, operate on you. Like, dig it out and be like, yeah, so this is what was in you. You know what I'm saying? Like, I Don't know why, but I get the visual of like a gunshot wound. Sorry if that's graphic, but it's like you can't get it out. You can't fix the problem unless you go in and you like remove the very thing that's like embedded in that wound. Sometimes that bullet is fear and like self protection and wanting to make sure that you're safe. And that can also kind of be prideful thinking that I'm supposed to be the person to protect myself when apparently I trust the Lord though, you know, so he's also been showing me that I am indeed capable of putting walls up. I am. And that's okay. Hey, we're open for rebuke from our dad. But anyway, those are things I'm walking through. Guys, what are you watching? What's the Lord showing you? Okay, we're going to read some right now. Actually, we're going to read some questions that you guys submitted. Let's see, where is the line between seeing God in nature and worshiping nature? That is a really great question. And I feel like my answer to that, this is my initial answer, is I believe that there is a way to appreciate nature and even value it and be like, I need to get out in nature for X, Y, Z. I believe that God has given us nature for that very reason. You know, we have that saying where it's like, go out and touch grass. But isn't it interesting that the minute you actually do touch grass, something changes in your brain and it's just so cool because I feel like that's how intentional. God just knew that he was so intentional when he created us, when he created the earth, when he created everything on the earth. Like he knew that. And so I do believe that nature is to be enjoyed. I do believe that nature is to be appreciated and even needed at times. Like there are so many times where I'm like, I need to go outside and go on a walk and get fresh air and receive some vitamin D from the sun. I need to see trees, I need to smell flowers. Like that's real, you know, And I think it's because those are gifts God has given us to enjoy and like be a part of our lives. And so I don't think it's wrong to need those things things because God has created all of it for us. It's to be enjoyed. But I think the difference and that line of like appreciating nature and worshiping it is believing that nature has something to give that only God can give. You're putting it in a place or a pedestal of, like, if I do this with this stone in my pocket, XYZ will happen. I think it's the minute that we start looking at nature as if it is our own God, like, we can receive things from it that only God can give, I think that would be the ultimate indicator. It's like, am I going to nature and, like, depending on it and believing that it can actually give me things or fix things in my heart and my soul? Do I believe that when I go out in nature or. Or I have certain stones hanging on my necklace that it will actually deliver me from things in my life or fears or whatever? I think that's the line is like, believing that nature can do things for you that only God can do and only God can be God, you know? So that's a great question. I've never been asked that before. But I don't think that there's any guilt for, like, needing to be out in nature and experiencing it and appreciating it, because, like I said, I believe it's a gift that the Lord has given us to enjoy. How do you keep being constant every day in your faith? I love that question, and I would love to answer it honestly with you guys, as I would love to answer every question honestly. I want to say that I am constant. I'm consistent in my faith every day. But also I want to say that I'm not. I know that you guys see a lot of my faith online. Granted, that is only, like, a sliver of my faith and my experience with God. I try to spend more time with God offline, not in front of audiences or people than I do online. Like, actually, a lot more is my goal. I don't ever want to talk more about Jesus than I actually am spending time with Him. So that's just how I believe I'm even honoring you guys. Well, is like, it just doesn't feel honest to come on here and talk all about Jesus and the goodness of him and how we're supposed to trust him and love him him and lean on him and, you know, have a childlike faith with Him. And then I'm not actually actively practicing that in my life, but, like, a lot more in my life than when I sit here on the couch with you guys. Right? So I do believe that actually a majority of my life is so consumed in Jesus. But there are days where I probably am not the best Christian. There are days where I don't read my Bible at all. There are days where I Don't prioritize Jesus in my day, hardly at all. Or I get to the end of my day and I realize that I did not hardly acknowledge him at all. Like, like that is the truth of my journey with the Lord is I'm so imperfect and I am just as human. And so is it a goal of mine to be consistent with Jesus every single day? Yes, and I do believe most times I am. But I think that there is a place of grace that we can have for ourselves, that if we didn't show up for God the way that we probably would have liked to or wanted to, it's okay, because he has grace for that. And sometimes our journeys, especially with God and in our faith, is not like linear. It's not just a straight shot up. And, and so I think as long as you're making it a goal to be consistent with Jesus every day, but still like extending grace to yourself, if maybe you can't show up and be the best that day, there's just grace for it. But I think no matter what, we should make it a goal to prioritize Jesus every day and stay in our faith. And I think that is simply just creating new habits in your routine. And for me, I've had to kind of slowly trickle that. I don't think the overnight thing has ever been really effective for me because whenever I've tried to change my lifestyle completely overnight, I fail at it and I get tired and I get burnt out. And so I think if this is something that's hard for you to just slowly implement and bring in new habits for your everyday, that has to do with Jesus. And so for me, in the beginning it was reading my Bible, but it actually more than reading my Bible, I was like just sitting in the secret place, closing the door behind me in my closet, in my prayer closet and having my, my Bible in there for sure. Having my journal in there and just praying and having soaking music on. And that was prob. Probably the first major habit that I started for myself every single day and then implementing more scripture as well. Like I was still reading my Bible, but I don't know if every single time I was getting into the secret place, I was opening my Bible. And that's just me being honest. So I think taking it at the pace that you feel is natural for you and the Lord and also just extending grace to yourself, it may not look perfect every day, it might not. I really hope you guys know that about me too, that it's, it's not perfect for me every day either. And, like, we're in this together. We're in this, and we're all trying to be the best that we can for the Lord. But there is his grace that if we fall short, sometimes it's okay. What are foods that you eat? Recently, food has been a big concern. Okay. So I wonder if it's because she feels convicted maybe about the food that she's eating. Well, I will say this is another thing. God is so kind. Like, I think the Lord knows that overnight transformation is just setting his children up for failure. And so, for me, it's funny. My food journey started off with me making sure that I was preparing three meals a day for myself and that I made it a goal to do it from home. And so, typically, when you're making food from home, I think it's a bit easier to make sure that it's healthy. I think sometimes, like, as we're, like, ordering food or takeout or doordash or whatever, the odds are that it's probably not as healthy as if you were to have made it from home. And so, Ashley Hetherington, I'm gonna plug my best friend here because I love her. She has been such a huge influence and impact in my life personally. She may have also been for you guys, too. I know that there are some of y' all listening where she has also impacted your lives as well. But with my eating habits and, like, I think I just needed to. I needed easy recipes that were healthy. I think that's where I needed to start, was like, I was not going to put all this pressure on myself that I was going to become this big, crazy chef, but I could start preparing meals for myself from home that maybe only take 10 to 15 minutes. You know, it doesn't take that much time, but it's healthy. And so finding recipes that are healthy but not intimidating, because the kindest thing Ashley did just through this process was she was like, okay, so what is the thing that's holding you back from preparing healthy meals for yourself? And I was like, it's just too many steps. Like, it's just too many steps. You know, like, you look at a healthy recipe typically, and it's like, you have to have all these different spices and all these different condiments and all of these different ingredients. And the next thing you know, you're like, when am I ever going to use these ingredients ever again? I don't know. It's just, like, really intimidating for me. Anytime I would try to make a healthy meal, I was like, geez, this Feels like. Like I'm putting together the biggest puzzle right now. And so she was like, I think what you need is you just need a really simple recipe. And there are simple recipes out there, y'. All. There are. And that was something that the Lord has really helped to debunk, is there are simple recipes that do not take long that are healthy. Like, it doesn't mean that we have to compromise the things that we're putting in our bodies. And so, for me, I won't say that I'm, like, super perfect at this. Like, I'm still ordering Chick Fil A from time to time, and I do love it, and I'm still having my French fries and things like that. But for the most part, I actually eat a lot healthier now. And it's changed the way that I operate through my days. It's made a huge, huge impact on the way that I feel and even the way that I show up every day. And so I am grateful for the journey, but it was a bit of a process of, like, weeding out all of these things that I thought were the truth and learning the truth of how I'm supposed to steward my body with healthy foods. And a lot of it has to do with just, like, eating organic and just making sure that ingredients are clean and there are few ingredients. Like, I'm looking. I'm actually looking at the labels, and I'm like, okay, these words too many, and I don't know what they are. It's probably not that clean. And I know that there are apps and there are actually resources out there where you can scan things as you're at, you know, the grocery store and stuff like that. Yeah. I just think, like, debunking that lie that you can't make simple, simple, quick recipes. Also meal prepping. Like, you could cook something and then you could eat it for the next three days. It's actually not that hard. There was a version of me before when I would hear that, and I'd be like, this is literally the worst. Like, I don't want to do this. That sounds like so much work. And then I do it, and I'm like, wait, that wasn't even that hard. You know, so sometimes I think it also is, like, pushing yourself to just do it. And then once you're doing it, you're like, wait, this isn't even that bad. You know, I feel like sometimes we can anticipate things to be a lot worse than they actually are until we do it. And it's been so healing for Me, y'. All. Like, I'm really grateful for the way that the Lord just revealed the truth of how I was seeing food and how I was seeing my body, you know, and like, yes, our bodies can take a lot, but we shouldn't look at them and be like, I mean, that stuff eventually catches up to you and it's just not good for you and your body. And there's so many alternatives, like healthy alternatives. If there are things that you still enjoy, it doesn't mean you have to stop eating it, but just enjoying things that have better ingredients and are just healthier for you. Like more organic, less processed. That's been my biggest thing is like less processed foods, processed garbage, and eating things that are like, really from the ground. And I think that also speaks volumes to God's heart. Like, he gave us everything that we needed and the things that are organic and the things that come from the ground and the things that come from, you know, animals and livestock. Like, he. He's given us everything that we need. And so all this processed stuff is just man made and it's not actually a necessity. And again, I don't even know if homegirl's talking about processed stuff, but when I think about, you know, like, what foods do we eat? What should we eat? You know, and she said this becoming a concern, that's my honest feedback. I don't know if it was helpful for anyone, but I think if this is something that you feel convict, just seek the Lord's wisdom and be like, okay, God, how do you want me to approach this and at what pace? Because I want it to be successful and I want it to stick. You know, I don't want this to be another phase where I'm like, I'm gonna eat healthy and then, you know, you fall off. Because we've all been there. You guys should really check out Ashley's YouTube and like her socials because she shares really easy recipes, even smoothies. Like, stuff that's just like, so easy, but so healthy. Yeah, it's changed my life. It's changed my life. Eating healthy fear. How do you handle situations in times where you don't feel God's presence? I really like that. I really like that. I think it depends on the situation that you're in, obviously. But I will speak to a situation that I was in just yesterday where I felt I was literally drowning in a situation. I was drowning in my feelings. I did not feel God at all. And I knew in my head that him being far away was not the truth. I'M like, I know he's near, but I don't feel him. I felt very alone in deciding what I should do. And so what I do in those situations, no matter how painful, like, you guys, you know the feeling of how painful it is when you have to, like, deny your flesh? It hurts so bad. Like, it literally stings. It feels like God is pouring rubbing alcohol on a boo boo. Like, I. I just. It's so painful to resist your flesh because all we want to do is cave into it. But if I'm ever in a situation and I don't feel the presence of God, and I know that it's probably because, I don't know, there could be a wall or there could be a barri barrier that I've created, or I could be believing lies. Like, I could be believing things in my head and I'm not actually true. Like, I can't hear him because everything else is so loud. As much as I would like to just sulk in that or even wait for it to go by, like, I think it's also super common for us. I mean, I'll speak for myself. Sometimes I'm like, I'm just gonna ride this out. I'm just gonna wait till it's over. And sometimes that's not always wise to just, like, sit in it and be like, I'm just gonna wait for it to pass. And you don't invite God into it at all. Something that I like to do in those moments is like, okay, what are things that I know I can do right now, now, that would help me feel the presence of God more? Because it's not that God is any further away, but when we don't feel the presence of God, it's because there's a lack of awareness of his presence. Not that there's actually a lack of his presence. So what are some things that you could do in those situations to bring more awareness of his holy spirit? For me, y', all, it's legitimately putting on worship music and praying to him out loud. Even if I don't physically want to. Even if it's so hard for me to press my finger on that remote and put worship music on my tv. It sounds so dramatic, but it's true. Like, sometimes I'm like, no, I don't even want to put worship music on. I don't want to pray. I don't want to talk out loud to him about this. Like, I just feel really far and I don't feel Him. And I'm confused, and I'm overwhelmed. That is real. But you have to push through that moment and do whatever you think you need or whatever you've seen work in your past that has been able to bring you back to that awareness of his presence and kind of bring you back to Earth, you know, I mean, obviously God is more than a feeling, and sometimes we don't always feel his presence. But if you're in a situation where you're like, no, God, I actually need to feel your presence. I need to feel you. I need to hear you. I need to know that you're near to me right now. Like, if that's the situation, do the very things that you know help bring your awareness back to his spirit. Does that make sense? That's what I've had to do. And it's crazy, y', all, because the minute I started praying and I. I was honest with God out loud about what I was feeling, whether it was scared or confused or like, you know, God, I feel like I got to make this big decision or whatever it is, bring those honest feelings to him. Because the minute I said the word, I meant to. I was mad, okay? I was mad kind of at God. Low key, okay? And I hated that. I was mad at God. I hated it. I hated that I was upset with him. I don't ever want to be mad at God because He literally doesn't deserve it. He doesn't ever deserve for us to be angry with him, because at the end of the day, like, he is a good father and he only does things that are good. So for me to be mad at him was like being mad at an innocent man who's only loved me and cared about me, you know? But I was. I was mad, but I wasn't willing to, like, say that out loud. I was like, I'm just, like, irritated. I'm just kind of frustrated. Like, you know, I'm just this or that. Like, I would find kind of, like a softer way of saying that. Instead of just being so upfront with God and being like, God, I'm really mad right now. I'm mad, and I don't understand why you're allowing this thing. And because I wasn't willing to be straight up with him, I was in that situation of not really feeling super close to him. I was not feeling his presence. So it was funny because once I unlocked that, I was honest out loud and I said, I'm mad, God, I'm mad. I just broke, like, whatever that garbage was that was keeping me far away from him and making me feel as if he was not near to me, had broken off. And, yeah, the more I prayed, the more peace I received and the more of his spirit I felt all around me, comforting me. I put on the worship music, and I was like, wait, this is what life is all about. It's about Jesus. It's about his love and his peace. Like, I don't need to be mad, but. But if you are mad, you got to just say it, you know, because it's like it goes back to that scripture where God's like, he knows what's in your heart. And so he knew I was mad, but he also was like, girl, you're not just saying the word. Say the word mad. Say that you're mad. So, anyway, that turned into a little tangent, but I hope that that helped at least a little bit. Guys, how are we doing? Are we hanging in there? Okay. What do you do when your Christian friends think you're too Christian? There's no such thing as being too Christian. Maybe there's such thing as being too religious. Religious, but I don't think there's any such thing as being too Christian. Like, too obsessed with God. Like, there's no such thing. I think any Christian who thinks that you are too Christian is probably just projecting and feeling really convicted in the way that you decide to live your life, and they just simply don't. If they don't want to think about Jesus and consider him in every aspect of their life, that's fine. But that doesn't mean that you're the problem. Like, just because you're convicting them of that by the way that you live doesn't mean that you are the problem. I don't think there's anything that can be unhealthy about wanting Jesus to be in every part of your life, like, every part of your life. There is no such thing as being too in love with God because he was so in love with you to die for you. People could have argued maybe that was too much. People could have argued that the way that Jesus died for you and the excruciating pain that he had to go through and the torture. A lot of people could have been like, that is too much. Like, you don't need to do all that for them. But he did. And so I don't think there was. There's too much love, too much honor, like, too much fear of God. Like, there's no such thing as too much. Like, he gave you everything. God gave his one and only beloved and perfect son. And that son decided, said, I will actually. It's like, I will do it. I will go through this torture and agony and physical and spiritual and mental pain because that's how much I love you. He chose to do this, that God did that, and he didn't have to. So I don't think there's such thing as being too Christian or too in love or too dedicated to Christ. Oh, my gosh, there's no such thing. There's no one in your life that's ever been more dedicated to you than Jesus. I mean, Jesus was so dedicated to you and loving you so much that he died for you. So, yeah, no, we just rebuke that. And I really pray that you can continue to be an example for these people in your life. And we don't need to combat them. We don't need to fight with them. You don't need to prove anything. You can just keep living the life that you're living, being so infatuated and in love with Jesus and pray for them. And I. And I. I believe it'll soften their hearts and. And. And they will be open to that conviction and be like, okay, wait, why does it bother me so much that she is so obsessed with Jesus? Like, that's such a good thing to be so dedicated to. Out of all the things in the world, like, that is the thing we should be the most dedicated to. So then why is that a problem? Like, it just seems a little silly when you break it down that much. Like, it's a problem that she's that dedicated to Jesus. Like, the man who saved the world. World. Yeah. So, anyway, hey, I'm proud of you. I'm proud of you for being too Christian. That's what we're here about, y'. All. We're here to be the Jesus freaks. We're here to be the ones that look really, really weird. Because unfortunately, I do believe that there is a Christianity out there that is just so, like, culturally normalized of, like, you know, you can dabble in this and dabble in that and, you know, proclaim Jesus as your Lord and Savior, but then do this over here. Like, it's so normal. Right now, that is a stronghold that the enemy has had in the church is being like, yeah, I mean, you can love Jesus enough and not, like, love Jesus with all of your heart, mind, and soul. Like, the two most important commandments are what? To love God with all of your heart and mind and soul, and then to love your neighbor as you love yourself. The first commandment is to literally love and adore God with all of your heart. Unfortunately, I just feel like there's a lot of Christianity that's like, I'll love him with most of my heart. I'll love him with like a lot of my heart. What do you mean? Yeah, girl, there, there is no guilt in loving God with all your heart. You're actually doing it the right way. That was our original design, actually. Like, that is how we were created, is to love God with all of our heart because he loves us with all of his. That was supposed to be our love story with God. And for a lot of us it is. There are still people that do love God with all of their heart. But don't let that make you feel like you're over the top when you're surrounded by other people who don't understand that and aren't willing to give God all of their hearts. Heart. How do I believe that God will remove me from sin? I love that question. You have to have faith that God is capable of delivering you from sin. Yes, we have to have faith in that. I don't know what kind of sin this is. Like, if these are habits or addictions or whatever. I do believe that God can radically deliver us from these things. But also there is a decision that we have to make in it. It's not like God just. We're a puppet and God just like overtakes our body and now we just don't sin anymore. We don't partake in that sin. There is free will that is still a part of that where you have to also make the choice. And then from that, God will give you the supernatural power to support you in that decision that you've made, to hold you accountable and say, we are not touching this anymore. I believe that's where conviction happens, like, and you'll feel it in your spirit. There are sinful things that I getting drunk, like drinking, you know, I have been delivered from that. But that doesn't mean that I don't still have to actively make the choice every single day to not do those things anymore. Like, when there is alcohol in an environment that I'm at, if I'm at like a brand event or something and they're serving all this liquor. Like, it does take a level of self control, which is a fruit of the spirit. So it comes from the Holy Spirit. We can't do it on our own. But there is a level of self control that has to partner with free will and making the decision and saying, I'm not doing that. And if there's ever a moment to be tempted to do sinful things or things that we know that the Lord has delivered us from, just like tapping into his spirit and. And the power of the Holy Spirit and tapping into God and being like, lord, I need you right now. Keep me grounded, Keep me far from this sin. Lord, you've delivered me from this. And I believe it has not been a part of my lifestyle. I need your strength. This is not a strength that we get from within ourselves, you know? And so, yes, you should believe that God will remove you from sin, but also understanding that it is a decision that you have to make to say, I am no longer doing this anymore. So, God, I need you to be my partner in this and help me supernaturally never want to touch this thing ever again. And the best way to believe that God can deliver you from sin is looking at what God has done up until now, not only in your life, but like in other people's lives. Like testimonies and stories in the Bible of how God has delivered people from pain and suffering and sin and believing that he can do that, he can do that. So maybe even reminding yourself of, like, are there things in your past that you know God has delivered you from? And so it's good to remember those things and believe that he is that same God and He can partner with you in these things. Like, if you're like, I want change, God, I don't want to do this anymore. He will carry that with you. Like, he will support you, support you in that, and he will give you the strength that you need to make those changes, and he will deliver you from it. How to be on fire for the Lord but not legalistic. I love this question. Yeah, I think that's so. Oh, that's such a good question. I hope that I can actually answer it. I feel like the very thing that can keep you on fire for the Lord, but not legalistic, is keeping that childlike faith that God encourages so much. Because children don't think legalistically, but there is a fight, fear, you know, like, there's. There's an innocence and there is a lot of faith that children can have. You know, we've talked about this before, but, like, even when you're a child and you just, like, trust your parents will provide and, you know, there's just like, no worry, there's no doubt, there's no fear of the future. So I think the best. I don't know. I actually would love to hear Yalls feedback in the comment section too. If this is Some experience that you've had. Maybe the best thing that could combat that legalistic temptation or mentality is childlike, like, faith and approaching everything in a sense of, like, innocence of a child and just believing and having fun with the Lord. I think you can do all of those things while being on fire for him, like being curious and having fun and enjoying enjoying your relationship with Jesus, enjoying the journey, enjoying the things that he's walking you through or trying to teach you, enjoying his company. That is why God says to be like a child, like, to have child, like faith, so that things don't get legalistic and they don't get super serious. And there's still, like, freedom and fluidity in our relationships with God, while also obviously prioritizing the very things that are so needed, like the word of God and the things that God says. And I think his spirit can also help us with that, too. Kind of like what I was sharing at the beginning of this episode where I was like, you can still extend grace without compromising. And I think sometimes if we're too stuck on being like, trust, no, it has to be this way. I'm not compromising. It can feel a little legalistic. But it was the spirit of God that was like, hey, girl, you got to loosen up a little bit, all right? I'm not telling you to compromise, okay? I'm not telling you to settle on anything. I love that you feel so heavy about the convictions that you feel from me. And those are real. You're not supposed to regret them. But also have a little grace. Have a little grace, you know, don't be so uptight. Yeah. I think God can also reveal to you, too. Like, if you're being too legalistic, he can show you that he can be like, hey, we need to back up a lot, little bit. And I think that all comes from experience and walking with the Lord and letting him reveal those things. This question is so sweet. I don't know if it actually has anything to do with Jesus. Yes, it does. Everything has to do with Jesus. It says, is it okay to be emotional for every little thing? I think it's okay to have emotions for every little thing. Yes, I think it is okay to be emotional. I think it is okay that a lot of things mean a lot to you. This feels like I'm just, like, being a big sister, which I can totally do right now. But, yes, it's okay to be emotional. Emotional. Now, one thing that the Bible does say is we are not to trust. I don't think we're supposed to trust our emotions and, like, put our emotions or our feelings in a place of dependency that we should only be doing with Jesus. Like, I don't know if we should always trust our emotions. They are always a good indicator of something, though. And God did create emotions. He let us have emotions for a reason. Reason. And I think that emotions are actually very good. But sometimes if we're a little too lenient, if we're a little too dependent on them, is maybe when it can be a little bit dangerous. But I don't think emotions are bad. I actually think that's what makes us very human. And I know that the Lord has emotions about every little thing because everything means so much to him. And I know he has emotions about every little thing. So, yeah, it's not a bad thing. I don't know what you're referring to, but it is okay to have feelings. It's okay to have emotions, no matter how big or small it feels, because the Lord has given you those emotions to experience and feel, and there's no shame in them. All right, y', all, let's do one more. What do you think about praying to saints? I believe that the only thing we should be praying to is God. I think that Jesus died for us so that he can be the cornerstone between humanity and God himself. And Jesus is God, the Trinity. Right? We've talked about that on the podcast a few episodes ago. Three persons, all one God. God. So we're not praying to separate gods. We are praying to God. Whether you're in communication with the Holy Spirit or you're in conversation with Jesus, or you're speaking to Abba, Father, it's all God. And so I do not believe that we are ever supposed to pray to or seek. This kind of goes back to, like, nature, too. But if there's anything that we are seeking for in anyone else or anything else that honestly we should just be directly going to Jesus about, that is what Jesus is for. He's for so many things, you guys. But, like, without Jesus, there would be no way to the Father. It says in scripture that you can only reach the Father through the Son. And so it doesn't seem productive to use these other things like praying to saints or praying to Mary. Like, I know that there are other religions out there that believe that those are very important things in their faith. And I'm never going to tell anyone to not do that, because who am I? But I will say that Jesus died to be that cornerstone, and he's all we need to reach The Father, that we are so loved. We have direct relationship with Abba, Father, because of Jesus Christ dying on the cross for us, like, and leaving the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, like, that is all God has given us more than we need with the Trinity. And so I don't pray to saints. I don't pray to anyone else, like, unless other than God himself. And I believe that I can reach the Father through His Son, Jesus Christ. And as long as I believe that Jesus died for me on the cross for my sins, and I believe that he is the cornerstone, I have a direct relationship with God. And I do. I know I do. I do. I have a direct relationship with the Trinity, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and the Father, and that's all I need. Yeah, I know that that can be kind of a hard topic and there might be people listening who don't agree, and that's okay. I love you so much. I love you so much. And that's ok. Okay. But the question was asked and I was going to answer it honestly, and that is my honest response, is that I just go directly to God. And I believe that that is available for every single one of us through the Son of Jesus. Like, we can go right to God. We don't need to go through other things to relay the message to Him. It's like we can go straight to the Creator himself. Now, because of Jesus, that was not always the case, y'. All. Like, it wasn't always the case that we could just go straight to God, but now we can can because of Jesus. It just doesn't feel very productive if it's, like, already available to you through Jesus. On that note, I love you guys and I adore you so much. Thanks for hanging out with me today. I hope that this was fruitful. I hope that we learned something. I don't know. I know it was kind of random, but I also love just, like, inviting you guys in on conversations and whatever is weighing on your heart I think is always really fun to just do with you guys. So I love you and I hope that you guys have a great rest of your week. I hope you have a great weekend. Until the next time we touch base. Guys, can we do something cool today? Can we show somebody how cool Jesus is? Can we walk more like him, talk more like him, be more like him? I think that would be a really great goal for us to set. Let's just be the light. Be the light that only Jesus can give us. I love y'. All. I'm proud of you. And I will see you next week. Bye. Are some of y' all still listening? Okay, if you're still here, that means you're a real one, which is why I'm about to share this with you. If you've already caught up on all the episodes so far and you don't want to wait until next Friday for a new one, I have really good news for you. Subscribe to our Patreon to get early access to the episodes every week, early access to merch launches or any other exciting news, and receive personalized encouraging messages or Bible verses from us. 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