Christ With Coffee On Ice – Episode Summary

Podcast: Christ With Coffee On Ice
Host: Ally Yost
Episode: ten things the Lord taught me this year
Date: December 27, 2024

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt and intimate solo episode, Ally Yost shares ten important lessons God has taught her through 2024. The episode is filled with Ally’s characteristic vulnerability, hope, and encouragement, weaving together stories of personal growth, spiritual insight, and practical wisdom gleaned from scripture and daily life. Ally invites listeners to reflect with her as a “fam,” encouraging everyone to look for God’s faithfulness over the past year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Don’t Ever Say No to God

• Lesson: God sees so much more than we do, and saying ‘no’ to His plan is both futile and short-sighted.
• Story: Ally never thought she’d move back to L.A., believing it to be “spiritually dead and dry,” but now recognizes God’s strategy and purpose in moving her — and the incredible community of believers she discovered there.
• Quote:

  “Don’t ever say no to the Lord, because you don’t really know. The things that we swear we will never go back to or do, God walks us right through that and says, ‘Actually, I have a different plan.’” (10:09)

2. Beauty Exists Outside Your Comfort Zone

• Lesson: Growth happens when you step out in faith.
• Story: Overcame ten years of insecurity to sing in front of others in a ministry context, despite past criticism and feelings of unworthiness.
• Quote:

  “There’s actually so much beauty outside of your comfort zone… It really forced me to lock eyes with Jesus, like, so desperately.” (18:02)

3. Radical Dependence on God for Provision

• Lesson: True satisfaction and provision come from Jesus, not material success.
• Story: After becoming a devoted Christian, Ally lost lucrative influencer deals but found deeper joy and peace, learning to trust God with her finances.
• Quote:

  “Being in the world, it can be like that. The enemy can give you anything physical, but he can’t provide you internally what the Lord can provide us internally… I have to have faith in Him, even with my finances.” (27:06)

4. Prioritizing Wellness and Caring for the Body

• Lesson: Our bodies matter as vessels for God’s purpose.
• Story: Inspired by friend Ashley Hetherington, Ally reformed her relationship with food and health, learning to fuel her body with care and intention.
• Quote:

  “There are things it needs. Like, I can’t live off of gnocchi for the whole day… Our bodies communicate to us every day. These [bodies] are very important.” (34:30)

5. Embracing Innate Beauty—With and Without Makeup

• Lesson: True beauty comes from God, not cosmetics or external validation.
• Story: Transitioned from makeup artist needing validation to embracing her makeup-free self; later found a healthier, balanced approach to makeup as an enhancement, not a mask.
• Quote:

  “I am beautiful with and without makeup… He showed me that I was beautiful without makeup.” (39:18)

6. Don’t Put Your Identity in Things—Put It in Christ

• Ally reflects on the absurdity of finding identity in objects (like makeup) when only God truly sees, hears, and defines us.
• Quote:

  “Isn’t it funny that it’s so easy for us to find our identity in things that can’t hear or see us… But then it’s controversial to take our identity in the One who created us?” (46:02)

7. Love Everyone, But Don’t Trust Everyone

• Lesson: There’s spiritual wisdom in discerning who to trust, even as we’re called to love all.
• Insight: Ally admits she’s quick to trust but is learning, “Love everybody and then stick around long enough to see the fruit.” (48:51)

8. God Knows Best—Even When We Don’t Understand

• Lesson: Sometimes God shuts doors or changes our path for our good, even when it hurts.
• Quote:

  “God really does know what’s best for me… He knows what’s best for you, too. Even when something feels so right and it falls apart, with time you realize it actually wasn’t good for you.” (51:14)

9. You Don’t Have to Do Anything Alone—Embrace Help

• Lesson: Asking for and receiving help, especially from Christian community, is both necessary and good.
• Quote:

  “God has reminded me and wants to continue to remind us that we need each other as well… He made us for each other.” (54:19)

10. You Don’t Need Anyone’s Permission but God’s

• Lesson: You are called and qualified by God—not human approval, whether for starting new projects or taking bold steps of faith.
• Story: Launching “Jesus Freaks” didn’t require worldly validation, just God’s yes and empowerment.
• Quote:

  “I realized that all I needed was God’s yes… I was waiting for other people to tell me I was good enough to do it, when God was telling me yes the whole time.” (58:45)

11. Authentic Friendships Add, They Don’t Take Away

• Lesson: True friendships rooted in Christ reflect Jesus’ own qualities—loyalty, compassion, and unconditional love.
• Story: Ally finally experienced the real, life-giving friendships she always craved—through the church and godly community.
• Quote:

  “Every quality I wanted in a friend was just the qualities of Jesus… Even simply craving genuine friendship, the answer was Jesus.” (1:03:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You never really know what you’re saying no to when you refuse God’s plan.” (11:23)
• “It was scary and I was shaking… It actually forced me to look at Him [Jesus] so much more.” (20:05)
• “None of that stuff even matters, you know? That’s not what brings us true joy.” (32:18)
• “I am beautiful with and without makeup, and that caught me off guard—in the best way.” (40:30)
• “We can love everybody, we are called to do that, but we are not supposed to trust every person.” (49:50)
• “God has also made us for one another… so don’t be afraid to ask for help.” (55:25)
• “Friendships in the church… What the heck. I didn’t actually think that existed, but it does, because it’s just the love of Jesus.” (1:05:10)

Listener Invitation & Encouragement

• Reflect: Ally challenges listeners to make their own list of what the Lord has taught them in 2024, focusing on spiritual fruit and growth, rather than disappointments or unmet expectations.
• Practical Advice: Take time, sit in silence, and let the Holy Spirit show you how you’ve grown—“I challenge you guys to do that. I think it would be really fruitful for you.” (1:08:36)

Standout Timestamps

• 10:09 – The danger of saying “no” to God’s plans.
• 18:02 – Stepping out of your comfort zone in worship.
• 27:06 – Relying on God for financial provision.
• 34:30 – Physical wellness as spiritual stewardship.
• 39:18 – Embracing beauty with and without makeup.
• 46:02 – On finding identity in Christ.
• 48:51 – Loving vs. trusting others.
• 51:14 – Trusting God knows best.
• 54:19 – The necessity and blessing of accepting help.
• 58:45 – Only needing God’s permission.
• 1:03:18 – Kingdom friendships and the love of Jesus.

Tone and Language

Ally maintains an honest, conversational, and warm tone throughout, frequently using phrases like “y’all” and “fam,” and shares her stories in a transparent, encouraging way. Her approach is down-to-earth and relatable, emphasizing personal anecdotes and faith in practice.

Final Blessing & Prayer

Ally closes the episode with a prayer for peace, fruitfulness, and trust for her listeners, reminding them that God’s timing is perfect and that His love and provision is constant—“You don’t drop the ball, you don’t forget about us, and you don’t make empty promises.” (1:11:10)

Summary prepared for listeners seeking an uplifting, faith-filled reflection on God’s faithfulness and the surprises that come with walking close to Him.