Podcast Summary: "Faith That Moves Mountains"
Live Big with Derek Grier
Host: Derek Grier Ministries
Date: February 2, 2026
Episode Overview
In this transformative episode, Dr. Derek Grier explores the theme of faith using the journey of Abraham as a powerful example from the Bible. Emphasizing practical application, Dr. Grier draws from both Old and New Testament scriptures to show how God uses flawed individuals to fulfill His promises and purposes. The episode underscores the importance of prayer, humility, and allowing God to work both for us and within us. Dr. Grier’s passionate and down-to-earth style is evident as he interweaves biblical examples with relatable stories, offering encouragement for believers who may feel unqualified or discouraged by past mistakes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Power of Hearing from God (00:19)
- Joshua as a Leader: Introduces Joshua not only as a military leader but as one who regularly heard from God.
- Importance of Prayer: Dr. Grier stresses that his success is due more to his “never let go prayer life” than talent.
“Most of what I've accomplished in my life had little to do with talent and a whole lot to do with my never let go prayer life.” — Dr. Grier (00:41)
- Dialogue, Not Monologue: Real prayer should lead to more clarity and answers; it’s about exchanging our weaknesses for God’s strength.
Abraham’s “Other Side” and Flawed Beginnings (02:48)
- Joshua’s Final Words: Joshua’s last speech reminds Israel not to forget their origins—the “other side of the river.”
- Abraham’s Flaws: Abraham, esteemed as the father of faith, had a problematic past:
- Lied about his wife twice.
- Fathered Ishmael with Hagar out of impatience.
- Universal Relevance: Emphasizes everyone has a past:
“Errbody... has a past, everybody has a regret. But despite this, God kept writing new chapters with Abraham.” — Dr. Grier (06:23)
- Growth Through Process: Abraham did not start out great—it was a process, and God met him where he was.
God’s Love and Choosing the “Least” (07:30)
- Deuteronomy 7: God did not choose Israel or Abraham because of merit or greatness—He chose them because of His love.
“When we boil it all down, the only thing I got going for me is God's love. That's all I got going for me.” — Dr. Grier (09:09)
- But God: The recurring biblical theme that God’s intervention is based on His love and promise, not human ability.
Remembering Where You Come From and Humility (11:42)
- Staying Humble: Success can lead to pride, so Joshua urges the Israelites to remember their humble beginnings.
- Idolatry Defined: Anything (even family, jobs) placed above God is an idol.
The Journey is About Growth, Not Just Arrival (14:23)
- Life’s Journey: God leads us in winding paths to shape our character, making us ready to stay where he places us.
The Gift of Isaac as a Lesson in Grace (15:53)
- Abraham and Sarah’s Barrenness: Their inability to have a child was by design, so only God could get the glory.
“Sometimes our helplessness is by design. No one was better to be the father of a multitude than an old man at a hundred and a barren woman.” — Dr. Grier (18:09)
God Speaks to Imperfect People (20:29)
- Genesis 12—The Call of Abraham: Despite Abraham’s flaws, God still chose and spoke to him.
- Encouragement that God wants to use imperfect people who are willing to grow.
The Cost of Following God (22:01)
- Leave Familiarity: Abraham was asked to leave not just any city, but the cradle of civilization.
- Healthy Boundaries: Sometimes obedience to God means distancing from relationships or contexts that hinder spiritual growth.
“One of the costliest mistakes you can make in life is paying attention to the wrong people.” — Dr. Grier (24:07)
- No relationship should take precedence over God.
Go and God Will Show (26:30)
- Faith is Active: Like Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” video—each step forward lights up the path.
“The formula was go, and I will show. And often today, the formula remains, go and I will show.” — Dr. Grier (27:28)
God Wants to Make You, Not Just Give to You (29:00)
- Transformation over Transactions: God’s main aim is to shape character, not just provide blessings.
- Doing “little things well” is the essence of greatness.
- Example: Dr. Grier highlights his assistant Diane’s humble acts that make her indispensable.
The True Measure of Blessing (33:05)
- God’s Blessing vs. Achievements: Material or positional success means little without God’s blessing.
“I would rather live in a tent with Abraham with God's blessing than in the mansion without it. Anything without God's blessing becomes a curse.” — Dr. Grier (36:10)
The Purpose of Blessing—Being a Blessing (38:02)
- Blessed to Bless: Blessings are given so we can add value to others and avoid self-centeredness.
- Influence of Small Things: Small acts of kindness, encouragement, or wisdom can create ripple effects impacting generations.
God’s Protection and Justice (41:15)
- God Shifts the Scales: God promises to protect and vindicate those He blesses.
God Works in Us and Through Us (43:22)
- Internal Transformation: It’s not just about external change, but about being made better—more like Christ—each day.
- Even the Flawed Can Be World-Changers: Abraham’s legacy, despite failures, became the foundation for the Messiah and the blessing of all nations.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “You cannot judge every person's story by the particular chapter you happen to walk in on. Because God may not be finished with them yet.” — Dr. Grier (06:49)
- “God will meet you wherever you are. He's that type of God, but He never intends for you to stay there.” — Dr. Grier (14:00)
- “Only Jesus was born perfect. The rest of us are in process.” — Dr. Grier (34:15)
- “I want to add value to the room. I'm going to add my praise to their praise. Watch how God shows up.” — Dr. Grier (39:43)
- “Don’t tell me what God can't do with a person who won't quit when they fail. The issue is not whether or not you get knocked down... The issue is, do you get back up.” — Dr. Grier (49:08)
Important Timestamps
- 00:00 – 02:48: Introduction; Joshua and the importance of hearing God
- 06:23 – 11:42: Abraham’s background and the universality of having a “past”
- 14:23 – 20:29: The journey of faith, purpose of hardship, grace in our weakness
- 20:29 – 22:01: Genesis 12 call; God speaking to imperfect people
- 22:01 – 29:00: The challenge of leaving the familiar and prioritizing God
- 29:00 – 33:05: “I will make you”: The call to be transformed
- 33:05 – 38:02: The nature of true blessing, living under God’s favor
- 38:02 – 41:15: The responsibility of being a blessing to others
- 41:15 – 43:22: God’s protection—a promise of justice
- 43:22 – End: Internal transformation, legacy, and the impact of faith in imperfect lives
Takeaways
- God specializes in using imperfect people—our past does not disqualify us from His promises.
- Real faith is active, often requiring us to move before we see the fullness of God’s plans.
- The true measure of greatness is not status or stuff, but faithfulness and blessing others.
- Blessings are meant to flow through us, not stop with us.
- God is more concerned with our character than our comfort—He’s making us into people who reflect Him.
"Does anyone hear what I'm saying today? Well, good. Give God a hallelujah and I'm done." — Dr. Derek Grier (51:11)
This episode is a powerful reminder to keep persevering in faith, trusting that God can redeem even our most broken chapters and make them part of a bigger, world-changing story.