Living in the Light with Anne Graham Lotz

Episode: Fired Up About Jesus (Part 2)
Date: January 11, 2026
Host: Anne Graham Lotz

Episode Overview

This episode centers on what it means to be "fired up about Jesus," drawing upon the apostle Peter’s transformative encounter with Christ to examine the foundations of Christian hope, the glory in suffering, and the urgency of sharing the gospel. Anne Graham Lotz challenges listeners to rekindle their passion for Christ by reflecting on His grace, gifts, glory, and the gospel.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Being Fired Up by the Resurrection

• Peter’s transformation: Peter was dramatically changed after witnessing the risen Christ. Facing his own execution, Peter’s assurance of eternal life stemmed from his experience of Jesus’ resurrection.
  • “Can you imagine the thrill of the living hope of the resurrection? … Meeting Jesus alive after death was confirmed to the fact that there is life after death.” — Anne (00:48)
• Living hope and second chances: The resurrection teaches that failure is not final, and that God offers new beginnings.
  • “Failure is not final; God gives a second chance.” — Anne (01:28)

The Cross: From Nightmare to Masterpiece

• Brokenness and redemption: Anne illustrates how God turns life’s worst moments into something beautiful, likening it to a master artist transforming a stain into a work of art.
  • Story Highlight: Sir Landseer’s “ugly brown stain” on a Scottish pub wall, which was transformed into a masterpiece by the artist. (03:27–04:15)
  • “Whatever it is, would you just tell the Lord about it and surrender it to him? Give him your ugly brown stain. He’s the master artist and he can turn it into a masterpiece of his grace.” — Anne (04:10)

The Lasting Inheritance of Believers

• Security in God, not possessions: Anne recounts being robbed to illustrate that all earthly treasures can be lost, but our spiritual inheritance is eternal.
  • “What do we have we can’t lose?... The Spirit seemed to whisper, Ann, count your blessings.” — Anne (06:47–07:07)
• Blessings in Christ: Anne lists spiritual blessings (Accepted, Beloved, Chosen, etc.; Ephesians 1–2) to underscore the richness of the Christian inheritance. (07:07–08:24)
  • “I’m accepted by God. I’m beloved of God. I’m chosen by God to belong to the Son. … I’m exalted one day to live with Him in his heavenly home.” — Anne (07:35–08:23)

God’s Glory in Our Suffering

• Suffering as a platform for God’s glory: Difficulty and trials make Christ’s glory visible to others, analogized by jewels displayed on black velvet.
  • “God allows you and me to have black velvet in our lives because it makes his glory greater.” — Anne (11:22)
• Old Testament illustration: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace — God’s glory appeared in the fire with them, as Nebuchadnezzar saw the “fourth man.”
  • “People are watching you. And that’s when the glory of Jesus is revealed.” — Anne (12:26–12:38)
• The refiner’s fire: God uses trials to refine faith, bringing out impurities and making believers more like Christ.
  • “God puts the heat under us and turns up the heat. … He keeps removing it from our lives until He can see His own face reflected in us. The face of Jesus, His glory revealed in you and me.” — Anne (14:33–15:10)

Faith, Love, Hope, and Joy in the Fire

• Personal testimony: Anne shares that even amid personal loss and hardship, she hasn’t lost her joy, attributing it to God’s sustaining grace.
  • “I’ve never lost my joy. I love the Lord more today than I do yesterday, more tomorrow than I do today. I don’t doubt Him; I just trust Him.” — Anne (16:18–16:36)
• Supernatural response in hardship: When people see love, hope, and joy in believers suffering, they recognize it as supernatural.

The Fulfillment of the Gospel

• Longing of Old Testament saints: Adam, Eve, Abraham, Moses, Isaiah — all looked forward to the coming Messiah and salvation, but only “as a promise.” Now, believers possess what they longed for.
  • “We possess it. The Gospel is ours.” — Anne (19:04)
• The urgency to share: Anne presses listeners to self-examination: are you fired up to share the gospel, and if not, why?
  • “If we’re not on fire to share it, something’s wrong. … Would you ask God to fire you up again? Would you ask him to reignite your heart and love for Jesus?” — Anne (21:23–21:48)

Memorable Moments and Notable Quotes

• Masterpiece from a stain — The Sir Landseer story, a vivid metaphor for redemption (03:27–04:15)
• Security in Christ, not things — Anne’s emotional recounting of her home robbery and spiritual inventory (06:08–08:24)
• On struggling through trials:
  • “When everything is going good… anybody can do that. It’s when our spouse walks out and our children rebel… and we’re still thoughtful and kind… that’s not natural. That’s supernatural. And they see the glory of Jesus revealed in us.” — Anne (10:14–10:44)
• On going through the fire and God’s purpose:
  • “God keeps removing it from our lives until he can see his own face reflected in us… The glory of God is in you… especially when you’re going through suffering in many kinds of trials.” — Anne (15:03–15:41, 22:13)
• On passing faith to the next generation:
  • “I don’t believe you can pass on a godly legacy in an ungodly world unless you’re on fire. So ask God to set you on fire. Beginning tonight.” — Anne (22:45)

Important Timestamps

• Peter’s living hope and second chance — 00:42–02:04
• Sir Landseer stain/redemption metaphor — 03:27–04:15
• Lasting inheritance story (robbery) — 06:08–08:24
• Jewels on black velvet, glory in the darkness — 11:09–11:28
• Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego: glory in the fire — 11:39–12:38
• Ceramics and refining fire illustration — 13:32–15:10
• Personal testimony: enduring joy through suffering — 16:18–16:36
• Old Testament saints longing for the gospel — 17:21–19:04
• Challenge to share the gospel and rekindle passion — 20:25–22:45
• Closing prayer: passing on a fired-up legacy — 22:45–24:27

Summary and Challenge

Anne Graham Lotz calls believers to “get fired up” about Jesus by reflecting on the hope, inheritance, and glory found in Him—especially through hardship. She illustrates that suffering is both a refinement and a showcase for God’s power, and the fulfillment of the gospel is something Christians today can possess, unlike the longing of Old Testament saints.

Anne’s heartfelt challenge:

• Examine if your heart has grown cold about sharing the gospel.
• Ask God to reignite your passion.
• Realize that a God-glorifying legacy can only be passed on when you are truly on fire for Jesus.

“Would you ask God to reignite your heart for Jesus? … I don’t believe you can pass on a godly legacy in an ungodly world unless you’re on fire. So ask God to set you on fire. Beginning tonight.” — Anne Graham Lotz (22:45)

For more resources, visit Anne’s ministry.