Podcast
Shoes Off
Hosted by Ray Slavens, Isaac Slavens · EN
Shoes Off is a weekly Christian podcast designed for your commute, morning coffee, or quiet break. Each episode combines scripture, reflection, and a practical weekly challenge that you can carry into everyday life.
The name comes from two powerful images: Moses removing his shoes to meet God on holy ground, and the phrase “that sermon stepped on my toes”—a reminder that God’s word both comforts and challenges us to grow.
Through relatable stories, timely illustrations, and biblical truth, Shoes Off helps you pause, prepare your heart, and walk closer with Christ each week.
Join us as we take our shoes off—because growth begins on holy ground.
Email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
43episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Jesus' Miracles - The Fish with a Coin | Matthew 17:24-27
Nov 1700:14:37Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn one of Jesus’ often forgotten miracles, a simple question about the temple tax becomes a profound lesson in humility and obedience. When confronted about paying a tax He did not owe, Jesus chooses peace over pride. Not because He must, but because He loves.Then He sends Peter to catch a fish with a coin in its mouth. It's a picture that provision that follows obedience.In this episode of Shoes Off, we explore:Why Jesus paid a tax He didn’t oweHow humility can speak louder than being rightWhat this miracle reveals about obedience before provisionHow God’s care is precise, personal, and perfectly timedWe'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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Jesus' Miracles - The Man with Dropsy
Nov 1000:17:58Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn Luke 14:1–6, Jesus is invited to dine at the home of a powerful Pharisee on the Sabbath but it’s not a friendly invitation. It’s a setup. A man suffering from dropsy is placed before Him, and all eyes are watching.When Jesus asks, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”, the room falls silent. He’s not questioning the Law. He’s confronting how man’s tradition has buried God’s truth.In this episode of Shoes Off, we explore how Jesus turned a moment of scrutiny into a moment of mercy. Through His actions, He reminds us that the Sabbath was never about restriction, it was about restoration.“The Sabbath isn’t about control. It’s about compassion. When mercy moves, God’s truth is revealed.”We'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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Jesus' Miracles - The Ten Lepers | Luke 17
Nov 300:22:05Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailAs Jesus traveled along the border between Galilee and Samaria, ten lepers cried out for mercy, and He healed them all. But only one turned back.In this episode of Shoes Off, Ray and Isaac step into Luke 17:11–19 and discover that this miracle isn’t just about healing. Why did only one return to give thanks? Join us as we explore:The Jewish law requiring priests to declare lepers clean (Leviticus 13–14)The faith it took to walk in obedience before seeing the miracleThe power of gratitude that turns healing into worshipAnd the surprising truth that sometimes, the outsider sees grace most clearlyThis story challenges us to live like the one who came back...to notice, to return, and to give thanks.We'd love to hear from you. Email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.comWe'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
Transcribe →Jesus' Miracles - Lazarus | John 11
Oct 2700:20:09Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailIn this powerful episode, Ray & Isaac dive into one of the most dramatic and meaningful miracles of Jesus: the raising of Lazarus. Found only in the Gospel of John, this miracle goes beyond a demonstration of power — it reveals the heart of God, the perfect timing of Jesus, and the life-changing hope He brings.Why did Jesus wait two extra days before responding to the news of His friend’s death? How does His delay lead to the ultimate revelation of God’s glory? In this episode, we’ll explore the divine timing behind Lazarus’ resurrection and reflect on how Jesus' words, "I am the resurrection and the life," are still a powerful call to us today.This story is not just about a dead man rising; it’s about the resurrection power that lives in Jesus — and in us.We'd love to hear from you via email as well, write us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.comWe'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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The Assurance | Romans 8:5-39
Oct 2000:19:19Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhat can stand against us when God is for us? In the final episode of this series, Ray and Isaac unpack one of the most powerful passages in all of Scripture — Romans 8:31–39 — where Paul declares that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.In this episode, you’ll hear:Why Paul’s words carry so much weight after all his struggles and hardships.How Scripture—from Elisha’s heavenly army to the Psalms—reminds us that God is for us.Real-life illustrations of divine protection, perseverance, and confidence in God’s unbreakable love.How this truth becomes the foundation for our daily assurance and courage to keep walking by faith.Whether you’re in a storm, a season of doubt, or simply need reminding that you’re never alone, this episode will anchor your heart in one unshakable truth — nothing can separate you from His love.🎧 Take your Shoes Off, settle in, and rest in the assurance that God’s love holds firm — always.We'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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The Freedom | Romans 8:1-4
Oct 1300:24:34Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWe’d love to hear from you: email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.comHave you ever felt like you’ll never measure up spiritually — like your failures define you? In Romans 7, Paul wrestled with that same tension: “The good I want to do, I don’t do.” But as we turn the page to Romans 8, Paul opens with one of the most freeing truths in all of Scripture:“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”In this episode of Shoes Off, Ray and Isaac explore what it really means to live free from guilt, shame, and spiritual defeat. Together, they unpack:Why believers can live confidently in grace, not under guilt.Real-life illustrations that show how grace changes everything — from courtroom verdicts to second chances.Whether you’ve been carrying regret, shame, or spiritual exhaustion, this episode is your reminder that the case is closed — the Judge has declared you free.🎧 Take your Shoes Off, open your heart, and rest in the truth of Romans 8:1 — there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.We'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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The Deliverance | Romans 7:21–25 (ft. Brandy Slavens)
Oct 600:32:58Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailHave you ever felt like your Christian walk is a constant tug-of-war? One moment you want to do what’s right, the next you feel pulled back by old habits, distractions, and the pressures of the world. You’re not alone—Paul himself described this exact battle in Romans 7.In this week’s episode of Shoes Off, Ray and Isaac are joined by special guest Brandy Slavens, a respected leader in the social work field who has dedicated her life to helping teens and families overcome the grip of addiction and inner struggles. Brandy brings a unique Christian perspective on what “the struggle” looks like in real life, from single moms to addicts, and how deliverance is possible through Christ.🎙️ Together, we’ll unpack Paul’s words:Why even the most faithful believers wrestle with sin.How modern distractions make the struggle real today.What deliverance can look like for those caught between faith and the world.This episode is raw, honest, and filled with hope. Whether you’ve been battling guilt, addiction, or just the quiet struggles no one else sees, this conversation will remind you: you’re not fighting alone, and Christ has already secured the victory.👉 Tune in, take your Shoes Off, and step onto holy ground with us.We'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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The Struggle | Romans 7:7-20
Sep 2900:26:40Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhy do we so often do the very things we don’t want to do? In Romans 7, the Apostle Paul opens up about one of the most relatable battles of the Christian life — the struggle between our desire to follow God and the pull of sin (the tug-of-war).In this episode of Shoes Off, Ray and Isaac unpack Paul’s raw honesty and explore:Why the law reveals our sin but cannot save usHow sin deceives and entangles us, promising life but delivering deathWhat modern surveys reveal Christians struggle with todayWhy confession and honesty are the first steps toward freedomWith biblical insight, personal illustrations, and practical challenges, this conversation reminds us that the struggle is real—but so is God’s grace.🎧 Join us as we take off our shoes, open the Word, and step into the reality of The Struggle.We'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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Faith in the Fire | Daniel 3:8-30
Sep 2200:21:50Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailWhat happens when standing firm in your faith puts everything on the line? In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the ultimate test: bow down to a golden image or be thrown into a blazing furnace. Their response was bold—“Our God is able to deliver us, but even if He does not, we will not bow.”In this episode of Shoes Off, Ray and Isaac explore:The courage to resist cultural pressure, even when it’s costlyWhy faith isn’t just about rescue, but about trust “even if not”God’s presence in the fire—the fourth man who never leaves usHow bold faith becomes a testimony to the watching world🎧 Join us as we step into the fire and discover that true courage is not avoiding trials—it’s trusting God in the middle of them.We'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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Walking with Courage | Matthew 14:22-33
Sep 1500:30:39Tap to summarizeSend us Fan MailFear, storms, and sinking faith. Peter’s story on the Sea of Galilee is more than a miracle; it’s a picture of courage and trust in Jesus. In this episode of Shoes Off, Ray and Isaac dive into Matthew 14:22–33, walking verse by verse through the powerful moment when Peter stepped out of the boat and onto the waves.We’ll explore:Why Jesus sometimes leads us into storms to grow our faithHow Peter’s courage started with Jesus’ commandThe lesson of keeping our eyes fixed on Christ, not the chaosWhat this story reveals about Jesus’ power and presence in our struggles🎧 Join us as we step out of the boat and discover that courage isn’t the absence of fear, it’s confidence in the One who holds us up.We'd love to hear from you -- email us at ListenToShoesOff@gmail.com
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