Am I Ready to be a Spiritual Leader? Don’t Lead to Control!

Am I Ready to be a Spiritual Leader? Don’t Lead to Find Your Identity!

In this episode we explore the common fear that there’s a “specific thing out there” you’re supposed to do before your life really begins and the lie that your worth, value, and acceptance depend on achieving that special calling or doing it “well enough.” We gently redirect our focus to the biblical truth that: * Our identity is already given to us in Christ * We were created first and foremost to worship God and bear His image * Good works are meant to flow out of our secure identity in Jesus—not earn it We testify to God’s mercy, faithfulness, and intricate good works prepared in advance for us to walk in. She invites you to: * Identify the lies and fears shaping your choices * Repent of striving for identity through performance * Receive, rest in, and live from your true identity as a beloved, adopted child of God   Resources:  * FREE How to Study the Bible Guide [https://howtostudythebible.subscribepage.io/]   Bible Verses to Study: Genesis 1:27 Isaiah 43:7 Ephesians 2:8-9 2 Corinthians 5:21 Isaiah 61:10 Psalm 23 Ephesians 1:4-6 Ephesians 2:10 Connect: Email jackiechristinelester@gmail.com for coaching or questions!

Am I Ready to be a Spiritual Leader? Don’t Lead to Control!

In this episode we explore one of the hardest heart issues for many leaders: the desire to control. Speaking especially to women in discipleship, small groups, and mentoring roles, we unpack the fears that often sit beneath our need to “hold on tight” to people and outcomes. We identify three core fears: * “If it isn’t done my way, it won’t be right.” * “If it isn’t done right, there will be consequences.” * “If this person doesn’t change, I have failed.” From there, we contrast these fears with the freeing truth of Scripture: God’s will is good, pleasing, and perfect, His purposes cannot be thwarted, and it is His job—not ours—to change hearts. We challenge listeners to examine whether their drive for “doing it right” is really about performance and control, or about honoring a holy God. This episode will encourage you to: * Recognize pride and fear hiding beneath control. * Make space for the Holy Spirit to work in others’ lives. * Shift from managing outcomes to faithful obedience and surrender. * Rest in the reality that God is always good, always in control, and fully capable. If you’ve ever felt responsible for someone else’s spiritual progress—or frustrated when they don’t change the way you hoped—this conversation will invite you into deeper trust, humility, and freedom as a spiritual leader.   Resources:  * FREE How to Study the Bible Guide [https://howtostudythebible.subscribepage.io/]   Bible Verses to Study: Romans 8:28 Proverbs 14:12 Proverbs 19:21 Hebrews 12:6-7,11 Philippians 2:13 2 Corinthians 3:18 Connect: Email jackiechristinelester@gmail.com for coaching or questions!

Feeling Overwhelmed? Biblical Steps for Christian Women

Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, or stuck in your spiritual walk? This episode offers hope, tackling fear and self-doubt with biblical truth and practical wisdom for living in satisfaction and purpose. Struggling with anxiety about the future, doubts about your limits, or fear of the unknown? Discover how to move from the cycle of overwhelm to a life anchored in reverence for God, filled with reliance on His promises and daily grace. What You'll Learn: * How fear of tomorrow, today’s limits, and the unknown can hinder your spiritual growth * The biblical foundation for overcoming overwhelm and living with courageous faith * What it truly means to "fear the Lord"—awe, reverence, and relationship, not dread * Practical steps to surrender anxiety, pray through your limits, and step into life in abundance Key Topics: Christian living, overcoming overwhelm, faith and anxiety, biblical encouragement, spiritual confidence, fear of the Lord, prayer practices, trusting God, emotional resilience, spiritual growth Whether you're struggling to find footing in hard seasons or seeking practical ways to deepen your relationship with God, this episode equips you with biblical encouragement and actionable steps to leave fear behind and embrace the abundant life He promises. Resources:  * FREE How to Study the Bible Guide [https://howtostudythebible.subscribepage.io/]   Bible Verses to Study: Galatians 5:16-26 Proverbs 16:3, 9 Philippians 4:6 Matthew 6:8,11,34 2 Corinthians 12:9 James 1:17 Philippians 4:13 Ephesians 2:10 Romans 8:28 Deuteronomy 30:19 2 Peter 1:3   Connect: Email jackiechristinelester@gmail.com for coaching or questions!   Related Episodes Am I Called to Spiritual Leadership? Steps to Lead With Confidence Who is God? Discovering His Attributes Through the Bible Am I Ready to be a Spiritual Leader? Don’t Lead to Please People!

Am I Ready to be a Spiritual Leader? Don’t Lead to Please People!

Have you ever faced this leadership challenge- serving from a place of people-pleasing instead of gospel confidence? We unpack the fears that drive us to seek approval—and how Christ offers a radical alternative of secure, grace-filled leadership. What You'll Learn * Subtle traps of rejection fear and performance spirituality  * How people-pleasing undermines authentic discipleship and gospel sharing  * The gospel alternative: Leading from Christ's acceptance, not human validation  * Practical ways to recognize and surrender people-pleasing motivations Key Topics: Spiritual leadership, fear of man, gospel identity, rejection, grace, discipleship, vulnerability, biblical confidence You'll leave with a clear framework to recognize people-pleasing patterns and a Christ-centered path to lead from freedom, not fear. Discover how your limitations become opportunities to showcase God's transformative grace. Resources:  * FREE How to Study the Bible Guide [https://howtostudythebible.subscribepage.io/]   Bible Verses to Study: 1 Thessalonians 2:8 Hebrews 4:14-16 Psalm 23 Isaiah 61:10 Philippians 1:6 Romans 1:16   Connect: Email jackiechristinelester@gmail.com for coaching or questions!   Related Episodes Am I Called to Spiritual Leadership? Steps to Lead With Confidence Who is God? Discovering His Attributes Through the Bible Am I Ready to be a Spiritual Leader? Why You Can’t Lead to Be Loved

Am I Ready to be a Spiritual Leader? Why You Can’t Lead to Be Loved

Am I Ready to be a Spiritual Leader? Do Not Lead to be Loved! This conversation confronts a subtle motive that derails leaders: serving to gain approval from God. We walk through how fear and performance spirituality distort ministry—and how freedom in Christ re‑roots our leadership in love, not anxiety. You’ll get language and practices to check your motives and lead from a secure identity. What You’ll Learn Why “don’t lead to be loved” matters: approval‑seeking, performing to earn God’s favor, and the anxiety of losing love The gospel alternative: receiving love first, then serving—leading from acceptance rather than for acceptance Discernment questions to surface hidden motives before saying yes to leadership opportunities Key Topics: Motives in ministry, fear of man, performance vs. grace, identity in Christ, secure leadership, surrender and trust  You’ll leave with an understanding of how to recognize approval‑driven patterns and a gospel‑centered path to shepherd from love, not for love. Resources:  • FREE How to Study the Bible Guide [https://howtostudythebible.subscribepage.io/]  Bible Verses to Study: Romans 5:8  Romans 1:16 Ephesians 1:4-5 Ephesians 2:4-5, 8-9 Romans 6:23 Philippians 1:6 Matthew 23:27 Connect: Email jackiechristinelester@gmail.com for coaching or questions! Related Episodes Am I Called to Spiritual Leadership? Steps to Lead With Confidence Who is God? Discovering His Attributes Through the Bible