A Set Apart Podcast Series with Leslie ludy:
Overcoming
Esther Ahn Kim's Astounding Tenacity
Leslie continues the Overcoming series with a powerful look at the story of Esther Ahn Kim – a Korean woman who suffered many years in prison for her faith. This amazing story reminds us that when we unreservedly take up our cross and follow Christ no matter the cost, the world can be radically and eternally changed. Our natural human tendency is to take the easy road of self-protection, and remain in our comfort zones. Esther’s life inspires us to embrace spiritual tenacity and joyfully suffer any hardship for the One who gave everything to us – through His enabling strength.
Hudson Taylor's Relentless Faith
Hudson faced many, many impossible situations from the time he first decided to become a missionary – from being infected with a deadly plague to nearly losing his life at sea to risking everything to bring the Gospel to hostile parts of China. And yet his relentless faith in God always overcome. We often think that heroic Christian work is for special Christians, but it is obvious that people like Hudson Taylor were ordinary men and women who surrendered to an extraordinary God.
Annie Flint's Unflinching Joy
We often base our joy on circumstances, but God desires us to cultivate the kind of soul-level joy that can never be taken away. Annie Flint wrote hymns of hope and victory from a place of deep suffering, and even in the midst of her difficult circumstances, she was known for her continual joy. In this episode Leslie offers three spiritual take-aways from Annie’s life and example that can help us walk in true and lasting joy.
Darlene Deibler's Amazing Faith
Leslie shares three specific stories from Darlene’s experiences during World War II that have personally impacted her own life. This episode unpacks practical Biblical takeaways that can apply to our lives today. This episode is a powerful reminder of God’s faithfulness and the world-changing impact of choosing to trust Him no matter what.
Elizabeth Fry's Availability to God
Elizabeth was a wife and mother of eleven children who made herself available to God to stand on behalf of the weak and needy, despite already having a full life. God did profound things in and through her life as a result of her unconditional availability to Him. Her ministry is a profound reminder that when we attempt to “change the world” by our own wisdom, strength, or merit, we fall far short of what can be accomplished when we simply yield to the power of God to do His work in and through us.
Svea Flood's Amazing Perseverance
Despite incredible hinderances and hostility, Svea’s childlike faith and relentless perseverance eventually paved the way for the Gospel to reach people who seemed impossible to reach. This episode reminds us that God often uses begins His world-changing plans with small and seemingly insignificant beginnings. Svea’s example shows us that in order to impact the world for eternity, we don’t need to rise up in human strength, we only need to have simple, childlike faith in a mighty God.
Corrie Ten Boom's Childlike Dependence
As modern Christians we are often led by our own human understanding and logic rather than by God’s Spirit. We often forget the fact that God cares about the details of our lives and wants to direct our steps and script our story. Corrie ten Boom’s life gives us an amazing example of what it means to trust God with childlike faith and wait for His guidance with absolute confidence that He will lead us.
Catherine Booth's Spiritual Passion
Catherine Booth overcame constant physical pain and weakness, as well as many difficult circumstances, to become one of the most powerful voices for the Gospel in her generation. Catherine’s life shows an amazing example of God’s strength being made perfect in our weakness. Her overcoming spirit reminds us what is possible when we “rise up on His strength and resolve to conquer.”
George Mueller's "Yes Lord" Mindset
In modern Christianity, it’s easy to slide into mediocrity, approaching our lives with self-focus instead of Christ-focus. George Mueller lived radically for Jesus – not because he chose a life that was exciting or adventurous, but because he became fully available to God right where he was. If you are wondering whether God work powerfully through your life even in your present circumstances, this message will cast a vision for what is possible when we cultivate a “yes Lord” mindset.
Mary Slessor's Incredible Courage
For most of us, it is extremely counterintuitive to go toward danger instead of away from it. But throughout history, God’s kingdom has advanced when His people were proactive instead of reactive in living out their faith. Mary Slessor was amazingly proactive in taking the Gospel to places where other missionaries refused to go. And even though she lived generations ago, we can learn a tremendous amount from her example of absolute dependence upon the faithfulness and enabling power of God. She sprinted toward danger instead of retreating from it.
Not Growing Weary
When we study the lives of historical Christians, one of the most important lessons we can learn is what it means to endure, to stay the course, and to not grow weary in well doing. In this episode, Leslie offers stories, Scriptures, and principles that illustrate the fact that we are not home yet. No matter how overlooked or under appreciated we may feel in our journey here on this earth, we have an exceedingly great reward awaiting us. If you are feeling weary or discouraged, this episode can inspire and uplift you with a Heavenly perspective
Becoming an Ordinary Hero
In this episode she outlines what defines a true Christian hero and reminds us that there are no “special” Christians, only faithful Christians. If you have ever felt unqualified to make a difference in the world for God’s glory, this message can encourage you, showing us that true heroes are ordinary men and women who simply place their trust in an extraordinary God.