Rise & Shine with Celeste

Discerning the Voice of God: Walking in Trust & Obedience

Ever struggle to hear God’s voice? What if He’s already speaking—just in a way you didn’t expect?

In this episode, we dive into how to discern God’s voice, especially in seasons of uncertainty. We discuss the importance of surrender, recognizing distractions, and trusting Him even when the next step isn’t clear.

📜 Key Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7, Psalms 32:8-9, Galatians 1:10

Take a moment today to tell God everything—even the hard things. What step is He asking you to take?

Discerning the Voice of God: Exposing Lies, Embracing Truth

🎙️ Episode Overview:Are intrusive thoughts keeping you from hearing God? In today’s episode, we dive into how exposing hidden struggles brings freedom. We discuss breaking free from shame, the power of vulnerability, and replacing lies with God’s truth.

📖 Key Scripture:

Psalm 139:23-24 – “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”

James 5:16 – “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.”

Philippians 4:8 – “Keep your thoughts fixed on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable.”

🔥 Key Takeaways:✅ Bringing intrusive thoughts into the light removes their power.✅ Shame is not your identity—God meets you in your mess.✅ True healing happens in safe, vulnerable community.✅ Fear is a liar; trust is built through surrender.

💡 Ready to walk in freedom? Press play now!

#FaithJourney #HearingGod #SpiritualGrowth #ChristianPodcast #RenewYourMind

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The Power of Showing Up

In today’s episode of Rise & Shine, we dive into the power of small sacrifices and the question God asks us all: What do you have? I share my early morning struggle with the snooze button and how a simple commitment—choosing to wake up and show up—can set the stage for something greater. Drawing from 2 Kings 4, we explore how God took a widow’s small jar of oil and multiplied it beyond her expectations, showing us that He can do the same in our lives when we offer Him what little we have.

We also talk about obedience and trust—two keys to unlocking God’s blessings. So often, we hold back because we don’t see the full picture, but faith requires us to step out first. Whether it’s time, talent, or simply saying “yes” to what God is calling you to do, He will multiply it. If you’re feeling stuck or uncertain, this episode will encourage you to trust God in the unknown and believe that even the smallest acts of faith can lead to extraordinary breakthroughs.

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What Do You Have? Lessons from Brain Fog, Waiting, and Faith

In this episode of Rise & Shine with Celeste, we dive deep into the question: What do you have? Inspired by 2 Kings 4 and a moment of unexpected brain fog, Celeste shares how God used a simple "server down" message to answer a long-standing prayer. Whether you’re in a season of waiting, feeling stuck, or struggling to trust God’s timing, this episode unpacks the tension between action and stillness—and how faith is found in both.

We explore what it means to step out in faith like Peter walking on water, resist the urge to manipulate God's timing, and trust His process—even when the outcome seems impossible. From personal stories about debt-free farming to embracing God’s humor in everyday struggles, this episode is a heartfelt reminder that God is always working behind the scenes. Tune in and be encouraged to take the next step—whether that means moving forward or simply being still.

In this episode of Rise and Shine with Celeste, I share my journey of learning to discern God’s voice during some of the most challenging seasons of my life. From unexpected hardships to powerful revelations, I explore how surrender, obedience, and letting go of expectations led to breakthroughs I couldn’t have imagined. Tune in for personal stories, lessons on trusting God’s plan, and encouragement to find His voice in your own messy middle.

Key Topics:

Learning to trust God beyond expectations

The power of obedience and surrender

Transforming personal struggles into hope-filled testimonies

Stay encouraged—God is working, even in the mess.

What's in Your House? In this episode of Rise & Shine with Celeste, we explore the beauty of starting with what you already have and trusting God to multiply it. Drawing inspiration from the widow’s jar of oil in 2 Kings and the boy’s loaves and fish in John 6, Celeste shares how small acts of obedience can unlock extraordinary blessings—not just for you, but for others.

You’ll also hear how understanding her own ADHD diagnosis helped Celeste embrace self-compassion and see her unique design as a strength, not a limitation. Worship looks different for everyone, and this episode reminds us that even the simplest offerings can be powerful acts of faith.

Tune in for practical encouragement, relatable stories, and a reminder to trust God with the little things.

Healing is never easy, and it rarely looks the way we expect. But when we embrace the messy middle and let God lead, we discover a deeper joy, peace, and wholeness than we ever imagined.

So, let me remind you of this: "It’s the broken made whole that give the world hope." Don’t wait until you have it all together. Start sharing your story now. Speak out loud. Heal out loud. You are worth saving, too.

Let’s keep walking this journey together—one messy, beautiful step at a time.

Surrendering the Hidden Places

Description: In today’s episode of Rise and Shine with Celeste, host Celeste Sowder explores the powerful practice of surrender, using Psalm 139:23-24 as the key scripture. Are you trying to clean yourself up before approaching God? What if the answer to healing isn’t self-reliance but allowing God to search the hidden places of your heart? Celeste challenges the cultural and even church-driven notion of constantly fixing ourselves, instead encouraging listeners to trust God to do the deep work of transformation.

With her signature mix of raw honesty and spiritual insight, Celeste unpacks the idea that God, not us, is the one who cleanses and heals. She shares personal stories of how letting go of control and fully surrendering to God led to real breakthroughs in her life—breaking through shame and finding unrestrained joy. This episode offers hope for anyone feeling stuck or overwhelmed, offering a fresh perspective on how to walk in true freedom.

Key Topics:

Why self-reliance in spiritual healing falls short

The importance of letting God search the hidden places of our hearts

How surrendering control leads to deeper joy, healing, and peace

Celeste’s personal journey of transformation through Psalm 139

Notable Quotes:

“You don’t have to clean the dumpster fire of your life before you go to God—He’s the only one who can do that.”

“It’s not about self-reliance; it’s about trusting God to do the searching and healing.”

Why You Should Listen: If you’ve ever felt burdened by the pressure to “fix yourself” before coming to God, this episode is for you. Celeste’s candid, relatable insights will encourage you to release control and trust God’s loving intentions toward you, leading to lasting freedom and joy. Join Celeste in learning how to truly surrender and let God lead you in His path of healing and transformation.

Connect with Celeste Sowder:

Follow Celeste on Instagram: @CelesteSowder

Visit her website: www.CelesteSowder.com

Subscribe to the Rise and Shine with Celeste podcast for more episodes!

#SurrenderAndHeal #Psalm139 #RiseAndShine #FaithAndFreedom #WomenOfFaith