In this milestone 100th episode of the It Stands Written podcast, hosts Elijah and Justin Erickson sit down for a deeply personal and gospel-rich conversation centered on the power of personal testimony. Before Elijah shares his own story, Justin unpacks the profound purposes of a testimony — from rekindling your first love for Christ, to serving as a vehicle for the gospel message itself. Drawing from Revelation 2, Romans 6, 1 Peter 3, and the book of Acts, the guys explore how every conversion — dramatic or quiet — is an equal miracle of God's grace. Elijah then opens up about his upbringing in Southern California, his years of wandering from the faith despite being raised in a strong Christian home, and the sovereign grace of God that pursued him through it all. His story is anchored in the parable of the prodigal son and Jesus' words that those forgiven much, love much. Justin reflects on the remarkable transformation he witnessed in Elijah's life firsthand, and both men celebrate the faithfulness of God and the power of persistent, decades-long prayer. Whether you're a long-time listener or just finding the show, this episode is a moving reminder that no one is beyond the reach of God's mercy. Tune in, be encouraged, and may Elijah's testimony stir fresh gratitude for the grace that has rescued each of us.

Resource Mentioned:

• The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
• The Pursuit of God by A. W. Tozer

Verses Mentioned:

• Romans 1:18
• Romans 6
• Revelation 2:4
• 1 Peter 3:14-15
• Acts 4:20
• 1 Corinthians 14
• 1 Timothy 2:13
• Luke 15:11-32
• Luke 7:47
• John 6:68
• Matthew 10:18
• Mark 13:9

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In this episode of It Stands Written, Justin, Braden, and Ernest tackle one of the most important — and potentially dangerous — questions for new believers: what does real life change actually look like after salvation? Rather than handing new Christians a checklist of dos and don'ts, the guys walk through 1 John to uncover the foundational truths every young believer needs to internalize first. They explore how your standing before God is based entirely on what Christ has done — not on your performance — and why assurance of salvation is not just comforting, but essential for growth in holiness. Drawing on Paul's progression from "least of the apostles" to "foremost of sinners," they show how genuine maturity in the faith means seeing your sin more clearly, not less. The conversation also tackles the gullibility of new believers, what to do when spiritual leaders fall away, and the historical Donatist controversy as a surprising lens on faith that doesn't depend on the messenger. The episode wraps with a closer look at the one specific sin John calls out for "little children" in the faith — idolatry — and why guarding your heart from misplaced worship is the bedrock beneath every other area of obedience. If you're a new believer, or discipling one, this episode will give you a gospel-centered, grace-rooted framework for the road ahead.

If you were encouraged by this episode or have any questions you would like to have answered, please email us at justin@itstandswritten.org or send us a text at the link in the description.

Resources Mentioned:

• Discovering the Power of the Cross of Christ by Charles Spurgeon

Verses Mentioned:

• 1 John 2:1-2, 12-13, 18, 28
• 1 John 3:7-9, 18
• 1 John 4:1-4
• 1 John 5:13, 21
• 1 Corinthians 2:1-5; 8; 15:9
• 1 Timothy 1:15
• 2 Peter 1:10
• Ephesians 3:8
• Hebrews 6:11-12
• Romans 6

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Where do you belong after you come to faith in Christ? In Episode 98 of the It Stands Written podcast, Justin, Braden, Ernest, and Elijah tackle one of the most practical and urgent questions for new believers: how to find, join, and stay committed to a local church. The guys unpack what the word "church" actually means — a called-out assembly of redeemed people — and why the New Testament offers no vision of a believer who is not vitally tied to a local body. They walk through the three classic marks of a true church — the Word, the sacraments, and church discipline — and give honest, practical guidance on what to look for (and what to run from) when visiting a church for the first time. The conversation gets real about the seeker-sensitive movement, consumer Christianity, and why treating church like a gym membership is not just unbiblical — it's spiritually dangerous. The guys also address the hard question of when it's ever right to leave a church, arguing that the bar is far higher than most people think, and that preferences are never a good enough reason to walk away. Finally, they make the sobering case that forsaking the church isn't just a missed opportunity — it's a willful act of sin that leaves a believer exposed and vulnerable. If you've ever wondered where you belong as a Christian, this episode will give you both the theology and the practical tools to find your church home.

If you were encouraged by this episode or have any questions you would like to have answered, please email us at justin@itstandswritten.org or send us a text at the link in the description.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Master's Seminary - Find a Church

Verses Mentioned:

• 1 Corinthians 12, 3, 8–9, 14
• 2 Timothy 4:3
• Acts 2:43–44
• Matthew 18
• James 2
• Hebrews 3:12–13, 10:25, 13
• 1 Corinthians 4–5
• Ephesians 1, 3, 5
• Matthew 13 (Parable of the Wheat & Tares)
• John 10
• 1 John 2:19
• Revelation 2–3
• Romans 14–15
• Titus 2:15
• Acts 5 (Ananias & Sapphira)
• 2 Corinthians
• Matthew 22 (Great Commandment)
• Matthew 28 (Great Commission)

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In this episode of the It Stands Written podcast, Elijah sits down with co-host Braden as the guest to hear his full testimony — a raw and honest look at what God does when He opens blind eyes. Braden shares about growing up with divorced parents, a nominal Christian background, and no real foundation in Scripture, spending his youth chasing acceptance through music, expensive clothing, and the desperate longing for a relationship. From early addiction to pornography and vaping to writing explicit rap music and idolizing the idea of a future wife, Braden paints a clear picture of a young man searching for fulfillment in all the wrong places. The turning point came unexpectedly — not through a dramatic altar call or a church service, but in a quiet moment at his desk, when God sovereignly opened his eyes and made the gospel undeniably clear. Braden describes the "domino effect" of sanctification that followed: freedom from pornography, selling off idolized clothing, deleting his music, and surrendering even his beloved video games — all as the Holy Spirit worked to clean up his life one sin at a time. The guys also dig into the difference between conscience-driven sorrow and true godly repentance, drawing from Romans 1-2 and the contrast between Peter and Judas. Now married to his wife Tessa, with their first child on the way, Braden reflects on how God didn't just remove the idol of a wife from his heart — He fulfilled that desire beyond anything Braden could have imagined. If you've ever tried to fill a God-shaped hole with people, status, or pleasure, this episode is for you.

If you were encouraged by this episode or have any questions you would like to have answered, please email us at justin@itstandswritten.org or send us a text at the link in the description.

Verses Mentioned:

• 1 Peter 3:14-15
• Romans 2:14-15

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In this episode of the It Stands Written podcast, hosts Elijah and Braden welcome Rick, a friend from Desert Bible Church, to share his testimony as part of their ongoing series inspired by 1 Peter 3:14-15 — a call to always be ready to give an account for the hope within us. Rick opens up about being saved at a young age after his father came home from a military stint with a newfound faith that transformed their entire family, landing Rick in a Christ-centered Christian school where the gospel took root in his heart. He reflects honestly on the double life he lived as a young boy — including the weight of early sexual abuse — and how God was quietly convicting and cleaning him up even before he ever knew Christ personally. The conversation moves through Rick's whirlwind early adulthood: marrying at 18, adopting a child, and navigating the chaos of parenthood with no roadmap, all while leaning on God through the messiest chapters. One of the most moving moments comes as Rick shares a pivotal turning point with his rebellious teenage daughter and the unexpected peace God gave him on the drive to pick her up — a moment where God made clear that she was now accountable to Him. Rick also opens up about one of his greatest trials: losing his daughter-in-law to cancer in her early 30s, and how that grief reshaped his understanding of God's sovereignty, and prayer. Throughout the episode, Rick's central message rings clear — knowing God intimately, trusting His sovereignty over the "why," and resting in the truth that His presence alone is worth any suffering this life brings.

If you were encouraged by this episode or have any questions you would like to have answered, please email us at justin@itstandswritten.org or send us a text at the link in the description.

Verses Mentioned:

• 1 Peter 3:14-15
• Romans 9:20
• Philippians 1:21
• Romans 8:28

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In this bonus testimony episode of the It Stands Written podcast, hosts Braden and Elijahsit down with Emerson, a young woman who gave her life to Christ just eight months ago. Emerson shares her raw and powerful story — from growing up without a clear understanding of the gospel to spending years in the LGBTQ community. She opens up about how her brother's bold challenge at a Christmas dinner planted a seed, and how one late night in August 2025, reading Matthew 7:7, she asked Christ to be her Savior — and everything changed immediately. Emerson speaks candidly about the backlash she faced leaving the LGBTQ community, losing friends, and navigating guilt as a new believer, clinging to Romans 8:1 as her anchor. The conversation digs into what it looks like to walk away from a former identity and find a new one rooted entirely in Christ, and why finding a biblically sound church is the first and most important step for any new believer. If you or someone you know is wrestling with questions of identity, salvation, or what life after conversion looks like, this episode is for you.

If you were encouraged by this episode or have any questions you would like to have answered, please email us at justin@itstandswritten.org or send us a text at the link in the description.

Verses Mentioned:

• 1 Peter 3:15
• Matthew 7:7
• Romans 8:1
• 1 Peter 1:6–7
• Jeremiah 17:9
• Acts 9:15

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In this episode of the It Stands Written podcast, hosts Braden and Elijah launch a new testimony series by welcoming a special guest — Pam, a woman from their church with a remarkable conversion story. Raised in a practically atheistic home by two doctors, Pam grew up with zero exposure to Jesus, the gospel, or the concept of sin, and by age 40 considered herself one of God's favorites simply because her life was going well. That all changed one morning in 2004 when she received a mysterious email, listened to a 45-minute audio recording of the gospel, and within that single sitting went from confident self-sufficiency to the terrifying realization that she was at enmity with God — followed immediately by the overwhelming relief of Christ's finished work on the cross. Pam shares how God sovereignly used her father's death to prime her heart, how she came to faith with no Christian community to guide her, and how her husband and family responded to her sudden, dramatic transformation. The conversation explores the power of personal testimony as a defense of the faith (1 Peter 3:15), the way Christ breaks the power of sin without taking anything worth keeping, and the genuine brotherhood and sisterhood found in a healthy local church. Pam closes with a word of counsel to young women: pursue Christ, choose your companions wisely, believe what God says about you — and if you've already collected scars, take heart, because you can still be the "washed kind."

If you were encouraged by this episode or have any questions you would like to have answered, please email us at justin@itstandswritten.org or send us a text at the link in the description.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan

Verses Mentioned:

• 1 Peter 3:15
• Proverbs 13:20
• Proverbs 1:20

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In this episode of the It Stands Written podcast, the guys continue their series "So You Are Saved, Now What?" by diving deep into the discipline of prayer — the essential practice of talking to God. The guys open with an honest confession: prayer is hard work, and most of us don't do nearly enough of it. They break down the common barriers to a consistent prayer life, from distraction and busyness to simply not knowing what to pray for, and explore the difference between devoted prayer and the continual, "boots on/boots off" posture of God-consciousness throughout the day. Walking through the Lord's Prayer in Luke 11, Justin, Braden, and Elijah unpack each element — from the intimacy of calling God "Abba Father," to hallowing His name, seeking His kingdom, asking for daily provision, confession, and protection from temptation. The group also addresses a sobering reality: unconfessed sin and unforgiveness can actually hinder our prayers from being heard. They wrap up with a practical acronym — TACOS (Thanksgiving, Adoration, Confession, Others, Self) — as a helpful template for balanced, Spirit-led prayer. Closing with a powerful quote from John MacArthur, the episode challenges listeners to live with "God-colored glasses" — seeing every moment of life as filtered through an awareness of His presence. Whether you're a brand new believer learning to pray for the first time or a seasoned Christian who's let your prayer life grow cold, this episode will convict and encourage you to draw near to God.

If you were encouraged by this episode or have any questions you would like to have answered, please email us at justin@itstandswritten.org or send us a text at the link in the description.

Resources Mentioned:

• An Exposition on Prayer: Igniting the Fuel to Flame Our Communication with God by Jim Rosscup
• Disciplines of a Godly Man by R. Kent Hughes
• Prayer and Spiritual Warfare by Charles H. Spurgeon
• The Armor of God: Praying at All Times by John MacArthur

Verses Mentioned:

• Nehemiah
• Acts 6
• James 4:3, 5:16
• Galatians 4
• Luke 18:1-5
• Luke 11:1-8
• Hebrews 2; 4
• 1 Thessalonians 5
• Matthew 6
• 2 Corinthians 12
• Psalm 66:18
• 1 Peter 3
• Proverbs 30:8-9
• Luke 22
• Romans 8
• Ephesians 6:18

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