Success isn’t the enemy — idolatry is.

In this episode, I unpack the false agreements we unknowingly make with success, achievement, and ambition— agreements that slowly sabotage calling, identity, peace, and intimacy with God.

We don’t fall into idolatry overnight. We drift into it through quiet agreements:

“I am loved when I look strong.”

“I’m safe if I accumulate more.”

“My destiny depends on my effort.”

These inner contracts become spiritual traps disguised as ambition.
They look like excellence, but they weigh you down and exhaust you..

Today we confront three agreements:

Image — I need approval to feel worthy

Insulation — I need control and resources to feel safe

Independence — I must be strong enough to succeed on my own

And then we break them — with repentance, truth, and practice.

If you’ve ever chased a dream, reached a goal, and still felt empty…
If you’ve ever feared people’s opinions more than God’s whisper…
If you’ve ever trusted hustle more than His Spirit…

This episode is for you.

Break the agreement. Return to the Father. Build a calling, not an identity.

Learn more about coaching and mentorship: https://www.wadejoye.com/workwithwade

Read my book, This Dream Is Not For You: https://www.wadejoye.com/book

Have you ever wondered if God is still working behind the scenes in your life? In this video, I share a story about a word God spoke to me back in 1992—and how it came to pass over 30 years later. What seemed forgotten turned out to be confirmation that God’s timing is perfect, His plans never fail, and He’s closer than you think.

Through this story, I unpack five powerful truths about trusting God’s purpose, surrendering your plans, and resting in His timing when life doesn’t look like you expected. If you’ve ever felt overlooked, impatient, or discouraged while waiting on a promise, this message will remind you that God hasn’t forgotten you—He’s writing something beautiful behind the scenes.

If you’re in a waiting season or questioning what God is doing in your story, this is for you.

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Learn more about coaching and mentorship: https://www.wadejoye.com/workwithwade

Read my book, This Dream Is Not For You: https://www.wadejoye.com/book

The recent controversy around Forrest Frank and the Dove Awards has exposed something much deeper than a debate about the Christian music industry—it’s revealed what’s happening inside our own hearts.

In this episode, I share three lessons about conviction, humility, and purity of heart that every believer needs to hear:

-Why we naturally defend ourselves instead of letting the Holy Spirit examine us.
-How a symbol of success doesn’t automatically mean a symptom of pride.
-Why purity of heart is an ongoing process that requires daily surrender.

If you’ve ever wrestled with your motives, battled pride, or wondered how to stay focused on Jesus in a culture obsessed with recognition and platform, this video will challenge and encourage you.

Subscribe for more weekly teachings on faith, leadership, and living a steadfast life.

Learn more about coaching and mentorship: https://www.wadejoye.com/workwithwade

Read my book, This Dream Is Not For You: https://www.wadejoye.com/book

Get a free prayer guide to help you discover God's will for your life: https://www.wadejoye.com/discover-Gods-dream-for-your-life

This summer I had one of the most powerful encounters with the Holy Spirit I’ve ever experienced. It lifted years of discouragement, unlocked a new level of creativity, and gave me a boldness and confidence in God I had been longing for.

In this episode, I share my personal story of how the Holy Spirit met me in a fresh way—through prayer, fasting, deliverance, prophecy, and even speaking in tongues for the first time. You’ll hear how God used this moment to break lies I’d carried my whole life and fill me with new faith for the future.

Whether you’re hungry for more of God, curious about the gifts of the Spirit, or simply in need of encouragement, my prayer is that this testimony raises your expectation for how God can move in your life too.

Topics covered in this video:

* Encountering the Holy Spirit in a fresh way
* Breaking free from discouragement and lies
* Experiencing deliverance and prophetic ministry
* Speaking in tongues for the first time
* Walking boldly in a Spirit-led life
* How God unlocks creativity and confidence through His Spirit

🙏 I’d love to pray for you. Drop a comment below and let me know how I can stand with you in faith.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more videos on living a Spirit-led life, growing in your faith, and leading with courage.

Learn more about coaching and mentorship: https://www.wadejoye.com/workwithwade

Read my book, This Dream Is Not For You: https://www.wadejoye.com/book

Spiritual maturity is desperately needed in today’s culture. In this episode, I share 10 signs of spiritual maturity every Christian needs to know—practical, biblical ways to grow in your faith and walk by the Spirit.

Immaturity is celebrated everywhere. Outrage goes viral. But as followers of Jesus, we are called to be rooted, steadfast, and spiritually strong. These 10 practices are the seeds and signs of spiritual maturity—actions that position your heart for the Holy Spirit to produce the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).

In this teaching you’ll discover:
✅ What the Bible says about spiritual maturity
✅ 10 practical ways to grow spiritually as a Christian
✅ How to overcome immaturity, fear, and passivity in your faith
✅ Why the world needs mature Christians more than ever
✅ How to develop humility, patience, courage, generosity, joy, and more

Whether you’ve been in church for 30 years or just started following Jesus, these principles will help you walk in wisdom, boldness, and Christlike character.

📥 Download the free resource: 10 Practices for Spiritual Maturity
👉 wadejoye.com/maturity

📺 Watch next: https://youtu.be/saaGEl6a004

🔔 Subscribe to my channel for more videos on faith, spiritual growth, and Christian leadership.

Get my book, This Dream Is Not For You: wadejoye.com/book

Are you asleep while the world is breaking apart? Too many Christians are running from their assignment, fleeing from the presence of God, or spiritually asleep while our culture is in crisis. This video is a wake-up call to return to God’s presence, repent of division and hatred, and boldly walk in the calling Jesus has placed on your life.

If you’ve been wondering what God is saying in this hour, this teaching is for you. We talk about the urgent need for revival, reconciliation, and courage in the body of Christ. Drawing from Jonah 1, Matthew 5, and Matthew 7, this message speaks directly to the Church in America and believers around the world who feel the storm raging and the boat breaking.

Subscribe to the channel to learn how to live a steadfast and Spirit-led life

Learn more about coaching and mentorship: https://www.wadejoye.com/workwithwade

Read my book, This Dream Is Not For You: https://www.wadejoye.com/book

Get a free prayer guide to help you discern God's will for your life: https://www.wadejoye.com/discover-Gods-dream-for-your-life

Are you in a season of waiting on God?

Maybe you’ve prayed, obeyed, and stepped out in faith, but instead of moving forward it feels like you’re going backwards. You’re not alone. Many of our faith heroes in the Bible—Abraham, Joseph, Moses, David, Paul, even Jesus—went through long periods of waiting before God’s promises came to pass.

In this video, I’m sharing 5 things God does in your life while you wait—because waiting on God is not wasted time. Waiting is part of God’s timing, God’s testing, and God’s preparation for your calling. If you feel tired of delays, discouraged by obstacles, or frustrated that the dream hasn’t happened yet, this message will give you fresh hope and courage.

Don’t give up in the delay. Waiting on the Lord is where He does His deepest work in you.

Subscribe to my YouTube channel to learn how to live a steadfast and Spirit-led life:www.youtube.com/@wadejoye

Read my book, This Dream Is Not For You: https://www.wadejoye.com/book

Get a free prayer guide to help you discern God's will for your life: https://www.wadejoye.com/discover-Gods-dream-for-your-life

Have you ever wondered how to know if it’s really God’s voice that you hear?

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Ryan Straarup, who recently uprooted his entire family from North Carolina to Utah to plant a new church—simply because he believed God told him to.

Ryan shares his vulnerable story of walking through depression, discerning God’s voice through Scripture, prophetic words, and community, and taking the bold step of faith to move across the country.

We talk about:

-How to recognize the difference between your own thoughts and God’s voice
-Why God confirms His word through other people and the local church
-What it feels like to follow God in the “messy middle” when doubts and silence come
-The emotional roller coaster of church planting and trusting God with your family’s future
-Why Ryan and his wife Bethany chose Utah County—one of the most unreached places in America—to launch Holy Church
-The importance of communion, spiritual practices, and staying rooted in God’s presence

Whether you’re wrestling with a big decision, questioning if God has really spoken to you, or just needing encouragement to keep walking in faith, Ryan’s story will inspire you to trust God’s voice—even when it leads you into unknown territory.

📺 Subscribe to my YouTube channel for more episodes of The Wade Joye Show: http://www.youtube.com/@wadejoye

🔗 Connect with Ryan Straarup and support Holy Church: holychurch.co

📺 Follow Ryan’s journey on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RyanStraarup

🔗 Find out more about The Steadfast Way: https://www.wadejoye.com/thesteadfastway