Power vs. Authority: Becoming a Witness in a New Era – The You Are My Witnesses Podcast
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Previous Episode Recap
In the last episode, I shared about how our hearts are similar to containers. As we are developing into Christ (from the inside out), there is a stage in our development when our containers have lids. The lid closes us off to work of the Spirit, and becomes a trap for bitterness and spiritual decay. To become true witnesses of God, we must open our hearts, process grief, and allow Him to heal us.
Key “Lids” that block us:
- Pride
- Selfish motives
- Bitterness
Bitterness must be faced, not ignored. Grief is necessary for healing, not weakness. Jesus modeled this by fully embracing sorrow (Gethsemane) and refusing pain-numbing gall on the cross.
Personal vision shared: Jesus enters the locked places in our hearts, pours healing honey over wounds, and transforms bitterness into beauty.
Biblical examples:
- Marah’s bitter waters made sweet (Exodus 15)
- Poisonous stew purified (2 Kings 4)
- Naomi renamed “Mara” (Ruth 1)
- Jesus rejects gall (Matthew 27)
Challenge:
Stop coping. Bring pain to Jesus. Let Him restore your soul (Psalm 23). He makes all bitter things sweet.
On our journey to becoming His witness, we must learn to surrender everything to the Lord—including our armor. Too often, we construct self-made defenses, hoping to shield ourselves from pain and disappointment. While this is a natural human response, it is not rooted in God’s truth. The hard reality is this: there is no real protection outside of Him. Any armor we build apart from God will ultimately fail, leaving us weary, isolated, and vulnerable. This walk is not a do-it-yourself ministry—it is an outpouring of a surrendered life in Him.
If you’ve relied on self-protection only to end up more broken than before, there is a better way. Jesus didn’t just give His life for you—He became your armor! He invites you to lay down your own defenses and take up His divine protection, wrapped in His perfect love. Sometimes, Jesus leads us into the wilderness—not to leave us exposed, but to exchange our burdens for His strength. He strips away what is unworthy and clothes us with more of Himself, transforming us into His likeness.
Think of a caterpillar shedding its skin before becoming a butterfly. The wilderness is not a place of loss, but of exchange—a transition from one stage of growth to another. It is in this sacred process that we are transformed, just as Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3:18: “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
Your transformation is not a struggle—it’s a surrender. Let go of your self-made armor, trust His covering, and embrace the glorious process of becoming more like Him.
Episode #4: Encountering Jesus in the Wilderness
Holly Renee is an entrepreneur, speaker, and bold encourager passionate about faith, holistic living, and empowering others to step into their God-given purpose. As the founder of a thriving superfoods company, Elderwise Organics, she built her business debt-free, trusting in God’s provision every step of the way.
Her journey is a testimony of healing, resilience, and radical faith—overcoming seven knee surgeries and heart surgery to walk in total restoration. She and her husband have built a life rooted in faith, family, and freedom, homeschooling their children and encouraging others to break free from the world’s expectations.
Now, Holly shares her story to inspire women to walk in obedience, trust God fully, and boldly witness for Christ in business, motherhood, and everyday life. Today, she’s sharing how encountering Jesus transformed her journey and how you, too, can step into the fullness of His calling.
You can connect with her on social media and listen to her new podcast “Let’s Live Radically” with Holly Renee.
Episode Overview:
Meet Holly Renee (00:45)
- Launching a Podcast and Future Plans (1:17)
- Starting small and growing exponentially (7:34)
- Healing through Community and Authenticity (11:47)
- God’s Healing and Our Responsibility (15:19)
- Navigating Loss and Spiritual Warfare (20:36)
- Struggles with Faith and Doubt (26:24)
Holly’s Wilderness Experience (30:10)
- Fasting and Spiritual Renewal (38:11)
- The Wilderness Fellowship Ministries
- Preparation for the Wilderness (40:47)
- Questions and Answers with God (45:24)
- The Power of Jesus Breaking Chains (50:48)
- The Importance of Spiritual Encounters (57:49)
Understanding Resistance in the Body (01:01:51)
- God’s Presence in the Wilderness (01:08:32)
- Recognizing Spiritual Warfare (01:12:38)
- Holly Prays for Listener (01:20:33)
Key Takeaways:
✅ The importance of surrendering self-protection and embracing God’s armor
✅ How faith and holistic healing transformed Holly’s life
✅ Overcoming fear, doubt, and worldly limitations through God’s truth
✅ The power of standing out as believers in a world that encourages blending in
✅ Practical steps to start walking in God’s freedom today
Call to Action:
Holly’s story isn’t just inspiring—it’s an invitation. If you’ve ever felt distant from God, trapped in doubt, or overwhelmed by life’s struggles, know this: He has never abandoned you. It’s time to step into the wilderness, strip away the noise, and allow God to transform your heart, mind, and body.
🌿 Are you ready to break free?
🔥 Will you dare to live set apart?
🙏 Surrender, seek Him, and step into your calling.
Listen now, be encouraged, and let this episode ignite a fire in your faith. God is waiting—will you answer?
✨ It’s time to step into the fullness of who God created you to be! Take a moment to reflect: What limitations have you accepted that God never intended for you? Write them down, pray over them, and declare His freedom in those areas.
💡 Connect with Holly Renee and get inspired by her journey! Follow her new podcast Life with Holly Renee for bold encouragement and practical wisdom on radical faith and healing.
🔗 Subscribe & Share! If this episode spoke to you, send it to a friend and let’s grow together in bold, unwavering faith. Will you gaze on Him and open your heart to His presence today? 💛 #StayConnected #DeepenYourFaith #BecomeGod’sWitness #RadicalFaith #WildernessWithJesus
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*Music by LiteSaturation
Janell Kremer 
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