Healing, Forgiveness, Hope Recovery, New Life, Change, Counseling Episodes

What do you do when the obstacles in front of you seem bigger than the promise God has given you? In this special teaching episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel explores the account of the twelve spies in Numbers 13–14 and asks a personal question: What giants are keeping you from moving forward in faith? Fear, past failures, financial limitations, and the hurtful words of others can leave us feeling small and unqualified. David encourages us to bring those struggles to God and trust His faithfulness as we take the next step. Drawing on more than fifty years in ministry, David shares how a new ministry grew from an 1,100-square-foot rented space into a 28,000-square-foot facility built debt-free through community support. His story illustrates the importance of prayer, accountability, perseverance, and depending on God when our own resources fall short. David also offers practical encouragement for growing in faith through Scripture, a church community, and daily surrende…

Have you ever felt that one failure ruined your testimony—or that God could no longer use you? In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes teacher, author, and ministry leader Jason Johnson for an honest conversation about overcoming shame, understanding grace, and learning to trust God through painful seasons. Jason shares how childhood abuse and depression shaped his early years, and how his sister’s encouragement, Christian hip-hop, and a powerful testimony helped lead him to Jesus at sixteen. His newfound faith inspired him to use music to share the gospel and later pursue Bible college and missions. But following Jesus also brought lessons about legalism, unrealistic expectations, and the crushing weight of trying to prove his worth. Jason describes how a personal failure left him feeling disqualified—and what he learned about confession, forgiveness, and receiving support from other believers. He also discusses biblical discernment and his ministry encour…

Have painful experiences, past failures, or your age left you wondering whether God still has a purpose for your life? In this episode of God Says Yes, David W. Ebel welcomes clinical psychologist, professor, author, and podcast host Dr. James Torkildson—known as Dr. T—for a heartfelt conversation about grace, forgiveness, and the courage to begin again. Dr. T shares his journey from childhood poverty and family brokenness to a life-changing encounter with Jesus while serving in the military. With renewed purpose, he pursued an education he once seemed unlikely to attain and built a career helping others through counseling and behavioral health services. But retirement brought another beginning. At seventy, he felt called to write, opening a new chapter of authorship, speaking, and ministry. Together, David and Dr. T explore how disappointment, resentment, and shame can hold us back—and how receiving God’s grace and forgiving others can help us move forward. His central…

Once told he would not live past twenty, David W. Ebel is sharing his story at seventy-four—after more than fifty years of ministry. In this special episode of God Says Yes, David opens his heart about a childhood marked by medical challenges, chronic pain, relentless bullying, and a desperate longing to belong. He shares how depression and addiction brought him to the point of wanting to end his life—and how a young woman’s invitation to church became an unexpected turning point. Despite a painful reception from some church members, David encountered the love of Jesus. Two believers then came alongside him, helping him learn to live out his new faith and discover a purpose he never imagined possible. That beginning grew into a lifetime of serving alongside his wife, Diane, through children’s ministry, chaplaincy, disaster response, and church leadership. Their ministry took them to forty-nine states and twenty countries. David’s story includes ongoing pain as well as extr…