The Wake-Up Call

Latest Episodes:

The War of Prayer Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

This episode is a devotional teaching on prayer as spiritual battle, centered on Acts 2 and Psalm 110:1. J.D. Walt argues that prayer is not mainly about reciting personal requests, but about joining Jesus in his ongoing intercession and participating in his victory over Satan, evil, sin, death, and darkness. He frames prayer as a way of aligning with the mind of Christ, advancing God’s kingdom, and learning to live in abiding communion with Jesus throughout the day rather than only in a prayer closet.

The episode also includes a worship segment with David Walt, who helps unpack the same theme through the hymn “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.” Together they emphasize that believers are on the winning side because Jesus has already won the war, even though battles remain. The message closes with a strong reminder not to see people as enemies, but to resist the devil with confidence in Christ’s power and kingdom.

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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Get the Wake-Up Call in your email each day ► https://seedbed.com/wakeupcall ⛪️ Are you a pastor? We'd love to connect ► https://seedbed.typeform.com/to/dymjFhUB Join the Field Team and help us sow the Wake-Up Call into new hearts ► https://seedbed.typeform.com/fieldteam Join the conversation: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/seedbedwakeupcall/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewakeupcall/ Listen to the podcast: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wake-up-call/id1040184070 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7t5qb5dpC7n0yxdyNsTKzTsi=e87495c982f145f6

Right Here. Right Now. Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

This episode is a prayer-centered devotional that opens a new mini-series focused on living with a deeper awareness of Jesus’s presence. J.D. reads from Acts 1:4–11 and reflects on the ascension of Jesus as the foundation for Christian prayer, emphasizing that prayer is not sending thoughts “out there,” but speaking directly to the risen Christ who is “right here, right now.” He frames the ascension as both Jesus’s exaltation and his nearness, arguing that prayer gives believers immediate access to him and participation in God’s will on earth.

The second half continues with a family-led worship segment, featuring a hymn, “Lord, I Want to Be a Christian,” sung as a heartfelt expression of longing rather than performance. The conversation highlights that becoming more like Jesus is not about striving harder, but about trusting more and allowing “Christ in you” to shape the heart from within.

CHAPTERS:
14:15 Introduction to Prayer and Longing
20:08 The Secret to Being Like Jesus
21:04 Sowing the Love of Jesus

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Get the Wake-Up Call in your email each day ► https://seedbed.com/wakeupcall ⛪️ Are you a pastor? We'd love to connect ► https://seedbed.typeform.com/to/dymjFhUB Join the Field Team and help us sow the Wake-Up Call into new hearts ► https://seedbed.typeform.com/fieldteam Join the conversation: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/seedbedwakeupcall/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewakeupcall/ Listen to the podcast: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wake-up-call/id1040184070 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7t5qb5dpC7n0yxdyNsTKzTsi=e87495c982f145f6

HSS: Called in to Pray at the Hospital Aug 08, 2026

Show notes

This episode is a warm, prayerful invitation to live with greater awareness of the Holy Spirit in everyday life. Dan Wilt opens with encouragement around the Wake-Up Call community, a coming New Room gathering, and a new women’s Bible study from Luann Riley called Growing Up. He then frames the episode around 1 Peter 2:9 and a Holy Spirit story centered on the idea that God often works through ordinary people in unexpected moments. The tone is pastoral and reflective, with a strong emphasis on prayer, consecration, and learning to ask, “What is the Father doing?”

The central story comes from Janet Wehrle, a speech-language pathologist in a hospital, who describes a surprising encounter in which a doctor unexpectedly led her to a patient who wanted prayer. What begins as an odd interruption becomes a clear example of divine orchestration: Janet prays briefly for the patient, and the moment reinforces the episode’s theme that believers are called to be attentive, available, and willing to partner with God in small but meaningful ways. Dan closes by blessing Janet and encouraging listeners to live as a “royal priesthood” in their daily settings, ready for God to use them wherever they are.

CHAPTERS:
00:04 Introduction to Holy Spirit Saturdays
02:54 The Importance of Community and Connection
05:12 The Power of Prayer and Spiritual Stories
05:43 Introduction and Background
06:34 A Divine Encounter in the Hospital
10:06 The Role of the Holy Spirit
11:22 Prayer and Community Support
12:30 Embracing the Holy Spirit's Guidance
15:30 The Power of Prayer and Community

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The Story Our Knees Tell Aug 07, 2026

Show notes

P.S. Get Your Copy of Growing Up Hey, Sower Nation! In celebration of launch week of Growing Up: Faith Lessons from the Book of James—and with hopes of sowing this good seed in as many places as possible—we are offering a deal for groups doing the study. Use the code WOMEN for 50% off orders of at least four books. And, remember, the videos come included with the books. Order here: https://my.seedbed.com/product/growing-up-james/

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When illness drags on or questions linger, many wonder if prayer still matters. Luann's candid journey through chronic migraines, combined with biblical encouragement from James, reveals how prayer can carry us through pain, uncertainty, and slow healing. She explores James’s plea to pray in trouble, praise in happiness, and call upon elders for healing—emphasizing that prayers of faith and community truly matter. Bethany joins in with stirring worship and the reminder that God's greatness is revealed through both answers and unanswered prayers, guiding us to trust and persist.

CHAPTERS:
00:04 Introduction and Reflection on the Book of James
02:50 The Power of Prayer and Community Support
06:03 Personal Testimony and the Journey of Healing
09:43 Introduction and Gratitude
10:43 The Greatness of God and Worship
12:36 Singing 'How Great Thou Art'

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Sing along with us! ► https://seedbed.com/hymnal/

Let God Have the Last Word Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

P.S. Get Your Copy of Growing Up Hey, Sower Nation! In celebration of launch week of Growing Up: Faith Lessons from the Book of James—and with hopes of sowing this good seed in as many places as possible—we are offering a deal for groups doing the study. Use the code WOMEN for 50% off orders of at least four books. And, remember, the videos come included with the books. Order at: https://my.seedbed.com/product/growing-up-james/

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Luann Riley reflects on James 3:2–6, exploring the immense power of words. Using James’s images of a horse’s bit, a ship’s rudder, and a small spark that can ignite a forest, she describes how careless, angry, or cruel remarks can leave lasting wounds. She invites listeners to acknowledge the harmful words they have carried, release them to God, and replace them with the truth that they are loved, chosen, forgiven, and made new.

The episode closes with a prayer for healing in both the words listeners have received and the words they speak to others. Luann offers a journaling prompt about how speech can reflect spiritual maturity, then Bethany Johnson shares her own experience of finding healing through faith and community after being torn down by others. Bethany leads a worshipful rendition of “My Chains Are Gone,” reinforcing the episode’s message of grace, freedom, and identity rooted in God.

CHAPTERS:
00:04 Introduction and Context of the Book of James
02:33 The Power of Words and Their Impact
05:47 Healing Through God's Truth and Releasing Hurtful Words
08:36 Personal Reflections and Practical Exercises
09:34 A Journey of Faith and Transformation
12:20 The Power of Grace in Worship

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The Mirror of the World Aug 05, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, the central message is that faith is meant to be lived, not just heard. Drawing from the book of James, the conversation explores how Scripture acts like a mirror, revealing the condition of our hearts and inviting us to respond with real transformation. The episode also reflects on the relationship between guilt, shame, and grace, emphasizing that God's love calls us to change through surrender rather than self-effort.

The discussion also highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in helping believers align their words, actions, and daily choices with what they profess to believe. Through personal reflection, worship, and journal prompts, the episode encourages listeners to examine where their faith and actions may be out of sync, and to rely on God's mercy for ongoing growth. Overall, it is a practical and encouraging message about spiritual maturity, obedience, and living out a faith that is visible in everyday life.

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Sing along with us! ► https://seedbed.com/hymnal/

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Built to Endure Aug 04, 2026

Show notes

This episode centers on James 1:2–4 and the idea that faith is strengthened through trials, not protected from them. Luann teaches that hardship is not a sign of weak faith or God’s absence, but often the place where perseverance, maturity, and wholeness are formed. She uses memorable imagery—“potato chip faith” versus “beef jerky faith”—to show the difference between a fragile faith that crumbles under pressure and a durable faith that can endure suffering with God. The message is pastoral and encouraging, especially for listeners who feel guilt, doubt, or exhaustion in seasons of pain.

The second half shifts into a personal hymn reflection on “Soon and Very Soon,” connecting grief, hope, and eternal perspective. Bethany shares a story from high school about losing a fellow student and how the hymn took on new meaning through that loss, emphasizing that even in deep sorrow, believers hold onto the promise of seeing the King one day. Together, the teaching and song create a theme of steadfast hope: trials are real, but they are not the end of the story, and Christian endurance is rooted in the promise of future joy and restoration.

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Growing Up Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

This episode opens with Luann Riley introducing herself and framing the week’s teaching around the book of James. She explains that her new study, Growing Up Faith: Lessons from James, focuses on spiritual maturity not as becoming more impressive, but as becoming more surrendered. Using James 1:1 and 1:22, she emphasizes that real faith is not just listening to God’s word, but living it out through patience, integrity, wisdom, and care for others. She also shares a personal reflection on James’s transformation from skeptic to servant after encountering the risen Jesus, highlighting the idea that a true encounter with Christ changes how we live.

The second half shifts into a worshipful hymn moment led by Bethany Johnson, who introduces “All to Jesus I Surrender.” She shares that she grows best when she is surrendering control to God, especially as someone who naturally prefers planning and routine. The hymn reinforces the episode’s central theme: growing up in faith happens through daily surrender, open-handed trust, and allowing the Holy Spirit to shape every part of life.

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HSS: The Spirit Moves in the Animal Clinic Aug 01, 2026

Show notes

Dan Wilt introduces a Holy Spirit story from pastor John Shaul, who describes an encounter at a veterinary emergency clinic. While waiting with his own dog, John and his wife connected with a worried couple whose cat needed urgent care. Drawing on their shared experience of losing beloved pets, John felt prompted to offer prayer. The couple welcomed it, and John prayed for comfort, peace, and wisdom for both the family and the veterinary team—leaving encouraged that a simple act of obedience can bring God’s care into an ordinary moment.

Dan reflects on how personal suffering can deepen compassion and prepare us to serve people facing similar pain. John adds that being available to God means choosing presence over hurry: staying attentive to the people and moments in front of us rather than being ruled by the clock. The episode closes with a prayer and journaling prompts inviting listeners to consider the challenges God has carried them through, recognize others experiencing similar struggles, and look for opportunities to offer love, encouragement, and prayer.

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Sing along with us! ► https://seedbed.com/hymnal/

Without the Resurrection, We've Got Nothing Jul 31, 2026

Show notes

This episode closes out the Mark series with a strong focus on the resurrection of Jesus from Mark 16. J.D. walks through the empty tomb, the angel’s message that Jesus has risen, and why the resurrection is the center of the Christian faith. He argues that without the resurrection, Jesus would be just another historical figure, but because he lives, his life, teaching, death, and victory over sin and death are all revealed with saving power. The message is framed as a wake-up call to trust not just the idea of resurrection, but the living presence of Christ at work right now through the Holy Spirit.

J.D. and David Walt sing “Up from the Grave He Arose,” performed as a kind of Easter victory lap, reinforcing the theme that resurrection is not just a past event but the believer’s present reality. Along the way, J.D. encourages listeners to respond with faith, worship, prayer, and action, and he previews what’s coming next in the series, including a guest teacher and a new Bible study on James. Overall, it’s an uplifting finale about hope, witness, and living in resurrection life today.

CHAPTERS:
00:04 Introduction to the Mark Pizza Challenge
02:11 The Importance of the Resurrection
11:03 Living in Resurrection Power
14:52 Celebrating the End of Mark's Gospel
17:44 The Significance of Easter and Our Role
21:01 Upcoming Guests and Community Engagement

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