99. Growing in Alertness to the Holy Spirit | The Ladder of Divine Ascent

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Raised & Redeemed

Michaela Nikolaenko

108 episodes

2 days ago

I’m Michaela—a wife, mom, and Jesus follower who was radically saved from child abuse trauma, substance abuse, New Age deception, sex work, and ungodly relationships. Now, I share what it means to live a raised and redeemed life after a life of sin. This podcast is for those who’ve been to the dark side and back—and are ready to grow in holiness, confront the battle within, and pursue sanctification through spiritual discipline. Rooted in Orthodox Christianity, this is real talk for the soul that longs for God. Reach me and find out more at www.michaelanikolaenko.com

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99. Growing in Alertness to the Holy Spirit | The Ladder of Divine Ascent | Thirty Steps to Heaven

Raised & Redeemed

11 minutes 56 seconds

4 months ago

99. Growing in Alertness to the Holy Spirit | The Ladder of Divine Ascent | Thirty Steps to Heaven

Growing in Alertness to the Holy Spirit - Awakening the Numb Soul

Have you ever caught yourself praying but not really praying? Going through the motions of faith while feeling spiritually numb? You're not alone. In this powerful episode, we explore how to move from spiritual insensitivity to genuine alertness to God's presence.

📖 WHAT WE COVER:

Step 18: The dangerous trap of spiritual insensitivity and hypocrisy

Step 19: When sleep becomes escape from spiritual reality

Step 20: Cultivating true spiritual alertness and sobriety

🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

✓ Spiritual insensitivity is common but curable

✓ "Every sinner is a mirror of another" - our judgments reveal our own sins

✓ True hope begins with holy despair: "Lord, I cannot save myself"

✓ Alertness isn't anxiety - it's spiritual sobriety

✓ One honest moment with God can pierce through weeks of numbness

💡 THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE:

Move beyond spiritual checklists and practice meditative presence with God through Scripture, prayer, silence, and nature.

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📚 Books Referenced (Affiliate Links):

📖 The Ladder of Divine Ascent by St. John Climacus

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XMYTZ5R/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_DX1KQSTFH0NBD69EKGWJ?linkCode=ml1&tag=michaelare072-20

📖 Thirty Steps to Heaven by Fr. Vassilios Papavassiliou

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1936270897/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_FW05ZVMT36V1Q4WT5JVH?linkCode=ml1&tag=michaelare072-20

📖 Orthodox Study Bible

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0718003594/ref=cm_sw_r_as_gl_api_gl_i_83T623KVX235AS8T6KZ2?linkCode=ml1&tag=michaelare072-20

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🎧 Start from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGT8kg7CzX8

📖 Find the show notes here 👉 www.michaelanikolaenko.com/podcast

🔔 Subscribe and join me each week as we climb this ladder together—step by step, passion by passion, virtue by virtue.

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🌐 Explore More:

Website → www.michaelanikolaenko.com (blog, book updates, merch, and more)

🎙️ Listen to the Podcast:

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/raisedandredeemed

🎥 Subscribe on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCn2x_6If3KUo5d9aA_7ALLw

📲 Follow Along on Socials:

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/michaelanikolaenko/

TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelanikolaenko

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/raisedandredeemed

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🕒 Timestamps:

00:00-1:40 intro

1:40-5:14 Passion of Insensitivity

5:14-6:30 Passion of Sleep

6:30-7:18 The Virtue of Alertness

7:18-8:31 My Takeaway

8:31-10:23 Practical Application

10:23-11:10 Prayer to Awaken Soul

11:10-11:56 Closing