The Higher Pursuit Podcast

Cecily Lachapelle
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Christianity
  • Weekly

Welcome to Higher Pursuit, where we walk together on the journey of pursuing our best in Christ. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by life’s demands, facing self-doubt, or longing for deeper purpose, this podcast is for you. Here, we tackle real struggles—from emotional resilience to spiritual growth—drawing strength from faith and biblical wisdom. Inspired by Paul’s image of the Christian life as a race for an eternal prize, I’m here as your Coach, offering encouragement, practical guidance, and support to build your endurance and strengthen your spirit. Let’s press on together, with our eyes on Jesus, toward the life God has called us to.

  1. 3h ago

    You Love God—So Why Is It So Hard to Stay Consistent?

    Send us Fan Mail You love Jesus. You want a deeper relationship with Him. So why is it so hard to stay consistent? Maybe you start strong—reading your Bible, praying, exercising, getting up earlier, and putting God first—but before long, life gets busy, distractions creep in, and those good intentions begin to fade. If you’re tired of starting over and wondering how to build spiritual habits that actually last, this conversation is for you. In this episode of The Higher Pursuit Podcast, I sit down with Jason Heinritz, author of *Wake Up Jesus People* and founder of the 40 Forge Challenge, to talk about what it looks like to stop drifting spiritually and get serious about your walk with Jesus. Jason spent years chasing success and building a life that looked impressive from the outside—until he realized he was building his own kingdom instead of God’s. That realization began a journey from striving to surrender, stress to Sabbath, and performance to the presence of God. We talk about the daily disciplines that helped transform Jason’s life and why our habits matter so much when it comes to spiritual growth. In this conversation, we discuss: 🔥 How to recognize when you’re spiritually drifting   🔥 Why motivation alone isn’t enough to create lasting change   🔥 How daily Bible reading and prayer build spiritual strength   🔥 The connection between spiritual, mental, and physical discipline   🔥 Moving from striving and performance into surrender and God’s presence   🔥 Why your daily habits are shaping the person you’re becoming   🔥 Jason’s “Sacred Start” and the power of beginning your day intentionally with God   🔥 The story behind *Wake Up Jesus People*   🔥 The 40 Forge Challenge—a 40-day commitment designed to strengthen your faith and build lasting disciplines You don’t have to wait until you “feel motivated” to pursue God wholeheartedly. Small acts of obedience, practiced consistently, can begin changing the direction of your life. If you’ve been feeling spiritually stuck, distracted, inconsistent, lukewarm, or simply hungry for more of God, I pray this conversation encourages you to wake up, show up, and pursue Jesus with fresh intentionality. ⚔️ CONNECT WITH JASON HEINRITZ 📖 *Wake Up Jesus People* — Learn more and get the book:   https://wakeupjesuspeople.com/ ⚔️ 40 Forge Challenge — A 40-day journey focused on strengthening your faith, mind, body, and daily disciplines:   https://wakeupjesuspeople.com/40-forge-challenge 🌐 Jason’s Website:   https://wakeupjesuspeople.com/ 📸 Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/jasonheinritz/ 💼 LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-r-heinritz/ 📺 YouTube:   https://www.youtube.com/@heinritzjr28 💬 NOW I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU: What is ONE area where you know God is calling you to become more consistent—Bible reading, prayer, exercise, rest, eliminating distractions, or something else? 👇 Put it in the comments. Don’t just name the struggle—tell us the ONE habit you’re committing to start or strengthen this week. Your comment might be the encouragement someone else needs to stop starting over and start moving forward. And if this conversation encouraged you, LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to The Higher Pursuit Podcast, and SHARE it with someone who is ready to stop drifting and go deeper with God. Support the show 🌟 Stay Connected & Go Deeper! 🌟 Loved this episode? There’s more where that came from! 🎧✨ Connect with me for more faith-filled encouragement, practical insights, and exclusive content: Explore more + free resources here: https://linktr.ee/cecily.lachapelle ✅ Watch on YouTube ✅ Dive into my website ✅ Follow on social media for more inspiration Your journey doesn’t stop here—let’s keep growing together! 💛 Click the link now! 👆 ✅ Please consider supporting the show with a monthly donation. 💛  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2138819/support

  2. Oct 9

    Why you're still STUCK || Cecily Lachapelle

    Send us Fan Mail Why do you keep getting stuck—even when you’re praying, reading Scripture, and genuinely trying to change? What if the problem isn’t a lack of discipline, but a deeper place God wants to heal? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Heather O’Brien, host of the Heal with God Podcast, to talk about Christian emotional healing, hearing God’s voice, breaking unhealthy patterns, overcoming fear and shame, and finding the root beneath the behaviors that keep us stuck. Have you ever started strong—praying consistently, exercising, eating healthier, developing better habits—only to suddenly stop? You may have called yourself lazy, inconsistent, undisciplined, or a procrastinator. But what if there’s something deeper going on? Heather shares the powerful story of Shawna, who believed her problem was inconsistency. During a live biblical healing and prayer workshop, however, Heather helped her uncover something much deeper: part of Shawna was afraid of who she would become if she actually moved forward. 🔥 Sometimes what we call a discipline problem may be pointing to a deeper fear, belief, wound, or protection pattern that needs to be brought before God. In this episode of The Higher Pursuit Podcast, Heather and I talk about: • Why Christians can still feel stuck after prayer, Scripture, counseling, and self-help • How to recognize the root beneath recurring behaviors and patterns • Why anxiety, fear, shame, guilt, and unforgiveness can point to deeper issues • How protection patterns can be mistaken for personality traits or character flaws • Why we sometimes sabotage our own progress • How Heather discerns what to pray rather than relying on a generic prayer formula • The connection between emotional healing and spiritual healing • The role hearing God’s voice can play in the healing process • How to test what you believe you’re hearing against the Word of God • What to do when you love Jesus but wonder, “Why am I not further along by now?” If you’ve been frustrated with yourself because you keep returning to the same struggle, I hope this conversation encourages you to ask a different question. Instead of only asking: “How do I fix this?” Try asking: “Lord, is there something underneath this struggle that You want to show me or heal?” God cares about more than changing our behavior. He cares about transforming our hearts. 🙏 Stay until the end, because Heather closes our conversation in prayer. CONNECT WITH HEATHER O’BRIEN 🎙️ Heal with God Podcast: https://heatherobrien.net/podcast 📖 Heather’s Books: https://heatherobrien.net/books 🌐 Website: https://heatherobrien.net/ 📱 Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/healwithgodpodcast/ CONNECT WITH CECILY LACHAPELLE 🎙️ The Higher Pursuit Podcast: Subscribe here on YouTube and turn on notifications so you don’t miss future biblical teaching and conversations designed to help you deepen your relationship with God. 📖 My Book – Repurpose Your Pain: https://higherpursuitministries.com/repurposeyourpain/ 🌐 Website: https://higherpursuitministries.com/ ✍️ Substack: https://substack.com/@cecilylachapelle 📱 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cecily_lachapelle/ Facebook page link:  📱 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cecilylachapelle.org 💬 JOIN THE CONVERSATION What is one area where you’ve been calling yourself “inconsistent” or “undisciplined”? Could there be something deeper God is inviting you to explore? Share your thoughts in the comments. Your story may encourage someone else who has been struggling with the same thing. 👍 If this conversation encouraged you, please LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE this episode with someone who needs to hear it. Support the show 🌟 Stay Connected & Go Deeper! 🌟 Loved this episode? There’s more where that came from! 🎧✨ Connect with me for more faith-filled encouragement, practical insights, and exclusive content: Explore more + free resources here: https://linktr.ee/cecily.lachapelle ✅ Watch on YouTube ✅ Dive into my website ✅ Follow on social media for more inspiration Your journey doesn’t stop here—let’s keep growing together! 💛 Click the link now! 👆 ✅ Please consider supporting the show with a monthly donation. 💛  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2138819/support

  3. Sep 25

    Judgment or Discernment? How to Know the Difference

    Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt a check in your spirit about someone—but ignored it because you were afraid you were judging them? Or have you called something “discernment,” only to have the Holy Spirit later reveal that it was actually judgment? In this Matthew 7 Bible study, we tackle one of Jesus’ most quoted—and often misunderstood—commands: “Do not judge.” What did Jesus actually mean? And how do we reconcile that command with His instruction to recognize false prophets by their fruit? We’ll explore the difference between biblical discernment and self-righteous judgment, why Jesus tells us to examine the log in our own eye first, and what it means to avoid “casting your pearls before swine.” I’ll also take you into an original-language Bible word study of anakrinō in 1 Corinthians 2:14 and show you how to use Greek word studies, context, and Scripture to develop Spirit-led discernment for yourself. But Matthew 7 ultimately brings us to an even deeper question. Jesus describes people who prophesied, cast out demons, and performed mighty works in His name—yet He said: “I never knew you.” Could we become so focused on doing things FOR Jesus that we neglect our life WITH Jesus? In this episode, we'll talk about spiritual fruit, false prophets, the narrow road, knowing Jesus, walking in love, and what mature Christian discipleship actually looks like. Your Higher Pursuit Challenge: Choose one word from Matthew 7 this week and do your own word study. Don't just listen—dig into the Word for yourself. #Matthew7 #BiblicalDiscernment #ChristianDiscernment #BibleStudy #DoNotJudge #JudgingOthers #SermonOnTheMount #HowToStudyTheBible #BibleTeaching #ChristianLiving #SpiritualGrowth #KnowJesus #HigherPursuit Support the show 🌟 Stay Connected & Go Deeper! 🌟 Loved this episode? There’s more where that came from! 🎧✨ Connect with me for more faith-filled encouragement, practical insights, and exclusive content: Explore more + free resources here: https://linktr.ee/cecily.lachapelle ✅ Watch on YouTube ✅ Dive into my website ✅ Follow on social media for more inspiration Your journey doesn’t stop here—let’s keep growing together! 💛 Click the link now! 👆 ✅ Please consider supporting the show with a monthly donation. 💛  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2138819/support

  4. Sep 18

    Make the Decision | How to grow in discernment, stop overthinking & move forward

    Send us Fan Mail Are you so afraid of making the wrong decision that you’ve stopped moving forward? Maybe you’ve prayed, asked God for direction, and waited for confirmation—but now you’re caught in overthinking, second-guessing, and wondering how to know God’s will. In this episode of The Higher Pursuit Podcast, Cecily Lachapelle talks with pastor, author, and speaker Brenda Seefeldt about biblical discernment, Christian decision-making, overcoming perfectionism, and learning to trust God enough to take the next faithful step. Brenda shares a powerful truth: “God is not fragile.” Our confidence doesn’t have to rest in our ability to make every decision perfectly. It can rest in the faithfulness of the God who leads, corrects, and redeems. IN THIS EPISODE: • How to distinguish discernment from overthinking • What to do when God doesn’t seem to be giving you a clear answer • How perfectionism and fear keep us stuck • Whether there can be more than one “right” decision • What to do when you’re afraid you’ve made the wrong choice • Why you need a trusted “life team” when making important decisions • How to stop second-guessing and take the next faithful step YOUR TAKEAWAY When you’re facing a difficult decision: NAME IT. DISCERN IT. CONFIRM IT. MOVE ON IT. You don’t need to see the entire road before you move. At some point, discernment requires a decision. Your confidence isn’t in your ability to make the perfect decision. Your confidence is in a faithful God who can lead you, correct you, and redeem your imperfect progress. Know someone who is struggling with a decision right now? Share this episode with them. CONNECT WITH BRENDA SEEFELDT Brenda: https://bravester.com/ Larger Story Church: https://largerstory.church/ Bible Study/Resources: https://bravester.com/trust-issues-with-god-bible-study/ Social: https://www.facebook.com/bseefeldt CONNECT WITH CECILY  Get Repurpose Your Pain: [Book link] The Higher Pursuit on YouTube: [YouTube link] Website: [Website link] The Higher Pursuit on Substack: [Substack link] If this episode encouraged you, follow The Higher Pursuit, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who needs encouragement to stop second-guessing and move forward. Support the show 🌟 Stay Connected & Go Deeper! 🌟 Loved this episode? There’s more where that came from! 🎧✨ Connect with me for more faith-filled encouragement, practical insights, and exclusive content: Explore more + free resources here: https://linktr.ee/cecily.lachapelle ✅ Watch on YouTube ✅ Dive into my website ✅ Follow on social media for more inspiration Your journey doesn’t stop here—let’s keep growing together! 💛 Click the link now! 👆 ✅ Please consider supporting the show with a monthly donation. 💛  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2138819/support

  5. Sep 11

    Stop Worrying About Tomorrow: What Jesus Says About Anxiety | Matt. 6:16-34

    Send us Fan Mail What does Jesus say about anxiety, worry, and fear about the future? In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us, “Do not be anxious about tomorrow”—but He doesn’t simply tell us to stop worrying. He shows us why we can trust our Heavenly Father and what to do with an anxious mind instead. Join me LIVE for Week 13 of the Word Alive series as we finish Matthew 6 and take a deeper look at Jesus’ teaching on anxiety, trusting God, seeking first the Kingdom, and learning to live one day at a time. We’ll discover: Why what we treasure is often connected to what we worry about What Jesus teaches us through the birds and the flowers The meaning of the Greek word merimnaō, translated anxious or worry Four reasons Jesus gives us not to worry What it means to “seek first the Kingdom of God” How Philippians 4:6–7 teaches us to redirect anxiety through prayer, thanksgiving, and trust Why we need to stop trying to live tomorrow today Jesus never promised us a trouble-free tomorrow. But He reminds us that we have a Father who already knows what we need. So you don’t need tomorrow’s answers today. You don’t need tomorrow’s provision today. You don’t need tomorrow’s strength today. You need today’s grace for today’s trouble. If you’re walking through an anxious season, bring your prayer needs with you. At the end of the livestream, we’ll take time to pray together—surrendering the things we cannot control and asking the Holy Spirit to turn our attention back toward Jesus and the faithfulness of our Father. 📖 SCRIPTURES: Matthew 6:16–34 • Philippians 4:6–7 • Isaiah 26:3 📥 DOWNLOAD THE WEEK 13 HANDOUT: https://higherpursuitministries.com/w... 💌 JOIN MY EMAIL LIST: Become a free subscriber at Cecily Lachapelle’s Substack to receive livestream reminders, handouts, and my monthly note. Substsack: cecilylachapelle.substack.com If you want to grow in your understanding of Scripture and pursue deeper intimacy with Jesus, subscribe to The Higher Pursuit and join us for the Word Alive series. Tomorrow belongs to Him. Today, we seek Him. The Higher Pursuit Nurturing your faith. Sharpening your endurance. #BibleStudy #Anxiety #Worry #Matthew6 #TrustGod #SeekFirstTheKingdom #Jesus #ChristianLiving #SermonOnTheMount #anxiety #cureforanxiety #christianpodcast #ChristianPodcaster 🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/54417800... Support the show 🌟 Stay Connected & Go Deeper! 🌟 Loved this episode? There’s more where that came from! 🎧✨ Connect with me for more faith-filled encouragement, practical insights, and exclusive content: Explore more + free resources here: https://linktr.ee/cecily.lachapelle ✅ Watch on YouTube ✅ Dive into my website ✅ Follow on social media for more inspiration Your journey doesn’t stop here—let’s keep growing together! 💛 Click the link now! 👆 ✅ Please consider supporting the show with a monthly donation. 💛  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2138819/support

  6. Sep 4

    Why Isn’t God Answering My Prayers? | What Jesus Really Taught About Prayer

    Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered, “Why isn’t God answering my prayers?” Maybe you want to pray but struggle with how to pray, what to say, or how to keep believing when you’ve prayed for something for months—or even years—with no visible answer. In this episode of The Higher Pursuit Podcast, we’re opening Matthew 6 to discover what Jesus actually taught about prayer, the Lord’s Prayer, unanswered prayer, and how to develop a deeper, more confident prayer life. Before Jesus taught His disciples how to pray, He taught them about the heart behind prayer. Prayer isn’t about finding the perfect words or mastering the right technique—it’s about relationship with our Father. We’ll also discover that the Lord’s Prayer isn’t simply a prayer to recite. It gives us a powerful pattern for prayer: Relationship → Worship → Surrender → Provision → Forgiveness → Release → Guidance → Protection And then we’ll tackle the difficult question: What happens when we pray and the answer doesn’t seem to come? In this episode, you’ll discover: Why Jesus says “when you pray” rather than ifHow to use the Lord’s Prayer as a practical prayer outlineWhat Jesus meant by “ask, seek, and knock”What Scripture teaches about unanswered prayerWhy delay does not automatically mean denialHow to keep praying without losing heartMaybe you’ve stopped asking because you’ve been disappointed. Maybe there’s a person, promise, situation, or seemingly impossible circumstance you’ve stopped bringing before God. Could God be inviting you to ask again? Key Scriptures Matthew 6:5–15 • Matthew 7:7–8 • Luke 11:1–13 • Luke 18:1–8 • John 15:7 • Philippians 4:6–7 • Hebrews 4:16 • James 4:2–3 • 1 John 5:14–15 If this episode encourages you, follow The Higher Pursuit Podcast, leave a rating or review, and share it with someone who needs encouragement to keep praying. The Higher Pursuit Nurturing your faith. Sharpening your endurance. Support the show 🌟 Stay Connected & Go Deeper! 🌟 Loved this episode? There’s more where that came from! 🎧✨ Connect with me for more faith-filled encouragement, practical insights, and exclusive content: Explore more + free resources here: https://linktr.ee/cecily.lachapelle ✅ Watch on YouTube ✅ Dive into my website ✅ Follow on social media for more inspiration Your journey doesn’t stop here—let’s keep growing together! 💛 Click the link now! 👆 ✅ Please consider supporting the show with a monthly donation. 💛  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2138819/support

  7. Sep 1

    Have you lost your spiritual Edge

    Send us Fan Mail Have you ever felt like you've lost your spiritual edge? You still love God, but maybe your hunger isn't as strong, you've become distracted, or your spiritual senses just don't feel as sharp as they once did. In Week 10 of Word Alive, we're going deeper into Jesus' declaration: “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world.” We'll uncover the surprising connection between salt and covenant, what Jesus meant by salt losing its “savour,” and the Greek word mōrainō—which connects losing our saltiness with becoming dull or foolish. And that raises an important question: If the opposite of foolishness is wisdom, and the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, could maintaining the fear of the Lord be part of how we maintain our spiritual edge? In this episode, you'll discover: What Jesus really meant by salt and lightThe biblical significance of the covenant of saltHow we can become spiritually dull—and how to regain our edgeWhy staying close to Jesus is the key to maintaining our “saltiness”What it practically means to be salt and light in your family, workplace, community, and nationThis week's challenge: Where have you become spiritually dull—and where is God asking you to stop hiding your light? Stay close to Jesus. Keep Him first. And live like what He says you already are. Key Scriptures: Matthew 5:13–16; Leviticus 2:13; Numbers 18:19; Proverbs 9:10; Isaiah 42:6; Isaiah 49:6 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/nxxrhyggjSc?si=s-RrwA1AUJsTwF5E Download the Companion Handout: https://higherpursuitministries.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Have-You-Lost-Your-Spiritual-Edge-WA-Week-10.pdf Support the show 🌟 Stay Connected & Go Deeper! 🌟 Loved this episode? There’s more where that came from! 🎧✨ Connect with me for more faith-filled encouragement, practical insights, and exclusive content: Explore more + free resources here: https://linktr.ee/cecily.lachapelle ✅ Watch on YouTube ✅ Dive into my website ✅ Follow on social media for more inspiration Your journey doesn’t stop here—let’s keep growing together! 💛 Click the link now! 👆 ✅ Please consider supporting the show with a monthly donation. 💛  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2138819/support

  8. Aug 14

    The Beatitudes: What Are You Hungry For?

    Send us Fan Mail What if the Beatitudes are more than a list of blessings? What if they're actually Jesus' roadmap for becoming more like Him? When most people read the Sermon on the Mount, they focus on what Jesus said. But in this episode of Word Alive: How to Study Your Bible, we'll learn how to study what He said by looking at the original audience, the historical context, literary patterns, and Old Testament connections that reveal the incredible depth of Matthew 5. As we begin our study of the Beatitudes, you'll discover that Jesus wasn't simply giving us eight virtues to admire—He was inviting us into a transformed way of living that begins with humility and leads to a life that reflects His heart. You'll discover: Why understanding Jesus' audience changes the way we read the Sermon on the MountHow Matthew intentionally presents Jesus as the greater MosesWhy mountains play such an important role throughout Matthew's GospelWhat a chiasm is and how recognizing biblical patterns can deepen your studyWhat the word "blessed" (makarios) really meansWhy righteousness is more than outward behaviorHow the Beatitudes reveal a progression of spiritual growthWhat it means to be poor in spirit, mourn, be meek, and hunger for righteousnessKey Takeaways Context transforms understanding.Matthew intentionally points us to Jesus as the greater Moses.The Beatitudes describe the character Christ forms in His disciples.True righteousness flows from a heart that loves God.Spiritual growth begins with recognizing our complete dependence upon Jesus.If this episode encourages you, would you take a moment to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who wants to grow deeper in God's Word? Your support helps more people discover the life-changing truth of Scripture through The Higher Pursuit. Until next time, keep pursuing Him—because He is always pursuing you. Support the Show  Stay Connected & Go Deeper! Loved this episode? There's more where that came from!  Connect with me for more faith-filled encouragement, practical Bible studies, and exclusive resources. Explore more + free resources here: https://linktr.ee/cecily.lachapelle  Watch on YouTube Visit my website Follow on social media for weekly encouragement Download Today's Handout: https://higherpursuitministries.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Understanding-Jesus-Most-Important-Se Watch this episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/live/XnjdJ9cGGak?si=uxmKmMHB44FIBEc8rmon_Handout-2.pdf Your journey doesn't stop here—let's keep growing together! Support the show 🌟 Stay Connected & Go Deeper! 🌟 Loved this episode? There’s more where that came from! 🎧✨ Connect with me for more faith-filled encouragement, practical insights, and exclusive content: Explore more + free resources here: https://linktr.ee/cecily.lachapelle ✅ Watch on YouTube ✅ Dive into my website ✅ Follow on social media for more inspiration Your journey doesn’t stop here—let’s keep growing together! 💛 Click the link now! 👆 ✅ Please consider supporting the show with a monthly donation. 💛  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2138819/support

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About

Welcome to Higher Pursuit, where we walk together on the journey of pursuing our best in Christ. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by life’s demands, facing self-doubt, or longing for deeper purpose, this podcast is for you. Here, we tackle real struggles—from emotional resilience to spiritual growth—drawing strength from faith and biblical wisdom. Inspired by Paul’s image of the Christian life as a race for an eternal prize, I’m here as your Coach, offering encouragement, practical guidance, and support to build your endurance and strengthen your spirit. Let’s press on together, with our eyes on Jesus, toward the life God has called us to.

Information

  • Creator
    Cecily Lachapelle
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    85
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Higher Pursuit Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Higher Pursuit Podcast