Igniting Hope Ministries
Igniting Hope Ministries, led by Steve Backlund, helps people live with hope, joy, and divine strategies for success. The podcast features biblical teaching and practical encouragement for overcoming discouragement and building a hopeful mindset. Listeners are equipped to apply faith-based principles to their daily lives and relationships. Each episode aims to inspire spiritual renewal and personal growth.
Episodes
Fig Trees and Dry Bones Don't Have Ears
Our words are not merely containers of information. There is more happening when we speak than simply communicating ideas. In this fun and insightful teaching, Steve Backlund discusses biblical examples of people speaking to "earless" things and what it means for us today.
Jezebel or Strong Woman?
Is every strong, confident woman a Jezebel? In this podcast, Steve Backlund explores the difference between healthy strength and the misuse of power through control, manipulation, and intimidation; why we should be careful not to turn immature behavior into someone's identity; and how we can help women be strong, confident, healthy leaders.
5 Signs We Are Striving, Not Trusting
Striving can be difficult to recognize because it often looks like responsibility. Yet underneath this "responsible behavior" can be an internal pressure that says, “I have to make this happen.” In this message, Steve Backlund gives insights and strategies to overcome striving and be restful while still being responsible.
Who Are You Talking To?
Our greatest communication upgrade may not be learning what to say, but it may be changing what we believe about the person we're saying it to. Join Steve Backlund for a message that is guaranteed to increase your positive influence in relationships, ministry, and more.
It Doesn't Have to Make Sense Yet
God seems to have a habit of giving us directions or something to believe that does not make sense to our natural mind. In this fun message, you will be inspired to let go of leaning on your own understanding and live a greater life of faith.
How Hope-filled Does God Want Us?
"Now may the God of hope fill you . . . . " (Romans 15:13). How full does God want us to be? Join Steve Backlund as he looks at God's message to the Children of Israel in a season of bondage and disappointment.
When Helping Doesn't Help
"Enabling people focuses on today's comfort. Empowerment focuses on tomorrow's freedom. Our goal isn't to make life easier for people. Our goal is to make people stronger for life." This is an excerpt from this podcast that looks deeper at what love really is in relationships.
What's God Doing Now?
The Pharisees defended truth, valued obedience, and devoted themselves to preserving God's law. Yet most completely missed the Messiah standing before them. In this message, Steve Backlund inspires and equips you to be a modern day son or daughter of Issachar.
Higher Levels, Higher Devils?
Steve Backlund uses an excerpt out of his book, Let's Just Laugh at That, to speak into our beliefs about spiritual warfare and spiritual protection. Get ready to be inspired, challenged, and equipped to be a spiritual thermostat, not a thermometer.
The Most Overlooked Leadership Skill
Great leaders have skills in integrity, communication, vision-casting, tenacity, relationships, and more. In this podcast, Steve Backlund shares a "skill" that truly determines our influence level.
Pay Now or Pay More Later
Many years ago, AAMCO Transmissions had a memorable slogan: "Pay now or pay later." Their message was simple. Spend a little money on maintenance today or spend much more repairing major problems later. In this podcast, Steve Backlund unpacks his leadership pillar of intentionality to inspire and equip us to have an investment mindset, not a debt mindset.
Believe and Manage
One of the greatest areas where we are tempted to be frustrated in our Christian life is believing for something that hasn't happened yet. In this podcast, Steve Backlund shares one of his most important life habits to navigate these situations with victory.
Believing the Best in Your Spouse
Melinda and Pieter Lagaay join Steve Backlund to share their incredible marriage restoration and to give a key for breakthrough and growth in marriages.
Decide and He Will Provide
If we always wait for provision before deciding to do something, we will limit what our lives can become. In this message, Steve Backlund extracts from his book, Fully Convinced: The Art of Decision Making to inspire us to think big in our decision making.
Big or Small on the Inside?
We are all tempted to be "small" on the inside of ourselves (offended, jealous, envious, selfish, entitled, etc) like the Bible characters of Cain, Joseph's brothers, King Saul, and the Pharisees during Jesus' ministry. In this message, Steve Backlund inspires us to go higher in our beliefs when others are experiencing what we want.
It's Already Happening Part 2
Jesus said, "Do you not say, 'Four months and then the harvest,' but I say to you, 'Look up and see; the fields are white for harvest" (John 4:35). The belief that it is already happening (in our lives, families, cities, job, schools, etc.) will cause us to see what was missed when we were not hope-filled.
It's Already Happening Part 1
Jesus made a startling statement in John 4:35: “Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest.” Hope people see what is happening that others are missing. Indeed, there is something to partner with that God is already doing in our lives, families, neighborhoods, workpl
The Manna Ceased
"Then the manna ceased . . . " (Joshua 5:12). The Israelites faced a major shift in their relationship with God (and in how provision was going to be experienced). It was unsettling, but it launched them into greater maturity and influence. Join Steve Backlund as he gives wisdom and inspiration for when the "manna" seems to cease in our own lives.
Declarations: The Science Behind It
Our brains are wired to change. Modern neuroscience calls this neuroplasticity, which is the brain’s ability to rewire itself through repeated input, focus, and experience. Declarations are a big part of this. Join Steve Backlund in this inspiring message.
Fasting More or Feasting More?
Many believers lack victory, not because they do not fast enough, but because they do not "feast" on hope, truth, testimonies, worship, teachings, biblical meditation, declarations, and the promises of God. Join Steve Backlund as he unpacks this life-launching truth in this podcast.
Improve It
Managers tend to maintain, while leaders lead into better things. In this podcast, Steve Backlund releases motivation and strategies to take key areas of our lives, ministries, and assignments to the next level.
The 4th Source of Healthy Fruitful Mind Renewal
"The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy" (Revelation 19:10). One of the main reasons we have been given a memory is to remember what the Lord has done, because what God has done in the past prophesies how we see our current situations. In this podcast, Steve Backlund shares about the vital role of testimonies in healthy mind renewal and teaches how to extract the prophecy within them to
What True Revelation Produces
What comes to mind when you hear the word revelation? For many, it means something deep, something new, something we’ve never heard before, and/or a fresh insight that feels profound. And while those things can be a part of it, there is a bigger purpose. Join Steve Backlund as he shares an important insight for people who value growing in biblical revelation.
Trying to Stop Something? Replace It Instead
Many people are trying to stop negative behaviors. But here’s a powerful truth: The best way to stop a negative behavior is not just to remove it—it is to replace it. Join Seve Backlund as he shares an important truth for those who desire change.
The Art of the Faster Comeback
Resilience is the capacity to recover quickly, adapt, or "bounce back" from adversity, trauma, or significant stress. In this podcast, Steve Backlund gives insight into the beliefs and habits that will help you make a faster comeback when faced with disappointing happenings.
Increasing the Likelihood
"This is going to be my best day yet!" This does not guarantee it will happen, but the moment this is said, it increases the likelihood it will. In this message, Steve Backlund shares one of his favorite life tools for seeing dreams and desires happen.
Identity-Based Bible Reading
We cannot consistently do what we don't believe we are. One reason many sincere Christians feel unworthy when they read the Bible is that they are reading it with a behavior-first mindset instead of an identity-first mindset. In this message, Steve Backlund gives you insight into this and helps you get excited about Bible reading (and hearing sermons) like never before.
Being a Prophetic Person
We are called not only to prophesy, but to be a prophetic person - one who sees people, circumstances, and possibilities through Heaven’s lens. Instead of being limited by appearances, past history, or natural probabilities, they choose to believe what God says is possible. In this message, Steve Backlund shares about this higher way of living.
Identifying Your Metrons
Romans 12:3 says God has dealt to each one “a measure of faith.” The word “measure” comes from the Greek word metron, which is a measured sphere of authority. It’s the area where God has entrusted us with unusual faith, unusual grace, and unusual influence. This podcast is designed to help you find your purpose and calling in a greater way.
Lies Smart People Believe
Lies smart people believe usually don't make them rebellious; they make them passive. They don’t cause them to run from God; they cause them to expect less from Him. In this podcast, Steve Backlund reveals subtle lies that put on ceiling on the potential of responsible and logical people.
I Am So Glad I Needed to Persevere
This is a part two to last week's podcast, "I Am So Glad It Was Hard". In this message, Steve Backlund quotes from James 1:12 and shares how perseverance through trials gives us a "crown of life" (ability to give life away to others in the very areas we are overcoming in). This message will give further purpose to what is difficult in our lives.
I Am So Glad It was Hard
I was talking recently with my wife, Wendy, reflecting on some high-profile leadership messes. These people rose quickly in influence, but their lack of character undermined their influence. In the middle of that conversation, I said, “I am so glad it was hard for us.” This podcast shares the why behind that statement. Get ready to be inspired and equipped for strength and longevity as you listen.
Navigating Controversy With Hope and Strong Beliefs
When controversy happens in our lives, our churches, or in our nation, we are very tempted to let our emotions direct our beliefs and responses, but this often leads to division rather than bridge-building. In this podcast, Steve Backlund gives some great insights into navigating controversies in a healthy way.
I Did Not Expect THAT to Happen
Steve Backlund gives great insight into how to think and respond to the unexpected happening in our lives.
Avoiding Pendulumic Swings
The fruit of the Spirit of self-control is vital for so many areas, but it is especially needed for us to not over-react to perceived doctrinal error or rumors about people. In this podcast, Steve Backlund will help you become more balanced in your responses to such things.
Who Do We Say They Are?
In this message, Steve Backlund makes the case that the third most important question in life is "Who Do We Say the People in Our Life Are?"
A Different Twist on What Believe is Hard
"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks" (Matthew 12:34. Our beliefs come out through our words. It is fascinating to consider what we believe is hard (hard to do or difficult to experience). The belief that something is hard is usually a bigger problem than what seems to be hard. In this fun, inspiring, and revelatory teaching, Steve Backlund shares what we really need to believe is h
2026: You Are the Burning Bush
Steve Backlund shares prophetically what he is hearing for 2026.
3 Prophetic Truths For Us From the Christmas Story (full length sermon)
This is a message Steve preached at Valley Church in Caldwell on December 14, 2025, right after Wendy and he moved there. Get ready to be inspired and hear a "now word" for your life.
Christmas Story Prophetic Words for You
Steve continues a Christmas podcast tradition of sharing insights into what the birth of Jesus speaks about the circumstances we are facing in our own lives.
The Abundance Mindset
This great message will build your expectation to experience abundance in nine key areas to accomplish God's highest purposes for your life.
The Power of Repetition
It has been said that people, on average, heard the gospel 7.4 times before surrendering and believing in Jesus. In this podcast, Seve Backlund shares the importance of repeating things in ministry and beyond.
The Two Most Important Words in the World?
In this podcast, Steve Backlund makes the case for "thank you" being the two most important words we can speak. Get ready to be inspired to take your thankfulness to life-changing levels.
Stir It Up
The Apostle Paul told Timothy to "stir up the gift" that was in him (2 Timothy 1:6). It is not automatic that our gifts will mature and bear fruit. In this podcast, Steve Backlund puts on his coach's hat to inspire you and give you insight into how to stir yourself up and see an increase in the gifts and talents you have.
Embracing Failure
Those who succeed most seem to fail most. Winston Churchill said, "Success is moving from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm." In this podcast, Steve Backlund helps us practically live out these truths.
Healing From Grief With Hope
Cyndi Barber joins Steve Backlund on this important podcast. Cyndi shares her own experience with grief, and conveys the powerful truths and practices that have helped her and many others overcome it.
5 Biblical Ways to Celebrate Your Progress
"The joy of the Lord is our strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). Our spiritual load-bearing capacity is in direct proportion to the level of joy in our lives. Celebrating progress, not perfection, is an important habit of joyful people. In this podcast, Steve Backlund expounds on five Bible verses to help activate your celebration of yourself like never before.
See, I Told You So!
Both those who believe they can, and those who believe they can't, are right. What we are experiencing today is largely the result of the beliefs and words we had in the past. In this podcast, Steve Backlund helps us break the tendency to use circumstances and feelings for why we believe what we believe.
Working Out Our Relational Beliefs
We have beliefs to "work out" and strengthen in five areas - beliefs about God, ourselves, other people, circumstances, and decisions we are making. In this podcast, Steve Backlund gives insights and inspiration about our beliefs about the people in our lives.
These People Are the Problem!
This podcast helps break off the lie that we are victims of the people in our lives. Steve Backlund shares an excerpt from his book, Let's Just Laugh at That!, about how some of his favorite biblical characters overcame this lie and how we can do so too.
Seven White Water Rafting Truths
Steve Backlund shares seven fun and transformational truths from his white water rafting experiences.
The Charlie Kirk Effect
In this podcast, Steve Backlund prophetically shares five things we can expect to increase in our lives because of the life and death of Charlie Kirk.
Enlarge the Place of Your Tent
Steve Backlund prophetically speaks from Isaiah 54 and John 5 in this podcast. This message will inspire you to move forward into your dreams, plus it will give you a key if you are feeling overlooked or devalued in this season.
Balance, Elbow, Eyes, Follow Through
Join Steve Backlund as he gives you insights from his basketball coaching and applies them to life and leadership. He specifically speaks about following through on what we have committed to believe and do. This message will take you higher in life and influence.
Asking God for a Sign of His Favor
"Show me a sign of your favor” (Psalm 86:17 ESV). God gave many of our favorite Bible characters "signs" that confirmed they were headed in the right direction and that He was with them. In this podcast, Steve Backlund will inspire you to expect big signs of God's favor and guidance. He also gives some practical wisdom in healthily interpreting these signs. Get ready to be inspired and equipped as
Who is Attracted to You?
Empowering leaders are more focused on building big people than building a big organization. If we are "small" in our attitudes (i.e., jealous, selfish, insecure, competitive, etc.), we will struggle to build people and to have "big" people attracted to us. In this podcast, Steve Backlund compares Israel's first two kings (Saul and David) to defeat the self-limiting beliefs that restrict our influ
5 Prophetic Revelations to Get You Unstuck
Steve Backlund shares some wisdom that is "a word in season" for many who listen.
Four Habits of History Makers
We each have unlimited potential in God. In this podcast, Steve Backlund shares these four habits from Philippians 4 that will propel your life in incredible ways.
Should We Really Get People's Hopes Up?
In this message, Steve Backlund uses Jesus as the example for getting people's hopes up. In Luke 4, He proclaimed that His ministry would be one of regularly proclaiming good news to the poor, freedom to captives, and that the current year would be the year of God's favor. This powerful podcast will inspire and equip you to be like Jesus in bringing hope to people.
5 Disappointments We All Get to Overcome
All of us are tempted to be disappointed with God, ourselves, leaders, people we are leading, and life in general. In this message, Steve Backlund shares inspiring insights to empower us to overcome disappointment and move forward in our lives like never before.
The 8 Pillars of Success Part 2
Steve Backlund shares four more of the leadership principles that have greatly impacted his life and the lives of many others. This week's pillars are: Speaking Life, Faith-filled Decision Making, the Culture of Gladness, and Empowerment - Building Big People.
The 8 Pillars of Success Part 1
"Then you will make your way prosperous and be of good success" (Joshua 1:8). In this podcast, Steve Backlund shares four of his life pillars that have revolutionized his life: 1) Inspiring and Leading Yourself, 2) Transformational Beliefs, 3) Intentionality, and 4) Healthy Relationships.
Five Excuses of the Victim Mindset
The victim mindset is a stronghold we all get to defeat. It wants us to believe we are at a disadvantage because of factors like our finances, family situation, physical appearance, our health, other people's perceptions of us, our past, our education, our vocation, or something else. This limiting belief is almost always a bigger problem than what we feel a victim of. In this podcast, Steve Ba
Ten Keys for Public Speakers
Steve Backlund brings his unique perspective on speaking that will help you be more confident and effective. This message does not just help public speakers, but it gives insights into how to increase empowerment in all our communications with others.
What Are We Concluding?
Our conclusions about a circumstance are always more important than the circumstance itself. In this podcast, Steve Backlund explores the story of the twelve spies in Numbers 13 and how it speaks to our lives today.
Five Ways to Activate the Prophetic
"Desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy" (1 Corinthians 14:1). This podcast will help you understand the nature of New Testament prophetic ministry and how to grow in it so that others can become what they never thought they could be.
Was It An Identity Crisis?
Steve Backlund shares about a time when he thought he had his identity rooted in the right things, but it really wasn't. What he discovered in this seemingly negative time for him will help you avoid a crisis of identity in your future.
Culture of Gladness
Join Steve as he explores the significance of joy in the kingdom of God and its transformative power for personal and relational growth.
Give God Something to Work With
People of hope give God a LOT to work with because they believe the future will be better than the present, and they have the power to help make it so. This “power to help make it so” mentality enables us to join with God and take risks to try new or creative things, which he will partner with to see breakthroughs happen. This podcast will equip you to give God much to work with. You and others wi
Achieving vs. Improving
Success is not a goal to be attained; it is a state of being. If we need something outward to validate us as a success, then we are not a success. Achievers are goal-focused, while improvers are process-focused. In this podcast, Steve Backlund will help realign what is really important in our lives.
Don't Receive It
"Receive not an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses" (1 Timothy 5:19). We can hear something but not "receive" it (not renew our minds with it). In this freedom-bringing podcast, Steve Backlund unlocks the power of being intentional in what we receive (or don't receive) into our belief systems.
Transformation Catches Up to Our Beliefs
Discover the transformative power of beliefs and how they shape your experiences, emotional well-being, and future success through faith, mind renewal, and positive affirmations. Explore how joy, hope, and community support can foster personal growth, stronger relationships, and a brighter future.
Let Go of These Five Things Now
In India, monkeys are trapped because they will not let go of a banana that is too large to get through a hole. In the same way, we are trapped because we do not let go of self-defeating mindsets and habits. In this message, Steve Backlund speaks about five specific things to let go of now.
Tell Them and Yourself This
Unique means "the only one existing". We are all unique. Yes, there are similarities in us, but there will never again be someone just like you or the people around you. Empowering people identify and speak to themselves and others the distinctive qualities in us. It is a key to finding our purpose in life.
The Two Big Questions
Whether we are seeking to overcome a problem or desiring to enter into a dream, there are two crucial questions to ask yourself to increase the likelihood of breakthroughs. Join Steve Backlund for a captivating and helpful message.
You Already Have It
Elisha asked the widow in 2 Kings 4:2, "What do you have?" It is a profound question that has a positive answer for each of us. In this podcast, Steve Backlund shares a truth that is vital for us to maximize our lives.
Should We Be Pessimistic About the Future?
Steve Backlund shares that for his whole life, the news media have given seemingly great reasons for why he should be pessimistic about the future (and most of what they said would happen never happened). Join him as he shares wisdom and strategies to stay a faith and hope-filled person.
Being a Good Loser
This podcast gives keys for how to think and respond when we seem to be losing in life. A sore loser is a person who becomes upset or angry when he or she loses. Good parents intuitively understand that sore losers (If not corrected) will lack favor, have emotional problems, and relational problems as an adults. Get ready for a fun and insightful teaching with this podcast.
Glistening Hope
Steve Backlund shares an incredible insight on hope. It changed his life and will change yours.
The Road to Lacking Nothing Part 2
Steve Backlund goes deeper into last week's podcast content. He shares how there is a test of our beliefs in each trial we face. Every trial has messages in it that test our beliefs. This podcast will shine a light on that and give inspiration to winning these tests of our faith like never before.
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